Re: [a/s] New guy questions

["Jrnymn" <jrnymn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Douglas,  I'm just letting you know I saw your email
and questions.  Don't worry about redundancy--it is
questions from "new" folks like you that help us take a
pulse on how Airstreamish appears to newcomers.

Your questions belie some serious, critical thought.
I'm giving my stab at 'em below....

>
> 1. The trend nowdays seems to be towards motorhomes
and away from trailers. Do
> they know something I don't?  It seems logical to me
to be able to disconnect my
> trailer from my tow-vehicle and toodle around
separately, etc.  On the other
> hand, I can see that a motorhome would be easier to
maneuver.

You've always got to ask yourself, "What do I want the
trailer/MH for?"  Your needs and desires are filters to
which option to pick.  One really big difference I see
between the two is the trailer seems to have a longer
half-life, since it isn't at the mercy of a
non/functioning engine.  I have seen *way* more vintage
trailers than motorhomes.  Of course, motorhomes are
relatively new by comparison.

I'm renewing an aged '56 Overlander---something I
couldn't imagine bothering to do if it were a MH.

> 2. There seems to be a lot of interest in "vintage"
Airstreams.  Were they made
> better than recent models?  Does the Thor Corp have
too many irons in the fire
> to keep the traditional a/s quality going? Did things
change when they bought
> out the a/s company?

I am definitely partial to vintage stuff in general.  I
liked the look of the 13-panel rolled edge design.

I don't speak for Thor Inc., but the new trailers are
somewhat different than the old.  You'll find old stuff
in need of repair, but I think the repair curve is much
smaller for an older trailer too.  I hear lots of
stories about "modifications" that need to be done on
new stuff--when the seasoned trailers tend to involve
item replacement rather than whole-system repair (wiring
goof, roof leak, plumbing etc.)

My *opinion* is that the Airstream of today is a
different species than the Wally Byam era trailers.  I
believe my feelings about it run deeper than romantic,
nostalgic notions--and I'm aware of halo effect that
occurs among Airstreamers.

> 3. Large vs "regular" refrigerators?

This is another one of those needs-assessment type
questions.  Others would be more qualified than I to
report on it.

> 4.Tow vehicles: Suburbans vs pick-ups vs Caddies vs
others? Gas vs diesel?

I don't remember too many days on this list when there
*wasn't* something about tow vehicles vs. vs. vs. vs.
The most important question involves the vehicle being
"sufficient+"  for the trailer.  More specific questions
are much easier to answer than the wholesale "What's the
best truck for..."

> 5. My Mom and Dad had an a/s years ago and took some
great trips to the Yucatan,
> Europe, etc.  They're gone now but I still envy their
stories and the adventures
> they had on the Wally Byam Caravans.  Are they still
popular? Too big? Too
> organized?

I would love to hear more stories on the list about
caravans---but those stories seem to fit best in a
well-edited narrative article or journal.  Anyone can
say they went someplace--but a good story helps others
vicariously experience with the same sense of relevance.

> 6. Where do most people park their a/s' when they're
at home?  My neighborhood
> has a "rule" against parking in the driveway, etc.

you-store-it places, dedicated parking lots, farmer/big
driveway owner friends, an occasional dealership,
basically, wherever I've seen trailers gathered, there
is probably the opportunity to keep one's trailer there.

> 7. Of the overall a/s owner population, how many are
pre-retirement age?  (I'm
> still working but getting tired of it!)

I'd love to know the figure for this too.  I am
certainly *way* pre-retirement.  (I'm 29.)  However, I
do recall a fellow who is soon to retire at an obscenely
young age.  I wish my career track was as profitable.

> Thanks to all.  I envy you and look forward to the day
I can join you.
>
> Douglas Kirkpatrick
> Medford, OR

You've joined us already Douglas!!  You are better off
being part of the list before you buy---it will make
your purchase much more likely to be a great fit.

Jay L. Griffin [a.k.a. Jrnymn "Journeyman"]
http://homepage.dave-world.net/~jrnymn/jrnyindex.htm
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  /  '--'       [ ] O  )   Overlander '56 26'
  :-----O O---------------^#6066 WBCCI / VAC