Airstream, the land yacht

Does anyone own one of these magnificent trailers? It's been a dream of mine to own and renovate one of these bits of history. They are an incredible marriage of function and form.

I'm especially interested in the vintage years. After 66 much of the hardware went from metal to plastic.

So tell me about your experience owning and/or using the airstream? Any design flaws?

What is your favorite part of it? What do you wish you would have know before becoming an airstream owner?

Posted by tiziani
Former lifeguard turned startup principal who knows about restoring pottery and trailers.

You're wasted on here.

Your sweet, but I find this place truly entertaining.

I'm a landscape designer, restoring pottery kinda goes with the job description.

Following post! I want one renovated so bad! 😄

It's way to pricey where I live, you need 500thou to get into anything decent here. And with my wish list (private, great view, lap pool, space) the only way I'll get what I want is to purchase the land and build.

Renovating an airstream would allow me to work towards that goal. Be able to live in it while building my dream.

@tiziani How'd the restoration go? Did you end up painting or antiquing?

Posted by LadyNeptune
It's been a dream of mine to own and renovate one of these bits of history.

you should have done it when it was not trendy af

Posted by hydorah

Posted by LadyNeptune
It's been a dream of mine to own and renovate one of these bits of history.

you should have done it when it was not trendy af

click to expand

It doesn't bother me that it's trendy. That other people like it doesn't dimisnish my preference.

I imagine part of the reason they are so popular is because they have stood the test of time. Aluminum frame/skeleton and interior and exterior skin that doesn't rust or rot like wood or fiberglass construction.

@hydorah

but that makes them more sought after and people are trying to make a profit when they sell them now

Sent you a PM in case the info I have will help. 🙂

Posted by LadyNeptune
Does anyone own one of these magnificent trailers? It's been a dream of mine to own and renovate one of these bits of history. They are an incredible marriage of function and form.

I'm especially interested in the vintage years. After 66 much of the hardware went from metal to plastic.

So tell me about your experience owning and/or using the airstream? Any design flaws?

What is your favorite part of it? What do you wish you would have know before becoming an airstream owner?

You summed up very nicely where the world started going

to hell in a handbasket, afaic:

"... much of the hardware went from metal to plastic. "

The joys of planned obsolescence.



I don't know much about the Airstream, though during

my vain attempt at being a wandering Sag, we did look

at them-- and mind you, they were the newer version.

Not enough space... though the space that was provided

was very nice.



I've had your username wrong this whole time-- did I tell

you that already? lol



http://www.dxpnet.com/opinion/message/?id=6713561

Posted by Montgomery

Posted by LadyNeptune
Does anyone own one of these magnificent trailers? It's been a dream of mine to own and renovate one of these bits of history. They are an incredible marriage of function and form.

I'm especially interested in the vintage years. After 66 much of the hardware went from metal to plastic.

So tell me about your experience owning and/or using the airstream? Any design flaws?

What is your favorite part of it? What do you wish you would have know before becoming an airstream owner?

You summed up very nicely where the world started going

to hell in a handbasket, afaic:

"... much of the hardware went from metal to plastic. "

The joys of planned obsolescence.



I don't know much about the Airstream, though during

my vain attempt at being a wandering Sag, we did look

at them-- and mind you, they were the newer version.

Not enough space... though the space that was provided

was very nice.



I've had your username wrong this whole time-- did I tell

you that already? lol



http://www.dxpnet.com/opinion/message/?id=6713561

click to expand

Haha no worries, and thanks for the shout out.

Yeah the new ones are pricey and to be honest I'm not into all the bells and whistles, not for the price tag. I don't need spiffy LED lights and built in Bluetooth.

Ideally I'd find one with the exterior in good shape for a good price and gut the inside. I'm not interested in restoration, I want to custom build something suited to my needs.

It's interesting to see how people modified theirs and what they prioritized.

I'd want a washer and a queen sized bed. Also be interested in solar panels.

I'm imagining weekends to San Diego or Santa Barbara. Camping in big bear, all our fav weekend spots.

Right now I fly to Colorado to visit my sister several times a year. Instead I could drive out there and stop for adventures on the way.

Posted by cowpuncher
The nice thing about Airstreams is they are well built and hold their value. I've never heard a complaint about one that is well maintained.

Having lived in a travel trailer for a while after a cross country move, and from using it as my moving trailer as well, I've got some thoughts for you.

1) Have enough vehicle to tow it. My 4.0L 6cyl Jeep had one hell of a time towing my 17' dual axle travel trailer up the Grapevine. In fact, that is on record as the most terrifying drive of my life lol Towed it to a buddy's ranch north of there with that Jeep, and said "NEVER AGAIN." Just because something has a Reese hitch and seems to have the power doesn't mean it's going to be happy about doing it up long, steep drives like the Grapevine. Add in some traffic, and well.... let's just say you couldn't have shoved a sewing needle up certain places with a jackhammer.

2) Re-read #1 and get a little paranoid about having enough power. The Jeep's replacement, not long after that when I moved back to the midwest from Cali, was a Chevy Silverado with a 4.8L V8. It did much better than the Jeep, but still wasn't quite enough power for comfort. Granted I had the truck bed (with camper shell) full of boxes of stuff with the heavy stuff just over the axle, and lighter stuff boxed up and stuffed in the dual axle travel trailer. However, going up and down mountains on my way out of Cali, and then again in AZ and NM, was slow and scary. Think: Mostly 1st gear going 30MPH at high RPMs kinda slow and scary going up. I wouldn't do it again with less than a 5.7L V8 truck.

Yes I'll have to put some thought into the towing of it. Right now I drive an older Honda CR-V and the towing capacity in under 2000 I believe.

While it would be ideal to live in in full time, temporarily while I build, the main function would still be as a travel trailer so smaller and more mobile makes the most sense.

I've been looking at the airstream Bambi which is on a single axle and 16/17' long. The original model comes with multiple beds and sleeps 4 which is more than what I need. I'd want to strip the inside and have a couch that folds into a bed (futon style , queen size preferably), and keep the rest of the space as open as possible, minimal kitchen and bathroom.

The shape of the airstream is more aerodynamic then the typical boxy trailer but it would definitely be worth renting one for a few days and seeing what it really feels like dragging it down the road.

I'll have to decide if I want to have an actual toilet or a composting one. One of the videos I posted on here (map of US on the door) their using a weed spray pump for their shower which seems like an efficient and inexpensive solution.

I've seen some very cool flexible solar panels that hug the curve of the roof. But thanks for the tip for the Honda generators, between the two I should be covered! Ideally when I build my prefab home (I'm thinking shipping containers, did a guest house for a client and it was easy and price effective) I'd want to be as off grid as possible with solar panels/wind turbines etc. etc.

It's so warm in Cali that I'd be more worried about cooling the trailer than heating it. But if I drive it up to Colorado during winter I'll have to bring a portable heater, sleeping bags, and my dog to keep me warm.

Thanks @cowpuncher these are some great tips!!

I'm gonna do a shit ton of research before I commit to anything. I work in construction so I know I'll need to save 15-30% more than what I expect it to cost. Do it once, do it right.

Good tips about wiring and water stains! Ideally I'll find a quality shell and just focus on the interior. I have a great guy who does custom furniture and decks for my clients and I'll probably have him build the majority of the built-ins for me. I'll choose a lightweight material.

It's funny you mention boats as I once dreamed of renovating and living in one of those. But they constantly need work and upkeep and the airstream is much more suited to my life style rn.

Hit me with anything else you think of! @cowpuncher

Posted by cowpuncher
Anything else I can think of...hmmm....

For towing and travel purposes, a 17 footer is going to be a lot easier to manage than something bigger. It's really going to cramp your style if you're living in it for a year while building though. Like I said... I did it. It has it's good points too though, but you'll want a real bathroom in a bad way after you've done it for a while. If you can manage it, a dual axle trailer gives an extra margin of safety.

Can you talk more about single axle vs double?

While I may live in it full time for a short period its main purpose and use will be to take on the road for adventure and I want to chose a trailer size (and weight) that makes the most sense for hauling it around without needing a huge diesel truck. It's funny, looking at the old vintage ads for these trailers they show tiny cars hauling 30'+.

The models I'm looking at are...

Bambi, 16-17' 1875pds

Caravel 17-18' 2550

Safari 22' 3290

*these include hitch weight

edit: I believe they are all single axle...

see the full tour here...https://www.dwell.com/article/the-airstream-life-e9e52acb#1

Inside a Bambi...

Another Bambi...

Love both of these door treatments! The chalk paint on the front door and aluminum curved awning.

Love the size of the caravel. Here is a restored and polished exterior of a 1968...

Posted by LadyNeptune
Love the size of the caravel. Here is a restored and polished exterior of a 1968...

That pup trailer is really nice for fishing trips.

Airstreams are very nice and the last of the golden age of trailer. Worth the investment.

Best to find already restored or complete excellent condition.

Don't look for a basketcase unless you've got money to burn and time to spare.

Also, they ARE the "Cadillac" of travel trailers, made today - can be pricey though.

here's a nice vintage 65 Airstream Tradewind





Another brand was Silver Streak







Spartans were/are really nice too.

















Here is a nice Aero Flite restoration





Here is a SUPER nice modern trailer.



But... owwwwwwww!!! 200k = too much. They are catering to ignorant rich snobs.

IMHO, that could be build for around 30k.

You just learn how to shape sheetmetal, weld, carpentry and electrical.

you could do it all yourself and make a handful for others for 100k

🙂

Then came the buses





Flxible











GMC







Crown







MCI







Greyhound and Trailways





Ahhh the glory days.

But if you gotta have a small trailer...





SWEET!

Perfection... well... almost





Cummins BT4 is the right move, gobs of torque

but a small block Chevy would be just fine, too.

I think the tear drop trailer and boat are the right ideas

but... I think there could be room for improvement

1) A jon boat would be better suited for the angler

2) wheels on the trailer should match the jeep.

3) I think I'd want the trailer to olive drab and a bit more military oriented

like the M100 trailer was. only a bit longer with provisional features that

cater to the camper/angler/jeepster/survival-prepper types.

Next.

@cowpuncher

Can I pick your brain again...?

I'm a far ways away from purchasing an airstream, however it would be nice to rent one once or twice in the upcoming year to get a feel for them. My question is whether or not I should invest money into my suv to make it tow worthy?

I recently upgraded my vehicle to a lexus rx 330. It says it has 3500 pds towing capacity. It's equipped with the prep package for towing, but no physical hitch. The model I like the best is the caravel 1961-66 which weighs in at 2500-2600 which is the dry weight and hitch weight total. Do you think it would be worth the $ $ to outfit my lexus? I would only be taking it for short distances on relatively flat roads along the calif coast.

Once I purchase an airstream I'd want to also invest in a beefier vehicle to tackle larger trips. But I'm wandering if it's worth it too equip the suv for short trips.

she's adorable

@Phantom_Limbo

Plywood on the walls gives me the good kinda goosebumbs.

Fav renovating couple duo, Modern Caravan.

https://themoderncaravan.com/

Posted by LadyNeptune

she's adorable

yes she's got it going on lol needs upgraded tv and computer tho lol and daym I might have to crank up that air conditioner