Airstream Classic
Looking to buy an Airstream Classic 30RB. I've never owned a bumper pull, any information on how they handle, what to to expect would be helpful.
Forum Discussion
A ten year old AS is still new. A conventional TT is ready to scrap. That’s the simple black/white divide.
This comes up every so often. Those who can’t perceive important design differences, first, and quality, second.
AS survived where the other aero, all-aluminum TTs did not. It was the entry level choice. None of them were ever cheap. The usual decision to buy one was versus mountain or lake property with a house. Doctors, lawyers, executives.
No one is forced to buy new. Except with a conventional TT. A 10-15 yr old AS has most of its depreciation gone. And is new enough to need little. Possibly nothing.
The difference in towing is night & day. Believing one has to be stuck with a pickup is a function of late-day ignorance. It wasn’t ever the norm. Nor need it be.
My folks bought their vintage kin Silver Streak in 1975. Kept it 27-Years. It’s still on the road. By choice, only two TVs in that time.
My 1990 is nearly thirty years old. But it’s in better shape — and will remain that way — than any seven or eight year old conventional.
FWIW, I purchased both my pickup (at three model years) and the TT (at twenty-two years) and combined had less than 30k in the outlay. True, as third generation I’m familiar with what to look for, etc. I wanted longest life at lowest cost.
With the current price of fuel my towing average is 17-cpm. Maybe $900 in fuel to take a 5000-mile vacation. So, a one ton pickup with a 35’ TT hitting nearly 17-mpg. Averaging 15.
Depreciation? Well, the pickup lost $3k in value the first nine years. The TT has only appreciated.
The used market allows leisure for a search. 10,000 or more of them out there. And the option of upgrading appliances, furnishings, etc is easy. Can be higher than RV quality. The factory sets a higher bar than most meet in their renovations, as there are no rules.
I strongly recommend reading Skatieros thread on AIR about renovating their 1986 32’ Excella to fit nine. Beautiful work.
If I were looking to replace mine with a lower quality AS I’d search for a mid/late 1990s “wide body” 34’.
Were I again on the search for value I’d choose the family brand or Avion.
No RV is perfect. But you could give me a brand-new New Horizons and I’d put it up for sale that same day. And go buy a TT worth having.
This comes up every so often. Those who can’t perceive important design differences, first, and quality, second.
AS survived where the other aero, all-aluminum TTs did not. It was the entry level choice. None of them were ever cheap. The usual decision to buy one was versus mountain or lake property with a house. Doctors, lawyers, executives.
No one is forced to buy new. Except with a conventional TT. A 10-15 yr old AS has most of its depreciation gone. And is new enough to need little. Possibly nothing.
The difference in towing is night & day. Believing one has to be stuck with a pickup is a function of late-day ignorance. It wasn’t ever the norm. Nor need it be.
My folks bought their vintage kin Silver Streak in 1975. Kept it 27-Years. It’s still on the road. By choice, only two TVs in that time.
My 1990 is nearly thirty years old. But it’s in better shape — and will remain that way — than any seven or eight year old conventional.
FWIW, I purchased both my pickup (at three model years) and the TT (at twenty-two years) and combined had less than 30k in the outlay. True, as third generation I’m familiar with what to look for, etc. I wanted longest life at lowest cost.
With the current price of fuel my towing average is 17-cpm. Maybe $900 in fuel to take a 5000-mile vacation. So, a one ton pickup with a 35’ TT hitting nearly 17-mpg. Averaging 15.
Depreciation? Well, the pickup lost $3k in value the first nine years. The TT has only appreciated.
The used market allows leisure for a search. 10,000 or more of them out there. And the option of upgrading appliances, furnishings, etc is easy. Can be higher than RV quality. The factory sets a higher bar than most meet in their renovations, as there are no rules.
I strongly recommend reading Skatieros thread on AIR about renovating their 1986 32’ Excella to fit nine. Beautiful work.
If I were looking to replace mine with a lower quality AS I’d search for a mid/late 1990s “wide body” 34’.
Were I again on the search for value I’d choose the family brand or Avion.
No RV is perfect. But you could give me a brand-new New Horizons and I’d put it up for sale that same day. And go buy a TT worth having.
