What’s So Special about Airstreams?

Many Americans have nostalgic memories of traveling the roads with an Airstream travel trailer.  They aren’t hard to miss with their solid silver-colored bodies covered in rivets.  In fact, owning an Airstream is like being a part of an exclusive club of like-minded recreationists who have access to Airstream-only campgrounds.  New Airstreams range from $37,000 to $150,000, and people will spend almost as much renovating vintage models.  So what makes this brand of a travel trailer so special? Here are some thoughts from the DuraFlap Airstream Mudflaps team.

If you’ve ever enjoyed camping in an Airstream, you can thank Wally Byam.  Wally was the grandchild of pioneers that headed West on the Oregon Trail, and that sense of adventure also filled his spirit.  Even though he began a career in journalism, advertising, and publishing after graduating from Stanford, he valued the time he spent camping with his wife, Marion.  Spending days in the wilderness was great, but sleeping on the ground was not–so Wally developed a travel trailer to improve their experiences.  Soon they began receiving orders from their friends, and not long after that, Wally opened the first Airstream factory in Culver City, California, in 1931.

There are models to fit just about any family’s needs.  Today’s travel trailers range from 16’3” to around 33” in length.  The exterior is constructed of mirror-like aluminum–the same material they use to build aircraft.  Each piece of the surface is hand-riveted over a steel frame.  You’ll only find plywood used on the subfloor where it is contained with a double-frame to keep it from rotting.  All the original furniture and appliances must be hand-crated into the airstream for installation–another laborious process–because the exterior’s style doesn’t allow for dropping them down through the ceiling during the manufacturing process.  In fact, it takes approximately 280 labor hours to construct an Airstream.  

The rounded shape of the Airstream travel trailer is unique, and while it makes it very recognizable, it also comes with a few challenges.  First of all, Airstream produces its proprietary line of furniture custom designed to fit the unusual shape of the trailers.  Cabinetry is custom designed for Airstreams, too, and unfortunately, owners may find they don’t have as much space in the uppers because of the rounded ceilings.  

The final product is well-insulated, attractive, and highly durable.  Approximately 70% of Airstreams manufactured since day one are still in use by campers today.  Purchasing an Airstream is considered a good investment that will provide a family with decades of recreational adventure and will likely be passed down through the generations.

If you’re pulling an Airstream, we’ve got the Airstream mudflaps for your truck to match!

You’ve already invested in a fantastic Airstream travel trailer, so why wouldn’t you want the matching Airstream mudflaps for your truck?  DuraFlap’s high-quality mudflaps are made right here in the USA, so your purchase goes to support hard-working American families like yours.  We pride ourselves in making the only customizable mudflaps that do not require a mechanic to drill new holes for installation onto your truck.  Plus, you can add your personality to your rig by selecting artwork from our online catalog, like our Airstream design.  If you don’t see something that sparks your interest, we can create a design from a sketch or idea you give us.  We’ll show you just how easy it is to get your truck ready for your next road trip.  Call us today at 541-245-9148 to get started!