Why do some people think a 37K caravan means you have more money than sense? A Land Rover is knocking on the door of 100K and to the same people that would be OK, because it's a car! I think there's a word to describe those who find fault where there is none - jealous!
This was really a good video for me. I've been planning for some time now to buy an airstream and I've thought about many of the issues you covered here. I think you put many of those issues to rest for me so I'm heading straight on. I sort of choked up when you said 9 years on and when you look at your airstream it still makes you smile. What a wonderful statement.
I love your plan and the execution of said plan: Buy a beach house, rent it out. Travel in the Airstream in the Summer and live in the beach house in Winter. Can somebody say, "Absolutely fabulous"?! I can. I'm so inspired. Great video. I would have preferred Dougal to have been looking at the camera. His eyes are so pretty. But other than that, it was really satisfying to watch this video.
Andrew, you are killing me! I had all but given up on any hope of actually achieving this dream, and then here you are with the exact video I was looking for. I already knew about the good parts, and when you described the bad parts, well I was laughing so hard I guess it won't be so bad. So, back to the planning phase...
Excellent video Andrew; enjoyed it. You are SO right about buying something that puts a smile on your face. If it is any consolation I have friends with a cottage in a well known picture postcard village and tourists think nothing of crashing through the garden and peering in through the windows. Bizarre. I fear we are constantly pre-judged - sometime ago Rolls Royce kindly lent me a car for the day to help out at a friend's wedding; having successfully launched the bride into her new life I returned the car in the evening to the factory calling in at a nearby petrol station to fill the tank. I was made a fuss of; the car was made a fuss of and one woman asked if she could sit in it for a moment. The next morning I drove out of the factory in my motorhome and stopped at the same filling station for diesel. The same cashier was on duty and he couldn't even be bothered to look at me as I paid for the fuel. The moral of this rather extreme story is that we really should treat everybody equally and NOT pre-judge. But it happens all the time.
It does, and it's sad. That is why I always treat everyone with equal respect. I remember at the NEC a year ago someone swooshing into 'our' R&R room and ignoring me despite my being the only one in there. So I piped up and talked to him... he was quite off with me till he realised 'Who' I was. Then he was as nice as pie. Too late...I will always remember that first impression.
Hi Andrew, after watching your vlog as to why you bought an airstream , I felt inspired to write about my wishes to buy a motor home. After a few life changing events , I realized I needed to get out of routine . The typical vw was a dream but reality took hold and I would love to go places without having the hassle of booking a place that is somewhere pretty, accepts dogs and is available!
I really enjoyed your video. My husband and I lived in a 5th wheel camper until his death, and I am so glad now that I didn't try to get him to get a "normal" home, since he absolutely loved the whole lifestyle. I didn't stay in our camper afterwards, but enough time has passed and I'm thinking of getting a new one and starting traveling again now that my youngest son has grown up and is at college and I have the freedom to choose. I've started looking at campers recently and I am very much interested in Airstreams, so thank you for the tour and your info about them. And by the way, Dougal is adorable too!
Thanks Patricia! Good luck finding your dream camper. The Airstream Sport Bambi is super-cute ;) Also check out my video about solo caravanning - it's mainly UK-centric but you'll hopefully glean a few tips. All the best.
Andrew, thanks so much for posting your prospective on Airstream ownership. I just started looking and exploring my options and this video helped me immensely.
Very nice home ! I understand the judgements of others when I tell them I'm a Naturist. Don't feel bad, you are living your life the way you want and are happy. Cheers
Recently discovered your videos and was thinking “seems like a decent and sensible bloke, why on earth did he buy an Airstream?” - so was pleased to find this plausible explanation.
Hi Andrew, I have to confess, sometimes I watch your videos just to hear the English language spoken beautifully. I hope one day to retire to an Airstream here in the U.S. I will need to purchase a used one. And of course, I love Dougal, too. Happy Trails from Texas.
You speak the truth Sir. Here in the U.S. people trade in their caravans (true statistic) anywhere between 6 months and 5 years. Keeping a payment and probably going upside down on previous loan for depreciation, they could of had something way nicer for life. Airstream! Cheers
Wow Andrew, I can't believe people can be so rude as to invade your personal space like that. I wouldn't dream of peering into the window of someone's rig. Great vlog, I love airstreams mainly because of the retro aspect. Thanks. 😀🇦🇺🚐🐕😀
There is *nothing* like an airstream. Love the design, the efficiency, the longevity... and totally with you- it’s not a throw away. Buying “throw always” is the mentality that we must move away from if we are going to respect this gorgeous planet we’ve been privileged to inhabit.
Thank you for your video. I enjoyed it immensely. I too would love to own an Airstream and am working on it. I like your idea of having the beach house and renting it out. Happy travels to you my friend!
Great video Andrew! I can't believe you have had people come up to the window with cameras like that, how inconsiderate! I can see why you head off to places like The Hebrides to escape the fools!
Wish there had been a better breakdown of the main differences between airstreams and more mainstream caravans ie. Width, weight, warmth, equipment, towability but nice to hear your reasoning for getting one and seeing Dougal.
They’re the best trailers made hands down. They have no competition & anyone who doesn’t like them apart from the price are simply jealous. I know I am, I’d kill to have an airstream!
Thanks for posting this. I have been in love with Airstream since the first time that I saw one twenty years ago. Thanks for posting this. It was helpful to hear your opinions.
Another great video Andrew and like you I would choose an Airstream any day however I am not and never will be in a position to buy one but happy with my 2003 Abbey Vogue. I totally get what you mean about preconceptions I get it a lot with my vehicle, a silver and chrome Dodge Nitro, if people really knew how I live and what my life has been like they would, one would hope, get it but they don't. Keep up the great work mate and keep rockin'
We've just brought a 1989 compass omega 900 and it was £750. I can honestly say I've never loved something so much, it's had a much needed bath and some TLC and I'm so proud to be taking her to Cornwall this year with husband and three children. We brought a cheap second hand caravan primarily to try caravanning and see how we get on but as its always been a dream of both my husband and I since we were kids I kinda think we will end up upgrading pretty soon. I've just subbed to your channel as its really interesting thanks.
Welcome aboard! Glad you enjoy the videos. Delighted to hear your story - you really don't need to spend much at all to get a nice van that you can call home on your holidays. In fact, I'll bet you have happier times than those who are precious about their new vans. Happy travels!
I did wonder why you were in an Airstream more often, I hadn't realised you had bought it. Great choice and I agree with your depreciation and quality prognosis. At the risk of looping back to your campervan vs caravan video, what made you settle on a caravan over a camper?
You have the knack of giving 100% of the information required by the viewer,r, to the viewer. Again your video delivered everything I needed to know. Thank you.
Well spoken! I'm shocked Dougal lets anyone near your home, being the ferocious type that he is... grin. I try not to judge people, until they piss me off. Laughs. Perhaps this is why I live alone, at the end of a gravel road up against a state forest. I agree about buying quality, I've wasted more money by buying cheap than it would have ever cost me to buy good quality in the first place. PS: is you want to develop a reputation that will keep people away from your caravan, let me take it around a bit. After seeing a 6'5" mountain man from West Virginia, US lumbering around it, they will flee. You will have privacy. Though, your Airstream may lose value by association. Lol.
A word of advise. I dont give a damn what people think. As for people looking in your windows put a sign on your door no peeping Toms . My husband and I are getting ready to buy a 33 foot air stream to retire in and travel all over America in. Have fun with your new home. Also we plan to get a shock door knob that if people ignore the sigh they get shocked if they touch the door knob. Also our air stream is going to have windows you can see out of but people can not see into and we will get the kind that still lets the light in. Yes we are going to put some serious money into the up grands but all I can say to people that dont like that is go get jealous someplace else .
Jeepers, Andrew, maybe you should take to walking around inside your Airstsream in the buff. Then when people peer in the window, they'll back away in a hurry, word will spread like wildfire, and your reputation will keep others away. Of course, then again...maybe not. : [ This is just a thought, not a recommendation. Should you be arrested, I've never heard of you. ; )
I guess, for me it'll have be something for me to admire. We retire this month and although our pensions are adequate, we aren't going to have that much extra. I agree with the prejudging, my wife is forever doing so, but if I dare to suggest different, we end up arguing, so I just keep quite. Have you met Mrs (always) Right.
well said Andrew. Our Bella, the Airstream brings us plenty of smiles and memories. Hope to see you on the road, here or there. Airstreamly yours Philippe
Great review! my grandfather had several travel trailers and eventually got an Airstream and WOW did they love it! I'm trying to figure out that huge initial purchase price too! maybe not Airstream at first, but definitely on my radar.
we are currently living on a yacht but moving to a caravan in May. If i would like to see someone elses boat I would wait to be invited or ask permission to have a look, most owners are only to happy to show of their boats and will talk for hours about them. I belive caravan owners would be the same but never without an invitation.
Exactly James, it's all about manners and genuine interest. I will talk for hours to someone who is genuinely interested. It's the impolite ones who see your home as a piece of entertainment to fill a few empty minutes that annoy me intensely!
It's one of the best ways to live. Little maintenance and if you don't like your neighbors get up and leave. Airstream is built to last. Awesome choice. Greetings from Canada
You listed the reasons why I would count the Airstream or Avion as the only commercially made caravans (camper here in the States) I would consider. Otherwise, I plan on converting a cargo trailer, bus, or a stepside van. Wild dream: 1950 pick up (give or take 5 years), running gear modernized some, admittedly I don't miss carburetors, with a frame extended to meld with an Airstream or Avion of similar vintage. But that's a lottery dream, and I have to play it to win it. 😅
thanks for sharing, Andrew, great video and love your van. Regarding the down sides, that seems to be the way with some people these days, very quick to judge and don't care who knows about it.
Another fab video Andrew. You inspire me so much. Some of the shots wheee spectacular - particularly the one overlooking the beach! Mesmerising! Do you mind me asking if you still have the holiday home? Xx
Hi Deb, glad you liked it! Sold the house in 2012...there is a whole story behind that, all to do with simplifying my life. I'll be telling that story in future vlogs :)
Great video Andrew answered most of my questions on why you decided on the Airstream. What are the windows made from and are they double pane? Is the chassis Alko I know the German importer fits out a bare shell from the States but I don't know if this includes the chassis. Cheers Ian
Hi Ian, the windows are glass single glazed - mainly because of the wrap-arounds. They fitted acrylic double-glazed to the UK Bambi but nobody liked them. The Chassis is BPW from Germany which was sent to the US in kit form. Cheers!
Awesome vid! Towing an Airstream in the UK with often narrow roads and always limited parking must require some brass cojones. I drove an ultra compact rental car through England, Wales and Scotland for three weeks and though survived probably aged twenty or so years. Regardless one of the best trips of my life.
Some of these motorhomes cost upwards of £70,000 so why would people comment on you being wealthy if you have an airstream at half the price? Plus it’s not just a leisure vehicle but your home! Some people are just jealous idiots IMO. I have a VW (T4) campervan, nothing fancy like an Airstream but I do love it....saved money for 3 years to get a respray (it was white and got resprayed white), got it keyed all the way down and across the bonnet a few weeks later. I was devastated! Still there and couldn’t afford to get it repaired. Some people are just vile, but most aren’t thank god. X
I was camping in Big Sur California and a Dutch woman knocked on my door and said very sternly " I MUST SEE THIS" . I showed her around. She was a designer for purses in the Netherlands and she loved it.
Believe it or not, the Airstream came first! Dougal is only 5 despite having all the grumpiness of Victor Meldrew and the superiority of Hyacinth Bucket!
You're right that a caravan is an emotional purchase as much as a rational one - that's why I just bought a Cheltenham Sable to restore (thankfully it needs much less than I thought!). It's much less space than the Atlas Festival vintage static I've had for the past 7 years, even with an awning, but it definitely put a smile on my face when I saw it! The rest of my family just can't understand my decision (esp. since it's only 2 berth!) but I absolutely adore it. It's for my 2 cats and I to spend most of our time in out in the boonies, so will basically be our wilderness home - I can't wait!:-)
Hi Andrew, as I've mentioned before a caravan (used) is on the list of things to buy once the money comes through. The subject of damp though terrifies me! A friend told me to avoid anything other than Hymers etc or Airstream. The latter are out of our range but 2nd hand German are possible. Any thoughts or advice on the subject? Keep up the good work.
A Hymer *can* leak just like any other brand of caravan. My advice is to invest in a good damp meter and be prepared to do a lot of searching. You can have two caravans from the same brand built on the same day in the same factory by the same workforce. One might be a bag of spanners and the other one perfect. It really is not an exact - or easy - science. The more effort you put into the buying process, the less you are reliant on luck. What about Eriba? They are also known for their longevity. Happy hunting!
You could always sell pegs and 'lucky heather' just to annoy people in the Caravan Camping Club! I think it is a great way to live and I am planning either an Airstream or a VW Crafter Sports motorhome with garage built in as I intend to full time this year
Love your videos Andrew! Hoping I'll be able to get to the Hebrides in the near future. Is the Airstream warm in winter, I've probably have this misconception that caravans are very cold in winter and wondered if that's true?
Hi Robert, maybe you missed the memo - I now live in the Outer Hebrides! :) Modern caravans have great insulation and heating. Old caravans like my 50 year old Sprite DO get cold in the winter because they can have poor insulation. Cheers!
They are awesome, the thing that love most are the windows which make the people be inside-out. The only thing that have against (here in Australia) is the type of suspension that do not give the good clearance and suffer on hundreds of kilometers of corrugated roads in our out back. Bailey looked into this problem for the Australian market and come with the Rangefinder models for Australian conditions and they are doing very well. baileyaustralia.com.au/range/rangefinder-astro-gemini-nebula/
Interestingly Bailey showed an Australian model on their stand at the NEC show here in October - it created a lot of interest. mainly because of its 'clean' and uncluttered interior as well as the rugged running gear. Cheers!
Thank YOU John and Dawn for posing the question in the first place!
6 лет назад
Airstreams are amazing. I have set my eyes on Eriba Touring. I hope that I could make it a reality one day. There's just something that feels like a small pop roof caravan could be for me.
They are Beautifull and as you said it's about what ever you choose being your happy space, My Caravan does it for me within 5 minutes of going inside, If a Caravan suits the owner then it is the right Caravan, nothing else matters.
Hi Andrew. I like this video. I like your thinking about living on wheels too. I've been living on wheels for over 18 years now. And I just building my overlander camper using 3mm tread plate alloy huge Sheets. Then I off to travel until I die Oneday 😊. Best wishes to sir and to your Loverly doggie.
One day I hope I age as gracefully as you do. You wear leather pants like nobody's business and look good in it! I think I would enjoy hanging out with you, and I'm just 25. There's a certain charm to the simple life you live.
Lol, in the US, people wouldn't say that out loud. If they did, the typical response would be, "Yes, I am!" There is nothing wrong with being affluent here. People here don't really care about looks unless its their car/truck!
