AIRSTREAM TT
Good day all: Iam thinking about getting rid of my 2003 Mallard.Is in good shape nothing wrong woth it. But I went to the RV show in chicago and seen the airstream TT. I was impress with the way t...
Forum Discussion
AIRSTREAM was the bottom of the heap for all-aluminum, aerodynamic travel trailers. The Chevy. The others -- AVION, SILVER STREAK and STREAMLINE -- couldn't cut costs as did A/S (volume) and fell by the wayside (like Packard). On the other hand, they sometimes didn't build in a week what A/S did in a day. Higher quality, though, if one is willing to buy a 20+ year old TT.
This TT type is pretty much a permanent acquisition. My folks had their SILVER STREAK for 27-years. It's still in use at 38-years. This TT type has the lowest long-term operating costs, not just the highest highway mpg (I get 15+ mpg pulling a 35').
My latest SS is 23-years old. Needs new appliances and some cosmetic updates, for the most part as some improvements planned will be replacing functioning components, or are entirely new. What I have into it then still can't be matched by new TT's costing 3X as much (except A/S).
Lack of storage is a non-starter. My grandparents travelled the US, Canada, and Mexico in the 1960's with their STREAMLINE pulled by a Dodge Monaco. It would be difficult to imagine what it was they were missing in taking along (though the non-A/S TT's have more storage available).
Yes, buying a new A/S is expensive relative to average income. Buying one at about 10-years is probably the best trade-off of price & value (what work might be needed).
The online community is huge. Every problem is known and has at least three fixes. Rich to poor, all are represented. There are not only clubs, but seminars on the fine points of working on them. Craftsmanship, for those interested.
If a TT that has an indefinite lifespan and the best road performance is important then there is not a comparable choice. The more miles traveled, the better the fit. One does not need a truck, either. Lower HP demand has real advantages, and superior design (low center of gravity, fully independent suspension and good basic aero shape) makes an easy-to-tow TT.
If parking a TT at the local lake is the thing, then any white plastic box will do (for 8-10 years with best care). The "depreciation" on the square white box is permanent . . where now are all the TT's I see in the background of my parents or grandparents travel pictures?
So let's put this idea -- permanence plus low cost -- in a different frame.
1] There are folks who once posted here who no longer own an RV since fuel went from just under $1/gl to as much as $4/gl. Those voices aren't heard here.
2] There are those who wish to travel as much as possible on the lowest fuel cost which rules out pickup trucks (and their inherent instability + terrible road performance solo or otherwise). There are a few voices here.
3] With the above in mind, a permanent, low-cost TT of the right design & construction can be pulled by a variety of TV's; and
4] Provide shelter anywhere, anytime for an indefinite period. Hurricane or similar. Moving to a new locale cross-country. Use imagination of where ownership of such trumps cash/credit available to overcome adversity. Illness, job loss, etc, only make other problems that much worse.
A Harley is a kiddie toy. Same for an airplane. A sailboat or an Airstream type TT are in a class of their own when seen through this lense as they provide long-term living accommodations at a very low cost when properly understood.
In other words, look at the money spent for the value received. The emphasis should be on "value" when things are tough, not just when all is rosy.
Thus, if RV'ng becomes a no-go at $5/gl just remember that there will be those who kept right on going. Their costs were-- and are -- lower in an all-around sense.
.
This TT type is pretty much a permanent acquisition. My folks had their SILVER STREAK for 27-years. It's still in use at 38-years. This TT type has the lowest long-term operating costs, not just the highest highway mpg (I get 15+ mpg pulling a 35').
My latest SS is 23-years old. Needs new appliances and some cosmetic updates, for the most part as some improvements planned will be replacing functioning components, or are entirely new. What I have into it then still can't be matched by new TT's costing 3X as much (except A/S).
Lack of storage is a non-starter. My grandparents travelled the US, Canada, and Mexico in the 1960's with their STREAMLINE pulled by a Dodge Monaco. It would be difficult to imagine what it was they were missing in taking along (though the non-A/S TT's have more storage available).
Yes, buying a new A/S is expensive relative to average income. Buying one at about 10-years is probably the best trade-off of price & value (what work might be needed).
The online community is huge. Every problem is known and has at least three fixes. Rich to poor, all are represented. There are not only clubs, but seminars on the fine points of working on them. Craftsmanship, for those interested.
If a TT that has an indefinite lifespan and the best road performance is important then there is not a comparable choice. The more miles traveled, the better the fit. One does not need a truck, either. Lower HP demand has real advantages, and superior design (low center of gravity, fully independent suspension and good basic aero shape) makes an easy-to-tow TT.
If parking a TT at the local lake is the thing, then any white plastic box will do (for 8-10 years with best care). The "depreciation" on the square white box is permanent . . where now are all the TT's I see in the background of my parents or grandparents travel pictures?
So let's put this idea -- permanence plus low cost -- in a different frame.
1] There are folks who once posted here who no longer own an RV since fuel went from just under $1/gl to as much as $4/gl. Those voices aren't heard here.
2] There are those who wish to travel as much as possible on the lowest fuel cost which rules out pickup trucks (and their inherent instability + terrible road performance solo or otherwise). There are a few voices here.
3] With the above in mind, a permanent, low-cost TT of the right design & construction can be pulled by a variety of TV's; and
4] Provide shelter anywhere, anytime for an indefinite period. Hurricane or similar. Moving to a new locale cross-country. Use imagination of where ownership of such trumps cash/credit available to overcome adversity. Illness, job loss, etc, only make other problems that much worse.
A Harley is a kiddie toy. Same for an airplane. A sailboat or an Airstream type TT are in a class of their own when seen through this lense as they provide long-term living accommodations at a very low cost when properly understood.
In other words, look at the money spent for the value received. The emphasis should be on "value" when things are tough, not just when all is rosy.
Thus, if RV'ng becomes a no-go at $5/gl just remember that there will be those who kept right on going. Their costs were-- and are -- lower in an all-around sense.
.
