Why We Are No Longer Airstreamers
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
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Had Airstream, Twice. Then InTech, Twice.
We downsized to InTech Sol Dawn from a 27’ Not what we should have done. InTech came out with the Terra 26’ twin axel. Absolutely a great trailer. But like InTechs, no slides and we went full time.
We now have a 2024 Brinkley Z3100 and it is just the sweet spot. Love it as our home.
The point is, RV’s are RV’s
You’re only happy till you see the next cool thing.
We are full time and Boondock exclusively with the massive 24v/12v lithium battery system and 3210 total watts of solar.
Washer and dryer was the complete game changer
Great point!!
Thor RUINED the reputation of Airstream by cheapening the product but still commanding premium prices. We had a 1977 International. It was flawless since new.. still had the original Fridge,Ac and even the water pump...We traded it in on a 2015 and wow nothing but issues...the aluminum also seems thinner and different. Entry door was crooked, toilet was set with a lean, Refer came loose, same window leaks in the front that you mentioned. Fuses tripped all the time TWO water pumps and bunch of stupid little stuff..we ended up selling it and bought a Super C..I love our Super but do miss the first airstream. Thor should be ashamed for building these so cheaply..We will probably never get rid of the super c but if we do I definitely without a doubt would not buy ANYTHING that Thor makes
Our most frustrating issue with our 30 Classic was the horribly unreliable Relax awning which never worked reliably. We had ZipDee look at it at an Alumapalooza rally and they walked away unable to diagnose their own product. For the length of our ownership it simply rode along as dead weight, reminding us every day of Airstreams frustrating quality. For this retail price we deserve better.
Oh man, I've heard some nightmares about those things, and I completely pushed that out of my mind. I do agree, for the price of these things there shouldn't be stupid issues like that where their own tech can't figure something out!
I don't know if Airstream quality was slipping BEFORE Thor (a major RV crap-maker) bought them or not, but I was concerned about Airstreams after they did. Not sure Thor is responsible for any decline (quality/fit & finish) but it may be (given its OWN reputation in the RV industry).
The only Airstreams I'd be interested in are the smallest (16') TTs Airstream makes -- such as the Bambi, Caravel, Basecamp-X (partly because my tow-vehicle can't do heavy TTs) -- but as per usual Airstream gives you so little carrying-capacity (C-C) it's almost useless, as you can hardly take anything with you in the trailer before it's at max C-C. I don't know why (for years now) Airstream continues to do that but it's a real deal-breaker for me. Also, their "not made like they used to be" quality is perhaps the major concern, because I would NOT mind paying top-dollar for that "legendary" quality if it were still there.
-- BR
I hadn't even thought to touch on CCC and I will once we have the chance to do more lot tours, but that's a great point! The smaller units are so heavy that it doesn't leave much room for your belongings! I do have to wonder why this is the case and they can't beef them up a bit. We ALWAYS travel with full water, so it doesn't take much at all to be overweight!
@@CozyLivingMachine Yes, all they have to do is beef-up the chassis, axle and tires. How hard can that be? At least do that for just ONE model TT they offer (can leave the other models C-C anemic, just like they are). At least Airstream has recognized the "off-road market" and came up with the Basecamps, which are most likely to be chosen by that category of RVers over the others (Bambi/Caravel) which are mainly for pavement/campground camping (with hookups).
But it's the same "thinking" over @ Scamp -- they've been making their TTs the same way for decades, yet still have that "little puny kid's toy" axle and barely-strong-enough frame. They ALSO should introduce a new model 16' Scamp with a stronger frames, axle and larger tires, and market it to the off-road/boon-docker/dry-camping/overlander (did I get them all?) RVers. But like Casita (I guess!), they say "Well, we've always built them this way" and have no vision/innovations for the future at all. They remain stuck in the past and can't see any other way. Sad...
As for water onboard, I like to have plenty of it -- at least 4 of those blue-plastic "Aquatainer" (Canadian made) square jugs that hold 7 gallons each (58lbs per jug X 4 jugs = 232lbs total). Then some extra propane (as said)...and maybe extra solar panels and/or even a small generator. How does a 450lbs C-C (or 650lbs) make ANY sense? It doesn't.
So I have to put all the heavy stuff in my truck and that takes up bed space I could use for other things. Doable, yes, but IMO even the small TTs should be able to carry more than they do. After all, if you go off-road (mild, nothing extreme) you WANT a smaller trailer (10' to 16' max), not the larger ones. Smaller is better, but they need to be robust...just like your tow-vehicle needs to be in order to get the TT out there! ;-)
My tow-vehcile is a Jeep Gladiator (Rubicon) and want a small TT suitable for it...but again it doesn't have to be like those "extreme" hard-core off-road "expedition" TTs, just something in the middle.
-- BR
I like the layouts that have the bed at the tongue (Front) and the kitchen-living in the back. The great views are in the back. You are awake when using the kitchen-living area. You sleep in the bed and change clothes and I would have my curtains closed in the bedroom most of the time for privacy anyway. I like the views when I'm up and able to appreciate it.
You hit the nail on the head, that was our exact thinking with picking the front bedroom (25FB) layout! It paid off as well by being closer to the truck when we heard a woman trying to get into our toolbox in the back of our truck bed. Much easier to scare her off!
So Joel, do you talk to Emma as much as you talk to the camera, lol
😂
Or you tired out and it's all Silence 🤐 off camera 📸?
You have a good conversationalist communication with the Camera, just wonder if Emma enjoys the same off camera. 🎉🎉🎉😅😊
Hahaha no, I actually turn it down and try to think more before I speak for the camera, Emma gets it probably 25% more than the camera does!
HOLY SMOKES! That Airstream Class A rocket ship looking thing was a first for me! I did not even know they existed! You hit on all the reasons some folks got rid of their Airstreams. They are well built and prestigious to own, but just not perfect and none are. I know you guys love NuCamp who are famous for their Amish craftsmanship etc. Well, we went to the dealership to look at the 820 camper and nearly EVERY cabinet door and drawer was warped! Soooo... yeah.
I am curious if Allegiant is the only one that openly encourages and warranties full timers?
Excellent insight into the Airstream product and ownership!
That old AS motorhome is beautiful, isn't it? Perfect classic, they're still roaming around here and there in the PNW. I've never seen the NuCamp drawers or cabinets warped, that's wild! I wonder if it was a particularly humid day when it was put together, or what... Sheesh!
I've been looking at other manufacturers, and there appears to be a few fifth wheels, but some companies don't talk about it, and some (Jayco, because they're ridiculous) have even recently added in clauses to the warranty terms.
Very interesting, always wondered about the hot and cold.
I don't think I stressed it enough, but that's much less of an issue for folks who can hook up and use dry heat sources (or wood stoves) full time and run their A/Cs, but that certainly wasn't the case for us!
Love your videos! Curious what camera you use to film with?
Thank you! This is a GoPro Hero 11 Black
I'm sorry, guys but Airstreams just don't do it for me. Especially now they are way too expensive. They remind me of the Oscar Mayer wiener mobile.
HA! I'd seen one painted like a hotdog in Seattle once. I didn't appreciate the aesthetic so much at first, but they grew on me quickly.
What a Jekyll and Hyde reality with these such desirable machines.
And OUCH, what a shame that several received such exterior damage. Sorry, can't exist in this world without the opportunity for confrontation/collision of some sort. "Your honor, our intention was just to bounce up and down amongst the clouds, growing as a a frozen spheres and dropping to the ground to melt. How can we be held responsible for where they parked that structure? And that hurt like hell, they should apologize to us for leaving it there".
They've been such a visual attraction my whole life and have such an envy producing response that one believes (with fictionalization, or without any experience/facts, or a rationalization of either/both) they must be just the perfect travel conveyance. But with time and knowledge of how life is affected through time, physics, chemistry, biology, etc, they're shortcomings and/or vulnerabilities become apparent. Which is true of everything whether or not humans are involved.
Thank you for sharing your personal realities, "the good, the bad, and the ugly", honestly concerning life with two of these (consecutively even). And yet you both still feel there will be another in your future but next time you'll be far better at adapting your expectations.
No doubt about, 'true Air Streams' of the iconic shape sporting aluminum sheen & curved glossy glass of various shapes and sizes, are still the most enticing trailer visually.
What a spectacular trip you're taking us on.
HA I've never considered the life of hail. 😂 And very true, adapting expectations and buying one we wouldn't feel any guilt about making a few modifications to as needed. That will be a huge change indeed, and we've been slowly working on our plans, just as we had with Lenny! I'm glad you're enjoying the trip as well!!
No weepholes in the AS windows? Say, does Lenny have those?
I don't believe so, though I don't recall. Lenny has none other than the driver window because of the way they slide up!
interesting stories about AirStream; maybe AirStream should take some mods advice from you guys to make their product a little better. But apparently AirStreams are chic magnets as that is how you got Emma lol
They really are chick magnets! 😂😂 I wish they'd listen, but we're nothing fancy, and seemingly in the minority with wanting simpler, more affordable, etc.
To expensive and maybe last 9 years longer.
I do agree that they're far too expensive, but we have seen too many of them still on the road today from the 70s and even older though the wood doesn't last nearly as long as the aluminum shell does. I'd say with proper care, they will far outlast any other rig, but then again, good care on any RV will do wonders!