Airstream Conversion Vans??

[Racerbvd]

Are they still a “Thing”?

[Cajundaddy]

Might work if it does what you want it to do. One of the hallmarks of Airstream has always been very elegant visual cues and this one on a Ford chassis misses the mark IMO.

We looked briefly at the modern Airstream Sprinter adventure vans and they are well outfitted, very tight living space for 2 people, and big $$$. I could get along just fine in a Sprinter conversion van but Mrs. Cajun threw down the "nope" card. She recognized the need for more elbow room and more storage and I think she was right. We currently have about 250 nights spent in an Itasca Navion Class C on a Sprinter chassis which is a better fit for our needs. It is our 2nd RV and really checked a lot of boxes. Worth a look.

[rfuerst911sc]

Not sure they ever really caught on . Visually it really looks like an after thought . But functionally I think they work but are a big compromise . Limited space means 10 lbs of crap crammed into a 8 lb bag . On the flip side easy to drive and park . In this type of vehicle I would not pay a premium for the Airstream name . Much different than the Airstream travel trailer .

[Shaun @ Tru6]

They were never a thing.

Now the new Mercedes based lux overland vans. Those are a thing. Have seen a lot of them on the road and parked. Serious beasts.

[Tobra]

My wife wants a diesel all wheel drive Sprinter size camper van. There is one down the street that planted the seed.

I have always had a yen for one of those GMC rigs from the 1970's

[jhynesrockmtn]

There are plenty of conversion vans out there. Airstream's version never really became a thing. Their full motorhomes are cool, but also short lived. Those GMC coaches have a real cult following. I know two folks that own them.

[stevej37]

I had this one a few years back. Drove nice..plenty of room and a bathroom in it.
Gas mileage was terrible...big V-8 One inch too high for the garage.

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by Tobra

My wife wants a diesel all wheel drive Sprinter size camper van. There is one down the street that planted the seed.

I have always had a yen for one of those GMC rigs from the 1970's

Here ya go Toby:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/hvo/d/santa-cruz-big-block-dodge-413/7833434172.html

[Tobra]

There is a Dodge like that I go past walking the dogs if I want to pick up one of those

He has a sweet crew cab 1960's Dodge truck too that he is not interested in selling.

Thing about those GMC rigs is they were designed to be an RV from the ground up, rear suspension allows for a low, flat floor.

[rfuerst911sc]

Those GMC motorhomes were ahead of their time . Lots of innovations that other RV's didn't have at the time . Powered by an Oldsmobile Toronado front wheel drive 455 V8 . I think it was the first large motorhome with front wheel drive .

Rumor was that GM had so much R&D $$$ in the program that they never turned a profit . Every one sold was a loss .

Dodge had something similar called the Travco . It was a fiberglass shell shaped like an Airstream . Traditional rear wheel drive with either a 413 or 440 V8 .

The aluminum Airstream motorhomes have a cult following . Fairly rare they command big $$$ on the used market for a good one . Airstream killed their motorhome advantage when they went to fiberglass .

[URY914]

That Airstream Van is from the stone age. Take a standard van and add everything you can think of on it. Ladder, spare, flares/running board, awning, bug deflector (?) and the mushroom on top. 7-8 m.p.g.? I'm sure the seat are blue crushed velvet.

[vash]

I’m wearing down the wife.

[Seahawk]

^^^ Does anyone here own/lease a version of what is pictured?

I have my wife on the ropes

[KFC911]

I don't have a wife to piss off ... my dawg will be OK...

How much .... detail$ man detail$

[Tobra]

That is the one my wife wants if it is diesel and 4x4

Might need smaller dogs though

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by vash

I’m wearing down the wife.

Can these things tow anything?

[Tobra]

Probably 5000 pound towing

[Cajundaddy]

Sprinter vans are rated for 5000#. With a Sprinter based RV we have to travel somewhat light to avoid exceeding GCWR. I only tow 4500# and usually travel light to the race track but I have seen some folks overdo it with large enclosed trailers.

This is a walkthrough of a rig similar to ours:

[vash]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

Can these things tow anything?

I know a guy that tows a full sized bass boat.

[vash]

Originally Posted by KC911

I don't have a wife to piss off ... my dawg will be OK...

How much .... detail$ man detail$

$200k?

this one is from a company called Vannon. I saw one real life at an RV thing. it meets my criteria perfectly. it is the LITE edition. open interior. they keep one row of factory seats. bed. chest fridge, battery stuff, and exterior shower. no kitchen, no bathroom. perfect. I asked the guy if they could fit a kayak inside. the answer was no because of the row of seats, but they rallied. they could lift seats, etc. it was sick. the one I drooled over was geared towards mtn-biking. tool stand, air compressor, etc.

I would buy a used one. I see many that are bought and never used. I would drive it to visit Seahawk. shoot one of his turkeys, and drive back fishing lakes I have only read about in magazines. eat a slice of bar-pizza (bah-pizza?) whatever the hell that is.

my wife said the magic words. she said. "no way you put a stinky kayak inside..you will have to buy a trailer!!" van guy said..."oh, we could probably build you a kayak trailer...
".

not to read between the lines, but that wasn't..."Vash, get your ars out of the fancy van, now!"