airstream life spring 2011

AIRSTREAMING EUROPE • EDDIE BAUER EDITION • AIRSTREAM SELLING MACHINE

Online Edition

Spring 2011

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• • • • • Editor’s Page

The official Airstreamlifestyle magazine

Editor and Publisher: Rich [email protected]

Associate Editors:

Tom BentleyBecky Blanton

Layout and Design: OneTree [email protected]

Advertising Sales: Brett [email protected](802) 877-2900 Ext. 2

Editorial Illustrator: Brad Cornelius

Culinary Consultant: Eleanor O’Dea

Customer Service: Lisa T. Miller

Associate Contributors:

Jody BrotherstonJ. Rick CipotFred ColdwellRenee EttlineBert GildartJohn IrwinRoger JohnsonForrest McClureCharles Spiher

Contact

Airstream Life411 Walnut St #4468Green Cove Springs, FL 32043Telephone: (802) 877-2900

Fax: (802) 610-1013www.airstreamlife.com

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Airstream Life’s world headquarters are the dinettetable of a 2005 Airstream Safari 30 We’re always gladto hear from you, but if you have a simple question,please check our website for help first. There you cansubscribe, renew your subscription, change youraddress, get advertising information, downloadwriter’s and photographer’s guidelines, notify us of anaddress change,and get answers to frequently-askedquestions. See www.airstreamlife.com or call (802) 877-2900.

Airstream Life (ISSN 1550-5979) is published quarterlyby Church Street Publishing, Inc., 411 Walnut St#4468, Green Cove Springs FL 32043. Subscriptionprice is $24 per year. Periodicals postage paid atFerrisburg VT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Airstream Life,411 Walnut St #4468, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

© Copyright 2011 by Church Street Publishing, Inc.AIRSTREAM® is the property of Airstream, Inc.Licensed by Global Icons LLC. All rights reserved.Printed in CANADA.

Airstreaming All Over The WorldAirstreaming has been an international activity since Wally Byam first startedtraveling to Europe in the late 1940s with his friend Cornelius Vanderbilt. The1950s were a “golden era” for international Airstream travel, with caravans covering Europe, Africa, North America and Central America. In the 1960s theyeven expanded to cover Asia and go “Around The World.”

Things have been a little quieter since then. The globe-trotting caravans thatmade the pages of National Geographic and Life magazine gradually faded away,with most Airstreamers choosing to stick to their home continents. Increasingregulatory barriers, political changes, and rising costs have discouraged the kindof free-wheeling that Wally promoted in the 1950s.

But the publicity surrounding Wally’s caravans irreversibly planted a seed ofinterest in the minds of people all over the world. Those Airstreams that werestripped for parts on torturous roads and abandoned in Central America, or soldin Cape Town, or imported by determined Europeans, have been for the most partremembered and cherished. Some have been kept road-worthy, while othershave become backyard offices, hotel rooms, and vacation homes.

So it’s no surprise that international travel by Airstream is coming back.Purpose-built European Airstreams have been sold in England, Germany, andHolland for several years, and in Tokyo Japan since 1994. Organized groups ofAirstreamers exist in all of those countries, each with their own particular style ofAirstreaming that they share and love.

It’s now possible to travel large parts of the world by Airstream again, eitherby importing your own trailer permanently, renting Airstreams in fixed (but exotic)locations, staying in Airstream-themed hotels, or buying an Airstream from a localdealer overseas. In past issues of Airstream Life we’ve discussed many of theseoptions. In this issue, we are going a step further, by recognizing the growingAirstream community in Europe with a special 10-page layout.

Even in Australia they’re crazy for Airstreams. In the print edition of AirstreamLife, we’ve got a short piece about an Airstream that has become a mobile hamburger restaurant, just like the many mobile Airstream restaurants in theUSA. And it turns out that Ukrainians like Airstreams too. You won’t see too manyover there, but public relations manager Martin Cranshaw took one across manyferries and borders to the Ukraineand Moscow, Russia.

In this Online Edition you’ll see aspread on the new Eddie Bauer edition Airstream, and another greatcustom trailer makeover by TimelessTravel Trailers. But if you subscribeto the print edition of Airstream Life,you’ll also see an inside look at oneof country music star MirandaLambert’s custom-decorated partytrailers, that travels on tour with her.

Andy Thomson is back with thefourth article in his series on towing.This time he tackles the question,“Why does a trailer sway?” and provides some excellent insights onhow to prevent sway and respond toit (as a driver) if it occurs. As with all

Photographer, Alison Turner

PHOTO: ALISON TURNER

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What's Coming:• Airstreams of the future

• Capetown Airstream park

• Airstreams in the movies

• Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

About our cover...Photographer Alison Turner traveled to theFinger Lakes region of New York to attendWestyFest III for this issue. While she wasthere, she captured our cover image of Timand Margaret Frazier of Bel Air, MD, withtheir dog Lucy and their Airstream Westfalia.The Fraziers have traveled coast-to-coast inthis Westy, along with their grown son, hisfiancé, and three dogs.

of his prior articles, this piece should be required reading for anyone who plans totow an Airstream.

Bert Gildart has been contributing wonderful articles and photos of America’snational parks to Airstream Life magazine for almost seven years. This time, Iasked him to celebrate his upcoming anniversary by writing about his ten favoritenational parks, but he couldn’t restrain himself and so we ended up with ten plusfour “bonus” parks. If you are planning that ultimate post-retirement or “someday”trip, you should study Bert’s article carefully.

We’ve also got wonderful pieces in the print edition about the AirstreamWestfalia owner’s community, and an Airstream that is used to sell vintage hairstyles. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Hut have written in as well with their latestadventures, too.

Many readers have asked for more and better photos of Airstreams and people using their Airstreams. I hope you’ll note that in this issue we have continued to expand our photographic coverage. Part of the praise for this must goto photographer Alison Turner, whose work illustrates our cover, and three articlesin the print edition.

And speaking of Alumapalooza, we are in the final stages of preparation for thisyear’s event, which will again be held at the Airstream factory in Jackson Center,OH. Two hundred trailers will be attending. As of this writing, about 170 spaceshave already been reserved, so if you are interested in coming you should visitwww.alumapalooza.com very soon for more information, or call us a 802-877-2900ext. 4. prevent sway and respond to it (as a driver) if it occurs. As with all of his priorarticles, this piece should be required reading for anyone who plans to tow an Airstream.

Bert Gildart has been contributing wonderful articles and photos of America’snational parks to Airstream Life magazine for almost seven years. He’s the onlyperson to have been published in every issue (besides me). This time, I asked himto celebrate his upcoming anniversary by writing about his ten favorite nationalparks, but he couldn’t restrain himself and so we ended up with ten plus four“bonus” parks. If you are planning that ultimate post-retirement or “someday” trip,you should study Bert’s article carefully.

We’ve also got wonderful pieces in this issue about the Airstream Westfaliaowner’s community, the new Eddie Bauer edition Airstream, another great customtrailer makeover by Timeless Travel Trailers, and an Airstream that is used to sellvintage hairstyles. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Hut have written in as well with theirlatest adventures, too. With all of this, we ran out of space for some regular features like “Great Ideas,” but they will return in Summer 2011.

Many readers have asked for more and better photos of Airstreams and peopleusing their Airstreams. I hope you’ll note that in this issue we have continued to expand our photographic coverage. Part of the praise for this must go to photographer Alison Turner, whose work illustrates our cover, and three articles inthis issue. Alison is relatively new to the photography business but has alreadybrought us a lot of great images, including her coverage of Alumapalooza 2010.

And speaking of Alumapalooza, we are in the final stages of preparation for thisyear’s event, which will again be held at the Airstream factory in Jackson Center, OH.Two hundred trailers will be attending. As of this writing, about 140 spaces have alreadybeen reserved, so if you are interested in coming you should visit www.aluma-palooza.com very soon for more information, or call us a 802-877-2900 ext. 4.

Happy travels,

Rich Luhr, Publisher and Editor

PHOTO: ALISON TURNER

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Whoops! It’s the Dragon’s Tail Again!Hi Rich,Imagine my surprise reading about the Dragon’s Tail when I realized it’s the exact route we accidentally took as we traveled toEnota Mountain Retreat! It was the most terrifying ride of my life.When I read it was just 11 miles long, I could not believe it, as theadventure seemed to take hours.

There were times when we were around a bend and our [2009Classic] Airstream was still fully visible. On the way home a tireblew, apparently from the wear and tear of pivoting on so many tightturns. I’m not sure if I would ever take this again in just our car!

KATHY BENKENCINCINNATI, OH

Bring Me More Airstreams!Mr. Luhr,I have been a subscriber for two years now. I do enjoy your magazine, however I would really like to see more pictures ofAirstream trailers. Maybe some more vintage, or refabs in theworks, less parks and the eBay articles. Also I love the stories fromthe Huts, they can stay.

I would like to see the magazine focus more on Airstreams, likethe magazines you see about hot rods, or motorcycle magazines. Ihope you understand what I mean. I am about to get my last issuefor this year (2010), and I am not sure if I will renew or not. However,I might change my mind if you will show more trailers than parks,etc. So let me know what you have planned for next year, us youngerfolks would really like to see more Airstreams.

SINCERELY, STEVEN HORN

Steven, we hear you — and others like you who have asked formore Airstreams and more photos. Starting with this issue you’llstart to see more and we have plans to ramp it up, so I think you’llbe happy with our new directions. By the way, eBay Watch is gone,but we do have plans for a replacement column coming soon…

Broken Receiver Hitch ReportThis is just a word of appreciation for what may sometimes

seem to be a thankless and endless task. I just found your OnlineEdition and just read my first copy.

Mr. Irwin touched on my only complaint so far about full timingfor five years — my hitch receiver failed. By the greatest of goodfortune I was only backing into a site very slowly when my trailersuddenly disconnected. It was on my 2005 Chevy Avalanche. Thelocal car dealer replaced the hitch at my cost. I guess I should havescreamed at GM. Anyway, thanks and I look forward to future issues.

REN GARYPIECURRENTLY IN SEQUIM, WA

Watching Them Like …My wife and I were recently at Newport Dunes RV Park in Newport, CA. Along with a lot of people who like to check out Airstreams, along came this little Hawk. He landedon our tank cover and stayed about 10 minutes lookinginside and a l l around, even when people walkedby. I took several pictureswith my iPhone through thefront window. We watchedhim for several days flyingaround the park. Nice to seenature in the middle of ametropolitan area.

MAC & PAT CROCKETTLAS VEGAS NV

Another Great Painting from MarinaTo the Editor:

On Labor day, I drove my 2005 Bambi CCDeam to theStrawberry Music Festival, at the entrance of Yosemite. I metmutual festival goers driving a 1970’s airstream in Groveland,Ca. Our trailers together as the sun was setting seemed to be a magical moment fit for a painting which I just finished yesterday. Hope you enjoy it.

MARINA GOLDEN


Still Working But Camping Plenty Too!Rich,I love the magazine and have followedyour blog. If you ever need any articlesubmissions about weekend warriors who are new to Airstreaming, then letme know. My wife and I have 3 kidsand a dog and a 28' International CCD.We are in our thirties and live inDayton, Ohio. We were at Alumapaloozalast year.

We really try to make the most ofour vacation time and go on manyweekend glamping trips. I’ve encloseda picture of my wife Melizza readingAirstream Life on Grayton Beach [FL]over Thanksgiving. Best wishes andkeep up the good work.

REGARDS,DOUGLAS M. TROUT

Origin of the Airstream? An Alternate TheoryMy wife and I are proud owners of a 2007 Safari, the 75th anniversary issue. Wealways wondered about the original trailer and how the thought came by in designingit. They are truly unique and are obviously desirous by many over the near eightyyears of production.

Recently we were walking the campus of The University of Washington in Seattleand come across the structure in the attached photos. The obvious question now

is was the Airstreamactually designed, or didit morph from this struc-ture and continue togrow over the years?

Thought you wouldenjoy seeing this.

REGARDS, DICK AND CAROL KOHLSEATTLE, WASHINGTON

A Tip For Staying WarmHi Rich,We LOVE our 2010 23' International, aka the “Beast.” Wanted to sendyou an idea—I sleep on the outside of the bed and hated myarm/shoulder/back pressing against the cold side, so I made a bedbumper (same idea as a crib bumper) out of Hawaiian bark cloth thatgoes along with the retro look of our Cilantro interior. It’s padded, attachedwith Velcro. It keeps the twelve inches above the mattress warm andsoft to the touch. Photo quality isn’t great, but you’ll get the idea.

Thanks—we enjoy the magazine also.

PATTY RUSH

Airstream Art PlaqueTo the Editor:As an anniversary gift for my husband and coincidentally our first year of beingAirstreamers, I ordered a custom plaque made by the art studio, Sticks, from RuthConklin Gallery in Glen Arbor, Michigan. In our 2010 Flying Cloud there is not muchwall space for art, which, along with books, are my favorite material things. And sincethe plaque is wood (about 5 inches square), it won’t break and was no problem tohang with double-sided tape placed on the corners.

Each piece Sticks artists make in the DesMoines, Iowa, studio is handcrafted and one ofa kind. So it was easy to have a “personal”plaque made. I sent a photo of our Airstream,and notes to set it on grass, with lake, sandand pine trees. I borrowed a few words fromRobert Frost to be wood-burned on the bottomof the art: The Road Less Traveled. The resultis a whimsical take on an Airstream.

BEVERLY GILMORE-FOXTRAVERSE CITY MI


Snow in Scotland

Hi Rich,Have just returned from North of Scotland where I was photographing mynephew’s wedding. You may have seen in the news we have been hit withArctic weather for last 10 days. It was quite an adventure in our Airstream.

We had one night on the way back in amidst the truckers also stuck onMotorway services south of Glasgow. One of the truckers was an Airstreamfan and is looking to buy an imported vintage trailer. Only that morning hehad seen and bought a greeting card with two Airstreams in the picture.When we woke up the next morning he had gone, but left the card in a plastic bag on our door for us.

Lots of people came up and chatted with us — the truckers were allvery friendly. Airstreams really do seem to generate positive interest that Idoubt you would get in a “white box.” The field shots are where we wereon a little Certified Location near Dornoch for 4 nights.

BEST WISHES,DICK MORGAN

Dick Morgan is the owner of an EU-spec Airstream and has contributedseveral of his photos to the article on European Airstreaming in this issue.

• • • • • • Inbox

• Indoor Heated Pool• Exercise Facility• Non-Smoking Rooms• HBO• In Room Movies

• “On the House” Breakfast Buffet• All Rooms with Microfridge• High Speed Internet• Free Local Calls• Group Rates Available

Special $75/night rate for Alumapalooza attendees!

Mention code “PAL” when making your reservation.

SIDNEY, OHIO • I-75 @ EXIT 901600 Hampton Court – Sidney, Ohio 45365

For Reservations Call(937) 498-8888 or 1-800-HAMPTON

Official Hotel of Alumapalooza 2011www.sidney.hamptoninn.com

Drop in on the officialAirstream factory event!May 31- June 5, 2011 at the Airstreamfactory in Jackson Center, Ohio

Same deal as last year – BUT BETTER!More entertainment, more seminars,more vendors, and more fun!• Over 20 informative seminars• Factory tours twice daily• Daily door prizes• Evening cookouts• Geocaching and bicycling• Swap meet and vendors• Community festival in town• 3-5 night options• 3 amp electric, water, and dump• Catered dinner on Saturday• Generator section and vegetarianmeal available

• Kids under age 15 free w/paid adult!• $215 for 1 trailer, 1 adult (3 nights),$70 per additional adult, $30 peradditional night

Much more information and onlinebooking at alumapalooza.com orcall 802-877-2900 ext. 4Space is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Be a friend of ASL ALUMAPALOOZA on Facebook for regular updatesFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/alumapalooza

LIVE MUSIC byAntsy McClain andthe Trailer ParkTroubadours!

AirstreamingEurope in the21st Century By Claire Landon, Becky Blanton,Dick Morgan and Rich Luhr

After acquiring a vintage AirstreamCaravel in Ohio and touring the UnitedStates with it, Claire Landon and DanielSpring loved the trailer so much thatthey decided to take it home with them– to England. Despite the fact that theyhad traveled for six months with twosmall children and even occasionally with

Daniel’s mother Barbara in just 17 feet ofspace, they felt the trailer would be a

perfect fit for further adventures in theUnited Kingdom.

So they sent the Caravel ahead toEngland. In an email to a friend, Claire wrote,

“We are looking forward to many trips aroundthe UK and Europe, and to learning about

Airstream culture and life on the other side of thepond. We’re guessing it’s pretty different over there.”

She had no idea how right she was. The first hurdlewas making the Caravel legal for use on Europeanroads. Unlike Wally Byam’s day when Airstreams wereroutinely shipped to Europe for tours and used virtuallyunchanged, today an imported trailer has to be exten-sively modified in comply with European Community

TOP LEFT: A European Airstream 684 owned by Bill & Liz Thompson at a UK rally. BOTTOM: Morning mist on the Norfolk Broads, England. OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: A vintage trailerowned by Sam and Hazel Harkness passes Big Ben in London. BOTTOM: A convoy of Airstreamson the way to Fourth UK Airstreamers Meet in Shropshire, England, September 2010.

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rules. The conversion was expen-sive and complex (see sidebar),leading Claire to comment, “We loveour Caravel, but suspect that getting anew, European Airstream would make ourlives much easier.”

The second hurdle was adjusting to theenvironment.After months of roaming the openspaces of America’s west, Claire and Daniel hadto reconcile themselves with the narrowhedgerows of England’s West Country.

But they discovered one factor that is alwaysthe same around the world: the happy attitude ofcampers. “Camping seems to bring out the best inpeople,” noted Claire, “and Airstreams make the general public go gaga. When these trailers arearound, even the most reserved of people are happy totalk to strangers.”

“The English were very, very interested in theAirstream. Our kids soon found little friends, and westruck up easy conversation with our immediate neigh-bors – a good thing, since they were a foot away.”

For Claire and Daniel, the first camping weekend inEngland marked more than just a crowded, but fun musicfestival in Suffolk. It kicked off the beginning of theirsummer-abroad-experiment – a test to determinewhether their shiny Airstream home made any sense inEurope. Their experiences kept getting better, leadingClaire to suggest anyone dreaming about a similar experience to go for it.

The realty is, Airstreaming in Europe is a journeymore and more Airstream owners are taking, and onethat is exciting, doable and fun – even if you’ve neverbeen abroad, or never camped abroad before.

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Wally Byam’s LegacyIf aluminum has a DNA, then Wally Byam’s passionfor travel and adventure is part of every Airstreamthat rolls out the doors of Jackson Center. Byam lovedto travel with his Airstream and a caravan of Airstreamersrolling along with him. Regulations, security concerns anda thousand other things have forever altered the freedom totravel that Byam experienced, but Airstreaming in Europe isnot impossible or even that difficult.

A UK Airstreamers group has been up for two years now andis steadily growing. There are more than 300 Airstream owners inthe UK, including a half-dozen full-timers. Almost a dozen independentoperators rent Airstreams for stationary visits (see Airstream Life,Winter 2009), and new Airstreams are sold in England, Germany, andHolland. The bottom line is, if you want to Airstream in Europe, you can.

Most of the differences in camping overseas come down to languageand culture. For instance, although an Airstream is an Airstream no matterwhere you go, an “RV” or “trailer” in America is called a “caravan” over-seas. You don’t go “RVing” in Europe. You “caravan” or “go caravanning.”

UK resident and long-time Airstream full-timer Pete Bull says there aretwo main types of camping sites. The first, licensed by the country’s twotrailer clubs, the Caravan Club and the Camping & Caravanning Club, are typically small sites on private land with room for five trailers. There arearound 4,000 such CL (Certified Location) or CS (Certificated Site) grounds inthe UK. The two clubs own a further couple hundred sites.

Apart from those, there are hundreds of privately owned commercial sites.Most campgrounds offer electric hookups. However, fresh and grey waterhook-ups are rare and are usually only found on the expensive, private sites.

Generally, Airstream rental companies won’tlet you tow a rental. They tow it for you. Youdesignate the campground and they towit and set it up for you. You’re left withthe challenge of getting to the camp-site. Fortunately most campgroundsare located within walking, bikingor taxi distance from town. You canarrive by rail and walk, or rent a carto drive to your campground.

“I quite like it,” Chris Haddon, aBritish Airstream owner and camper,said of the practice of camping in apermanently placed caravan. Haddon, agraphic designer, works out of an Airstreamtrailer in his garden. It’s nestled among plantsand winding boardwalk. But Haddon also camps reg-ularly, both in his vintage Shasta and his vintage Airstream Safari.

“You just drive out to the caravan and get yourself settled in,” heexplained. Again, weight, narrow roads and the cost of fuel are all

s'ti – yrtnuoc eht dnuora maertsriA na sllup enoyreve ton snosaer each to their own.

“Some of the country roads are quite narrow, hard to get a cardown, let alone a large Airstream,” Haddon said. He should know.Haddon recently published a book, “My Cool Caravan,” (Pavilion,160 pages) featuring cool trailers from around the world. Hefeatures a variety of new and vintage caravans, includingincluding a smaller scale trailer the the Royal family usedwhen Prince Charles and Princess Anne were children.

“We were both fed upwith our jobs and didn't

really like where we lived,so we thought we'd quit

work, sell our home, buy a caravan or motor home

and hit the road”

BOTTOM: Eddie and Miranda Cross' 1966 Caravel(imported to UK in 2009 from North Carolina),pulled by their '57 Chevy Stepside pick-up, at theFourth UK Airstreamers Meet in Shropshire.


Haddon had to get special permission from Princess Anne to takethe trailer out of the private museum where it currently resides inorder to photograph it. Her willingness to share pictures of the royalcaravan is proof that everyone – even royalty – appreciates camping.

“Airstreams are quite popular and they always getcomments,” he said. “They stand out.”

Haddon said Europeans have thesame sense of wonder and the sameiconic image of adventure andmystery that Americans experi-ence with the trailers. Cost,and a fascination with allthings vintage, helps drivesales of used Airstreamsabroad, just as it does inAmerica. It’s hard to escapethe allure of an Airstream.

Jane Field-Lewis, Haddon’sco-author, believes people areinspired by the vintage trailers theysee – including Airstreams. “You can becreative, indulge your sense of nostalgia,restore something to its former glory, or design amodern version of the original style.”

Haddon and Field-Lewis aren’t alone in their fascination withAirstreams. UK citizens Pete and Tracey Bull fell prey to theAirstream’s siren song years ago.

“We were both fed up with our jobs and didn't really like wherewe lived, so we thought we'd quit work, sell our home, buy a caravan

or motor home and hit the road, searching for the right place to stop.The plan was to spend a year looking, buy a house and maybe abusiness in our new hometown and put down new roots. Quite sooninto the year, we decided not to put a time limit in the trip. That was

three years ago,” they said. Ending up with an Airstream was a happy accident.

“We lived about 40 minutes drive from AirstreamEurope in Tebay, Cumbria. We went over

for a look one afternoon and that was it.We went back three more times –

and had a look at a local [white box]dealer, just to make sure – beforeputting down a deposit. Then wehad to sell the house. We'd neverhad a [trailer] before, just an oldVW camper van,” Pete said.

The Bulls are not just Airstreamowners. They’re Airstream evangel-

ists. Two years ago the couple startedorganizing annual rallies – or Gatherings,

as they are known – one in the autumn andone in the spring.

Gatherings are pretty much the same as rallies in theUS. Everyone sets up their trailers in a circle, grabs a drink, does ameet-and-greet, and then contributes to a collective barbecue. It’sall very friendly and relaxed.

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Gaining Popularity in EnglandAnother thing Airstreams have going for them is that fact thatEngland is going through two big trends right now: all things retro,and camping.

Both of these stem from the same factors, the first being therecession, which has triggered a backlash against consumerism andtherefore encouraged a renewed interest in craft, DIY and “stayca-tions.” The second is the environmental movement, which promotesrecycling and simpler holidays closer to home.

In fact, the increase in camping and caravanning is good for theeconomy. “If you talk to farmers and small campsite owners, they’lltell you how an increase in camping visitors has helped not onlytheir business, but also local food producers, specialty shops andother rural industries,” Jonathan Knight, author of “Cool Camping” said.

Kathy Morrison, co-owner of Airstream importing and refurbish-ment company American Retro Caravans, believes the growing popularity of vintage Airstreams stems from something deeper.

“People want something that will last, and Airstreams attract customers who are interested in style and image. It is the perfectsolution for people who are fed up with flying.”

But it’s not just fashion-conscious people who are signing up,she adds. “We don’t really have a typical client – we have a millionaire,an energy company, a professor, a tattoo artist, cafe owners, a psychologist and families.” Airstreamer Pete Bull agrees, saying,“The owners I know range from farmers to fashion photographers,shopkeepers to sewage system specialists, car salesmen, phonesalesmen, insurance salesmen, a journalist, a doctor and even abespoke croquet mallet maker. There are also several families.”

Silver SwingersDon’t worry, in spite of the connotation, “Silver swinging” is not asracy as it sounds. The name refers to a practice Michael Hold, thesales director at Airstream Europe hopes will catch on betweenNorth American Airstream owners and their UK counterparts.

For most Americans, shipping an Airstream to Europe and thenconverting it to European standards is expensive and time prohibitive.But that shouldn’t stop Airstream aficionados from enjoying Europein an Airstream.

Hold has been working on a solution. “We hope to facilitate‘Airstream Swaps’ between UK owners and American/Canadian‘streamers who would simply fly out and exchange their whole outfits or rigs for a number of weeks, just like Home Exchange programs,” he said.

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Hold said the only thing standing in the way of the plan is insurance. He’s been in talks with brokers on both sides of the oceanand is hopeful about the results of the meetings. “If an arrangementcan be found, the dream could become a reality by next year.”

If you rent or swap for an Airstream that you’re allowed to tow,you might be surprised by the differences. Airstreams assembled inEurope are six inches narrower, feature European designed interiors,and are much lighter than their US counterparts. Because averagetow vehicle sizes and weights in Europe are lower than in the US,Airstreams are constructed to meet those limits.

Europe places restrictions on the weight of vehicle and trailerthat an ordinary car license holder can use. This restriction affectsmainly younger drivers. Contact AAA (American AutomobileAssociation) for an international driver’s license as soon as you startmaking plans to travel. Make sure your license designates theamount you can tow. AAA may not ask if you’ll be towing a trailer.

Tips For TravelingMany English campgrounds don’t provide picnic tables or allowfires. If they do, the firebox is most likely to be in a barbecue-typering. Campfires are rarely allowed at campgrounds.

Most campgrounds don’t provide picnic tables or benches either,so don’t forget to bring your own comfortable chairs and a fold up orroll-up table. But in general, it’s important to pack lightly. Everythingis smaller in Europe, including the cars, the Airstreams and the roads.

European trailers have smaller holding tanks (or none, in somecases). This makes them much lighter and therefore towable bysmaller vehicles. This means that fresh and used water must betransported by hand, usually in wheeled plastic containers.

Few campgrounds have full hook-ups. There are dump stations,but no universal system to connect a 4-inch hose. Many use aportable cassette toilet, which has a removable sealed tank for blackwater that must be manually emptied.

All of this means you may want to take your bathrobe and a pairof shower shoes. Campers rely more on campground facilities in theshower house so they don’t have to haul shower water to the caravan.

For more advice on camping in Europe, check Mike and TerryChurch’s book, “Traveler's Guide to European Camping.” While currently out of print, used copies can be found through online book stores.

Airstreaming in Europe does make sense. It requires some plan-ning, a willingness to try something different and, in Wally Byam’swords, a desire to “to play some part in promoting internationalgoodwill and understanding among the peoples of the world throughperson-to-person contact.” Opportunities remain for those who careto make the effort and risk of having the adventure of a lifetime.

BOTTOM: An Airstream 684 at Walchsee in Austria. TOP: On the way to theGotthard Pass (2,106 meters elevation) in Switzerland. OPPOSITE PAGE:Airstreamers launching paper hot air ballons at the Fourth UK Airstreamers Meet.


Take Your Own Trailer?For a short-term trip, Michael Hold of Airstream Europe advises against exportingAirstreams from the US.

“It is fraught with danger, problems, and costs,” he said. “The shipping alone costs£3975.00, which is about $5,000 USD.”

“We actually worked out the difference recently between a new EU Airstream and anew US Airstream imported into the UK,” he said. “The EU model was ten percent less inreal terms than the US version, which would not operate over here if not converted to compatible electrics, gas, brakes, road lights, heating, water systems and so on.”

An imported vintage Airstream or new US model can be seen occasionally in Europe,but those owners are on their own for everything and the weight of a larger AmericanAirstream can be crippling for small EU tow cars.

But if you are planning to take your own Airstream abroad permanently, or want toimport a vintage trailer, there are several organizations on both the US and UK sides whocan help. The job involves considerable modification to thetrailer, so look for companies that have experienceconverting to EU specifications and can pointto conversions they’ve already done.

For nearly all trailers, the trip toEurope is a one-way, since re-con-verting the trailer to North Americanspecifications and shipping itback is prohibitively expensive.

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farm near Mevagissey, Cornwall. RIGHT:On the ferry from Eriskay to Barra in theOuter Hebrides, Scotland. ABOVE RIGHT:EU-spec Airstreams are designed to betowed by smaller European vehicles.

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Buy A European-Spec AirstreamMichael Hold of Airstream Europe is the Old World’s top cheerleader for new Airstreams.

That’s not unusual for a sales director, but in Michael’s case, the love is genuine. Hold sold white-box trailers before he discovered Airstreams at

a trade fair. Once bitten by the Airstream bug, Hold convinced the management in Jackson Center, OH to let him set up

an exclusive dealership in the north of England near the Lake District. From there, a trio comprising Hold,

technical director Anthony Slocock and financedirector David Rowell developed a line of European

spec Airstreams. “New European Airstreams have been

designed by Europeans, and are built to suitEuropean cars, roads, campgrounds and aesthetic taste,” says Hold. They are now available at dealerships in the UK (AirstreamEurope), Holland (Airstream Professionals), and

Germany (Roka Werk GmbH).Buying a European-spec Airstream means

fewer headaches, since no conversion is needed.European Airstreams are built along the lines of their

American counterparts, only slightly smaller. The brakesare mechanical and the axle is further forward, giving a

lighter noseweight. The lack of holding tanks also makes theEuropean models lighter, meaning that a Bambi can be towed by

a small sedan. A galvanized steel chassis to protect against corrosion – a major

risk in a damp climate like the United Kingdom’s – is a difference theaverage consumer doesn’t see, but it’s there. European hitches are different too, with a slightly smaller ball. They do not incorporate weightdistribution or safety chains (which are replaced by a wire loop thatencircles the ball on the car).

Hold’s company designs and buys the EU components needed tomake a truly new compliant EU Airstream. They buy the chassis fromBPW in Germany, the wheels and tires from Tyreline in England, the220/240v wiring harness from Sargeant Electricals in England, and theend furniture lockers from Germany. Heating and plumbing componentscome from ALDE in Sweden.

All these components are compartmentalized and sent to JacksonCenter, Ohio where the factory builds specially designed shells onto theEuropean chassis and running gear. That takes about two weeks. The

finished shell is towed to Baltimore and put on a “RoRo” (Roll On, Roll Off)ship to Liverpool, England. From there the shell is taken to the plant in

Cumbria where the EU-spec furniture and appliances are installed. From startto finish, a new EU Airstream takes six months to create.

New UK Airstreamers are growing at the rate of around 50 per annum, andHold says he expects that to increase to a maximum of 200 a year over the next

five years. “What is nice is that nine out of ten of our owners are brand new to the whole

touring world, so they really are experiencing an adventure with their new silverdream machines,” Hold said.

Rowell is optimistic as well, saying there are around 150 European Airstreams onthe road, with sales up some 10% this year. The company plans to introduce a new

family-sized model with five or six beds in 2011 and to open a dealership inGloucestershire, in the south of England.

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Where To Camp In The UKWhether you’re visiting a new campground or a new country, thebest advice is always to talk to someone who has been there. Don’tbe shy about hitting the message boards or Airstream forums in boththe UK or America to find out what you want to know. AAA and othertravel agencies provide detailed information about almost anywhereyou want to go. Explore the well-known tourist destinations, likeOxford, Bath and Stonehenge, or wander down the road less traveled. Either way if you’re open to the experience, you’ll probablyhave a good time.

If you’re looking for suggestions from an American Airstreamerwhose “been there,” Claire Landon suggests Cornwall, one of themost popular summer destinations for the English. Famous for itsjutting headlands interspersed with low cliffs and sandy coves, thecounty’s big waves and aquatic-hued light make it a magnet forsurfers and artists.

Or, consider exploring Cotehele, a 14th century aristocraticestate nestled into a curve in the Tamar River that was owned by theEdgcumbe family until 1947. On view are the house, plus its mill,riverside quay, dovecote and multi-leveled gardens, giving the visitor a sense of what genteel, self-sufficient living must have beenlike 600 years ago.

Treen Farm Campsite sits atop a cliff in St Levan, at the mostsouthwesterly tip of England. A short walk from the bijou PednVounder beach, it is a slightly longer distance to the more populatedPorthcuthno beach. No hook-up, no pre-booking, but prices arecheap at £15 per night for a family of four.

For those seeking a truly remote destination on an otherwisedensely populated island, the Scottish Highlands could be theanswer. Making the 450-mile drive to the top of Scotland is the bestbet for solitude. With one of the lowest population densities on earth,the still Gaelic-speaking Highlands enjoy rugged mountain ranges,implausibly clear water and many pristine beaches. But one has tobe a hardy soul; at the summer solstice in Inverness, which is at57.45 degrees north, the sun doesn’t set until 10:30.

Applecross Campsite sits above the village of Applecross (population 238) in Ross-Shire. Visitors get views across the waterof the Isle of Skye, plus easy access to the award winning seafoodrestaurant Applecross Inn. A family of four pays £54 for a three-dayweekend with electric. Boondocking is also a possibility in manyparts of the Highlands. But choose your route carefully – one routeto Applecross is over a steep, single-track, hairpin-bend-riddennightmare of a road, which is no place for an Airstream!

Off the beaten track is Norfolk, which covering a sea-surroundedbulge not on the way to anywhere, is a rural county sometimesdescribed as a time warp. It is a flat, arable land stretching out to theNorth Sea, which eventually laps up against Holland. On the seaside,old-fashioned fish and chip shops jostle with crab shacks and icecream parlors, while inland, ancient market towns still house curiousauctions of everything from furniture to vegetables. Notable waterfeatures are the famous fens, fertile land reclaimed from the sealong ago, and the Norfolk Broads, navigable wetlands created inmedieval times by the unearthing of peat and subsequent flooding.

If you get the chance, stay at the Pinewoods Holiday Park, atWells-next-the-Sea. A short walk through an invigoratingly scentedpine forest and down a steep set of steps takes visitors onto a wide,sandy beach lined with beach hut, tiny, brightly colored raised struc-tures for changing, storing belongings and making cups of tea. Fullhook-up £34 per night in high season, one of the highest in the UK.

It’s well worth joining the two UK camping clubs (the CaravanClub and the Camping & Caravanning Club) at a cost of around £40each for a year. This is the only way to access the CL/CS network.As a member, small site fees can be as low as £3 per night.

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Taking a break beneath Sgurr Thuilm, Isle of Skye, Scotland.


UK Airstream GatheringsAirstreaming in Britain is alive and well, thanks in no small measureto the dedicated efforts of Pete and Tracey Bull, founders ofUKAirstreamers.org. Two years ago, Pete & Tracey (who had alreadybeen living for a year full-time in their Airstream International 684)thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to meet up with some otherAirstream owners?”

After posting on Airforums and on their blog, theymanaged to get eleven Airstreams together for aspring weekend. From that humble beginning,the group has grown to bring together thirtyAirstreams by the fourth Gathering inSeptember 2010. The group encompassedboth trailers and motorhomes, vintageand new, European and imported. Formany owners it was the first timethey had ever attended such anevent.

The weekend can perhaps besummed up by 68 year-old EricFarrelly who came in his 1982Airstream motorhome: “I was a littleapprehensive about coming, but endedup having a really great weekend – one ofthe best organized and most enjoyable in 25 years!”

The event was hosted by Carl and GaynorHuntbach on their family farm near Ludlow inShropshire. Having seen the cover of a J.J. Cale CD featuringan Airstream trailer, they Googled “American Metal Caravan” and upcame a 1959 Tradewind for sale in southern France. Carl drovedown to inspect it and three days later brought it home. They havesubsequently restored it, keeping as original as possible.

Europe does not have the same heritage of living full time in RVssuch as exists in North America. Nevertheless, at least five of theattending trailers are lived in year-round. Some of the UKAirstreamers have already taken their trailers for extended visits toMorocco, and others have traveled much of Europe.

Sitting by the campfire on Saturday night, the group discoveredwhat American owners have known for years: wonderful tales ofadventure will emerge while talking to other owners, and the seedsof future trips will be sown. The group plans additional Gatherings inMay and September of 2011, and members will be traveling in convoy to meet up with other Airstream owners in Holland in June –the largest Airstream caravan in Europe since the great Wally Byamcaravans of the 1950’s and 1960’s. •••

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• • • • • • Interiors

When Straight Down Clothing Company of San LuisObispo, CA wanted to draw attention to their golfapparel line they turned to Timeless Travel Trailers to

create a one-of-a-kind-mobile showroom with a comfortableguest lounge. Timeless started with a 1946 Spartan Manortravel trailer and completely remanufactured it to create “theperfect selling machine.”

According to Straight Down CEO, Mike Rowley, the Spartan,nicknamed “Big Red” was such a success for the company theyreturned to Timeless in less than a year to design another eye popping sales room trailer. This time around Timeless started with anew Airstream 23' International shell fresh from the factory.

To come up with something completely different, Timelessdesigners and engineers decided to create a large opening on thestreet side of the trailer which would invite people into the mobileshowroom, as well as suggesting a feeling of more interior spacefrom the inside. What evolved was a very large door stretching over13 feet from the front rib to the rear rib on the Airstream.

A gull wing door structure was designed to open up to 90degrees, creating a hard surface awning with overhead lights.Proprietary design changes were made to the body shell as well asthe chassis to maintain the strength of the trailer after the dooropening was created. Timeless’ metal workers utilized aviationgrade aluminum honeycomb material to create the large yet light-weight door, which exactly fits the contour of the trailer body.

A custom door frame and sealing system were created fromstandard Airstream components as well as heavy aluminum stock.A six-point latching system ensures that the door seals tight to keepout water and dust, and adds rigidity to the body while on the road.Detachable lightweight aluminum steps were built for safe accessto the trailer through the large door.

The interior of the trailer is designed to showcase StraightDown’s broad range of custom embroidered clothing as well as entertain their clients. The walls, ceiling and end caps are madeof the same clear coated aluminum that is standard on someAirstream models.

An Airstream Becomes a Perfect Selling Machine for GolfersBY JODY BROTHERSTON, ASID

ABOVE: The Straight Down Clothing Company Airstream sits with gull wing door open at Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver, CO. OPPOSITE PAGE: Maple and walnutwoods provide rich accents for the interior, pictured here at an California golf course.


Timeless Interior Designer, DanielleGarrison, selected natural maple solids andveneers for most of the cabinetry and displaycasework, finished with several coats ofdurable catalyzed lacquer. To complimentthe light tones of the maple, the street sidecountertop is made of solid American darkwalnut. The countertop turns in toward the center of the trailer to create a small bar with a built-in ice bin for holding coldbeverages. A booth seat at the aft end is acomfortable spot to view sales presentations.

An overhead clothing rack using maple,walnut and chrome plated brass tubing wasadded for the sales personnel to use duringdemonstrations. The Straight Down logo isinlaid into the maple wood on the exterior ofthe street side cabinetry. Black and charcoal

sculptured loop pile Karastan carpet com-pletes the handsome and functional interior.

The technology includes a KVH brandsatellite-in-motion TV antenna, deliveringsignals to a 42" Sony HDTV on the curb sideinterior wall, and a 22" HDTV on the exteriorof the street side cabinets for visitors towatch golf tournaments or other sports programming. Surround sound is providedthrough an Alpine CDA-105 automotive headunit and speakers. An undercounter GErefrigerator for additional beverage storageis located in the forward end next to thebuilt-in embroidery demonstration machine.

The vehicle can be used while the gullwing door is closed, with a Dometic 13,500Btu air conditioner keeping the space cool in the Arizona heat where it spends most of

its time. A Cummins/Onan 6.5kW generatorwas installed to power the trailer wherever it travels.

Straight Down was so impressed withthe gull wing door in their new Airstreamthat the company sent their 1946 Spartantrailer back to Timeless for a similar modification. Both trailers will be touring thegolf tournaments and trade shows throughoutNorth America. A portion of the proceedsfrom the tour will go to ALS (Lou GehrigDisease) research.

Design is about choices, and the choicesmade to make the “Airstream SellingMachine” so popular with clients attest tothe quality of a good design, and the effect ithas on people. •••


From thirty feet away this 2011 “Eddie Bauer” edition Airstreamlooks much like the 25-foot Front Bedroom models that havebeen popular for several years, except for the green awning.

But take a step to the back to the rear sport hatch and you’ll quickly see that there’s much more to this new model than justsome decor updates.

The 57” x 48” hatch swings up on hydraulic struts to providewide-open access to the interior of the trailer, for quick loading ofbulky gear or just unfettered access to the great outdoors. Thedinette table and side couch come out of the way if needed, and asmooth sliding screen lets the fresh air in while keeping the bugsout. It’s not a classic “toy hauler,” but with 1,571 pounds of NetCarrying Capacity and the four-foot wide hatch, you should be ableto take plenty of toys along on the next expedition, even bicycles or kayaks.

Just when you’ve gotten over that concept (and, like us, ceasedsmacking yourself on the forehead and saying, “why didn’t I think ofthat?”) you’ll start to see more welcome tweaks inspired by the newAirstream-Eddie Bauer partnership. The rear bumper doubles as anentry step covered with no-skid material. An outdoor shower hasbeen added for quick clean-ups. D-rings on either side of thebumper provide a handy place to leash the dog, or secure some gear.

Inside, the queen-size bed comes with an Eddie Bauer GooseDown duvet, pillows, and throw. Roof lockers have fossilized leafpatterns to evoke the outdoors. Extra clotheslines and racks are provided to hang wet clothing from outdoor adventures, as well asan Eddie Bauer duffle bag and a pair of daypacks. And finally, premium 16-inch Michelin tires are fitted to carry it all, with greaterground clearance.

Unlike the Quiksilver, Design Within Reach, and Victorinox trailersreleased by Airstream in recent years, the Eddie Bauer

is not a limited edition. Airstream is mum right now on whether lengths other than 25 feet

will be produced, but if the trailer proves popular, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assumemore variations – and other co-brandedproducts – will be produced during “long term” partnership announced byAirstream and Eddie Bauer. •••

• • • • • • Floorplan Review

Airstream with aSURPRISE


By The NumbersPreliminary specs provided at

press time suggest the Eddie BauerAirstream will have a GVWR of 7,300

pounds. The trailer will carry 39 gallons of fresh water, 39 black, and 37 gray. All other specs are similar to 25FBs currently sold by Airstream, but are

subject to change. Dealer MSRP is $73,702. Look for it atAirstream dealers now.


Here’s what’s in the Spring 2011 print edition of Airstream Life! Subscribe today to get this issue!

The official Airstream lifestyle magazine

Airstreaming Russia, page 40

Miranda Lambert's Airstreams, page 20 Fans gather for WestyFest III, page 33PHOT

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6 Inbox

10 Airstreaming Europe in the 21st Century

20 Miranda Lambert’s Airstreams

26 Aussie Hamburgers with Everything

28 From the Archives: A Vintage Brickstream

31 Book Reviews: Airstreams Between the Pages

33 Big Fans of the Small (Airstream) Westfalia

36 Interiors: Selling Machine for Golfers

38 Pin-Up Airstream

40 To Russia, with Love

44 Bert & Janie Gildart's Favorite National Parks

50 Towing: Why Does a Trailer Sway?

55 Fun Page

56 Eddie Bauer edition: Airstream with a Surprise

64 Last Mile: Wired Up and Fired Up

Airstreaming Russia, page 40

Miranda Lambert's Airstreams, page 20 Fans gather for WestyFest III, page 33

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