Airstream, an American brand renowned for its travel trailers, is instantly recognizable by its rounded and polished aluminum coachwork. This unique design, tracing back to the 1930s, was inspired by the Bowlus Road Chief, with engineering input from Hawley Bowlus, who also worked on the Spirit of St. Louis.
Manufacturing and Corporate Details:
- Airstream trailers are manufactured in Jackson Center, Ohio.
- The company is a division of Thor Industries.
- Employing over 800 people, it’s celebrated as the oldest manufacturer in the industry.
History and Evolution:
- Wally Byam, the founder, started Airstream in the late 1920s in Los Angeles, initially building trailers from Masonite.
- In 1936, Byam introduced the “Airstream Clipper,” mirroring the 1935 Bowlus Road Chief but with a side door. Priced at $1,200, it housed four people and featured electric lights and water supply.
- Airstream was the only survivor out of over 400 travel trailer builders during the Depression era.
- Post-World War II, the company resumed production, and by 1952, established a new facility in Jackson Center, Ohio.
- Airstream started manufacturing the Argosy, a Class A motorhome, in 1974.
- In 1979, Airstream introduced its Classic model motorhome.
- The company stopped making Class A motorhomes in 2006.
Modern Era and Innovations:
- Current models include Basecamp, Bambi, Caravel, Flying Cloud, International, and Classic, ranging from 16 to 33 feet.
- In February 2022, Airstream unveiled an all-electric concept trailer with various recharging options and advanced features like 5G connectivity.
Production Capacity:
- As of 2015, Airstream produced 50 trailers per week, aiming to increase by 50%.
- By April 2016, the production rate was 72 trailers per week, with a goal to increase further.
Nest Acquisition:
- Acquired Nest Caravans in 2016, known for molded fiberglass trailers. Airstream Nest production began in Ohio and was scheduled for 2018 but was discontinued in 2020.
Airstream Parks and Community:
- The United States hosts over a dozen Airstream parks, catering to owners and enthusiasts.
- Airstreamers, a community of RV enthusiasts, share a bond over these trailers, often participating in group travels and rallies.
Involvement in Space Program:
- Airstream trailers served as mobile quarantine facilities for Apollo mission astronauts.
- NASA used Airstream motorhomes, like the Astrovan, to transport astronauts to launch pads.
- In 2019, Boeing announced using a modified Airstream Atlas for transporting astronauts to the Starliner spacecraft.
Military Use:
- The U.S. Air Force uses modified Airstreams, known as Silver Bullets, for official transport during overseas travel, featuring luxury amenities.