Mon 30 Apr 2007
I’ve started to do some research into Airstreams. As a child of the space age, I find these silver pods fascinating - after all, an Airstream served as the quarantine space when astronauts returned from the moon.
My current thought is to find an Airstream in the 27′ range, customize the heck out of the interior and maybe, in a few years time, go ‘fulltiming’ for a few years. Key elements of the customization:
- room for dogs and hawks
- robust networking (stompbox, media server, etc.)
- storage for fishing tackle, tack, firearms, etc.
- lounging around area (at the expense of elaborate sleeping quarters) - if I need more sleeping room, a small (13′) yurt pitched when needed may be the answer.
I took my first look this past weekend - a 1975 27-footer. I have a lot of learning to do - what to look out for, what systems I’ll need to modify, etc., but a little learnin’ never hurt anyone. So, with this post I’ll inaugurate a new category on the blog - nomadics!
April 30th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
The pictured Airstream reminds me of the ones that my parents would live in for six months of the year in the early 1970s (pulled by a Jeep Wagoneer).
After one trip, my stepmother walked back into their house, which I had been house-sitting, looked around and said, “What a big trailer!”
If I could snap my fingers and have that trailer back…
April 30th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Get one get one get one please! After seeing the pictures of the inside I would highly recommend you partake in such an obviously grand experience such as living in an airstream. And then you can take Liam and I on some sort of road trip.
But seriously, the airstream has to be the coolest thing I’ve seen in a good long time.
May 1st, 2007 at 8:12 am
Sam - a topic for you and Liam to discuss - choice of tow vehicle! The Wagoneer Chas mentioned is a candidate, as are:
- Unimog (parts may be an issue!)
- Dodge Power Wagon (not a highway cruiser)
- International Travelall
- 70’s Caddy Eldo convertible, with airbagged suspension and a mount for a minigun (see Xenozoic Tales for inspiration)
Realistically - 4wd and diesel are priorities…
May 1st, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I’ll bring those suggestions to Liam tomorrow, since he’s out a web connection for a few days.
Minigun sure would be nice for those hunting trips…
But seriously, the Travelall seems to be the best bet, since the Power Wagon can’t do highways, the Unimog I’m guessing is a joke (unless you’re serious, in which case that’s a good option) and can the Caddy Eldo even carry the airstream? I mean, a minigun would be nice, but it won’t be much good if it’s stationary. Well, not AS good.
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I want one (with your mods, the yurt etc)!
The first grouse hawkers on the plains were serious Airstreamers. I used to stay in Kent Carnie’s, which he offered me, but I didn’t have the (few) dollars at the time. Recently some have been going back to them.
In a few years….
May 3rd, 2007 at 11:54 am
Holy cr@p! Kent Carnie’s Airstream - talk about provenance…
An issue that’s bothering me a bit: what do I do with all my books while I’m a nomad? Storage, I guess - though I have been toying with the notion of renting a small office - legal residence and all that.
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:35 pm
My parents had an Avion trailer in the 70s - similar shape and aluminum skin concept as the Airstream. It was a wonderful trailer. After the Iranian oil shock of 1979 and 80 when gasoline soared to maybe 60 cents a gallon, my father was determined to sell it. I was doing lots of archaeology fieldwork at the time and it would have been ideal for me to use. He refused to sell it to me, as he was utterly convinced that I would never be able to afford to pay for the gas needed to pull it. Never quite forgave him for that.
May 7th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
My dad’s 1970 Jeep Wagoneer would probably not be the tow vehicle of choice today. It got only 14 mpg when not towing the trailer.
But he did say that 4WD was a good thing to have when towing, and having low range was occasionally helpful for some maneuvers.
November 12th, 2007 at 1:29 am
In researching for an article about people who use their Airstreams as offices, or bases for work-related activity. If you get around to outfitting that dream Airstream for your falconing(?)let me know.
I’m currently on the road for a year in ours, and know other families/individuals who full-time in theirs. Its a whole other culture.
regards,
kelli
November 12th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Kelli - MANY thanks for the comment. I’m going to add you to the blogroll - both for the fulltiming stuff and because you posted pix of Darlingtonia ;-)! At this point, there’s a very real possibility that I may be outfitting an Ultravan - very close to the Airstream ideal - aluminum, monocoque, pod-like. I’ll keep everyone posted…
November 25th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
You liked the photos of the cobra lilies. Strange things they are.
When you get around to outfitting a trailer for your work and it is an Airstream, please let me know–it would make a nice story for Airstream Life magazine.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:34 am
Having just been informed (this morning, in fact) that I am the proud inheritor of a 30′ Airstream and GMC Suburban tow vehicle (6.2 ltr diesel), I read your post with some interest, and look forward to seeing what modifications you make. I’ll keep checking back to see if you do, in fact, decide to go with the Ultravan rather than the Airstream. I’m guessing the Airstream would be less injurious to the pocketbook, since there were only 370 Ultravans produced, and those available are probably highly sought after. Good luck with your search!