ata3001
Niagara Falls, NY
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With the well known fact that Airstream trailers are a dream to pull because of the way they cut through the air, why haven't any other manufacturers adopted this rounded design in any of their current offerings & do you think they may now consider adopting the Airstream design in near future TT's in this age of high fuel costs?
Ron & BJ
2008 Dutchmen Freedom Spirit FS180LE (24 FT) w/full privacy glass & front window
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LAdams
Northern Illinois
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Too expensive... The Monocoque construction of the Airstream is unique and very labor intensive to fabricate... I doubt you will find any US manufacturer trying to duplicate it...
Les
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Corbay
Jamestown, ND
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A Scamp would be the closest thing.
http://www.scamptrailers.com/
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rolnrolnroln
WA
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Joined: 02/15/2004
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LAdams is correct. Airstreams are not just square TTs that have been rounded off. Monocoque is how airplanes are made. The skin becomes a stressed member of the unit and carries part of the load. This allows a lighter weight for a given size and strength. Handling and matching all those panels is time consuming. The panels also require riveting to maintain the strength. I too doubt any factory would undertake to duplicate the AS design.
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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ata3001 wrote:With the well known fact that Airstream trailers are a dream to pull because of the way they cut through the air, why haven't any other manufacturers adopted this rounded design in any of their current offerings & do you think they may now consider adopting the Airstream design in near future TT's in this age of high fuel costs?
A dream to pull.... that us the truth! I would believe that the trailer designers/builders are currently burning the midnight oil in an attempt to design and build offerings for the future. Those offerings will need to be compatible with smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient TV's.
Actually there is a new company out that is producing a light, aerodynamic TT that looks similar, well sort of, to an Airstream.
Oliver TT's
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Hiker3
Florida
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Joined: 01/21/2007
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Road Ruler wrote:
Actually there is a new company out that is producing a light, aerodynamic TT that looks similar, well sort of, to an Airstream.
Question...what if someone hits your fiberglass trailer? Looks like it would be expensive to repair??
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
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19Sandie54
AZ
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Joined: 01/24/2005
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I've seen an Oliver in person and loved it. They really did a great job on them. We are actually considering one in the future, possibly next year. Jim Oliver has invited my dh and I to fly out to Tenn and he will have someone pick us up at the airport and put us up in a hotel for a few days so we can tour the plant where there made. May take him up on that offer.
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Essie2Go
Canada
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We have an Escape. Rounded corners as well but not so round that we can't have a front window like the Oliver. They are also beautifully made little trailers. I haven't had to repair ours yet but I assume I could use the canoe patch kit if the damage isn't too bad.
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Hiker3
Florida
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Yes, it looks like a great design -- too heavy for my TV, but one can dream.
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19Sandie54
AZ
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Olivers GVWR is 3500#...less weight than some pups.
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