Slightly OT-any Airstream owners here?

[pperfectmom]

After taking our small kids on their first camping trip over the weekend I came to two conclusions #1 a tent is really small and #2 I think I'm getting too old to sleep on the ground. This led me to conclusion #3 I really want an Airstream. We have discussed this for years, because DH and I both think they are so cool. What we would really like to find is an old one that is cheap that could be gutted and we could fix it up to suit us. We really have no desire(or money) to get a new one. Also, we don't want a huge one or one of the kind that you drive. The only requirements are that it is large enough for us and 2 growing kids and I would like a toilet and shower if at all possible. Does anyone know of good websites with info on buying, renovating, parts, pictures, etc.? We are definately still in the dreaming stages, but if we found a really, really good deal on one, we might be able to finance. Thanks for any info in advance.

 

[becky1960]

You need to study this long and hard, it can be very expensive to rebuild a travel trailer as the parts are not very cheap. It can be done over a longer period of time by searching for used parts. You may find resale's on Ebay to look at but be carefull if you decide to buy a used camper. It seems to me, they wear out pretty fast after about 10 years.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Airstream is one of the more expensive TT's on the market, primarily due to the quality of their construction. They have quite a cult following, and there was a movement a few years ago whose followers were into restoring vintage airstreams - they tend to be more in line with antique cars than "old travel trailers." For that reason, they are of good enough quality to warrant restoration, but I wouldn't expect it to be an inexpensive project. You would be among some famous airstream owners, however - Tom Hanks has a restored airstream.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

After taking our small kids on their first camping trip over the weekend I came to two conclusions #1 a tent is really small and #2 I think I'm getting too old to sleep on the ground. This led me to conclusion #3 I really want an Airstream. We have discussed this for years, because DH and I both think they are so cool. What we would really like to find is an old one that is cheap that could be gutted and we could fix it up to suit us. We really have no desire(or money) to get a new one. Also, we don't want a huge one or one of the kind that you drive. The only requirements are that it is large enough for us and 2 growing kids and I would like a toilet and shower if at all possible. Does anyone know of good websites with info on buying, renovating, parts, pictures, etc.? We are definately still in the dreaming stages, but if we found a really, really good deal on one, we might be able to finance. Thanks for any info in advance.

Well pperfectmom, I think you have perfect taste. We purchased a new 30' Airstream in May of this year and within the first two months of ownership we had taken our kids camping in 10% of the U.S. (5 states), including Ft. Wilderness and the longest trip was the FW trip of four days.

As ftwildernessguy said, restoration/renovation is NOT cheap. Nor is purchasing an older unit. Expect to pay $2-4K for a used coach in "good" condition, more if it's in great condition; $10K or more if it's under 20 years old and in good or better condition. The smaller coaches are the most in demand and have the highest resale value as they don't require as powerful a tow vehicle. Having said that, the length to weight ratio of an Airstream is the lightest in the industry.

All of the systems used in an Airstream are the highest quality available and are intended to last for decades. It is not unusual to find units from the early '70's or late '60's that have all original appliances. Ten year life spans of the appliances is really nothing and over 65% of all Airstreams ever built are still road worthy...and my '06 Airstream is one of the 75th Aniversary models. Airstream is the oldest travel trailer company in the world and its parent company, Thor Industries started with the purchase of Airstream in the late '70's. While visiting the Airstream factory in Ohio this summer, I saw their factory service center doing a frame-off restoration of a 1948 Airstream Clipper, a 1954 Airstream Flying Cloud (I believe), and they had just completed a bumper-to-bumper renovation of a early 1980's 37' Classic motorhome. Airstream restoration and customization is alive and well in America, pperfectmom.

BTW, the Walley Byam Caravan Club International (named after the founder of Airstream) is the largest brand specific RV club in the world. I am a member since August. There is an annual International Ralley each year and approximately 1,300 local unit rallies each year as well.

Airstream made a second label brand from the early '70's 'till the late '80's called the Argosy. It was the "painted Airstream" because they were all painted off white. They introduced a lot of industry first through this brand and continue those inovations in Airstreams today. As for web sites with info on buying and restoring Airstreams, go to www.airstreamforums.com There are approximately 15,000 members of that forum, most of them owners of one or more older Airstream products including Argosys and motorhomes which, sadly, neither are manufactured anymore. Check out the web site and hope to see you around. I post there under the same alias, Minnie's Mate.

 

[pperfectmom]

Thanks for the advice and info everyone. This is a long time dream of ours, but we are taking our time about it. I don't want to rush into buying anything without doing lots of research. We would love to find an older model in decent shape for under $5000, but it will probably be several years before that can happen. Then, it will take much longer to fix it up to suit us. We won't be trying to make everything as authentic as possible. I realize that would be a huge financial undertaking, not to mention, hard to find a lot of the parts. We want this camper to actually use, preferably for a long time. The durability and timelessness of the old models is the biggest seller for us. I just can't wait until it becomes a reality.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Go to www.airstreamforums.com to get started with your research now. You will need to be prepared before you make the decision to buy. I was a member of the airstreamforums.com for two years before we made our purchase and that is about the average for those who purchase vintage trailers, too. In fact, my family attended two forum rallies before we purchased our Airstream and got to know a lot of the members face to face. There is a forum rally next week end at the North Georgia Fair Grounds in which 34 members will be meeting informally for the week end. There will be folks from as far away as New Mexico and a snowbird couple from Canada stopping in on their way to Florida for the winter.

You will be surprised at how many parts are still available. All of the major appliances/systems are still available new except the stoves and refriderators that were installed in the 1950's. If you want them, you can find rebuilt. Several years ago Airstream decided to divest itself of all of its new-old stock and a company in California bought all of it. They still have a tremendous supply. If they don't have it, they know where to get it. There is also a company at www.vintagetrailersupply.com that stocks parts for various vintage brands. There are a variety of vintage trailers that have a "cult" following. There are also a number of companies that reproduce parts that are no longer available.

If you are not looking to restore, but are desiring to customize and renovate to your specific needs and are more interested in a shell with a functional interior that is custom to your specific taste and needs, then all of the parts you need are redily available. Many owners do exactly what you are talking about. A fellow architect that I know recently picked up an early '60's 22 foot model Airstream that he intends to gut, add a gray tank (they didn't have them back then, only black tanks), do a couple of other customizations, and finish off in an Art Deco/University of Tennessee theme. You can do whatever your imagination and skill levels will allow. Many people do partial reno's and begin using their Airstreams soon after purchasing. They renovate during the off season and use what is functional during the camping season. Each year they get closer to their goal without having to wait for several years to use it or shell out all of the expense at one time.

For me, I have two left hands and they are both all thumbs so renovation/restoration was not something I wanted to take on so new was what I wanted. My wife has decorated it with a Jimmy Buffet/Caribbean Island/Jungle/Safari/Mickey Mouse theme (I know it's a lot for a 30' trailer, but it is subtle and it really does work). There is a lot you can do with an Airstream.

Good luck in your research and in your quest for the "pperfect" Airstream. I'll keep an eye out for you on the forums or send me a PM to let me know if you use a different alias on that forum. BTW, there is a search function that you can use on the forum directory that will allow you to find other members in your state and you can see if there are any members in your community or immediate area if you need local advise. There are also members that will do a cursory inspection for you if you find a unit you are interested in that is too far away for you to inspect yourself. They can tell you if it is worth the trip for yourself to see or if you should pass without making the trip. It is an a thread entitled, "So you want to buy a trailer three states away". The people on the Airstream Forums really are a good bunch of folks. They are just as willing to give advise and be helpful as the Dis'ers are. Most have "been there, done that."

There is also a classified section where you can view adds from members who have Airstreams for sale. You can also go to Airstream's corporate web site. They have a forum also and they have a classified section, too. These two classified sections will help give you an idea about prices.

As you can tell, I really do love our Airstream and have made many good friends on the Airstream forum and really do support it.