Classic Airstream Campers
From LoveToKnow Camping
Many Baby-Boomers have fond memories of weekend camping trips in classic Airstream campers.
History of Airstream
Wally Byam was a young journalist in the early years of the Great Depression. The magazine he worked for published an article on how to build your own trailer, but apparently there was some problem with the instructions. Letters from angry readers made Wally determined to find out what the problem was.
He began building a trailer in his back yard. It was quickly purchased by a neighbor, so he began another. Once again the camper was purchased. This pattern continued. With each trailer that he built, Wally improved upon the design. Soon he quit journalism and went into business for himself, calling his company, Airstream.
In 1935, Byam became involved with Willian H. Bowlus, who was an airplane designer, and had created the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane that Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic. Byam learned about aerodynamics from Bowlus and this is where the classic Airstream camper got its unique look.
Finding Classic Airstream Campers
There are still Airstreams on the road everywhere you look. Although the company has been in business about 70 years, it is estimated that up to 70 percent of the campers made are still on the road according to company statistics. These campers are a great investment because they do not depreciate, and sometimes even increase in value.
Classic Airstreams are as sought after by collectors as antique cars. You can find these nostalgic campers completely restored and in like new condition, but you will pay a high price for them. More often, a person will find an Airstream in need of repair and restoration and do as much of the work himself as possible.
Websites with vintage Airstream Trailers for sale include:
What to Look For
Airstreams were made to last forever. In fact, if one ever does need to be discarded, most of the materials are recyclable.
With that in mind, what should you look for when you are ready to get an Airstream trailer?
- Structure is very important. It is the bones of your camper. If the structure is unsound nothing else will be worth fixing.
- Look at the tires carefully, as well as the axle.
- Check the roof for leaks.
- Body panels should be in good shape. If a panel needs to be replaced, you will not be able to get the new one to match the old ones. This is because the aluminum panels that are made now are a slightly different aluminum alloy. It will not have the same patina or shine that the old ones do.
- Look for water damage.
According to a poll on an Airstream forum, 40 percent of people who have tackled airstream renovations have spent over $2,5000.00 on their restorations.
Identifying the Date and Model
Sometimes you aren't sure what the actual date of your camper is. After all, Airstreams looked very much alike for more than 30 years. If you have looked over the entire trailer and have been unable to find the model or year, you may be interested in looking at the site, Vintage Airstream. It has links to images of interiors and exteriors of Airstream campers from 1936 though 1979. You can look through and compare your camper to the ones on the site.
Most often, the model will be easy to determine if you know the year your trailer was made. Each model was a different length, from 15 feet to 31 feet.
Restoring Your Camper
Be sure that if you are going to do Airstream restoration that you do the research so you can replicate the details for the year your Airstream was made. Once you know the year and model of your camper, you can check websites like Vintage Trailer Supply for parts.
You can also find parts at Obsolete Parts. This site is excellent if you are looking for a special part for your Airstream, even if it hasn't been in production in years.
Companies that Restore Airstreams
There are also companies that specialize in restoring Airstream trailers. Some of these are:
Personal Restorations
Many owners have restored their classic campers and recorded the process to encourage others. Here are some sites that show various projects done by individuals:
Airstream Trailers is a great site for more restoration resources.
Owning one of these classic Airstream campers can bring back great memories of childhood camping trips as well as creating new memories with your own family. Made to last forever, your Airstream camper will provide a lifetime of camping fun.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 1,043 times. This page was last modified 12:01, 31 July 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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