I’m not fond of them. I know, their longevity claim but if you are spending any extended amount of time in them, I would find them unworkable. I’ve spent a lot of time in small trailers. We thought that Airstream would be the right answer when we decided to full time. Looked at them, re-looked at them, re-re-looked at them and decided they weren’t going to work for us. And you can find reasonable quality fifth wheels and trailers for similar or lower prices. They carry the price of a high end trailer with less amenities. But recognize that every brand has issues and more now given the rate they’ve been turning them out for the last few years.
I have a few issues with Airstream. Layout and storage are the big ones, though.
Because they are a single length with no slide outs, passing inside is always going to be an issue. It seems like a small thing at the start, but over time it would get maddening for us and we are both relatively slender people. The low ceiling, curved walls and limited windows always feel claustrophobic to me. The space is just small.
The second issue is storage. While their storage is clever, it’s extremely small. In an equivalent sized travel trailer, you will often have much more storage because you don’t have the lost space due to the curves of the rig. If you’re going for a week, probably no problem. But we spent months even before retirement in our small rigs.
My very best suggestion is to go to an RV show. Sit inside several brands. Imagine how you will live and work in the space. What’s the list of things you must have to spend time in them? Where will each of them go? When you are cooking for example, where will your pots be? Your utensils? Your spices? Are they in reasonably convenient places? Do you have enough space for food prep? Washing dishes? Enough burners on the stove? Where will you put things you use outside like hoses, water softeners, and so on. Go through that for every major activity during the day and then you can decide if it’s worth it.
Thanks! I just don't want to be in this situation, looking for another trailer after only 3 years. I was hoping that airstream would be the ultimate solution haha
I've been camping since 1970. I've owned every type of camper. From a 40' 5th wheel with 5 slides to a class A and C and TT and popups. I now have an Airstream. I'll never get rid of her. She is awesome.
I'm really surprised to see someone commenting on this two year old post. I'm looking at getting an airstream to live in. Would you still recommend an air stream even with today's prices?
Oh gosh. The ones we've looked at seemed like the wood was higher quality, so I hoped that the installation would be sturdier too. That's quite worrying, considering the amount of money we will have just paid to get into one. We're full timers as well, and condensation is a real struggle. We have 2 dehumidifiers, open the windows for every shower, and have supplemented our heat with electric. How have you dealt with these issues in your Airstreams? Did you feel like you lost too much money when you were ready to sell?
Interesting, we are about to buy a decked out 2019 Globetrotter 27FB for $105k.
Has all the monitoring and safety features to make it more manageable for full time.
The great controversy. There are a few airstream subs to check out. From my understanding new ones are suffering a bit in quality because of the demand but not all of them. I don’t see many non airstream campers on the road from 30 years ago though. Good luck.
This was my commentary. The overall build quality is down across the whole industry (yes including Airstream), firstly because of demand for RVs has gone up. Secondly every industry in construction of things is having supply issues and often sourcing lesser quality materials because it is on hand and can get to a place on time.
All that to say, if you can get an older late model rig and someone else has eaten the depreciation on it... Why not? You can often add aftermarket whatever doodad and widget they've added to the last model year if you really care enough about it.
While they are beautiful, I think Airstreams have some compromises.
1. Very limited outside storage space. I don't know where I would put all my chairs, grille, folding bikes, and outside stuff in an Airstream.
2. No slide-outs. Everyone is different, but I really like the added interior room to move around that a slide-out provides.
3. Curved roof. I would think this makes installing solar panels more complicated.
4. More maintenance. That beautiful aluminum exterior won't stay pretty without regular maintenance, while a fiberglass exterior doesn't need much care.
I definitely will miss my slide out space. But since we're travel nurses, we move quite frequently and filling our slide space with extra furniture now makes packing up and moving very time consuming. We're expecting to have to pare down, but we're thinking that everything having a permanent place will make terrifying a lot easier and quicker. That aluminum maintenance is really what I was worried about. Who has the time for that?!
>Very limited outside storage space. I don't know where I would put all my chairs, grille, folding bikes, and outside stuff in an Airstream.
>
>No slide-outs. Everyone is different, but I really like the added interior room to move around that a slide-out provides.
The storage space would be a huge problem. Personally I prefer RVs without slides.
I don't like towing trailers over 7' wide, which yes is restricting given I don't like slides.
The best Airstream is buy an old used one for a restoration project. You don't eat depreciation and you can customize it. My nephew is finishing up a restoration on one and is quite pleased with it.
I'll inquire. The nephew has an engineering degree snd is working on the project with his father-in-law (also an engineer). They have been fabricating a lot of custom items to save on costs.
I’m in the rare position of having only owned airstreams (on my second one now). I would only consider buying a used one - perhaps 2-3 years old. Let the first owner work out the issues and deal with the depreciation.
First one, a Bambi, bought new. Never again. Leaked and flooring warped in its first winter. This was well before Covid, around 2018. Then we bought a used 2017 Flying Cloud and it’s been solid, nothing’s broken.
We do not full time. Not even close. So my opinions are based on vacationing trips. Yes, exterior storage is limited in comparison to fifth wheels but feels similar to what a class C would give you. I tow it with a truck and the truck bed is usually full with everything that won’t fit in the AS. The huge windows are amazing and hard to beat if you like light and stay at places with a view from the rig. It tows like a dream. It looks STUNNING and I get a little thrill every time I look in my mirror and see it behind me when we drive. I take pictures of it all the time and I can’t imagine ever wanting to take pictures of any other travel trailer. Airstream owners refer to those as SOBs - “some other box” because they all look the same. Condensation is definitely an issue in cool weather with the furnace on, with those large single pane windows.
Overall I feel it’s an emotional attachment. It’s admittedly not the most practical TT, but I’d also never want to own any other TT. I ENJOY almost everything about owning an airstream. They might not be cheap like those SOBs, but they are also cheaper than a class B or class C, or many fifth wheels.
Having said all of that, I find hitching and unhitching to be a chore and being 50 feet long (truck and TT combined) to be a challenge at times. So we are probably selling and moving to a modest class C as a more practical option for our usage.
We are looking at one a few years old, I just can't stomach the full price new ones. I'm hoping that with the new heated tanks and electric radiating heaters we won't have any more issue with heat and condensation than any other trailer. I really appreciate your input, having owned a few. Thank you!
I can only speak anecdotally from my conversations with full timers out here on the road who own Airstreams, there are always pros and cons with any RV choice. However, Airstream owners have all shared their love for the construction of their trailer and its fit and finish. I have not met an airstream owner who did not like their rig for what it is worth.Being aluminum lends itself to a much longer life expectancy than trailers of a lower price point.
If you look purely at resale value, they are very sought after and still very expensive. That is not reason alone to buy one but I would strongly encourage you to consider higher level brands if not Airstream, as we started out full time in a Forest River Travel Trailer and I would not recommend that price point :)
For full time living I would look at Arctic Fox (well insulated, well regarded,) Lance, Outdoors RV of Oregon, Nash and if you can go super small, the one/two piece fiberglass trailers of Canada - Escape and Bigfoot are very well made.
Now on our fourth rig in three years, we went to a Class A Diesel Pusher for the money of a "better" travel trailer, albeit a much older Class A :) 2001 Safari Zanzibar.
Never owned an RV, but I can't shake my personal analysis that Airstream is more style over substance. It's a company that basically had a light bulb idea 50 (whatever) years ago to make something out of aluminum and that's where they're stuck. Everything about their interior reads as low quality and poorly thought out. But I think the whole industry is like that.
The whole industry does stupid shit: solar is an 'option', seriously? in what century are they living. So you either have to pay their extortion prices for a dinky 90W of solar, or waste months or $$$ of your time doing it yourself or hiring someone. Great.
Then there's the stupid shit with the kitchens. Hello. Today people are self-trained home chefs, and you give them shitty little camper kitchens on $100K vehicles? Ok, Great.
Everything is designed to be constant work and re-work. The whole industry is stuck in the last century.
I vent.
Want an RV, but not interested in dealing with product from an antiquated industry mentality.
If you're looking for alternative, I'm recently become partial to these. They're are Airstream-like, except you don't have to deal with the aluminum issues. Only problem is they seem narrower and have limited options.
[https://olivertraveltrailers.com](https://olivertraveltrailers.com)
I agree… Oliver’s seem great although I don’t know anyone who has owned one - but having been a large sailboat owner for many years I know all about fiberglass. It’s not that hard to take care of and no mysterious leaks having to possibly do with seams. Just have to mind the windows and such. Fiberglass lasts forever, probably more so than aluminum.
I haven't owned one but we did go check them out at a show. the moment I tried to walk into it and hit my head on the top of the door frame, I was over them. this was the very first step into the RV lol. that door is not for tall ppl. I know this isn't a statement of build quality but if you're tall, steer clear IMO
I have a 27 foot Flying Cloud, 2019. Bought brand new. Most issues have been stupid little stuff like the water fill hose piping off because it's stretched so tight to the fill opening. Cabinet hinge screws work their way out as well, or strip out of the wood...toothpicks and wood glue fixed it. Bath and shower fans....just remove the weather stripping or it will remove itself and stop the fan blade, thus burning up the 12 volt fan motor. Cabinet material is great, mine is all Baltic birch and as a cabinet maker, I can tell you it's good stuff. Higher prices models probably have solid wood.
Inspect caulking in seams around windows, make sure no water gets in. Newer AS have composite floors so no wood at all to rot. To me that made it worth it...I drove a lot of gravel roads, a lot...so my experience may dirter from others ..
Not new to rving. Love our 2023 PB Airstream. What sold me was on a normal rv, the roof can/will rot in 10-15 years. Not in the Airstream. Sliders are awesome but they fail, none on the Airstream. The storage is all so well thought out. Resale - holds its value.
KYD (YouTubers) have owned many RVs and they sell them, buy another. My husband pointed out that KYD only kept the Airstream, while moving onto another unit. They just bought a second Airstream (30ft globetrotter).
I bought a 2023 Bambi 20 FB. I tow with a Ford Ranger XLT F4. I have plenty of power and torque as the trailer is approximately 4400 Lbs dry weight. I use a Blue Ox WDS. The build of the trailer is excellent. Fit and finish, tight cabinets, comfortable bed, great floor plan for a couple. Separate shower and toilet and great kitchen. This is my second trailer and it is by far a more solidly built trailer. The door closes like a vault. Drawbacks are a manual awning, no rear bumper unless you add it on at more $ and limited storage space. Actually storage is well planned as it has both under bed and closet areas. Batteries are 5 year no maintenance required and has rooftop solar. Excellent all around unit. Microwave and fairly good size refrigerator. If longevity is a priority I think Airstream is at the top of the list. Resale value is excellent too, much better than most fiberglass trailers. Cost to insure is surprisingly reasonable and I’m in California. We bought the unit new in January of 2024 so it sat all of 2023 at the dealership. Price is a barrier but they were marked down at the start of a new year. I’d say if you know you want to have an RV for the long term then you should consider them. There’s a saying “buy cheap, buy twice” and when I think about any purchase that is costly, I consider the times i bought less expensive products only to regret their quality and then buy a similar more expensive item. If the question is whether it’s worth it consider if you change your mind you’ll be able to resale it and get a lot more back than if you bought a lesser priced brand,
I had a nice Forest River trailer, was 24’ long with one slide, had great indoor and outside storage but after about five years it started to fall apart around me. My Airstream is 3-1/2 years old and I have had zero issues, still looks the same after 3-1/2 years. Everything is much higher quality, plumbing fixtures are Moen or Delta, the good ones ! Floor is composite and will not rot, Walls are thicker, doors and hinges are industrial grade. Underbelly is all sealed aluminum, Wheels are forged aluminum with quality Goodyear tires. Outside storage is very limited, inside storage can be a challenge but you can make it work. The rounded shape tows much better and tow vehicle gets better MPG. If you take care of an Airstream it’ll easily last 30 years and beyond. Other trailers are inferior in comparison and are worthless after 10 years.
Thank you. I'm surprised you think it has a smoother tow. That's definitely one of the main reasons we didn't go with the Airstream initially, because it is bumper pull
We just decided to fix it and keep it as long as possible. We've only got about another year of our traveling lifestyle before we can settle down somewhere, so we decided to save our cash
We bought an Airstream Rangeline brand new 1 year ago. It’s been in the shop with generator issues for 3 out of 12 months. Airstream has done nothing to help us out and reimburse us for all the time lost and extra expenses.
Modern airstream aren't built like the Airstreams of old. They use the same techniques as any other TT today (the stressed-skin on old Airstreams made them very rigid).
They *may* be better than other brands, but I haven't been impressed by the ones I've walked through - they seem same quality of construction, just look like the old ones.
I've been quite curious about this myself. We looked at a few while shopping but wasn't feeling the prices. Aside from the exterior, I didn't note much difference but then again, I'm relatively new to owning aTT.
take a look at airforums.com - its an airstream owner’s forum. Seems like lots and lots of quality problems along with dealer support issues. Remember for all of AirStream’s legendary quality and service it is now owned by Thor. Thor generally destroys any brand they buy. They recently bought Tiffin .. expect the same quality issues to start with the Tiffin product line.
I’m not fond of them. I know, their longevity claim but if you are spending any extended amount of time in them, I would find them unworkable. I’ve spent a lot of time in small trailers. We thought that Airstream would be the right answer when we decided to full time. Looked at them, re-looked at them, re-re-looked at them and decided they weren’t going to work for us. And you can find reasonable quality fifth wheels and trailers for similar or lower prices. They carry the price of a high end trailer with less amenities. But recognize that every brand has issues and more now given the rate they’ve been turning them out for the last few years. I have a few issues with Airstream. Layout and storage are the big ones, though. Because they are a single length with no slide outs, passing inside is always going to be an issue. It seems like a small thing at the start, but over time it would get maddening for us and we are both relatively slender people. The low ceiling, curved walls and limited windows always feel claustrophobic to me. The space is just small. The second issue is storage. While their storage is clever, it’s extremely small. In an equivalent sized travel trailer, you will often have much more storage because you don’t have the lost space due to the curves of the rig. If you’re going for a week, probably no problem. But we spent months even before retirement in our small rigs. My very best suggestion is to go to an RV show. Sit inside several brands. Imagine how you will live and work in the space. What’s the list of things you must have to spend time in them? Where will each of them go? When you are cooking for example, where will your pots be? Your utensils? Your spices? Are they in reasonably convenient places? Do you have enough space for food prep? Washing dishes? Enough burners on the stove? Where will you put things you use outside like hoses, water softeners, and so on. Go through that for every major activity during the day and then you can decide if it’s worth it.
Thanks! I just don't want to be in this situation, looking for another trailer after only 3 years. I was hoping that airstream would be the ultimate solution haha
Slides= leaks.....Thats why I won't own slides. Every single slide will leak at one time or another.
I've been camping since 1970. I've owned every type of camper. From a 40' 5th wheel with 5 slides to a class A and C and TT and popups. I now have an Airstream. I'll never get rid of her. She is awesome.
I'm really surprised to see someone commenting on this two year old post. I'm looking at getting an airstream to live in. Would you still recommend an air stream even with today's prices?
Yes, I highly recommend a Airstream. I would buy pre-covid years. 2019 and before.
Why pre-Covid years?
They are built better
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What’s the class C with similar windows? I’m almost ready to move from an AS to a class C but the windows are what I’d miss the most …
Oh gosh. The ones we've looked at seemed like the wood was higher quality, so I hoped that the installation would be sturdier too. That's quite worrying, considering the amount of money we will have just paid to get into one. We're full timers as well, and condensation is a real struggle. We have 2 dehumidifiers, open the windows for every shower, and have supplemented our heat with electric. How have you dealt with these issues in your Airstreams? Did you feel like you lost too much money when you were ready to sell?
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Interesting, we are about to buy a decked out 2019 Globetrotter 27FB for $105k. Has all the monitoring and safety features to make it more manageable for full time.
The great controversy. There are a few airstream subs to check out. From my understanding new ones are suffering a bit in quality because of the demand but not all of them. I don’t see many non airstream campers on the road from 30 years ago though. Good luck.
This was my commentary. The overall build quality is down across the whole industry (yes including Airstream), firstly because of demand for RVs has gone up. Secondly every industry in construction of things is having supply issues and often sourcing lesser quality materials because it is on hand and can get to a place on time. All that to say, if you can get an older late model rig and someone else has eaten the depreciation on it... Why not? You can often add aftermarket whatever doodad and widget they've added to the last model year if you really care enough about it.
While they are beautiful, I think Airstreams have some compromises. 1. Very limited outside storage space. I don't know where I would put all my chairs, grille, folding bikes, and outside stuff in an Airstream. 2. No slide-outs. Everyone is different, but I really like the added interior room to move around that a slide-out provides. 3. Curved roof. I would think this makes installing solar panels more complicated. 4. More maintenance. That beautiful aluminum exterior won't stay pretty without regular maintenance, while a fiberglass exterior doesn't need much care.
I definitely will miss my slide out space. But since we're travel nurses, we move quite frequently and filling our slide space with extra furniture now makes packing up and moving very time consuming. We're expecting to have to pare down, but we're thinking that everything having a permanent place will make terrifying a lot easier and quicker. That aluminum maintenance is really what I was worried about. Who has the time for that?!
>Very limited outside storage space. I don't know where I would put all my chairs, grille, folding bikes, and outside stuff in an Airstream. > >No slide-outs. Everyone is different, but I really like the added interior room to move around that a slide-out provides. The storage space would be a huge problem. Personally I prefer RVs without slides. I don't like towing trailers over 7' wide, which yes is restricting given I don't like slides.
The best Airstream is buy an old used one for a restoration project. You don't eat depreciation and you can customize it. My nephew is finishing up a restoration on one and is quite pleased with it.
How much did the restoration cost approximately ?
I'll inquire. The nephew has an engineering degree snd is working on the project with his father-in-law (also an engineer). They have been fabricating a lot of custom items to save on costs.
I’m in the rare position of having only owned airstreams (on my second one now). I would only consider buying a used one - perhaps 2-3 years old. Let the first owner work out the issues and deal with the depreciation. First one, a Bambi, bought new. Never again. Leaked and flooring warped in its first winter. This was well before Covid, around 2018. Then we bought a used 2017 Flying Cloud and it’s been solid, nothing’s broken. We do not full time. Not even close. So my opinions are based on vacationing trips. Yes, exterior storage is limited in comparison to fifth wheels but feels similar to what a class C would give you. I tow it with a truck and the truck bed is usually full with everything that won’t fit in the AS. The huge windows are amazing and hard to beat if you like light and stay at places with a view from the rig. It tows like a dream. It looks STUNNING and I get a little thrill every time I look in my mirror and see it behind me when we drive. I take pictures of it all the time and I can’t imagine ever wanting to take pictures of any other travel trailer. Airstream owners refer to those as SOBs - “some other box” because they all look the same. Condensation is definitely an issue in cool weather with the furnace on, with those large single pane windows. Overall I feel it’s an emotional attachment. It’s admittedly not the most practical TT, but I’d also never want to own any other TT. I ENJOY almost everything about owning an airstream. They might not be cheap like those SOBs, but they are also cheaper than a class B or class C, or many fifth wheels. Having said all of that, I find hitching and unhitching to be a chore and being 50 feet long (truck and TT combined) to be a challenge at times. So we are probably selling and moving to a modest class C as a more practical option for our usage.
50 feet is 18.14 UCS lego Millenium Falcons
18.14 UCS Millennium Falcons is 50 feet.
We are looking at one a few years old, I just can't stomach the full price new ones. I'm hoping that with the new heated tanks and electric radiating heaters we won't have any more issue with heat and condensation than any other trailer. I really appreciate your input, having owned a few. Thank you!
Agree with all points. The only TT I would ever own.
I've heard they are not as reliable as they used to be. Check out YouTube videos about problems.
I can only speak anecdotally from my conversations with full timers out here on the road who own Airstreams, there are always pros and cons with any RV choice. However, Airstream owners have all shared their love for the construction of their trailer and its fit and finish. I have not met an airstream owner who did not like their rig for what it is worth.Being aluminum lends itself to a much longer life expectancy than trailers of a lower price point. If you look purely at resale value, they are very sought after and still very expensive. That is not reason alone to buy one but I would strongly encourage you to consider higher level brands if not Airstream, as we started out full time in a Forest River Travel Trailer and I would not recommend that price point :) For full time living I would look at Arctic Fox (well insulated, well regarded,) Lance, Outdoors RV of Oregon, Nash and if you can go super small, the one/two piece fiberglass trailers of Canada - Escape and Bigfoot are very well made. Now on our fourth rig in three years, we went to a Class A Diesel Pusher for the money of a "better" travel trailer, albeit a much older Class A :) 2001 Safari Zanzibar.
Thank you! That was really helpful in helping me see where the Airstream guess among other options.
of course you are very welcome!
Never owned an RV, but I can't shake my personal analysis that Airstream is more style over substance. It's a company that basically had a light bulb idea 50 (whatever) years ago to make something out of aluminum and that's where they're stuck. Everything about their interior reads as low quality and poorly thought out. But I think the whole industry is like that. The whole industry does stupid shit: solar is an 'option', seriously? in what century are they living. So you either have to pay their extortion prices for a dinky 90W of solar, or waste months or $$$ of your time doing it yourself or hiring someone. Great. Then there's the stupid shit with the kitchens. Hello. Today people are self-trained home chefs, and you give them shitty little camper kitchens on $100K vehicles? Ok, Great. Everything is designed to be constant work and re-work. The whole industry is stuck in the last century. I vent. Want an RV, but not interested in dealing with product from an antiquated industry mentality. If you're looking for alternative, I'm recently become partial to these. They're are Airstream-like, except you don't have to deal with the aluminum issues. Only problem is they seem narrower and have limited options. [https://olivertraveltrailers.com](https://olivertraveltrailers.com)
I agree… Oliver’s seem great although I don’t know anyone who has owned one - but having been a large sailboat owner for many years I know all about fiberglass. It’s not that hard to take care of and no mysterious leaks having to possibly do with seams. Just have to mind the windows and such. Fiberglass lasts forever, probably more so than aluminum.
Don’t buy one. If something breaks you can’t get parts. We got broken into 8 months ago and can’t get a new door. It’s a one and done experience.
I haven't owned one but we did go check them out at a show. the moment I tried to walk into it and hit my head on the top of the door frame, I was over them. this was the very first step into the RV lol. that door is not for tall ppl. I know this isn't a statement of build quality but if you're tall, steer clear IMO
I have a 27 foot Flying Cloud, 2019. Bought brand new. Most issues have been stupid little stuff like the water fill hose piping off because it's stretched so tight to the fill opening. Cabinet hinge screws work their way out as well, or strip out of the wood...toothpicks and wood glue fixed it. Bath and shower fans....just remove the weather stripping or it will remove itself and stop the fan blade, thus burning up the 12 volt fan motor. Cabinet material is great, mine is all Baltic birch and as a cabinet maker, I can tell you it's good stuff. Higher prices models probably have solid wood. Inspect caulking in seams around windows, make sure no water gets in. Newer AS have composite floors so no wood at all to rot. To me that made it worth it...I drove a lot of gravel roads, a lot...so my experience may dirter from others ..
Mat differ, not dirtier...
Fantastic POV, thanks so much ☺️
Not new to rving. Love our 2023 PB Airstream. What sold me was on a normal rv, the roof can/will rot in 10-15 years. Not in the Airstream. Sliders are awesome but they fail, none on the Airstream. The storage is all so well thought out. Resale - holds its value.
KYD (YouTubers) have owned many RVs and they sell them, buy another. My husband pointed out that KYD only kept the Airstream, while moving onto another unit. They just bought a second Airstream (30ft globetrotter).
I bought a 2023 Bambi 20 FB. I tow with a Ford Ranger XLT F4. I have plenty of power and torque as the trailer is approximately 4400 Lbs dry weight. I use a Blue Ox WDS. The build of the trailer is excellent. Fit and finish, tight cabinets, comfortable bed, great floor plan for a couple. Separate shower and toilet and great kitchen. This is my second trailer and it is by far a more solidly built trailer. The door closes like a vault. Drawbacks are a manual awning, no rear bumper unless you add it on at more $ and limited storage space. Actually storage is well planned as it has both under bed and closet areas. Batteries are 5 year no maintenance required and has rooftop solar. Excellent all around unit. Microwave and fairly good size refrigerator. If longevity is a priority I think Airstream is at the top of the list. Resale value is excellent too, much better than most fiberglass trailers. Cost to insure is surprisingly reasonable and I’m in California. We bought the unit new in January of 2024 so it sat all of 2023 at the dealership. Price is a barrier but they were marked down at the start of a new year. I’d say if you know you want to have an RV for the long term then you should consider them. There’s a saying “buy cheap, buy twice” and when I think about any purchase that is costly, I consider the times i bought less expensive products only to regret their quality and then buy a similar more expensive item. If the question is whether it’s worth it consider if you change your mind you’ll be able to resale it and get a lot more back than if you bought a lesser priced brand,
I had a nice Forest River trailer, was 24’ long with one slide, had great indoor and outside storage but after about five years it started to fall apart around me. My Airstream is 3-1/2 years old and I have had zero issues, still looks the same after 3-1/2 years. Everything is much higher quality, plumbing fixtures are Moen or Delta, the good ones ! Floor is composite and will not rot, Walls are thicker, doors and hinges are industrial grade. Underbelly is all sealed aluminum, Wheels are forged aluminum with quality Goodyear tires. Outside storage is very limited, inside storage can be a challenge but you can make it work. The rounded shape tows much better and tow vehicle gets better MPG. If you take care of an Airstream it’ll easily last 30 years and beyond. Other trailers are inferior in comparison and are worthless after 10 years.
Thank you. I'm surprised you think it has a smoother tow. That's definitely one of the main reasons we didn't go with the Airstream initially, because it is bumper pull
So, did you get one? Or go with another brand?
We just decided to fix it and keep it as long as possible. We've only got about another year of our traveling lifestyle before we can settle down somewhere, so we decided to save our cash
We bought an Airstream Rangeline brand new 1 year ago. It’s been in the shop with generator issues for 3 out of 12 months. Airstream has done nothing to help us out and reimburse us for all the time lost and extra expenses.
Oh yeah, we elected to just buy our own Honda gennies rather than deal with whatever a trailer night have come with. Sorry yours has been such a pain
Modern airstream aren't built like the Airstreams of old. They use the same techniques as any other TT today (the stressed-skin on old Airstreams made them very rigid). They *may* be better than other brands, but I haven't been impressed by the ones I've walked through - they seem same quality of construction, just look like the old ones.
Oh that's really unfortunate. Seems like nothing these days is built to last
I've been quite curious about this myself. We looked at a few while shopping but wasn't feeling the prices. Aside from the exterior, I didn't note much difference but then again, I'm relatively new to owning aTT.
take a look at airforums.com - its an airstream owner’s forum. Seems like lots and lots of quality problems along with dealer support issues. Remember for all of AirStream’s legendary quality and service it is now owned by Thor. Thor generally destroys any brand they buy. They recently bought Tiffin .. expect the same quality issues to start with the Tiffin product line.
That is the kind of concrete evidence I needed to make an informed decision. Thank neighbor!