Airstream Caravans (1 Viewer)

[Blue Knight]

Whoops, found this towing one also!, how about a Porsche Cayenne with 500BHP as a towing vehicle with and a few hitch improvements


Les

Les, Les, Les, I couldn't hold my head in polite society again if I were to buy one of them I'm just pleased that the modern ones are circa 200kg less than a Rangey.

I wonder if I can weld a few hundred kg to the chassis of a Hilux. I just want something simple.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Have you looked at importing a genuine US specced one rather than the Swift lookalike?
If you're spending a whole bundle, you might as well get a proper one.

https://www.colonialairstream.com/airstreams-for-sale/pre-owned-inventory/

http://www.airstreamguy.com/airstream_shipping

 

[Theonlysue]

If the YouTube is the american spec one, it looks well thought out as US buyers want more for their buck.
Looks like usd for £.
Should fit in a container.

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[TinaLes]

Les, Les, Les, I couldn't hold my head in polite society again if I were to buy one of them I'm just pleased that the modern ones are circa 200kg less than a Rangey.

I wonder if I can weld a few hundred kg to the chassis of a Hilux. I just want something simple.

LOL! I know exactly what you mean, but far more of these Porches were sold than anyone will own up to, except Porsche that is
I have tried to find some pictures or video of Airstream UK owner Rallies, just to see what these guys are using to tow with, and how many are twin axle jobbies? no luck thus far.
Its still a surprise to me, and many others that vehicles like LR Disco,s (older type), Range Rovers, Jeep Grand Cherokee, have a tow hitch allowance of 150KGs, not sure about the Large Merc ML, that these towing legends are not suited to towing a twin axle Airstream van.
As you say Swift would have completely screwed up the interior quality of the inside fixtures and fittings and will still try and command the price of the US models with only half the kit. I bet the "options" list is also immense.
If you can get one built in the US and converted to UK for electrics, either new or SH then thats the route I would take, no way would I buy it if Sift had fitted it out.
I know Andrew Ditton attended an Airstream Rally on one of his Vlogs.
Les

 

[Blue Knight]

I have tried to find some pictures or video of Airstream UK owner Rallies, just to see what these guys are using to tow.........

I know Andrew Ditton attended an Airstream Rally on one of his Vlogs.
Les

I've seen a UK rally on the internet Les but it was a few years ago now and the vehicles were obscured from shot.

All things considered, I think the best thing for Nicky and I to do is put the Airstream dream on hold for a while and reassess in Q1,19.

You may be interested to hear about the 2016/17 Practical Caravan review (YouTube) of the Airstream range whereby the commentator said that these vans would fly off the Swift shelves - well, it appears that's not the case as the majority are still sitting on the dealers forecourt after a year.

 

[Blue Knight]

This is a nice wee article for understanding how UK Airstreams are manufactured, imported and priced-up.

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/articles/general/can-a-caravan-ever-be-worth-60000

Incidentally, Nicky and I were chatting last night (over red wine, naturally), and we've decided that it may be worth our while taking a 3-month trip to the States next year - I'll check if the factory does tours

I best get the visa application submitted.

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[Blue Knight]

Have you looked at importing a genuine US specced one rather than the Swift lookalike?
If you're spending a whole bundle, you might as well get a proper one.

https://www.colonialairstream.com/airstreams-for-sale/pre-owned-inventory/

http://www.airstreamguy.com/airstream_shipping

Thanks Stephen, much appreciated.

Your idea will go nicely with my last post - perhaps it was you who set the idea in motion. I'll bring you back an Airstream baseball cap - I'm sure they sell them.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[gus-lopez]

Some good advice there Ken. Sadly though, I didn't get to see the VW Amarok V6. I visited Gilesgate yesterday to see the Ford, Toyota and Nissan cars and then went across to the Arnison Center to check out the VWs, only to be told by VW that I had to go back to Gilesgate to visit the Skoda dealer who retails the VW commercial models - I went home instead!

However, what I did discover from Nissan is that it will reduce the cost of a vehicle by 20% if I can prove that I know an employee at the main Nissan Factory. That's me sorted since one of our tenants is a Nissan chappy. A win-win IMO.

If they'll take16% off forcandmc membership+20% for knowing an employee it means 10k+ has gone just registering it.

If I were you I would get a American type hitch , then you can use a equalizer hitch assy , they really make a difference when towing a heavy van

View attachment 243012

Are they homologated for EU use?

How do people tow 3.5 tonne trailers thruout the EU (inc UK) if a 2.6
tonne caravan needs 170kg hitch load ?

Most double axle trailer's with a vehicle on will still be level when unattached and without Jockey wheel down on level ground.
So nose weight will be no problem.

You just posted that the airstream in question that you were considering is 8.25 meters long , this is a factor that I was not aware of in my previous replies to you , It has considerable bearing on the question of a tow vehicle as the max tow-able length in UK with a vehicle that is 3500kg or less is 7 meters (not including A frame) . So you would in deed not be able to tow with any normal UK car. offfe Knight

Wouldn't it also exceed the 12m limitation as the towing vehicle would be nearly 6m ?

 

[Basildog]

I've just been reading an interesting thread on Airforums (US) where the participants are discussing the various roof leaks they have encountered on their new MY17 and MY18 Airstreams.

It seems that the US market has dealer and warranty issues too.

I hope the International/UK Airstreams don't leak but if they do then how will Swift attempt to rectify the problem when the outer shells are manufactured and pressure tested in the States.

With partly chewed toffees or sticky labels

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[tacr2man]

@gus-lopez
"Wouldn't it also exceed the 12m limitation as the towing vehicle would be nearly 6m ?"
If the towing vehicle is less than 3500kg , then there is no length
limit other than the trailer length . This is because the towing vehicle
being below 3500kg is not likely to be that long that the combination would exceed the above 3500kg tow vehicle limit of 18mtr .

My question re 3.5 tonne towing if 2.7tonne needs 170kg was rhetorical

Re hitch , have seen them in use in UK but otherwise cant answer you homologation query .

I am aware of 18.75 mtr limit as it restricts my RV at 12mtr, only 6.75mtr available for towing trailer length

 

[Blue Knight]

A few updates for you fine people to chew over:

1. The Airstream HQ tours in Jackson Ohio are free to visitors so Nicky and I intend to pop over in Q1,19 to experience the tour. We'll do Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Cincinnati too. Flights are good value and 8-weeks in total should cover it albeit the tour only lasts for 90-minutes. It's best to be safe.

2. I've located a dealer just a few miles West of the Airstream HQ and, as an example, they will do a higher specced version of the Missouri for about £48,000 before discounts of say 7%. The Missouri is the smallest in the UK class and retails at £78,995 with Swift gear inside. (It's the same size as Andrew Dittons van).

3. Today I received a very nice call from the marketing director of one of the big insurance companies who apologised for his company not issuing a quote the other day. These guys have previously agreed to support Swift for any insurance quote relating to the Airstream range but it seems that the arrangement fell down when I tested the system. The quote is better than the other two but the security requirements are even more stringent. That said, it was nice to speak with a senior chappy so I took the opportunity to explain the tow car issue and the restrictions relating to the 2.7T MTPLM. That will now go directly to the senior echelons of Swift which I hope will affect a better understanding of the challenges relating to the big Airstream trailer. It also seems apparent that UK sales are poor at best.

4. I've also take the opportunity to investigate an insurance quote for a US-imported Airstream and received the following:

Personal Imports

If a customer has personally imported a caravan from abroad, the risk should be declined.

American Caravans (excluding 5th wheelers)

An American import is acceptable subject to it being purchased from a UK dealership. It must have type approval and all relevant changes made to make it compliant with UK regulations (e.g. electrics, safety etc).

If this story does ever reach the stage of me importing an Airstream then the insurance-thing will be both interesting and challenging for sure:

Well, that's it folks - for now

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Basildog]

A few updates for you fine people to chew over:

1. The Airstream HQ tours in Jackson Ohio are free to visitors so Nicky and I intend to pop over in Q1,19 to experience the tour. We'll do Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Cincinnati too. Flights are good value and 8-weeks in total should cover it albeit the tour only lasts for 90-minutes. It's best to be safe.

2. I've located a dealer just a few miles West of the Airstream HQ and, as an example, they will do a higher specced version of the Missouri for about £48,000 before discounts of say 7%. The Missouri is the smallest in the UK class and retails at £78,995 with Swift gear inside. (It's the same size as Andrew Dittons van).

3. Today I received a very nice call from the marketing director of one of the big insurance companies who apologised for his company not issuing a quote the other day. These guys have previously agreed to support Swift for any insurance quote relating to the Airstream range but it seems that the arrangement fell down when I tested the system. The quote is better than the other two but the security requirements are even more stringent. That said, it was nice to speak with a senior chappy so I took the opportunity to explain the tow car issue and the restrictions relating to the 2.7T MTPLM. That will now go directly to the senior echelons of Swift which I hope will affect a better understanding of the challenges relating to the big Airstream trailer. It also seems apparent that UK sales are poor at best.

4. I've also take the opportunity to investigate an insurance quote for a US-imported Airstream and received the following:

Personal Imports

If a customer has personally imported a caravan from abroad, the risk should be declined.

American Caravans (excluding 5th wheelers)

An American import is acceptable subject to it being purchased from a UK dealership. It must have type approval and all relevant changes made to make it compliant with UK regulations (e.g. electrics, safety etc).

If this story does ever reach the stage of me importing an Airstream then the insurance-thing will be both interesting and challenging for sure:

Well, that's it folks - for now

Cheers,

Andrew

You will probably have more luck with a smaller specialist insurance company as they can provide bespoke cover very often .
The Swift dealer salesman I spoke with although he was motorhome and not caravan sales was certainly not impressed with the quality.

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[Theonlysue]

For goodness sake. What does it matter if a private import or imported through a dealer?
I would email a top chap at their USA head office and explain the insurance difficulties you are having.
If they want to sell their products here, they may have to rethink.
You don't want to be stuck with a van you cant resell if you need to.

 

[Basildog]

For goodness sake. What does it matter if a private import or imported through a dealer?
I would email a top chap at their USA head office and explain the insurance difficulties you are having.
If they want to sell their products here, they may have to rethink.
You don't want to be stuck with a van you cant resell if you need to.

In the eyes of mainstream insurance companies it's all about risk so therefore easy parts replacement and a dealer network for repair

 

[Blue Knight]

For goodness sake. What does it matter if a private import or imported through a dealer?
I would email a top chap at their USA head office and explain the insurance difficulties you are having.
If they want to sell their products here, they may have to rethink.
You don't want to be stuck with a van you cant resell if you need to.

If all goes to plan Sue then I'll drop a few notes to the HQ when we visit next year. The grey import-thing has always been a funny area of the insurance world but some companies treat it more fairly than others.

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[Blue Knight]

In the eyes of mainstream insurance companies it's all about risk so therefore easy parts replacement and a dealer network for repair

Yep, I totally agree. One of my cars is a Jap Import and the only difference between UK/EU and J-spec is the brake light - everything else is the same and yet the insurance companies (non specalist) refuse to touch it.

 

[Blue Knight]

As a footnote guys:

You can recall me saying about that the dealer warranty/support in the US being a bit wishy-washy (i.e. resembling the UK system) but I have to take back my words.

I found out today that if you have a problem with your supplying dealer in the US then you simply inform Airstream HQ and they will direct you to a more compliant dealer.

Don't ask me about the inter-dealer politics of this but it was an interesting point that I've gleaned from the US forums.

 

[PeteH]

I best get the visa application submitted.

You can do up to 90 days on the visa waiver. We did it for the first 2 times. Then went for the 10 years visa as that allowed us to stop for up to 6 months.

Have you considered a US Import Truck as the Tow vehicle?. For example the Biggest Toyota truck in the UK is smaller than it`s US equivalent.

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[Blue Knight]

You can do up to 90 days on the visa waiver. We did it for the first 2 times. Then went for the 10 years visa as that allowed us to stop for up to 6 months.

Have you considered a US Import Truck as the Tow vehicle?. For example the Biggest Toyota truck in the UK is smaller than it`s US equivalent.

Thanks Pete but I have no other option than to visit London for the long interview. I hope they supply the coffee and the choccy biccies

It has been interesting reading the various truck choice dilemas on the US forums which, in itself, is amazing when you consider what choice they have at their disposal. I read an article yesterday where a chap changed his F150 to a F250 because the first one struggled with a 6,000lb Airstream on the back - it just so happens that a Swift-supplied Colorado is 6,000lb.

 

[PeteH]

Thanks Pete but I have no other option than to visit London for the long interview. I hope they supply the coffee and the choccy biccies

It has been interesting reading the various truck choice dilemas on the US forums which, in itself, is amazing when you consider what choice they have at their disposal. I read an article yesterday where a chap changed his F150 to a F250 because the first one struggled with a 6,000lb Airstream on the back - it just so happens that a Swift-supplied Colorado is 6,000lb.

Take a pack-up and plenty of reading. We arrived at 10 and left at 4-30. And take it in turns to watch the Indicator board, if you miss it you go to the back of the Queue!.

I favour the Dodge Ram with the big Cummings.

 

[Blue Knight]

Take a pack-up and plenty of reading. We arrived at 10 and left at 4-30. And take it in turns to watch the Indicator board, if you miss it you go to the back of the Queue!.

I favour the Dodge Ram with the big Cummings.

Thanks Pete, much appreciated sir

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[Blue Knight]

I'm not sure if I'll get the chance this weekend but I'm hoping to visit Cumbria (Tebay) to catch up with the Adventure Leisure Group guys. ALG held the UK Airstream franchise from 2006-2016, inclusive. They may be able to help with a few of my questions.

They also have a secondhand MY07 Airstream 532 in stock priced at £39,000. This is the same style van as the one belonging to Andrew Ditton who, incidentaly, bought his 532 new for £37,500 in 2008.

 

[Head Gardener]

I am aware of 18.75 mtr limit as it restricts my RV at 12mtr, only 6.75mtr available for towing trailer length

I'm reading this thread with a sort of detached interest . . . because we have a large (mainstream mftr) single-axle white plastic habitation box on the drive. Since we bought a PVC I haven't touched the caravan, and please don't tell my husband but I have absolutely no plans to. We will keep it because he uses it a few times a year to attend hobby-related rallies, but I find towing one of the most miserable, scary, horrible things I've ever done and now I've got my [comparably] teeny-tiny motorhome I don't need to (yay!! )

Apart from hating towing, one of the many things I disliked about caravanning was access into many sites, or lack of it.

So the point of this post is to ask if you DID manage to find a towcar/Airstream combination that was safe and legal, have you considered how many sites you either won't be physically able to get into, or those which won't allow you on because the van is too big for their pitches?

 

[tacr2man]

I'm reading this thread with a sort of detached interest . . . because we have a large (mainstream mftr) single-axle white plastic habitation box on the drive. Since we bought a PVC I haven't touched the caravan, and please don't tell my husband but I have absolutely no plans to. We will keep it because he uses it a few times a year to attend hobby-related rallies, but I find towing one of the most miserable, scary, horrible things I've ever done and now I've got my [comparably] teeny-tiny motorhome I don't need to (yay!! )

Apart from hating towing, one of the many things I disliked about caravanning was access into many sites, or lack of it.

So the point of this post is to ask if you DID manage to find a towcar/Airstream combination that was safe and legal, have you considered how many sites you either won't be physically able to get into, or those which won't allow you on because the van is too big for their pitches?

I was a "tugger" for many years , and had some of the longest caravans legal in UK and never had any problems with access
on any sites I used in UK or Europe. I cant say the same for the RV which requires a bit more preplanning .

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[Kevinthecat]

I've checked with Abbey Wood camp site who have two airstreams for hire. It's a
minimum of two nights for £260 plus £50 deposit re the thetfod (the hirers have to empty it)
They have installed a super dooper thetfod washer on site. £2 a pop.

 

[Blue Knight]

I've checked with Abbey Wood camp site who have two airstreams for hire. It's a
minimum of two nights for £260 plus £50 deposit re the thetfod (the hirers have to empty it)
They have installed a super dooper thetfod washer on site. £2 a pop.

Ah, very interesting indeed, so when the C&MC published "From £190 for 2-nights" then it probably only applied to one Wenesday and Thursday group in mid March

 

[Blue Knight]

Just for a bit of fun guys:

The following 33ft monster can be had in the US for £79,650 (cash only, no PX @ $1.31 exchange rate), whereas the dumpy little UK Missouri is just £655 cheaper over here.

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[Kevinthecat]

Just for a bit of fun guys:

The following 33ft monster can be had in the US for £79,650 (cash only, no PX @ $1.31 exchange rate), whereas the dumpy little UK Missouri is just £655 cheaper over here.


View attachment 244416

Beautiful, I would love one , now how much delivery .

 

[MillieMoocher]

Stop it, Stop It, I don’t need one!

 

[Northernraider]

I was a "tugger" for many years , and had some of the longest caravans legal in UK and never had any problems with access
on any sites I used in UK or Europe. I cant say the same for the RV which requires a bit more preplanning .

A lot of sites do dislike twin axle caravans I had a few problems as a tugger with some sites

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