Anyone here own an Airstream trailer ?

[sm70911]

I have been thinking of buying a piece of land near the sea out on LI about 3 hours from us, and I would like to put an modern circa 90's Airstream trailer on it. And build out a fairly large deck area. Kind of like this :

I know trailers have some negative association, but I think the Airstream is a beautiful object in itself. I would build a fence around the land so not to offend the neighbors. Anyone here had an airstream. I'm thinking of something like the 30' classic. What are the pitfalls to owning an airstream. This will not be for camping with, it will be fixed, although I would plan on warehousing it in winter.

[944Larry]

I've owned several in the past and they're top of the line. Never had any real problems out of any of them. If you choose to polish yours, that might be a problem from a labor stand point.

[porsche4life]

Some of the best trailers out there.... But you'll pay for that....

[nostatic]

I've flirted with buying one over the years. Love the CCD International interior style. If I had a place to store it I actually would considering picking up a used 22' or so right now. But with no place to park it and no present tow vehicle (don't think the s/o's Tacoma would cut it) it is just a bridge too far.

[911boost]

Does the land have sewer service? Power, water? Any ordinances against have a trailer there?

Since you are looking at a new one you don't need to worry about the older "park" models that didn'thave black tanks in them (I can't say for certain, but I know of some that were designed to be hooked to a sewer drain).

With that being said, if the answer is no, to the qustions above about sewer etc, you will need to figure that out.

The new airstreams are nice, and I think some of them even have slides now to give some extra room.

Like Sid said though, they are $$$$$.

Bill

[vash]

i love them. i have a fondness for the older models..but the new ones are downright stunning.

but they cost alot plus a true tow vehicle. i might as well wait for Godot.

[stomachmonkey]

Since you plan on warehousing it over the winter I assume you will be keeping it in a highly mobile state?

Which would address my only real concern about being near the water on LI, being able to move it somewhere safe during hurricane's and Noreasters.

Go for it. Seems like the perfect vibe for a weekend spot out east.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I've flirted with buying one over the years. ...

same

they are top quality and cost like it too

used are still spendy but why not buy a used one?

I bet you could find a service to tow it 2x a year - if a trailer is legal at all...

[Ozzydog]

They are the best by far. We have had a 1996 30 foot Excello Classic for about 15 years and have enjoyed it immensely. We've been across country and spent about five months at Katrina on storm duty.
One thing you want to make sure of when buying an older one, is to make sure that you check for any frame damage, that seems to be the one sore spot. If you go for a 30 foot or 34 foot, I highly recommend looking at the Hensley hitch system, it will keep you on the road in comfort.
FYI, might sell ours later on this summer and get a C class so I can haul a trailer to the track and camp out. That's the one downfall with a travel trailer.

[yetibone]

It's not modern, and it's not an Airstream, but I've got a 33' Spartan park model. I'm currently making it into a tag-along camper, and restoring / replacing the birch interior.





I think that Airstreams made after sometime in the early '70s were skinned with something besides Al-clad, and were Plasitkoted, so there's no polishing needed. I believe they now even have power leveling jacks, power tongue jack, and axles that look like Dexter Torque-Flex units but are made by someone else. The interiors are nice, but it seems that many of them had the lav in the rear of the coach, and the twin bunks in the middle which seems sort of odd for a floor plan. I'm not sure when those were made, but it seems that they made more of them with the aft lav than without. There are ones out there that have an aft bedroom, and the lav in the middle behind the kitchenette, which are sought after.

[JavaBrewer]

I have admired them from afar and will continue to do so. I have no (free) storage or a proper tow vehicle. If I were in the market for a trailer a used, ideally a fixer, Airstream would be my choice. Like I said I'm not in the market...yet this thread just prompted me to check SoCal Craigs listings...

[rouxroux]

Always wanted a small one (especially after they re-released the Bambi), but wound up buying a fiberglass egg trailer. Don't use it since we bought our class A motorhome, but sure was fun!

[vash]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I have admired them from afar and will continue to do so. I have no (free) storage or a proper tow vehicle. If I were in the market for a trailer a used, ideally a fixer, Airstream would be my choice. Like I said I'm not in the market...yet this thread just prompted me to check SoCal Craigs listings...

There is an ex movie prop one in Ventura. A 60's bambi

[kaisen]

My parents have a 1971 Airstream 31ft International

Theirs is the aft bathroom, which was really quite common from the late 60's through the late 70's. They are also the cheapest, as the bathroom moisture could permeate the plywood subfloor and start to rot the steel frame. With all that bathroom weight aft, it would/could tweak the rear frame!! So if you're considering an aft-bath, look carefully at the frame as it exits the shell to the rear bumper. If it's not aligned right, just walk away. Anything can be repaired or rebuilt on these Airstreams, but it's a major undertaking.

If you're serious about a late nineties model, expect to pay up for very little benefit. They're dated and old too, but not in a good "vintage" way. You'd be better off remodelling an older unit that you bought for thousands less. Also, it sounds like you won't require the travelling accomodations. So your need of some of the mechanical systems are different. For example, you could buy a household fridge that would perform exponentially better than the gas/electric RV fridges they came with. Bigger, better, cheaper. Same with plumbing, heating, water heater, etc, etc. I'd buy a good solid shell and redo the interior to be a "park" model. You'll be happier with how things work, and save thousands.

YMMV

[craigster59]

If it's staying and not moving, why not get "hip"?
Tin Can Classifieds - Trailers For Sale - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

[craigster59]

Something like this?......
Tin Can Classifieds - 1953 silverstar - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by yetibone

It's not modern, and it's not an Airstream, but I've got a 33' Spartan park model. I'm currently making it into a tag-along camper, and restoring / replacing the birch interior.





I think that Airstreams made after sometime in the early '70s were skinned with something besides Al-clad, and were Plasitkoted, so there's no polishing needed. I believe they now even have power leveling jacks, power tongue jack, and axles that look like Dexter Torque-Flex units but are made by someone else. The interiors are nice, but it seems that many of them had the lav in the rear of the coach, and the twin bunks in the middle which seems sort of odd for a floor plan. I'm not sure when those were made, but it seems that they made more of them with the aft lav than without. There are ones out there that have an aft bedroom, and the lav in the middle behind the kitchenette, which are sought after.

Wow so cool. That reminds me of this Royal Spartanette that was converted into a 356 hauler. The retsoration and build of this hauler are awesome.

[repp]

Originally Posted by yetibone

It's not modern, and it's not an Airstream, but I've got a 33' Spartan park model. I'm currently making it into a tag-along camper, and restoring / replacing the birch interior.





I think that Airstreams made after sometime in the early '70s were skinned with something besides Al-clad, and were Plasitkoted, so there's no polishing needed. I believe they now even have power leveling jacks, power tongue jack, and axles that look like Dexter Torque-Flex units but are made by someone else. The interiors are nice, but it seems that many of them had the lav in the rear of the coach, and the twin bunks in the middle which seems sort of odd for a floor plan. I'm not sure when those were made, but it seems that they made more of them with the aft lav than without. There are ones out there that have an aft bedroom, and the lav in the middle behind the kitchenette, which are sought after.

i just picked up some sheets of birch for the 24 foot 1946 Vagabond I am in the process of restoring. I do like the Spartans

[vash]

i like this one. maybe Craigster knows of it?
i dont know how it is 2200lbs..

1962 VINTAGE AIRSTREAM ORIGINAL RARE GLOBETROTTER TRAVEL TRAILER 19' - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstreams Trailers For Sale

[jwasbury]

I had a 31' International - '77 or '79 model, IIRC. It was a fun toy, and I had the perfect tow vehicle. I think it cost me $3500, and I sold it when I was done for $3500.







Hauled my bike to/from the track in the trailer like so: