Airstream Classic

Someone show me the threads where those shopping 1980s and 90s plastic trailers to use for extensive travel are located.

The criticisms, as usual, come from those with no relevant experience or line by line comparisons.

The fact remIns that the aero all-aluminum TTs have an indefinite lifespan. Anything else is a joke. Before the finance note expires, it’s junk.

this size to cost comparison is similar to a B van costing twice what a class C does. hard to sell the war department on spending that kind of coin.
bumpy

The Airstream is a great brand and they do set the benchmark. The reality is; I can’t go out and buy a 2018 Airstream 28’ TT with a 3’ slide out and tow with my 2007 Tundra CrewMax for $28K. I can’t have 28’ Airstream with dry weight of 6,400, a wet weight of 8,100 and a DW toung weight of 650 lb.

I don’t take away anything from Airstream, they are nice. The problem I have is a tiny-tiny Airstream unit can cost thousands more than than my 28’ which I simply can’t swallow. I’ve asked at the camp sites and this is reality.

I don't believe Airstream Superior. They are grossly overrated and the one my friend used to ahve always reeked of smoke due to the carpeted walls. I have a Arctic Fox and I would trade it even up for a new Airstream. IMHO they are good quality only but develop a leak in one of the riveted seams and you can junk it. I read somewhere the R Value was 7 for an Airstream, 18 for a Arctic Fox.

rbpru wrote:


Quality costs, perhaps not the 3x of an Airstream but a certainly half again the current TT cost.
s

well stated. but like a Rolex watch, it is good for your ego.
bumpy

For their length Airstreams pull well. They are aluminum and bullet shaped. They are aerodynamic. People like pulling them. Finding a decent place to sleep in one can be a challenge and so can retrofitting them with all of those curved surfaces.

It all comes back to the complaints about TT quality. Folks want a high quality TT but when you offer one they whine because it is expensive.

Quality costs, perhaps not the 3x of an Airstream but a certainly half again the current TT cost.

If you like an Airstream and can afford it, buy one. I splurged on a "Kromer" cap, and Bean boots because I like them. They will wear out just like their less expensive Wal-Mart equivalents. No matter, I like them, I need no other reason.

But in my case, even if Airstreams cost the same as standard TT. My DW still would not like the shape and I still need a slide.


Safe travels

My wife and I also love the look of the Airstream trailers and could afford one if we really wanted one but I'm too frugal to buy one. Here's the way I look at the value/depreciation debate. if you're looking at a $40k conventional trailer vs a $120k Airstream, in 10 years the conventional trailer might be worn out, and have depreciated the entire $40k while the Airstream might have only depreciated $30k so it looks like a better deal. But if you had invested the $80k difference for that 10 years, it would have appreciated way more than the $10k difference. (If you had put the $80k in the stock market 10 years ago it would probably be worth over $200k right now!)

Gdetrailer wrote:
An AirStream just like any other trailer design, can AND WILL LEAK.
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I have a 30 yr old conventional trailer that I rebuilt and as long as I do some simple maintenance to keep it dry it should go another 30 yrs.

Yes, an Airstream, like every other TT made, needs maintenance.

I realize that a manufacturer's claims are not to be taken too seriously, but Airstream claims that 60% of all Airstreams ever made are still on the road. Even if you cut that claim in half, that is still a truly remarkable statistic. Much more so that someone having a single 30 year old TT that is still usable. Is an Airstream as good as Airstream says? Absolutely not. No product is as good as the manufacturer claims. Is an Airstream likely to last much longer than an SOB (Some Other Brand) getting exactly the same type of care? Absolutely yes. Is it worth the extra cost? That is the opinion of the buyer. Obviously, for me and DW, it was. For you, it may not be.

Gdetrailer wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
This thread reminds me of the Hensley Arrow debate: many people bad mouth a superior product they have never seen or used. So it is with the Airstream and this thread: many people bad mouthing a superior product they have never used and probably could not afford so they degrade it.

You might be a bit right, however, Airstreams are a "love it" or Hate it" type of trailer.

To be willing to pay the premium price tag, one must "love it".

While I appreciate the "nostalgic" look of the 1950's the design IS completely worn out and out of touch. Modern airplanes have changed looks but the Air Streams have not (and AirStream took their design cues from airplanes back in the day and looked "futuristic"). There is only so much you can do with the silver looking hot dog on wheels to update the look.

Have you ever been in one? The rounded outside takes a lot of inside space away and that IS a "fact" so they are not as spacious as a boxy RV.

Inside construction while based on a modular design approach tends to waste space also and does add weight.

Inside materials are no better than any other RV, they use the same paneling, appliances and so on.

That gets us down to the outside, yeah, shiny riveted aluminum sheets, what can I say, lots of ways of leaking.. Water proofing is an issue and leaks are well hidden for a long time. Aluminum does corrode/dull, and keeping it polished can be a huge task..

Yes, there are folks who love the 1950s look and are willing to pay a premium..

And there are folks like me who enjoy seeing the 1950s look while someone else pays the premium..

For me, they don't make sense to own, partly due to cost, partly due to the dated looks, partly due to same old interior materials as any other RV..

Thank you for making my point so eloquently.