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ALUMINATION: A Documentary (coming 2017) about Airstream and the RV Lifestyle


Siren

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A really neat documentary is on the brink of being completed. Filmmaker, Eric Bricker, set out over 2 1/2 years ago with the idea of featuring Airstream as an architectural great of modern design, but through interviews and filming, he discovered that not only is Airstream an icon of the RV industry, it signifies adventure and a spirited lifestyle in American culture.

When Eric released the movie trailer, I was grinning from ear to ear because I think he really "gets" what the nomadic lifestyle is all about. It is a great history lesson of all things Airstream, but more importantly, Airstream simply became the vehicle through which all these stories of fulltiming and adventures were told. This really is a celebration of life on the road, the simple things, and enjoying the present moment.

He has the blessing of Airstream, and up until this point, was self-funded. He wants to keep this film independent, so as not to be labeled propaganda for the company. If you feel inspired to help support Eric Bricker complete this film, he has one week left on his Kickstarter campaign. You can watch the ALUMINATION trailer here:
ALUMINATION, a feature-length documentary by Eric Bricker --Kickstarter

Here are some cool articles that were recently written up on the documentary:
Alumination is a Film Every RVer Will Want to Experience - RV Life Magazine
Finally, Airstream Fanatics Have a Documentary - Men's Journal
Talking Alumination with Eric Bricker - Airstream

Disclaimer: I had the chance to meet Eric this past Thanksgiving. cheesy.gif He is my brother-in law's sister's significant other. It was cool to hear about his journey and personal evolution with this film. Neat guy!

Amanda (& Douglas)

BT & Lily *meow*

1997 Foretravel U320 40'

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Until you’ve owned and traveled in an Airstream, you can only surmise what it is.


To start, the Airstream running gear has a rubber torsion suspension such that each wheel is independently sprung and aligned (toe in and camber). Its low center of gravity and monocoque construction makes it lightweight and aerodynamic and very towable. There have been some Airstreams built with slides, but the frame of the shell, being monocoque, does not lend itself to having a slide without a major structural re-engineering to integrate the heavier steel slide frame. The Airstream is built from the outside in unlike other RV’s which are built from the inside out. What this means is that the shell is hand bucked and attached to the frame and flooring; then everything inside the Airstream (cabinets, furnishings, refrigerator, etc.) are brought into the trailer through the main doorway and installed. There is a free factory tour given daily which is very interesting; I’ve taken it a couple of times as I have the regular maintenance service done at the factory (in Jackson Center, OH) on my way south for the winter.


As for interior design, there is a finite amount of volume which can be configured to suit you. My own is a 1987 32-foot which has some nice amenities such as a bench in the shower stall and a built in laundry hamper. Airstreams can be custom ordered. The factory has recently increased its production facilities by almost 90% as demand had increased to the point that they were over 3 months of orders waiting for production. Airstreams manufactured in Ohio are shipped to Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand & South America.


About 2/3rds of all Airstreams ever built are still on the road; many of the older (vintage) ones have been rebuilt and modernized. As old Airstream owners hang up the keys when they can no longer drive, there is an opportunity for a new owner to acquire an older unit – which is how I acquired mine.


So, please refrain from blind criticism of the Airstream trailer; while it may not be suitable for your particular use, it is nevertheless a well-built RV with a demonstrated exception longevity.

Trailer = 1987 Airstream Excella 32'

Truck = 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel

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So, please refrain from blind criticism of the Airstream trailer...

 

I've not seen any "blind criticism" of Airstream trailers in this thread. What I've seen is observations that they are quite expensive (which they are) and an observation that someone thought the configuration wasn't particularly livable.

 

I think statements like "Until you’ve owned and traveled in an Airstream, you can only surmise what it is." are a bit silly. I don't have to own a particular trailer to judge its suitability for my particular purpose or lifestyle. We looked at Airstreams and rejected them based on storage, features and price. Nothing blind about making that type of judgement.

 

With that being said, I am glad that there are many different types and brands of trailers on the market for us to choose from. It would be a pretty boring world otherwise.

Mark & Teri

2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350

Mark & Teri's Travels

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With that being said, I am glad that there are many different types and brands of trailers on the market for us to choose from.

Some Airstream owners seem to be almost cult like, which is a very good thing if you happen to be in the business of selling them. Just about any brand of RV has some loyal supporters but few are as loyal as Airstream. I know of no other brand which has RV parks that allow only the one brand of RV to stay in them, but Airstream does have a few.(Isn't that discrimination? :P ) It is also interesting to me that owners of Airstreams 30 years old, still support those just off of the assembly line as the same construction. It may be true, but I really can't say. They seem to be the "Harley Davidson" of the RV world.

 

I'm happy to know that folks who own Airstream RVs love them, but the same is true for any brand. It is really a good thing when an RV owner considers what he has to be the best in the market, no matter what brand that is because all of us want the perfect RV. Just as there are brands that I consider to be leaders in what we might want to own, there are also some that we would never consider. With Airstream's unique design it is inevitable that many of us could never be happy in one, while others consider the design to be the only acceptable way. Capitalism at it's very best!

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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They seem to be the "Harley Davidson" of the RV world.

 

 

I agree. The statement "Until you’ve owned and traveled in an Airstream, you can only surmise what it is." is similar in my mind to the common Harley Davidson patch stating "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand". I don't own an Airstream or a Harley, but I can surmise and understand respectively what they are about. Neither is all that mysterious!!

 

But customer loyalty is a valuable thing to have, and both of those companies have it at levels that are pretty amazing...

Mark & Teri

2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350

Mark & Teri's Travels

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A long-time friend owns a 1970's Airstream. He took it back to the factory about 10 years ago and had it polished. Sitting on their lot, I couldn't tell it from the new ones.

There is an Airstream only RV park near Melborne, FL. where they and his in-laws spend the winter. He's unable to drive now, so his wife towed their airstream there last year and set it up permantly.

 

2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.  John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961

 

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