Airstream Qualities

The Unique Qualities of an Airstream Trailer

By: Lisa Renee Sherman

The underlying spirit of America is that of freedom and exploration. This great country has been built on these concepts and has maintained through the decades. From a marketing aspect, one of the largest accomplishments of Wally Byam was connecting the desire for freedom and exploration with the brand of Airstream. These emotions, paired with a very unique style, has captured the hearts of many adventurers around the world.

Without a doubt, the Airstream today isn’t considered the “Cadillac” of trailers as it once was. Time has marched on and modern designs have evolved from a modern world. The contemporary concept of Airstream isn’t what draws individuals towards it. The brand represents emotions, and memories that are hard to find words for. It is a picture from yesterday, and a hope for tomorrow.

It is the excitement of unknown places and the comfortableness of revisited destinations. It is the image of a country, and individually that of a man, that climbed out of the Great Depression and survived to see better days.

One glance at the rounded caps, “mirror like finish”, and torpedo shape and the Airstream is automatically recognized. The use of aluminum proved to be more than smarts on the behalf of Byam. The concept behind using aluminum was that it was cost friendly, yet offered strength and durability.

This isn’t what caught the eye of the public though. It was the sparkling “mirror finish” that illuminated under the rays of the sun. Very quickly this cost effective material became the signature aspect of the Airstream name brand.

Each owner of Airstream has had a desire to stamp their mark on this American icon, but the Airstream has been revered for its basic style that really hasn’t been altered for generations. There have been slight variations or modifications here and there, but by and large the trademark design of Wally Byam has stayed true. The first trailers were the experiments of Byam, himself. His constant tweaking and changing noted a designer perfecting his creation.

It wasn’t until the 50’s when the standard body style became the icon of Airstream trailers. There have been subtle changes throughout the years, and one of significance is a structure modification around the time of 1982. Trailers prior to this year were made out of .032” thick aircraft grade aluminum alloy. There was then a thin layer of pure aluminum adhered to both sides of the aluminum alloy.

This type of panel is known as “alclad aluminum”. At some point during 1982, the company switched to .040” non alclad aluminum. This is a much softer form of aluminum and easier to work with. The only major draw back was that without having the pure aluminum cladding of the prior trailers it lacked some of that “mirror finish” look.

Basically there are two categories of Airstream trailers; vintage and modern. Although there is differences in the hearts of owners, the production is basically the same. Still today the trailers are hand formed and assembled on the floor of the main plant. Jackson Center, Ohio has become the home of Airstream ever since 1978.

Virtually, every part of the Airstream trailer is crafted at this manufacturing plant. Each window is custom made from over twenty six various options, and even the furniture is hand crafted to insure that if fits into the trailer.

The very first part of the trailer that is formed is that of the famous end caps. They are rated for withstanding 100 tons of pressure. Each end is hand molded in order to create that unique and individualized shape. Depending on the model, there could be up to ten individual pieces used to create just the end shell. When the end caps are formed and riveted together they are then adhered to a metal frame and work begins on the side walls.

The aluminum ribs are hand bent and shaped into place along large wall forms. After the sides are formed then they are placed between the end caps and joined together by rivets. Airstream estimates that they use about 1200 to 4500 rivets in a single trailer, depending on the model.

Though the cost of aluminum has changed since the Great Depression, it is still a highly valued material for Airstream. Depending on the model of the trailer custom ordered, it could very easily take up to twenty four pieces of aluminum to create the entire shell. The shell is then hoisted up and placed over the plywood sub floor that was cut out in the shape of the trailer. The roof is also formed from aluminum and is dropped into place over the shell and is joined to the body of the trailer. After the entire shell is formed then the work on the inside begins.

The uniqueness of this trailer isn’t merely its aluminum texture, or “monocoque” looks. It is that for the most part, it is still constructed much like those of Wally Byam. The rich tradition and emotions that the Airstream trailer brings with it is what has enabled it to stand against competition and hardships.

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