One thing you don't mention is insulation. Im looking to become nomadic-selling my home to live fulltime in a trailer. Ive seen a comment saying they are not well insulated for what you are spending. Is that so? Is there an add on insulating product without gutting an airstream to insulate it? Not that I would do this.
They use a nice thick layer of ecobatt insulation between the inner and outer shell. No such thing as four seasons, without modifications In extreme weather though.
It's all about the $$$$! Like everything in America. Then we have the "new-Americans" replace us and they won't even know what quality is. After all they came from camping in the deserts or jungles of the III. world.
I had a '77 Excella 31'. I still think it's one of the best looking trailers ever made. But it had "Sag" and "Separation." Airstream fixed that in 1985. The old trailers had two 4" deep frame rails and that was OK up to about 26' but longer than that they flexed too much. My frame was cracked. I didn't have time (at the time) to fabricate a new frame (In 1985 Airstream went to 5" frames and that fixed the issue) so sold it to a nice couple who already had an old restored 18' Airstream and wanted to restore a long one. I bought an '87 Avion 34X, which is very similar to the Airstream but has a much stouter frame. I've towed it up and down the east coast multiple times and thousands of miles and made many good memories with it. It's got six wheel independent suspension and I've left an ink pen on the table and it was still in the same place several hundred miles later. I've looked at new trailers but none of them have the same build quality as these aluminum ones. I'd like a new 30' Airstream, but honestly they are not 10 times better than my '87 so will stick with what I have. But they are good stuff!
@@outdoorjaye Not trying to be kind, just being honest! Every time an Airstream pulls into a campground, people roll their eyes, another dope overpaid for a bare bones trailer!
I am a lower class joe punch clock, so we own an 18' Sunlite RD sport, (21K new) we love it. If I won the lottery (which I plan on doing at some point) I still would not buy one of these rigs, the people who camp in them seem like snobs with their noses in the air. Even when you walk by and say hello they begrudgingly say hello without even looking over.
So much bug and bottom stuff storage lost. I just finished a 3 week trip with a 2007. I cannot express how pleasant that extra storage space below the back seats were. Especially when it came to sandy or dirty stuff. Or if you want to collect longer items. I dunno.
I rented one.. didn’t feel very homey with all the aluminum. I Decided to put the money in a super Truck ($130k) and a cheaper new trailer that felt way nicer on the inside. I’m sure it’s not the same quality, but Tin cans are just not for everyone.
The black features and slats are very masculine…. They should have options. I think it ruins the look for those that loved the 2024 sleek design with the champagne and white option.
After having had a 12 volt compressor refrigerator full time for 3 years I consider a propane eclectic refrigerator not much better than an ice chest. My ice cream is always hard as a rock.
There are a lot of key points in this video. Is it worth the extra dollars? I think so, especially if one plans to use and keep it. All that aluminum isn't cheap compared to the build quality of many others. Plus, knowing one is towing something that can handle emergency maneuvers is very important.
No slide outs and the inside is like camping in 1965. And face it, people buy these for exactly the same reason they buy G Wagons - look at ME, I have money!
Great info. We went with Odyssey 25R as it is not available for an Esteem. Upgraded to lithium batteries, 2K watt inverter, added solar, added steering stabilizer, sumo springs with partial paint. Happy with our RV but would love solid service countertops and full paint.
I remember shopping for a trailer during Covid. There was a side lot crammed with airstreams. I asked about them and the dealer said they were all in for warranty repairs 🤷♂️
Mom and dad purchased Airstream in fall of 1968 after purchasing a 1968 suburban Just for towing the Airstream they used the new Yorker wagon at first but decided To tow with a suburban for mild off road needs ... fast forward 2024 the suburban Dark blue and white still original 57k miles new Yorker 77k and Airstream all looking New due to off season storage indoors.. having vintage airstream definitely needs to be Pulled by vintage tow rig .. or same vehicle family used .. i also have dads 57 airstream Pulled by Desoto wagon ... i see all the issues people have with these poorly built new Rvs .. and money wasted .. i just smile and enjoy rv lifestyle at slower pace with these Vintage rigs ..no computers to fry or frames cracking or leaks ,, or tow rigs cp4 pumps Trashing engines.. 2 weeks heading to cass west Virginia driving the Desoto fireflite wagon 345 hemi will handle the 57 airstream no problem thanks for posting this video Keep up great information 👍😊
In nearly 30 years of RVing, I had three Airstreams, my last being a relatively rare 1994 30 ft. Front Kitchen Excella. I sold it in 2021. My observations are: - They don't build them the same way they did back then. Quality has declined. - They are heavy units... most need a 3/4 ton truck or better to pull and STOP them safely. - They are poorly insulated...don't plan to use it in the winter where there is snow. Today... they are WAY overpriced and WAY overhyped. - They are not set up well for solar. If I had to do it all over, I would definitely buy something else (like a small 5th wheel -Airstream tried those for a couple years and could not sell many.) Look at the offerings from OUTDOORS RV... they make well constructed, all season units some set up for extended boondocking with large tanks... and they have great solar options... Just my humble opinion...
They don't have much storage space, especially outside access. If you need to carry a lot of stuff these are not for you. Less Junk More Journey channel had one for a while, as did Wandering Wagners, if you want to check out some of their old videos.
My Grandfather purchased and Airstream in 1968. It survived until just 3 months ago, when some homeless drug addicts burned it up… So, with proper maintenance, an Airstream should last for several decades.
