Airstreams are for people who are sure that RVing is their lifestyle, and are confident that their first choice will serve them well for 10 or 20 years. For those conditions, they are worth the price asked.
Or they are for people who can afford expensive mistakes. If you buy one, and within a few months decide you don't like RVing, or that you don't like towing and would rather have a motorhome, you might save some lucky second buyer a lot of money. The drive-it-off-the-lot depreciation on a small one almost covers the full price of an equivalent size plastic box.
If you are confidant about your choice, go for it. If you have doubts about RVing, try a few outings in a small rental TT. If you still like RVing after that, you will have even more appreciation for the Airstream you then buy.
TF36DSMatt wrote: Airstream pros:
Structure itself lasts a long time
Aerodynamic
Hold their value well (especially if purchased used)
Airstream mystique & comraderie
They look cool
Airstream Cons:
Less storage than a comparable length fiberglass model
They don't make a toy hauler
Slides only on the larger models
A bit heavy for size
Small head/shower
Expensive
Airstream isn't for for me (I own a toy hauler), but I do enjoy seeing them on the road. Personally though... if I were spending that amount of money on a trailer that size I'd also be looking closely at a Big Foot. Check out this post where a moderator of the Airstream forums, after owning 6 Airstreams buys a Big Foot:
Tow other big cons is that aluminium is very soft and easily dented and they ride very low to the gorund, often dragging in and out of gas stations.
I owned a 1986 model, one of the last years that they were very well built. I liked owning it, as it is an icon. However, due to the shape, they do not have a lot of interior storage space. I felt like I was living in a tunnel.
We love our 2001 Airstream that we bought last Fall. We downsized from a 30 foot "box" trailer w/bunks and haven't looked back. Our Safari really suits our camping style. Airsteams are not for everyone; those that prefer a condo-on-wheels with multiple slides will have to look elsewhere. But for the "less is more crowd", or for those who like travelling and that don't spend a great deal of time IN their trailer when camping, an Airsteam just might be the ticket.
Gary
2001 Airstream Safari 25SS tugged by 2001 GMC Yukon 5.3L 3.73
Hensley Arrow • Jordan Ultima • Barker 3000 • Mckesh
interesting the comments about Airstream pricing - if you want to gasp about prices, go look at decent class-A RV's.
Unless you have a lot of experience with small travel trailers of any type or do not plan to spend a lot of time with your RV, the under 20' idea needs a lot of thought. Towing a 30' isn't really that much different than towing a 20' and the livability is much much better. There is a big jump when you get to a design that has beds that are dedicated to purpose and don't have to serve as sofas during the day (this usually means 24' or larger).
rolnrolnroln wrote: As for the AC, why would anyone need ducted AC in a 16'-19' TT?
Agreed, but not everyone wants a trailer that small. When you're looking for something in the 25-30' range or longer, ducted AC becomes a bit more important.
Your comment about 'sour grapes' folks is probably true, too. You get that with any high $$ items (like certain hitch designs, hahahaha).
With us though, like I alluded to in my earlier post - it wouldn't matter if Airstreams were the same price as regular trailers, I still wouldn't go that route, 'cause they just don't 'fit' with our way of camping.
Now, if they ever came out with a unit with a bunkhouse in back, bedroom up front, good size slideout with a sofa and dinette, ducted AC, and some decent exterior storage....Might be a different story.
My Airstream is a 65 Safari 22 foot. Cost me 1000 and put 5000 into restoring. Did all the work myself. In the 40 some years we have been camping I have had them all, motorhomes, popups, truckcampers and I would not trade my Safari for any trailer except another airstream. People say they don't have enough storage...If you can't fit it in then you don't need it. No ducted air...come on now, your camping! Expensive? You bet they are but how many 43 year old trailers do you see on the road. etc. etc. etc.
nypatnva wrote: People say they don't have enough storage...If you can't fit it in then you don't need it.
I disagree. I can think of many, MANY things that nearly all campers (including you, probably) definitely need when camping, that are best stored in outside storage (which is almost non-existent with an Airstream). Things like, outside chairs, cooking grill, leveling blocks...Basically, anything that you use OUTSIDE, is best kept in outside storage for many reasons.
Quote: No ducted air...come on now, your camping!
..You could use that 'camping' logic to question the need for any trailer AT ALL, and say that everyone should be tent camping. Lets not go down that path.
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