What camping setup do you have?

I love the size and style of those, but good hell, the price!?

 

Yeah, it's tough to swallow. I do think if it was pre-pandemic and these were built the same, they would cost at least 10k less. Thought about getting an earlier model but with what the missus wanted and what I wanted, this MY was the best compromise. I, honestly, did not start out wanting an Airstream. Felt better about it when I started watching videos like these:

 

Even at top quality, they cost more than my truck and I can't bring myself to pay that much for a travel trailer. I know I simply wouldn't use it enough. I'd have to live in it to make it worth the money. LOL

 

Heck, half of the tear drop trailers you can get now cost as much as my truck is worth. I really want a decent tear drop but can't stomach the $20k+ it would run me, set up like I would want.

 

Yup. The panicdemic pretty well booted all the outdoor hobbies into being hip and trendy, and prices all went bonkers. They were expensive for what they are in the first place, but now a glorified cargo trailer with a tip out tent bed will cost you $20K for a basic model with no heat or AC.

 

Where I don't think you're wrong, I do think you're looking at this from a different perspective.

This type of camper I bought is all contained. I can sleep in it comfortably, eat in it, shit in it, clean in it outside and inside, theoretically keep all electronics working, and move this home anywhere in the ConUS comfortably. That would be something that would be hard-pressed to do with just a truck.

I agree that buying a camper more than you paid for a vehicle sounds insane but at the same time, like you said, panicdemic, coupled with rising costs of everything, the cost I paid for this camper is not outside the realm of sanity.

But, at the same time, I'm not going to convince someone to stretch their budget for something they're not comfortable with. Just like I wouldn't convince someone who was vegan why I like meat and hope they see it from my side. They've already made their choice.

 

Oh I'd love to have one. Maybe if I decide to go nomad I'd do it, but I certainly don't fault anyone who gets them. If the budget allows I don't think you can do better than an airstream. Not unless you have the skills to build one yourself or got a true custom unit built.

I love them, and the basecamp specifically. I'm just bitter I can't justify the cost!

 

Selling this guy for $12,500

 

Ah, okay. I see where you're coming from now. Since this is my first camper, I don't know what I don't know but with the information I do have, we feel that this one has hit the sweet spot for me, the missus, and our three dogs. Just like buying Toyota, I'm hoping this will last longer than most.

Not gonna lie though, it did put a pause on me buying my LC500.

On another note of expensive campers, have you seen the Pebble Flow? That thing is wild.

 

Oh it'll last ages if you take care of it. There are 30 year old Airstreams still on the road. They're expensive because of the reputation they built as essentially being bulletproof.

I've never heard of Pebble Flow; but if a guy with an Airstream is telling me it's expensive, I'm pretty sure I'd have a stroke seeing the price.

 

Details?

A little teardrop like that with enough tongue to mount a motorcycle carrier and haul a bigger bike would be sweet. Not sure that one would handle the bike I want someday, but it's a nice looking trailer.

 

Lol, not from a price standpoint but from a tech standpoint. Obviously, quality is something that's still on the table but if you really want to be cutting edge on camping, pair it with a cybertruck and their electric quad and you got an all-electric set up for glamping.

Edit: Strictly as a pound for pound between the two (price and tech), look up Living Vehicle. Those things are trying to bring the urban lifestyle into the campsite.

 

You ever see these things?

https://youtu.be/mIGC3uPHXw4

 

2017 Teardrops NW Trek. Modified with 4" Timbren lift, 285/75/17 on OE Toyota wheels, custom crash bars, 7g (?) Waterport on roof, 6' fishing pole carrier, RotoPax, 200W solar...lots more.

Picked up the Lance last month so selling this. Tons more pics on my IG: @az_pikies

Ad says $15K, haven't adjusted the price yet. Son is coming to visit in May and looking to do a trip with him driving the 4R/Teardrop and me in the Tundra/Lance so in no rush to sell:

2017 TeardropsNW Trek for Sale in Gilbert, AZ - OfferUp

 

Here is mine. Got it out last weekend.
Jayco 267bhsw

Works for a family of 5. Youngest sleeps on the fold down couch. Dog sleeps on the floor.

We have put alot into the trailer and a bunch of small feature upgrades. Biggest investments were the solar panels on the roof and new 6000# axles. Not to stir panic but 3500# axles don't last on these bigger trailers. Our rear axle was eating tires.

 

I'm impressed. Too bad it isn't sold in the US. I actually considered the Alto Safari Condo but with it being my first camper, I didn't want something I couldn't get serviced quickly here in TX.

Too bad we don't have a thread on a buyer's guide for travel trailers or innovative designs. Been really caught up watching a lot of different designs on these things on YouTube. Since getting an Airstream, and the fact that they're so iconic, I actually prefer their differing designs i.e. when they come out with themed trims or things like the Nest. It also got me looking and really appreciating similar designs like the Spartan and Bowlus.

 

co worker of mine had to have their torsion axles re arched as they had cambered so bad it ate tires in short order.
I now notice camber on many bigger trailers with torsions.

 

Leaf spring axles here.....and I notice the same thing on other trailers.

My rear axle bow was gone. 3500# axles on a 2017.

 

That looks slick but the price is up there if I am not mistaking

 

Yes. Insane price. Over a quarter mil.

 

“The shake shack”

 

Not sure if I ever updated this particular camping setup thread. 2020 Grand Design Transcend 265BH. Upgraded in September of 22 from a 1968 24’ Prowler that I had remodeled inside. Sold the quad and quad trailer. We Love it! Looking forward to many more trips!

Current Setup:


old setup

 

Yikes! That is pretty far out. Almost looks like your could flip the axle 180 and be back to normal camber!

What the hell do you have loaded in that thing?!? The cement pad just gave right up. Haha

 

Will your bikes fit below your kayaks if you take both? I've been thinking about getting a bed rack for our kayaks, but hoping the bikes would still fit underneath.

 

You could always get a kayak rack that allows you to carry your bikes on the side.

 

I'm poor and also like to camp in remote areas. I have a 10x6 lifted utility trailer that hauls my ATV, then when I get to my spot, I have a pickup bed tent that goes into the trailer. I pump up an air mattress and I am always comfy, off the ground, and on a flat surface.

 

Second trip on the build. Still not finished, but getting there!

The "Tool Kitchen"

 

@YotaFan05 They do not currently because I have a DECKED system, and when I built my rack I didn't factor that in/it would have been stupidly tall. I put them inside the camper last time and I think I'm going to make a small frame for putting the fork mounts on that I can set in the camper on the floor to "lock them into place" more easily.

Dammit @KB Voodoo .... now you have me wanting to fab something like that up or get yours and mount to my superstrut homebuilt frame

 

That’s awesome haha . You gotta do a write up on that setup!

 

Thanks! Still quite a bit to be done..was thinking of posting the entire build. Have pics of the whole process.