Living in an Airstream trailer?

[johnastovall]

Any one here live in one for an extended time like a year or so? Ever seen one set up for printing or processing?

This one looks interesting rip out the dinette and stick in printers, scanners and computers. I can eat my MRE's out of the bags is in my Aeron chair.

[studiocygnet]

Yeah, a friend of mine who is a fairly famous Austin photographer that has done a bunch of historic work for the Harry Ransom Center at UT and for the City of Austin Historical Society among others, turned an airstream into a darkroom on wheels. I don't know if he has converted any of it over to digital yet or not, I'll have to ask him next time I see him.

[venchka]

A) I'm jealous if you do it.

B) Better bring a very reliable generator and fuel if you plan on going way back in the woods.

C) I can't think of a better portable home than an Airstream in sound condition. I may try to talk my brother out of his 60s vintage 27 footer one of these days.

D) Good luck and enjoy!

[Coelus]

I like this one http://http://www.airstream.com/products/2008-fleet/travel-trailers/basecamp/floorplan.html if you take one of the seat/bed out and make it into a work desk. It may not have the classic look, but it looks very useful.

[venchka]

Hmmmmmmmmm...that model appears to be even smaller than the Bambi of a few years ago. If you buy new I bet Airstream would omit the dinette.

On the other hand, my brother paid less than $4,000 for a one owner 27' model last year.

[adirty1]

i worked with a guy that lived in one for years. 20 dollars a month rent how could you pass that up. I am sure hook up fees have change in the last 15 years but he loved it. Had another guy we worked with that lived out back of the shop in a winnie. granted it was bigger but he had two kids living with him.

[johnastovall]

I'm looking at the DWR and having the Dinnett area ripped out and a work space made for a 24in iMac, Epson 3800 and some aux raid backup units. Satellite internet and it's done.

Now I've got to figure what to pull it with that get maximum gas milage 30-35+.

[venchka]

Backup: LaCie makes a 1 terrabyte firewire external drive for $250 at CDW. It's just backup. It doesn't have to be fancy.

Tow vehicle & 30-35 mpg? Fuhgettaboutit. All of the little Jap toys that get that kind of mileage won't even let you attach a hitch. Or if they do, you're limited to 1,000-1,500 pounds. Been there. Done that. Looking for something to pull my 1,300 pound boat. I reckon your best bet for a 5,000 towing capacity vehicle is the most fuel efficient FlexFuel small truck or SUV you can find rated for 5,000 pounds. Of course, finding Ethanol E-85 is another story. I live across the street from an E-85 pump. I think the next nearest one is in Garland.

Good luck.

[johnastovall]

Look's like a jeep diesel Liberty will get me into the 20mph range..

[Cerbera LM]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Look's like a jeep diesel Liberty will get me into the 20mph range..

20 mpg pulling a trailer? Have no facts to back me up but I'd be happy if it got over 15.

More $$ but a Grand Cherokee with a M-B V6 is be a much better then the Liberty.

[arkie2916]

I have a 27 foot rv that only weighs 3300 pounds. My V6 Izuzu could barely pull it and got 10 mpg. I've replaced it with a Chevy Tahoe and I still get 10 mpg but have a V8. It's a cool idea..........but make sure you can pull it!!

[SCone]

Not sure if it's what you're looking for, but check out the Dodge Sprinter chassis motorhomes. They can get 22+ mpg & still have all the comforts. Met a couple from Canada last year at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with one. Very nice set-up. tons of storage & great gas mileage.

I lived in a 27ft for 3 years after college. The biggest complaint is the shower/toilet. They just don't make them big enough to really use.

[Coelus]

Chevy makes a 1/2 ton hybrid pickup. You still won't get into the 30mpg range, but it's better.

[venchka]

I'll second the M-B powered mini-motorhome idea. I've talked to several couples who have them. Solidly in the 20-22 mpg range. You could tow a mini-car behind it for good gas mileage when your set up in a semi-permanent location. As I recall, some of them come with propane fired generators too. You could get way far away from anywhere with a rig like that. However, the cost of diesel fuel is out of control. I don't think you would ever offset the additional cost of a diesel powered vehicle and the additional cost of fuel by a slight increase in mpg.

Personal experience: My Volvo wagon delivers 25 mpg alone. 15 mpg towing a 1,300 pound boat with substatially less windage than an Airstream.

And another thing: For the cost of a new tow vehicle + new trailer you could buy a nice used trailer, rebuild the truck you have and have mega bucks left over for fuel. Think about it. The sales tax alone on a new rig would buy LOTS of fuel.

[adirty1]

there are some bigger diesel trucks out there that get 30. i would think about the motor home idea.