RV tech goes UNDERCOVER to review 2023 Airstream RVs

In today's video, I'll be reviewing the following 3 Airstream travel trailers to answer the question everyone wants to know- is Airstream quality or overpriced?

Rigor Scale Changes: I removed furnaces from the scale because there are only two brands and they are both equally reliable. I then gave 10 points to cabinets and 10 points to countertops instead of having them as a combined category.

[DirtWireTV]

What you’re doing is invaluable. There are a lot of popular “RV review” channels out there but, in reality, they’re just sales tools for specific RV dealers so the ‘reviewers’ can’t be 100% honest. Keep up the good work!

[ReflectedMiles]

Bit of a reality check on maintenance demand, etc.: The Airstream manual states, "We recommend washing your Airstream *about every four weeks* and waxing with Walbernize Super Seal, or high quality clear coat-safe wax, in the spring and fall. In coastal and industrial areas, cleaning and waxing should be done more frequently." It goes on to say that the seams *do* need to be inspected and re-sealed annually. I have four not-so-lovely memories in Airstreams in childhood: 1) Baseballs accidentally hitting one of the curved rear aluminum panels, especially, creating small dents, and your grandfather is ready to cry because lots of things do this that would not dent a typical RV and they are wildly expensive to get out; 2) Sub-freezing night in the Rockies after Grandma cooked a hot dinner. Even with ventilation going, aluminum transmits temperature worse than almost any other material and the main entry door would be frozen to its frame in the morning, requiring a hair dryer or shoulder fatigue to get it open; 3) On that same kind of morning, if temperatures got into the teens or lower (F), some of the interior rivets would form frost on them and, when melting later, would leave little tracks of water / staining trailing below them; 4) They're good glampers, not very good at camping away from hook-ups. The tank capacities were too small for us to be out-and-away anywhere for long, which is part of the light-payload design / ratings. I would personally never buy one at their typical prices. There's a big charge for aesthetics and brand name built in, neither of which are priorities for me.

[JordySpreader]

There is a little bit of nuance with the front end separation issue. Around 2021-22 the factory began adding support brackets to stave off front end separation. Also, owners who install a receiver to the rear of the trailer to haul things like bicycles (nowadays usually heavy-ass e-bikes), scraping the rear end on inclines, or having too much weight distribution can all cause front end separation. It might be difficult to avoid the "front compartment models" because the front bed twin floorplan has become extremely popular, and besides, for reason I mentioned front end separation can occur on any model including the ones without the front compartment.

[ericwhalen]

I had a 30 ft flying Cloud. The front end started to separate two years out of warranty. Airstream covered the cost of repairs. It was about 3000 for the repair. I just bought 30ft globetrotter because I was so impressed with Airstreams customer service and willingness to stand behind their product. Airstream has also come up with a fix to the separation issue and has put it into production on the new airstreams.

[Keith]

This is interesting to see that Airstream fit and finish has really come up in quality. I was going to buy a 25 foot airstream in 2000 till I started looking at the fit and finish. The quality was not there for $35k Airstream. The sales person also told me it was a 4 seasons RV. I asked her how it was 4 seasons RV when the water connection line was a 6 inch exposed copper line?

[wingyone]

I looked at an Airstream Caravelle 22FB a couple years ago at an RV show. I was really impressed with the metal work on the exterior. I'm an aviation geek, and the Airstream had better welds and riveting than a few aircraft I've flown.

[sparklersfrom_nj]

My understanding from the Hershey show is that airstream has upgraded the flange on either side of the front storage compartment on current models of Flying Cloud, International, and Globetrotters

[BrianHaskell-xpwl]

Hi. I'm an Airstream owner and owner of an engineering company. I looked forever for a touchpad entry system for Airstreams and found that there are none that can be installed without substantial modifications to the door and strike. So I designed and built one. I did it just for myself, but it turned out better than I expected. I'd love to send one to you for a fair review. I think you'll love it, but I'll take your honest assessment. How can I get you to do a review for me?

[jcc]

In April of this year we purchased a 2024 International 25FBT and have pulled it over 4000 miles and spent 30+ nights in it. Knock on wood but we have had zero issues. We absolutely love it. It pulls easy, the AC works great in 100 degree days, and we are happy with the fit and finish. I’m 6’3” and not skinny and yes, I use the shower every day. Probably the most important thing to mention is we haven’t (again knocking on wood) missed a day from our trips because of something breaking in the Airstream. One complaint we do have is that the cushions are very firm and uncomfortable but there are easy fixes for that.

[RobertHasty]

I'll be buying your course tomorrow; wallet is in my truck and it's 2am I ain't going outside to get it right now. Even though I have 10 years of RVing experience, very handy and a smart shopper who dives deep into specs and quality. I've been researching our next camper for 5 years or more. Watched GD go downhill, walked through numerous Alliances a couple years ago that had horrible quality issues I just can't unsee, Brinkley's are ok but IMHO too many people buying into the hype and the shiny object there. We're pretty dead set on a Flagstaff 371RK, generally speaking an all-around pretty solid unit from what I can see online, in person, factory tours etc. Definitely interested in seeing if you have any other helpful information in the course on flagstaff or rockwood. Pretty smart idea and unique channel, good for you. Hope you crush it man!

[ingolfstatlegulbrandsen]

Greetings from Norway! Thanks for your testing and explanations. I am one of extremely rare Airstream owners in Europe. Mine is an International, 8.3 m from end to the towing glove. Reassuring to see alt the quality aspects you point out. In Europe, the suspension is changed to a german make with boggy right under the middle of the Airstream body, with torsion axles made of spring steel inside. To each wheel you will find an electric motor attached(4 in all), in this way you can do fine maneuvering in thight places with a remote control unit. In Europe electro mechanical or electro hydraulic brakes on trailers are not allowed, unfortunately, so trailers can only have surge brakes. The inside of the Airstream is somewhat different from the american versions, kind of more timeless where design is more emphasized than the practicality of the interior. It has an hydronic heating system from Alde, and this Airstream is 10 years old.
The countertop is entirely made of corean, the hardest plastic substance available, from Dupont, one inch thick. Mine Airstream is a narrow body, even more rare, Airstream stopped the production of this line long time ago, solely meant for the European market. It tows extremely nice on the narrow winding steep roads of Norway with plenty of mountain passes. As a towing vehicle, I use a F150 ecoboost. This vehicle, believe or not, is a special import, not as rare as an Airstream, but still. In Europe you will not find vehicles which matches the full size pickups of USA. F150 is a nice towing vehicle with lots of power, where the engine yields the full torque at low rpm. I just wanted you to know that many europeans admire the camping trailers from USA, and not least the full size american pickup trucks.

[raquelfelix]

Thank you for the honest review we were thinking about getting the flying cloud and saw/read so many comments about the Frontend separation that we got second thoughts. the fact that you repair RV's gives me the confidence to continue looking until I find the right one.

[Jakerthesnaker]

26’ airstream $100, 000.
26’ fema trailer brand new, but sat for a year $9, 000. Easy choice for me who camps a few times a year.

[camrodger]

I found the wiring in our Classic 30 to be an absolute rats nest. The wiring in our Leisure Travel Van is loomed and attached to walls. Much higher quality build.

[benhandley]

My Grand Design had a water leak just outside the window!! Thank you for this video!!

[thephoenix]

The "Keep Your Daydream" folks on that channel have a Flying Cloud and had the separation issue with theirs. They have a vid showing the repairs done to it. It's quite an extensive process done by an Airstream specialist - where they rip out the whole storage compartment and wall framing and essentially start over and add an additional framing kit to reinforce the entire base of the frame. (...if mentioning "frame" was a drinking game, y'all wouldn't make it to the end of this passage... :) ) I dont recall them talking about the cost, however, I'm sure it was at least several thousand $, $$$ to reconstruct it.

[lancomedic]

Regarding the Airstream’s suspension it was implied that the suspension may not be high quality because the CCC is lower than comparable trailers. Is it possible that the empty vehicle weight is greater because of the construction materials (aluminum vs fiberglass) thereby cutting into your carrying capacity? I would like to hear your opinion of the actual suspension. Aside from that there is so little storage space on an Airstream it might be difficult to overload it anyway.

[JumpingJacks]

This was a huge help to us as we are looking at the 20x base camp. That cargo capacity means if we change the bed out for something heavier and travel with water alot of stuff will have to go in our truck. =(

[kameemw]

Just discovered your channel and subscribed! Your timing is perfect.

[davekeller]

I own a 2006 airstream 25FB. You’re right about the front storage problem. But many airstreams like mine don’t have that configuration. So, most airstreams are fine. Everyone I’ve talked to love their airstream and many of these people have had junk R.V. in the past. I give mine an A. Also mine has new wheels and tires and looks like a 2024 model. It’s timeless and tows beautifully.