[A/S] Re: Airstream Motorhome

["Lewis Leistikow" <LewLei@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gregg, I just traded my 2000 Airstream 35' Landyacht to go back to a 
trailer.  As with all RV's, there is no perfect one and it is more a 
matter of what suits you than anything else.

I bought the motorhome for some of the obvious conveniences: 
hydraulic levelors, not having to get out when you stop (whether for 
a quick pit stop or an overnight in foul weather), wife could move 
around, lay down, etc.  Also, the hook-ups were up high and right in 
front of you rather than almost underneath the rig.  Lots of 
storage, and while on the road, the view from those huge windows and 
sitting up high was awesome.  And interior space was terrific.  I 
had one slide out (the bedroom slide didn't make any sense to me.  
For the extra weight, mechanics, and money all it gained was a small 
vanity table).  That's just a bit of the pluses.

Why did I sell it and return to a truck and trailer?  About as many 
reasons as there were to buy it and enjoy it while I owned it.  
Largest on the list was maintenance.  I did do the grease and oil 
myself about half the time, but when you wanted to take it in, you 
certainly couldn't just drive it to your local Jiffy-Lube or even a 
dealer.  No, you had to go to a truck shop and pay truck rates.  An 
oil change and lube was typically $130 and up (this was a gas engine 
rig - expect to pay a lot more for diesel).  Not only expensive, but 
often requiring you to travel quite a way for the service.  Friends 
who had a 30' Land Yacht lived in the Colorado mountains.  They 
needed front end work and tires.  Had to drive to Denver, over 100 
miles to find a competant shop.

The ride up front was brutal.  I've been told that Diesel pushers 
ride very smooth, but this was a gas Ford chasis with the V-10 
engine.  You sit right on top of the wheels, and every crack in the 
highway was multiplied and amplified.  Then there was the interior 
noise.  With anything other than a glass smooth highway, often you 
couldn't turn the radio up high enough to listen to properly.  
Whether music or talk, headphones would have been the answer.  

Of course, you tow a vehicle behind you (which is pretty simple with 
the new hitch arrangements - easy hook-up and unhook).  So, you are 
paying maintenance for two engines and drive trains plus higher 
insurance and much greater depreciation on the motorhome.  The 
electrics on a motorhome (at least from Airstream) can be a 
nightmare if you buy new.  Masses of wires to connect chasis to 
living quarters and lots of troubles until the service techs get it 
all worked out.  It took me two dealers and the factory to get mine 
straight.  Buying used - even a year or two old usually ensures that 
the original owner had most of the initial problems fixed already.

There are people in their late 80's driving huge motorhomes and 
doing it very well.  But, after three years, I just didn't like 
driving mine.  It is big and bulky, a real challenge in cities and 
traffic.  If you take a wrong turn or get into a tight spot (which I 
did a couple of times), you can't back up even a foot or two until 
you get out, unhook your car and back it away.  Get the MH out of 
trouble and then hook up the car again.  I tow a 34 foot trailer (my 
third 34 footer) and get out of trouble much easier with it than 
with the MH.

All this being said, I still say that it is just a matter of 
preference.  I found that I just wasn't a motorhome person.  Many of 
my friends have them and have used them for years and love them.  
Couldn't imagine anything else.  And those pulling 5th wheelers feel 
the same about their rigs.  Unfortunately, trial and error gets 
expensive (ask me!).  But, before you make a move even with a 
trailer, try and consider how you will use it, how often and for how 
long and visualize not only living in it, but moving it around.  
Towing, driving, setting up and unhooking for the road.  Also, 
storage, if you aren't full-timing.  Storage has different affects 
on trailers than motorized vehicles.  My experience has been that 
there were fewer problems at the end of winter when taking a trailer 
out of storage than there were with the motorhome.  

Whichever way you go, good luck.  

Lew