Airstream Life FALL 2013

FENDER AIRSTREAM • BUYING THE 1987 SOVEREIGN • WHAT’S YOUR CAMPING STYLE?

O ­ nline Edition

Fall 2013 AIRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | A IRSTREA ML IFE .CO M

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

traveling well

Fall 2013

The official Airstream lifestyle magazine

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EDITOR’S PAGE

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INBOX

11 S o,

What’s Your Camping Style?

LIVING THE LIFE

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The 1987-88 23’ Airstream Sovereign

BUYER’S GUIDE

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Fender Plays On, In An Airstream

RIVET BIT So, What’s Your Camping Style, Page 11

The 1987-88 23' Airstream Sovereign, Page 15

Fender Plays On, In An Airstream, Page 19 2

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EDITOR’S PAGE

Welcome New Airstreamers!

ABOUT OUR COVER Our cover image, entitled “Road Trip USA,” was painted by Elizabeth Jose, a British artist living and working in Taos, NM. She first came through what was to become her high desert home in 2005 on a road trip with a muchloved Airstream International CCD. A classically trained portrait artist, Jose enjoys creating portraits of classic vehicles, delighting in shiny surfaces. She says; “I get so much pleasure from beauty and hope to share that pleasure, through my vision, with others”. www.elizabethjose.com

It’s always an exciting time to be part of the Airstream community, but I think these past three have been exceptional. Earlier this year Airstream announced that 2012 was the best year for sales in the company’s 81-year history, then announced in June that this year’s sales are “significantly ahead of last year’s record pace.” That means hundreds of new Airstream owners are joining our community each month—all over the world.

In June I got to meet with quite a few of those new owners, first at Alumapalooza in Ohio, then at the “Euro 13” gathering of European Airstream owners in Germany.

(I was surprised to find that the group in Germany was the largest gathering of Airstreams since the Wally Byam caravans of the 1950s, and that Airstream’s expansion of international dealerships now includes a location in Naples, Italy.)

At both events I was reminded that Airstreamers from around the world have quite a bit in common. They’re all interested in travel, meeting new people, having fun with friends and family, and appreciative of good design. And fascination with Airstreams themselves never seems to fade.

This summer two new books have come out that celebrate Airstreaming in different ways. First is “Airstream: The Silver RV” by Tara Cox (Shire Books, $9.95 softcover). This earnest little book is sort of a scaled-down version of Airstream’s encyclopedic tome “Wanderlust: Airstream at 75.” Tara breaks Airstreaming down into short sections discussing Wally Byam, the Airstreams, the community, the iconic nature of Airstream, and the pop culture phenomenon.

Along the way she has laced her book with photos collected from Airstream archives and current-day Airstreamers, making it a good starting point for anyone interested in understanding the Airstream phenomenon.

I’m particularly excited about the second book, written by Pulitzer-prize winner Phil Caputo. In a borrowed Airstream, this world-class author made an epic journey from Key West, FL to the Arctic Circle, interviewing ordinary Americans along the way to try to answer the question of what holds America together despite our incredible diversity and challenges. The essays and

WHAT’S COMING • Towing: Vehicle Weight Ratings • Custom Airstream Car Hauler • Canyon Country • The Amazing Airstream Interstate

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traveling well

conversations in “The Longest Road” (Henry Holt, $28.00 hardcover) are alone well worth the price of the book, and the Airstream is a bonus, a constant presence in the background and a character in its own right. I predict Phil’s book will become a classic of road trip literature, right alongside “Travels With Charley” by John Steinbeck and “Blue Highways”

by William Least Heat-Moon.

A few other quick notes: I am pleased to announce that the watercolor painting that was the cover of Airstream Life Spring 2013, called “Alumapalooza Icons,” has won the top award at Watercolor U.S.A. Congratulations to artist Donald K Lake of Champaign, IL. We expect to see more of his fine work on a future cover of Airstream Life magazine.

Finally, I want to share a story that exemplifies our community. Steve and Dee Karr suffered a devastating loss as a result of the recent Black Forest wildfires in Colorado. Their home, barn, cars and nearly all of their possessions were completely destroyed. But one important thing survived: their Airstream, which is parked at their son’s home in Colorado Springs.

With so many families displaced by the fire, home rentals in the area have become hard to find, and expensive. So it was a good thing the Karrs had an Airstream— it’s now their home.

But being a vintage unit that needed a few repairs, it wasn’t quite ready for full-time occupancy or travel.

Fellow WBCCI members reached out to the community to lend a hand, and the Airstream community responded.

In particular, Airstream has offered twelve hours of free labor to help get their trailer into good shape, plus a discount on additional labor done at the factory service center.

It’s things like that which make me proud to be a part of this community. Airstreaming is more than just a brand affiliation. It’s a lifestyle, an identity, and a community of great people.

Welcome to the hundreds of the new Airstream owners who have joined our community since our previous issue!

Rich Luhr Editor & Publisher

The official Airstream lifestyle magazine Editor and Publisher: Rich Luhr rich@airstreamlife.com Associate Editors:

Tom Bentley

Becky Blanton Layout and Design: OneTree Marketing lisa@airstreamlife.com Advertising Sales: Brett Greiveldinger brett@airstreamlife.com

(802) 877-2900 Ext. 2 Editorial Illustrator: Brad Cornelius Culinary Consultant: Eleanor O’Dea Customer Service: David Winter Associate Contributors:

Jody Brotherston

J. Rick Cipot

Fred Coldwell

Renee Ettline

Bert Gildart

John Irwin

Forrest McClure

Charles Spiher CONTACT Airstream Life 411 Walnut St #4468 Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Telephone: (802) 877-2900 Fax: (802) 610-1013 www.airstreamlife.com AIRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION You can get Airstream Life online, for free! Each issue we select 15-20 pages of the upcoming magazine and make it available on the Internet to readers who sign up at www.airstreamlife.com/ online. It’s a sneak peek, with no cost, no obligation!

CUSTOMER SERVICE Airstream Life’s world headquarters are the dinette table of a 2005 Airstream Safari 30 We’re always glad to hear from you, but if you have a simple ­question, please check our ­­website for help first. There you can subscribe, renew your subscription, change your address, get advertising information, download writer’s and photographer’s guidelines, ­notify us of an address change,and get answers to frequently-asked questions. See www.airstreamlife.com or call (802) 877-2900.

Airstream Life (ISSN 1550-5979) is published quarterly

by Church Street Publishing, Inc., 411 Walnut St #4468, Green Cove Springs FL 32043. Subscription price is $24 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Ferrisburg VT and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Airstream Life, 411 Walnut St #4468, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 © Copyright 2013 by Church Street Publishing, Inc. AIRSTREAM® is the property of Airstream, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in CANADA.

INBOX

A Tuxedo—Now That’s Glamping!

Dear Editor, I’m an orchestral bassist with a “day job” on faculty and staff at a music conservatory. I travel a fair amount for concerts and love to combine my trips with camping – turning work into a vacation.

After camping with my bass in a 2-person tent, a tent trailer, and a T@B, my partner and I now have a 2009 19’ International Signature. This year we’ve camped in places from Key West to the Poconos. (Just camped last week in Bethlehem, PA for the 106th Bethlehem Bach Festival.)

Now it feels like home to roll into a dark campground in my tux after a concert.

Dan McDougall & Glenn Finnan

Hard Work Pays Off For Vintage Trailer Lovers My husband and I purchased this 1962 Overlander Airstream off Craigslist on July 16, 2011. These are a few (of many) photos I took of all the blood, sweat & maybe even a few tears that went into renovating and restoring it. We set a goal to have it finished in a year and in July 2012 she went on her first adventure to the North Carolina coast where we found a great lot on North Topsail Beach and she has been there ever since!

We’re so happy with our Airstream and enjoying sharing our pictures and stories with everyone so much that I created her her own Facebook page. Please check it out at “Vintage Trailer Trash (1962 Overlander Airstream)”. My husband did all the hard labor while I picked fun fabrics, colors and painted. It would be such a thrill for us to see all our hard work in your beautiful magazine that we enjoy so much!

Julie and Del Clark Cary, North Carolina 6

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Feedback from Alumafiesta In early February, Linda and I decided to leave the winter chill of Los Angeles to attend the first annual Alumafiesta in sunny Tucson. While we found the winter chill waiting for us there as well, we also found a big group of Airstream enthusiasts, including some of our WBCCI Central Coast Unit friends, attending dinners, seminars and seeing the local sights.

Hosted at the Lazy Days RV resort, the event center was ringed with brand new Airstreams for attendees to admire. Some of the highlights included lunch at the original El Charro restaurant in downtown Tucson, a visit to the Pima County Air and Space Museum (talk about vintage aluminum!) and an intimate concert given by Antsy McClain. A good time was had by all.

Jot Hollenbeck

Active Outdoor Fun, Anyone?

Hello from Colorado, Airstreamers! I have only been a member of the community for two years but have enjoyed meeting everyone out there along the road. No doubt, our common love of Airstreams makes for the friendliest folks around.

I’d like to hear from maybe some more non-traditional folks out there. Are there many “solo” travelers out there (whether married or single)? How about people who prefer boondocking in a remote national forest somewhere where the dogs can run like the wind? Any ‘Streamers out and about who use their trailer as a basecamp while they spend 3 or 4 days hiking the high country when summer opens up above treeline? Have limited time for trips in your busy schedule?

Write me with your active outdoor passions and let’s see who is out there! Who knows … a group of us could meet once a year in the Sierras for hiking, Cascades for mountain biking, Nantahala for kayaking, Wind River Range for a yoga/meditation retreat, or climbing at Yosemite.

Ok, ok … It’s probably crazy. But you don’t know if you never try. So if any of this strikes a chord with you, shoot me email and let’s see what happens!

Airstreams Rule!

Jill Reynolds Red Feather Lakes, CO jill.skiddy@gmail.com

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INBOX

Airstream Food in Switzerland Hi Rich, We own a 2005 25FB airstream trailer and love it.

On our last trip to Zurich Switzerland we came across this Airstream in the heart of the city. You can enjoy a meal and drink for a reasonable price in this open air restaurant.

The website is http://www.sternengrill.ch/ Best regards, Peter Diethelm

A Cairn Terrier At Home On The Road Rich, Finally arrived home from winter in the south to a waiting spring copy of Airstream Life. Reading the piece on traveling with pets brought to mind how we provided a den for our small Cairn Terrier. We replaced the door to a floor level storage nook with a generic BBQ grate. We did this to both our ‘64 and ‘10 Airstreams. Our Cairn has always slept in her crate at home, so she’s still comfortable on the road.

Cherie & Jay Guerin

Your “quick start” guide to traveling, camping, and owning an Airstream travel trailer!

This fun guide is filled with succinct, practical and tested answers to the most commonly-asked questions and typical new owner challenges. Includes sections on all kinds of “newbie” topics: understanding all the systems, camping, towing, solar & generators, maintenance, winterizing, simple repairs, packing, backing, dumping, filling, winter travel, Internet, cleaning, tools, myths, and sample checklists.

Makes a great gift for new Airstream owners, and a handy reference even for experienced owners. Includes over 30 illustrations, and an indispensable eight-page “Jargon Guide” with definitions of commonly used Airstreaming terms.

Spiral bound (so it lays flat while you're reading it), and 6x9" paperback format so it will fit on Airstream shelves. 104 pages. Written by Rich Luhr (Editor of Airstream Life) with contributions by Airstream Life staff. $9.95 at the Airstream Life store at www.airstreamlife.com/store and Amazon.com.

Available as an eBook for Kindle and iPad/iPhone too!

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An Airstream For The Birds Dear Mr. Luhr My wife and I are in the process of retiring and purchased an Airstream Flying Cloud. We have been married 48-years and owning an Airstream trailer has been a dream of ours from the beginning.

The dealer we purchased our trailer from introduced us to your magazine and we enjoy reading your articles, especially about classic old trailers restored with TLC. A friend of ours, Barry Newell, inspired by the silver look of Airstream, created a “canned-ham” style of trailer for birds we though you might enjoy. It looks similar to the type of trailers we saw on your website Wally Byam produced in the 1920’s.

Mike and Mary Benson Beaverton, Oregon

Camping With A Bit Of Snow Hello at Airstream Life, Attached is a photo from this past November, at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. This was the first snow of the season and we didn’t expect the snow to be as heavy as it was. We were entering on the north side Hwy 120 and had to wait at the Ranger station for almost 3 hours because of black ice on the roads in the park. We did make it to our camp site in Lower Pine and had a wonderful four day stay.

Ken & Sue Yamashita Pleasant Hill CA

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is on call 24/7 if they should ever need help. will call the road their home this weekend.

24/7 roadside assistance. Your weekends are spent on the open road. What makes it even easier is knowing that with Progressive’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance you will never be stranded. In fact, Progressive will tow your RV and your vehicle, even if your vehicle isn’t insured by us. Drive comfortably. Call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, go to progressive.com or call an independent agent.

ProGressiVe.coM

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and its affiliates, Mayfield Village, OH. Roadside Assistance is subject to policy terms.

10D00070 (06/10)

PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION: BRENDA MINTON

LIVING THE LIFE

So, What’s

Your Camping Style?

So, what’s your camping style? That’s not your typical pick-up line, but fun to ponder nonetheless. Camping styles reflect the unique personality and interests of each individual.

In the sidebar are seven sets of descriptors that relate to camping styles.

Each set of words represents opposites. Use the descriptions below to rate yourself on the scales in the box on page 32. Put the ‘x’ anywhere on each scale that seems to fit you.

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By Renee Ettline

Traditional Camper or “Air Glamper”

If you prefer to cook over an open fire while boon-docked in the lap of nature, you probably have the heart of a traditional camper. The Traditional Camper in purest form just wants to go camping and isn’t caught up in making the Airstream feel just like home. However, they are grateful that the Airstream is much drier than a tent!

If creature comforts and RV resorts put a smile on your face and you’d like the Airstream to be as close as possible to a room at the Hilton, you are probably an Air Glamper. Three-point hook-ups are definitely preferred by the Air Glamper as are campground amenities.

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LIVING THE LIFE 2 Reflect on the descriptions in the article and rate yourself on each of the seven scales below. Put an ‘x’ anywhere on each scale that seems to fit you.

Traditional Camper

Airglamper PaySomeoneElse

Do-ItYourself Minimalist

Toy Hauler Serenity Seeker

Socalizer

Kicked-Back Camper

Adventurer Restorer Structured

DIY or PSE

DIY (Do-it-Yourself) Airstreamers enjoy tinkering with the Airstream as much as they enjoy camping. They seek out hands-on improvement projects and do much of their own Airstream maintenance. Among their ranks are also those who enjoy remodeling or decorating to create a certain ambiance. The DIY person enjoys projects that make living in or towing the Airstream more pleasant.

PSE (Pay-Someone-Else) Airstreamers don’t thrive on mechanics, carpentry or hands on decorating. Sometimes DIY Airstreamers become PSE Airstreamers over time. PSE Airstreamers are the last to show up when someone raises a truck hood at a rally.

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Minimalist or Toy Hauler

The extreme Minimalist keeps a couple of tee shirts, a pair of shorts, and a pair of jeans in the Airstream and takes little else.

The Minimalist doesn’t want to be encumbered Free Spirited with a lot of stuff. Ease is the name of the game.

Unless necessary, the minimalist will not un-hitch at a campsite.

The extreme Toy Hauler may spend hours loading the tow and trailer with a variety of items for entertainment or décor. Toys can range from kayaks to bicycles and mopeds. On the smaller end are iPads, laptops, and sewing machines. We’ve seen folks setting up their campsite with everything from lifesized fake palm trees to lampposts in addition to the more common items such as grills.

Ready-toRoll

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Socializer or Serenity Seeker

Socializers thrive on connecting with others. Rallies and meet-ups comprise a lot of their camping time. They often travel with friends and tend to seek out group activities.

The Serenity Seeker isn’t averse to people, but seeks quiet time to read, rest, or connect with nature either alone or with family. Airstreaming represents an escape to peace and quiet. The extreme serenity seeker may seem unsociable to the extreme Socializer.

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Adventurer or Kicked-Back Camper

The pure Adventurer is high energy and seeks adrenalin-pumping excursions. Rock climbing, rafting, and zip lines are the type of activities that may appeal to the ultimate Adventurer. Milder Adventurers enjoy less risky but still very active activities such as hiking, cycling, and kayaking.

Opposite from the Adventurer, Kicked-Back Campers capitalize on Airstreaming to bond with their lounge chair. Somewhere along the continuum between the Adventurer and the extremely Kicked-Back campers are those that prefer casual strolls, historical attractions, museums, and other low-keyed activities.

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Restorer or Ready-to-Roll Airstreamers

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Restorers generally have a passion for older or Vintage Airstreams. The inconvenience of needing a blue boy to dump is outweighed by the authentic experience of camping in an early model Airstream. Restorers can tell you how to keep a blinding shine on aluminum and can share various specifics of their Airstream’s design. Restorers enjoy recreating history with their Airstream.

Ready-to-Roll Airstreamers prefer their Airstream to be turn-key ready. Vintage, or straight from the factory, they want their campers to require no more than routine maintenance.

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A Free-Spirit Airstreamer prefers the flexibility afforded by being spontaneous. They expect to stumble on the unexpected and interesting thing to do and their style allows them to incorporate these things into their trip. But they may miss out if campgrounds are full upon their arrival or if a desired attraction requires advanced tickets.

Your personal camping style helps to define what will make you happy about Airstreaming. Now that you’ve reflected on your own camping style, share this article with your spouse and friends to see if their styles are similar or different. Use your knowledge to design Airstreaming experiences that bring joy both to you and your fellow campers.

Structured or Free-Spirited

Structured travelers invest time to preplan and book a road trip. They know early bookings will reserve campsites and planned activities during peak tourist seasons. On the down side, tight planning sacrifices spontaneity.

Structured Style campers who are also high on the Socialize Style will likely find caravans to be a good option for structured travel without the headaches of planning.

The Collected Adventures of

Tin Hut VOLUME I

At last the complete story of Mr. and Mrs. Tin Hut can be told!

If you love the Huts, or haven’t read all of their memorable adventures, here’s your opportunity to get 22 stories in a single volume. From nightmare trailer park to traumatizing family reunion to disastrous Now Available Mr. Ed Convention, Mr. Hut somehow manages to find the silver lining in every episode. His lifelong love, Mrs. Hut, tells her story too, while standing by her man as best she can in the wake of enraged farmers, insulted performers, horrified fellow campers, bewildered contest judges, and pierced in-laws.

in Print!

Long a favorite of Airstream Life magazine readers, this is the first collection of Tin Hut stories ever published.

It might be the last, too, considering that in this collection he manages to get stuck in a horse costume, hung from a tree, nearly electrocuted in bed, diagnosed with Fainting Goat syndrome, and set on fire. Includes all the hilarious illustrations by Brad Cornelius!

Order your copy now from www.airstreamlife.com/store, just $14.95

Also available as an ebook for Kindle and iPad. A IRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | A IRSTREA MLIF E .CO M

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RST AI

REAM LIFE P RES

AlumaFiesta

ENTS

February 4-9, 2014 Lazydays RV Resort Tucson, Arizona

Fresh new program of tours, seminars, and fun!

Meet fellow Airstreamers at this great winter escape for a fantastic five days in sunny Tucson. You’ll experience the best of Tucson with a full program of escorted tours, outdoor activities, great meals, music, and the world famous Gem & Mineral Showcase.

This event got rave reviews in its first year and we expect a sell-out, so don’t delay in registering! Limited to 100 sites, and Tucson’s campgrounds are always fully booked due to the popularity of the Gem Show.

é Five nights full hookups with cable, wi-fi, and two heated swimming pools

é Daily guided explorations of Tucson’s cultural sites, shopping, architecture, and history (lots of new places on the program!)

é Daily active adventures: hikes, walking, bike rides é Evening presentations by local historians, storytellers, and other experts

$465 for two adults and five nights premium camping, meals, seminars, door prizes, tours, and musical performances.

“Walk in” tickets (no campsite) available for $120 per adult, $55 for kids 15 and under.

As always, we guarantee you won’t have to shovel snow! Tucson’s average daily high in February is 68 degrees. Don’t miss your chance to get a break from the winter and meet a lot of fellow Airstreamers.

é Two catered breakfasts, one catered dinner, plus optional lunches at great Tucson eateries

é Live musical performance on Saturday night é Daily Happy Hours with door prizes, vendors, and an indoor new Airstream display All activities and events are subject to change before event dates.

Visit www.alumafiesta.com for full details and online registration. Or call 802-877-2900 ext. 4 Register now with your smart phone by scanning this code 14

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Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/alumaevents Like our page on Facebook at Alumafiesta for regular updates

BUYERS GUIDE

The 1987-88 23' Airstream Sovereign In 1987, MONEY Magazine commented on “99 Things That, Yes, Americans Make Best,” gloating that the products “are clearly superior to their overseas competitors, overwhelmingly dominate their markets or are so outstanding or novel that they have no well-known international counterpart.”

Of course, one item listed was Airstream. Of those, one rare model from that year stands out – the 23' dual axle Sovereign. When Thor purchased Airstream from Beatrice in 1980, it quickly focused on large travel trailers. For a decade, from 1981 through 1991, the 23' Sovereign was the smallest production Airstream and even then, it was only available from mid-1987 through 1988. After that, Airstream temporarily lost sense of its identity, not just by again focusing only on larger trailers, but by pushing square shaped and fifth wheel designs.

At this point in Airstream history, the name, Sovereign, referred to a trim level, not a particular model. The 23' began as a Sovereign in 1987, but the following year it trimmed up to the Excella level. Either way, it was well equipped, but Airstream initially promoted the Sovereign with a “Special Introductory Base Cost” of $19,995. Considering that the lowest priced Airstream Land Yacht (derisively called by some a “Square Stream”) was around $25,000 and the larger Airstreams were upward of $40,000, it is easy to see how the price was attractive.

By the time a buyer added options the price might easily increase by $5,000.

Still, it should have been a sure thing but instead, sales were lackluster. There were probably several reasons but mostly it was another case of being the right trailer at the wrong time.

In addition to being rare, the 23' is also unusual for its floor plan. The front lounge jackknifes out to make a double bed. The dinette on street side, opposite the galley, also makes into a bed (38" x 72"). This combination, a dinette and front

By Forrest McClure

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BUYERS GUIDE

Reasons To Buy • Very collectible rare model • Fits easily into smaller campsites • Easily towed by wide range of vehicles • Framed window glass • Open floor plan good for entertaining

Reasons Not To Buy • Nuisance making bed each night • Original axles likely need replacement • Entry level Airstream intended as a “weekender” • Small waste holding tanks • Base trim level

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lounge, is unusual. The more common floor plan for the era would have been the optional street side lounge in place of the dinette.

This arrangement makes the trailer seem larger because the layout is normally found only in big Airstreams. Unlike those, this one has a GVWR of only 5800 pounds. Dry; it weighs 4300 pounds, giving it a net carrying capacity of 1500 pounds. With a listed hitch weight of 520 pounds, it is within the towing capacity of a large number of mid-size SUVs, mini-vans, small pickup trucks or full size passenger cars. Brakes are 10" electric drums.

A full 50-gallon fresh water tank might tip the scales by adding a little over 400 pounds, but given that the grey and black storage tanks are only 20 gallons each, there wasn’t much point in filling it completely.

All cabinetry, drawers, valances and wardrobe doors are oak wood grain and sealed with polyurethane. Standard counters and tabletops are a faux marble laminate. Interior aluminum sheathing is vinyl covered. Wardrobes are cedar lined.

The well-equipped galley has a gas four burner range and oven, 5 cu. ft.

2-way refrigerator, flip-up extension shelf and a double bowl stainless steel sink with covers. A microwave oven was not offered even as an option.

One interesting option that was offered was a $422 color 14" television that stored in its own special cubbyhole adjacent to the dinette. Inside this storage compartment was 12-volt and 120-volt power supply and an antenna connection.

A tambour door secured it. Today, the space is readily upgraded to a larger and flatter screen size – mounted on an extendable arm, a flat-screen swings out of the space for viewing but tucks neatly away for travel.

Many small trailers also have small baths but the 23' has the same full rear bath of the larger 1987 27' Airstream. It occupies the entire width of the trailer and has a sit-down bathtub. A vinyl curtain allows for a shower. A downside is the conventional hinged door between the galley and the bath. It is a large attractive piece of lumber – but when open it blocks the curbside wardrobe. It is simply

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cumbersome and inelegant. A pair of pocket doors would have been the better solution and in fact, that is how the 27' came equipped.

Another, very minor annoyance is that the dinette table is directly over a wheel well. This intrudes into the legroom. Fortunately, additional dining area is readily available with the foldout table located under the living room credenza.

Cross-ventilation is excellent. Windows on both ends are operable, as well as two on the street side and one on the curbside. One large window directly adjacent to the entry door is stationary (likely a cost cutting measure). However, the entry has an excellent screen.

Standard equipment was two non-powered ceiling vents, one forward and another amidships. However, the air conditioning option uses the amidships opening, leaving only the forward vent. That may leave inadequate ventilation in some circumstances or certain locales.

Favorite modifications are upgrading the front lounge for more comfortable sleeping; replacing the wall-to-wall carpet with hard flooring; upgrading the TV; replacing the bathroom door with a curtain, a bifold or accordion style door; installing an additional ceiling vent; upgrading existing vents with power fan; and installation of a microwave oven.

Today, this trailer is highly desired. Prices should range from $7,000 for fair condition to as much as $17,000 for excellent original condition. The problem is finding one due to the short production span. Numbers are difficult to come by but less than fifty would not be an exaggeration.

It is ideal for couples with up to two small children. The dinette conversion to a bed is a bit narrow if the kids do not get along. However, there is an Airstream tradition readily adaptable – the bathtub makes an excellent crib!

Airstreamers are flocking to Sarasota for this all new event!   

 

Local Excursions and Guided Tours Live Entertainment Nightly Fun & Educational Seminars Every Day Airstream Parts Store Catered Meals

New Airstreams on Display and for Sale  On-site Running Gear Service

by Dexter  Tons of Great Door Prizes  Bluegrass Jam Sessions 

Held at the former location of the Florida State Rally: the Sarasota County Fairgrounds, just five miles from white sand beaches!  3 amp electric, water, and dump, OR upgrade to 30-amp  Handicapped parking section available  Kids very welcome

$195 per campsite; $70 per adult; kids are free under age 15!

Add $100 for 30-amp upgrade.

Register on your smart phone by scanning this code.

Brought to you by the same people who produce Alumapalooza, Alumafandango, and Alumafiesta: R&B Events.

Reserve your space now, or get the latest news via email: www.alumaflamingo.com or call 802-877-2900 ext. 4 “Like” ALUMAFLAMINGO on Facebook for regular updates

twitter.com/alumaevents

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RIVET BIT

PLAYS ON, IN AN AIRSTREAM Airstreams have “gone on tour” with dozens, if not hundreds, of classic rock stars and bands over the years, but in 2012 Airstream did itself one better, going on the road with one of the most classic acts of all time—Fender guitars. Fender was founded only three years after Wally Byam started making Airstream trailers, and there’s a common theme to why both companies have become icons, say Fender’s marketing directors. It’s the original attention to the customer experience that Airstream and Fender were founded on that prompted Fender to select a new, 31-foot Airstream Classic for their mobile recording studio.

“Over the last few years we’ve returned to the philosophy we forged in the very beginning,” said Jim Resnick, director of marketing for Fender, “And that’s ‘listen to your users,’ whether the person is a professional musician or a member of the audience. It’s not just listening; it’s putting that feedback and those changes into the pipeline in real time. [Company founder Leo Fender] was always changing stuff around to suit the needs of whoever the customer might be or bringing another product to market that suits that need. It really gets down to responsiveness, service and listening.”

“There are so many parallels between what Airstream does and what Fender does, in that our flagship products have been relatively unchanged over the decades, and for all the right reasons. I think the design was right the first time and the consumer liked it. The challenge that Airstream has and that we have with designing a great product right out of the gate is that you have to continually be innovating and making yourself relevant to your business.”

It sounds like a simple philosophy, but it took a few decades of not listening, and a return to their roots, for Fender to embrace what its founder had always known— it’s the musical experience of the user that matters. No matter how great the product, it’s got to be connected to a great experience. Leo Fender had a knack

By Becky Blanton

Airstreams have gone on tour with dozens, if not hundreds, of bands over the years.

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RIVET BIT

ABOVE: A few custom touches on the inside make this Airstream special for Fender, but outwardly it’s a typical Airstream.

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for doing that, and that’s the tradition Fender has been fortunate enough to carry on—after losing its way for a few years when the company was owned by CBS. Fender’s success is frequently attributed to the fact that Leo Fender not only paid attention to the marketplace, but that he listened to his users. When customers wanted amplifiers but couldn’t afford them, he started building and renting amps along with his repair business. When electric guitars started showing up on the music scene Leo found a creative outlet in designing and producing those as well.

His focus was always on the musicians and on making their experience and the music better. It’s something Fender has replicated in the Airstream.

Fender’s brand is the user experience, not a bunch of self-promotional logos stuck everywhere, notes Clay Lyons, the engagement marketing director for Fender. Other than a small round window next to the door that the team can access to change out promotional items or photos, there’s no indication on the outside that the Airstream is anything but just another trailer. Inside, the focus is on the recording experience, the equipment and the comfort of the musician.

“We have a complete, professional audio system and rack that professional audio engineers installed while the Airstream was being built,” said Lyons. “There are microphone jacks in the ceiling and walls, microphone mounts in the floor, camera mounts in the ceiling. We designed it to make it as clean as possible for the performers.”

The interior of the Airstream is customized with just a few Airstream-created, Fender-inspired details, like a screen-door push with the Fender name and a towel rack in the bathroom made from a Fender guitar neck. Guitar straps hold down the tables and while it’s not immediately obvious, Fender guitar parts make up supports and parts of the built-ins throughout the trailer.

The bedroom area was designed to be a backstage lounge. In the front, there’s a recording studio that brings the “rock star experience” of Fender to its fans, whether they’re new musicians, professionals or garage band players. The spirit of what they’re doing harkens back to Fender’s very roots, musicians helping musicians.

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“We have a station inside where musicians can bring their instruments. So while they’re conducting their interview or giving a performance, or just hanging out, if they want to bring their guitar, banjo or mandolin, we’ll change the strings, adjust the neck, or even just let them charge their cell phones,” Lyons said. It’s not Leo Fender’s shop, but he’d be proud of the one-on-one attention performers and fans get from the Fender team, and the forethought that went into designing the studio as well.

Once the Airstream rolled out of the factory in Jackson Center, OH they didn’t waste any time heading for Chicago and their first concert at the largest music festival in the country—Lollapalooza. The Devil Makes3, a combination ragtime, country, folk and rockabilly band with a slightly punky perspective, was one of the first bands to help break in the trailer recording studio. They recorded, “The day I jumped from Uncle Harvey’s airplane” — an homage to all things aluminum and adventure related.

“Since we are encapsulated in aluminum, we are going to sing about being encapsulated in aluminum,” band member Cooper McBean quipped in the band’s recording session.

After visiting South By Southwest in Austin TX, the Fender team made their way to the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. From Outside Lands they made a pit stop at TrueTone Music in Santa Monica, CA, then finally arrived at the Fender Visitor Center. It was a trip designed to delight dealers, fans, musicians and bands. “We really like the flexibility the Airstream gave us to do that,” Resnick said.

While it’s nice to count the rock and roll legends of the past as part of their legacy, there are always new generations of musicians entering the scene every day. Staying on the move, connecting with fans in person, and listening to their users is how Leo Fender won hearts and minds more than half a century ago, and it’s how Fender plans to do it now.

“You have to listen,” said Lyons. “The best musician has the biggest ears. I think we do have really big ears for what’s going on the marketplace and with musicians and their audience.” So far it’s been positive Lyons said, and he believes it will continue to be a positive experience for anyone that gets to experience being a “rock star” in the Airstream.

The Collected Adventures of

The spirit of what they’re doing harkens back to Fender’s very roots, musicians helping musicians.

Tin Hut VOLUME I

At last the complete story of Mr. and Mrs. Tin Hut can be told!

If you love the Huts, or haven’t read all of their memorable adventures, here’s your opportunity to get 22 stories in a single volume. From nightmare trailer park to traumatizing family reunion to disastrous Now Available Mr. Ed Convention, Mr. Hut somehow manages to find the silver lining in every episode. His lifelong love, Mrs. Hut, tells her story too, while standing by her man as best she can in the wake of enraged farmers, insulted performers, horrified fellow campers, bewildered contest judges, and pierced in-laws.

in Print!

Long a favorite of Airstream Life magazine readers, this is the first collection of Tin Hut stories ever published.

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Order your copy now from www.airstreamlife.com/store, just $14.95

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

traveling well

Fall 2013 4

EDITOR’S PAGE

6

INBOX

10

Fender Plays On, In An Airstream

RIVET BIT

14

Fabulous Airstreams of the Fifties

INTERIORS

20

This Trade Wind Blows the Blues Away

24

The First Trophy

26

1961 Airstream Trailers

31

So, What’s Your Camping Style?

LIVING THE LIFE

34

The 1987-88 23' Airstream Sovereign

BUYER’S GUIDE

37

Following The Birds

42

The Wild Side of San Diego

RIVET BIT

Fabulous Airstreams of the Fifties, Page 14

FROM THE ARCHIVES

FEATURE

NATIONAL PARKS

PHOTO: FORREST MCCLURE

OLD ALUMINUM

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The 1987-88 23' Airstream Sovereign, Page 34

PUZZLE

50

Sealing Your Airstream

54

Marfa, Texas: Under Mystery Lights

DESTINATION

58

Inherited Airstreams: More Than Keys

AIRSTREAMING

TECH TIPS

PARK SHOWCASE

A I R S TRE A M L I F E | FA L L 2 0 1 3 | A I R S T R E A M L I FE . C O M

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PHOTO: REBECCA WITHERS

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2

PHOTO: HDR HOMES

The official Airstream lifestyle magazine

Marfa, Texas: An Entertainment Oasis Under Mystery Lights, Page 54

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