2 Year Full-Time Airstream Anniversary Lessons Learned: What We Did Right & Wrong 

Live your honesty folks, stick with it. Life's a tragedy...... everyday. It's how we deal with said tragedy that sets us apart from the debbie downers of the world! You've got it figured out keep on truckin!

We've been watching sooo many airstream videos and this channel is by far the best! We feel like we hit the jackpot when we stumbled across your channel. There is just so much useful, in-depth information and the videos are made by real people with real personality that set real expectations when it comes to air streaming full time.

I enjoy seeing a couple that works together like this.

I like this couple. They have a great attitude. Other that the new truck, they picked an Airstream which is one of the best RV's out there.

The best trailer to tow on the road! Loved it!

Lovely video. We've been rv'ing for 10+ years and just recently switched to Airstream and so far are in love 💕 !

Congrats on 2 years! ...thanks for sharing and keep the videos coming.

Happy 2 years anniversary! Bonus of things you did right......Started this youtube channel. A big bonus for us. : )

I’ve been watching some of your videos, and suddenly realized that you were the one that did a walk-through of the airstream that we just purchased. It was out in Arizona when you did your video… And it has a nautical theme. You may remember it. We live in Alabama and bought it from the couple that bought it in Arizona. I just thought it was a small world when I saw your face and recognized you from that walk-through video.

You guys are so positive. I love it. Thanks for sharing.

Hope you both have a wonderful 💕time traveling in the future.

Awesome video to celebrate 2 years in your Airstream!

Congratulations on the 2 years. I love Airstreams of all the travel trailers, and like you, I would get a used one (25 - 26 feet), and modify it for my needs. I would rather have a desk than a dinette, since I have a computer and equipment, (Canon Printer/Copier & Scanner - which includes a slide/film strip adapter). I also found on line the Timeless Travel Trailer company which can repair, renovate and / or customize your Airstream. (They also polish it to look brand new).

You two are such a cute couple. Really enjoyed this!

2 year full.camplife.this is souper that.so doit for all your lifes.its so freedom .like me i stay 3 years in my treiler near the sea in nea makri 37kil from athens.its my paradise.love from Greece.

Happy Airstream Anniversary! We have been enjoying your journey.

Happy anniversary! I've kept your advice about size in my mind, so know that your advice does not fall on deaf ears. Thanks!!

11 minutes is not long; 25+ minutes is long, but won't seem long if the information is interesting/or important to the viewer. You are doing a great job!

Congratulations guys!!

Why did you choose an Airstream? Where did you buy i/how did you find it?

Thank you for taking the time to post....We really enjoy your videos

I have heard FAR more of , "We should have gone smaller." rather than the opposite.

Congrats on 2 years! Great video to celebrate!

Grateful for your post ❤ happy air-versary

What a nice couple !!!!

Happy two year anniversary! I will most l definitely be following along! I love your videos - both the informative ones and the travelogues!

A travel trailer type camper is always better than a Motorhome type camper for many reasons. I lived in a travel trailer almost 10 years. A nice travel trailer is for living. A big fancy Motorhome is for showing OFF. Thanks for your video.

Great video, super tips

Well spoken. So interesting.

Great info-especially the check list. We are leaving Tucson also and heading west, then north back to Alaska in May. Looking forward to a great experience-taking it slow, slow along the way.

I'm hoping to try Airstream living in the near future and I'm learning a ton from your channel. Thank you SO much.

I like the good attitude!

Bought new 23fb wife didn't like the idea of others DNA in there. I replied "We stay at the Embassy all the time"..."She said "That's different". Lol. I get it, so new it was. Now shopping for a truck and that's a lot harder than I thought. Trailer was easy due to it's build quality and history. Wife is a little more flexible on the new/used when it comes to trucks. Yaay! Save a little $$$. Now I KNOW we will eventually move up to a 26U or she mentioned a Tommy Bahama is in our future. So perhaps a 3/4 would be prudent even though these 1/2 tons are pushing BIG numbers. Tempting. I'm not sure I want to deal with all the diesel maintenance of def seriously expensive oil changes and such. So looking at either a Ford FX4 with the proven 5.0 V8 with a 10 speed tranny or Ram 5.7 Hemi V8. Both are pretty solid. Although I'm taking a HARD look at Ford 3.5 V6 Ecoboost. My buddy pulled my 23FB as a test and had NO problems doing so. Easy. Tough engine. However, since the trailer is aluminum might as well go with an aluminum truck.😄 Great video!

With a 2005 Airstream you may want to think out changing out the axles. They have probably settled and a new set of axles should lift your Airsrtream plus 16" rims and tires. I've seen others put the 3" lift kit on theirs but it seems to be not a solution to the root cause. Keeping up on maintenance should be performed immediately. Our failures have been not doing the safety check. A couple of times several miles down the road I remembered it didn't plug in the electrical umbilical. Other than that it's been pretty smooth the last 6 months. Planning is a big part. We ave sites booked and planned out to mid September. Everywhere nice books up fast. Mid March to early April is busy due to Spring breaks and Easter. Moab is very busy. All first come first serve and BLM sites are full. We are glad we booked six months ago. Difficult to be spontaneous now.

I could tell stories of on-road repairs. BTW, campground picnic tables make adequate ladders, when stood on end. Need you ask..... LOL!

Thanks for the informative video. We are close to the same decision you all made over 2 years ago and this video of your pluses and minuses really helped. Pleases elaborate a little on why to go smaller than 30’ for full time living. You mentioned restrictions......please advise. Thanks so much!

New sub. Love you guys. Keep going!

Great advice 😎

Great video

Such a great video Thanks!

Awesomeness

Gen X couple...enough said. 😎

You recommend buying used for the first one....but what if one is hopeless with self repairing? (I always end up having to hire someone to fix what I attempt to fix)

Thank you, for your video, you are both likable people. Steve I think you have nice guns!buddy you must have used to be a fireman or police officer I don’t know which. The five things you don’t want out of life I have never heard anyone say it was too big and that’s true. I myself am a firefighter paramedic retired. I love the fact that safety is important to y’all! Now, with that being said, for two people what size Air stream would you recommend?

New subscriber! I coula/shoulda went Small’s I could have been a van dweller. I am an older newbie with two small animals. I have a 2005 Zeppelin II. My first one.

This guy looks like he had enough of his wife, and probably this life style, but he knows happy wife happy life... good job Steve! You have a lucky wife!

If myself and my boyfriend want to live in an airstream with our doggo, which model would you suggest? We will be traveling a few months at a time because I will be doing traveling therapy. We may need one that is good in the winter if that is possible.

What precautions are taken with break-ins? Hope this isnt a stupid question. I don't want apartment life anymore. But if we are taking everything we own into this one airstream space. What safetly protocals do you all take? Is there a blog or website I can be directed to?

If not the 30 then what size less than 20?

Hi was just going thru some of your old videos. Do you have that 'check list' available to print off? We are going for our first long trip at the end of May. And we are NEWBIES!! Would be really helpful. Thanks...Wanda

How do you lift your airstream ?,, Whats a Valtera suit off valve and why ? I went for 19' me and My cat,, always have to put stuff away but happy to fit anywhere :-)) Thanks for this vide, i am in my first year in the airstream and 6th living in a trailer.

In our 45 years of RVing, we have only owned one new trailer, but it wasn't our first and we had it for 15 yrs. I love haggling over price and we buy quality with long-term in mind. In our first 40 years, we only had 3 trailers. We have since gone to a motorhome and tow a vehicle that gets far better gas millage. This works well if you stay in an area more than a few days.

Was wondering what y’all do about health insurance. This is my main concern with full timing.

Thanks and congrats on two years! Are you comfortable releasing the numbers (average/approx is OK) or financing options? Don't get me wrong, I don't wanna raise this question, but I'm on my way to fulltime RV in the next year or so. So I highly appreciate any info, if you guys comfortable sharing it of course. Thanks!

Wouldn't checking tires fall under the safety check?

How do you manage without a robust Generator? Air conditioning?

You mentioned your safety checklist. Can you post a link?

Remind me again, is it a 28’ or 30’? And lift the Airstream by how much?

I drove vehicles with manual transmissions including a 4wd truck until my 40s. I bought an vehicle with an automatic transmission in 1989. And I have not gone back.

2020 Covid 19 , Campers go up +47% in value , No appreciation 😁🍻

A Model X will tow an Airstream up to 21' according to Tesla specs (5000 lb) but truth be known, the electric vehicles made for towing, (being invented now) can tow almost anything. A Model X with a 21' trailer will go about 150 to 200 miles per charge, depending on terrain. Some trailers (will) have brakes that are able to 'trim' the trailer, similar to a Segway and contribute to regenerative braking. You couldn't charge up the Tesla using less than 3000 Watts (3kw) or about ten 3'x5' panels, so you'll have to stay within 200 miles of a charging station. Alternatively, the EV can power the trailer for a few days while camped, if it 'duplexes' or allows for current flow in both directions. A new EV truck company called Atlis (American) will have that. The Model X would also make a great guest room, with Internet connection, large screen, terrific sound and specially filtered air. Window blinds are available.

My wife now has 3 walk in closets full of stuff. Some is 'special' but most is just what she's accumulated. Darwin said, "not the smartest, not the strongest, but those who can adapt will survive" so we've discussed just what our 'adaption' process will look like, (a dumpster) while trying to fit 3 closets into a 2' space. What is the smallest air stream with suitable closet space for live-aboard couples? ( I get by with one suitcase)

Did you buy that airstream at desert autoplex?

I’ve heard airstreams are prone to leaking. Is this true ?

In my estimation, buying into the 'bigger is always better' mentality is probably the most frequent error in judgement that new RVer make. I think exactly the opposite is true for most people. Choosing the smallest RV that you can live with is the better way to go because it allows you easier access to more locations and, in my opinion, that trumps any rationalization for going bigger.

Ecoboost... Boo. There is no replacement for displacement. An Ecoboost is fine if you plan on rebuilding the engine every 100,000 miles but if you want it to last get a 6.7.

Maybe I misunderstood a comment, but how long are you planning on doing this?

Always bought used products? So you bought used vinyl flooring?

A 30 foot Airstream is large...LOL

Buying used means getting a dirty RV likely with rodent and cockroach infestation. I guess it doesn't matter because even a new RV will be infested after some time. There is no way to clean all of the dropped food and grime. It builds up and gets nasty.

You save a lot of cash living in an RV.

No thanks.

**Uh...what did I just watch? A tire blew-out and shredded, and the ceiling-fan 'took a crap'...and carpet is a REALLY 'bad idea'w/2-people and 2-dogs in what is a very small foot-traffic environment (add-in kitchen spills and the 'hopefully occasional'dog pee scenario where "I couldn't hold it! It's your fault! You know I'm a dog and I have to pee a lot...and besides you left us 'Home Alone' and we don't like that!") "Make sure you get a BIG honkin' diesel to pull this monster with! We forgot this ain'ta 'Shasta'...it's 'double-hulled' thick aluminum and size-for-size it's as heavy as the 'Titanic'" is what I did learn, and I kinda'knew that already** (I would've gone with 'Bamboo' flooring myself with the 'cork' underlayment ...I saw a 'high-end' JaycoHW Pop-up w/slide with that type flooring, and it looks beautiful and wears like iron...guy has 2 Labs and kids too!)"Smaller???" NO! Even 'Romeo & Juliet' would 'go after each other w/kitchen knives' in two weeks of 'sardine living'...even the dogs would be pissed!

Living in an airstream, myself. If I were to get another vintage one I would get an argosy. Though not as cool, they are cooler (temperature wise). buy or restore one that is gloss white. It keeps the interior temp so much cooler. If you get stuck parking it in the sun the silver ones are pizza ovens.

5 things we did wrong: We were lazy My wife can’t drive

I have never owned an Airstream but looking at AS trailer layouts, it seems like 23~25 feet is the ideal length for two people. 30 feet do feel like its a bit too long unless you are planning to stay in one location for long term.

Happy nomadiversary :-)

I echo what @plasticAudio said. Now that I can work remotely 100% we are seriously looking to become Airstreamers. Great video! Learning a lot from you. Keep posting!

Thank you to both of you so very much. Have a wonderful day! I am purchasing a used trailer tomorrow and will tell you all about it in a few weeks. Will be going off the grid talk soon.

Woah! Congrats you guys, that is awesome!! Loved being able to listen to your rights and wrongs, safe travels!

we'd prob buy an Airstream but the poor insulating performance is a deal breaker for us. Too bad too.

Looking forward to the day when we do this! Thanks for posting... very informative and inspirational!

Thanks for the video! Thanks for being transparent, as we newbies can learn from some of the things you've done. Again, thanks for great videos.

Your Standard vs Automatic Transmission discussion was interesting. I've been in the Diesel Truck/Construction Industry for over 50 years as both a Diesel Mechanic/Service Manager and Sales Engineer. I was the first guy in our Truck Shop to rebuild Allison A/T in the early 1970 when they got popular in School Buses and Garbage Trucks and other specialized applications. Around 1980-1990 A/T became even more popular because experienced Drivers were hard to find and maintenance cost were high with Standard Trans/Clutches etc..As Diesel Engines became more available in Medium Duty Trucks, so did the popularity of Automatic Transmissions. Today, I would estimate that A/T are in 80-90 % of Medium Duty Trucks and making Head Way in Heavy Duty Trucks.On the other hand, Light Duty trucks are probably 90+% A/t. There is no question that I would recommend A/t to anyone!

If Airstreams retain their value how did you save approximately $100 grand?

We have something in common. I just picked up my new Oliver II 23 1/2" travel trailer in Tennessee last week and drove it back to Arizona. I had never even been in an RV in my life before, but decided I was ready for a new life experience in retirement. "Just do it" applies to more than running shoes! Can't wait to experience the life.

Just watched your video. We just looked at a 2004 like yours. Did it have a cloth on the walls in some areas? Did you remove it and what was under it? Thanks

wish u the best guys stay safe

Used agreed…always…

I hope this is in our future

You guys are great

He does all the work, she does all the yapping.

Always check the date codes on your tires. They list the date where it says “DOT”. 5 years is max life you’ll want. Possibly less for one pulling a trailer full time.

question me being a metal finisher working with different metals like metal stainless steel , aluminum , copper , steel ect ect how will that alluminum airstream will hold heils being a alluminum vs fiber glass alluminum is easy to dents

You guys are always enjoyable to watch, and very informative. We (my wife and I) are certainly leaning toward an Airstream once we are able to move on from this point in our lives (care providers for her ailing 91 year old wheelchair bound mom). Used is great for sure for us but I’m wondering how you found yours? Was it thru a private seller or a dealer?

Lot's of good info. Thanks for sharing. I will be watching some of your linked videos next so I can keep learning all these stuff. We are getting ready to hit the road soon. Thanks!

Diesel for sure, pre-2009; anything newer has that emissions garbage.

Way to go, you guys! Looking forward to seeing your new adventures soon!

This is probably a dumb question, but what do you do with the computer equipment when you're moving? Do you have to store it somewhere each time you leave and pull it back out each time you stop?

Congrats on 2 years!