[A/S] AIRSTREAM QUALITY

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kathy,

I agree with Tom's posting.  It is, unfortunately, a subject that ruffles
some feathers.  My daughter has a '72 27' A/S and although it did manifest
some of the problems Tom mentioned, it has been repaired and is still a good
serviceable trailer.  In my opinion, all Airstreams are of generally
superior quality compared to the rest of the market, with the exception of
the old aluminum Silver Streaks, Avions, Streamlines, and other aircraft
aluminum type trailers which are/were comparable.

Beatrice Foods owned Airstream from approximately 1967 to 1979, as I
remember.  From what I have heard and read, the '83s and up benefited from
earlier mistakes and were of excellent quality.

$12k to $13k sounds like a fair price for an '89 but condition can vary
greatly from one unit to another.  I assume you are aware that if the
plasticoat finish is peeling, left untreated the bare spots will oxidize and
become a different color than the rest of the trailer.  The cost of
stripping and recoating a trailer of that size, assuming no oxidation that
requires polishing, is approximately $2500 to $3000.  More if it requires
polishing before refinishing.

Where is the trailer you are looking at and where has it lived its life?
Trailers that have lived in low annual rain fall, dry climates are less
likely to have rust and rotten wood floors than trailers that have lived in
humid coastal climates with high average rainfall.  Floor rot can result
from water entry via uncaulked seams over time.

Unless you already have an experienced Airstreamer to assist you, you might
want to state the location and inquire on both lists, VACList as well as
Airstream List, if an Airstream nut like many of us are lives nearby and
would assist you in inspecting a trailer you are considering.

Good luck,

Harvey Barlow
Lubbock, TX
WBCCI # 1171, WDCU, VAC