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1. I've seen Airstreams in movies, do they still make them? Yes, they do. Airstream celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2006. The hand riveted aluminium bodied Airstream travel trailer has been made continuously throughout the company's history. 2. Europe – Has Airstream sold to Europe before? Not with a compliant EU product. From 1936 to 1969, Airstream travel trailers were all made 7ft 6" wide, making them well sized for narrower European roads. The company founder Wally Byam led a tour ('caravan') of Airstreams throughout Europe in 1956, marking the start of a long association with Europe. Now over 50 years later, Airstream has launched a new range of its travel trailers designed specifically for European customer's needs. 3. Buy new for Europe – Can't I import from the USA? Some people do, but the majority of units offered 2nd hand in Europe are those built after 1969, with wider (8ft or 8ft 6") bodies and relatively heavy gross weights and nose weights. This makes them illegal in some countries and a poor/ potentially unsafe match for most EU tow cars. US origin units are not compliant with UK/ EU requirements, may need repairs (which can be difficult to cost) before they can be used safely, are sold without manufacturer's warranty, appliances are not EU origin making service & spare parts hard to obtain, insurers may decline to provide cover etc. Maintenance, especially of vintage vehicles can be expensive and very time consuming. 4. Pricing – How much will the new EU Airstreams cost? In the US, new Airstreams tend to sell for 300% more than the average white box brand and 200% more than the closest competing brand. Why? The Airstream is a premium product with a rounded body shell that is time consuming to make and pricing reflects this. The mark up/difference in price between an Airstream and competing white box brands is similar in Europe. 5. EU Models – what floorplans and finishes are available? See the following page. <<top>> 6. Availability – when can I see and buy an EU Airstream? Visit your nearest Airstream approved retailer or up coming exhition and place your order. Delivery will depend on availability and current lead times. 7. What is different about the new EU trailer fleet? The new EU Airstream fleet shares the same design of body shell that makes the product distinctively and uniquely Airstream – the riveted aluminium aircraft-construction body with its curved side walls and stretch formed panels to the end shells. Many other aspects of the construction have been re-thought the main goal being to reduce gross weight by circa 20-30% and nose weight by 50% and more. This allows the EU range to be towed by smaller and lighter EU tow cars. The following changes have been implemented for the EU range: • Overall body width reduced (2.3m and 2.5m), to suit smaller roads / driveways • Range of optional equipment conceived - 'take only what you need' • Gross weight reduced further by using lighter materials • Approach / departure angles increased for steeper drives / ferry ramps • Coupling height reduced to suit EU tow vehicles & directives • Nose weight reduced by moving axle(s) forwards • Layouts developed for balanced weight distribution & low inertia • Fresh water tanks placed close to or forwards of axle(s) • Stability evaluated by consultant team against known benchmarks • Bed sizes & fridge capacity maximised for user comfort 8. Production – where will the EU Airstreams be made? The EU range will be produced at Jackson Center, Ohio, USA, with some finishing work undertaken in the UK (final fit of appliances, soft furnishings, certification etc.) Many component parts of the new EU models are supplied by European companies, including: • Chassis / running gear (BPW) • internal joinery (Moser) • electrical system (Sargent Electrical) • heating / hot water system (Alde) • fresh water system (Whale and John Guest) • soft furnishings (Leisure Furnishings) • gas system (Truma and Danfast) • cooking appliances (Spinflo and Sharp) • toilet and air conditioning (Dometic) 9. How do the EU and US body shell sizes compare? It is best not to make comparisons between US and European models in terms of size as the US vehicle is very different internally to those Airstreams specifically designed and built for Europe. European vehicles are not available in the US and vice-versa. Added to this the light-weight furniture, upholstery, appliances, heating, electrical system, and many additional components are of a higher specification in European models. 10. Do the EU models comply with EU requirements? The new EU trailer fleet is being designed, tested & certified to match the capabilities of EU tow cars, narrower EU roads and specific EU adopted standards and national legislation. Each Airstream Europe floorplan is developed in collaboration with the National Caravan Council (NCC) in the UK, who operate an independent certification scheme, to ensure compliance with the harmonised European standards (BS EN's) and other relevant national legislation (such as TUV in Germany, RDW in Holland etc.) 11. EU dealerships – where can I buy an Airstream in Europe? Distribution will be from Airstream Europe's base in the north west of the UK. Dealers have been appointed in other European countries with more to be added. New dealerships will be announced in the European Airstream email newsletter and displayed on our website. TOWING AN EU AIRSTREAM 12. Size – why are caravans smaller in Europe than the US? Average tow vehicle sizes and weights in Europe are lower than in the US, the main driver being higher fuel prices in Europe. There are also restrictions on the weight of vehicle and trailer that an ordinary car licence holder can use (this mainly affects younger drivers). Hence the size and weight of caravan or trailer that can be safely and legally towed - and which will find a ready market - is less in Europe than in the US. 13. Weights – what do European Airstreams weigh? See our specification page to see what European Airstreams weigh? 14. UK dimensions – why are UK models narrower in width than US models? Dimension limits apply in the UK limiting the size of trailer body length towable by a domestic car (gross weight less than 3500kg) to 7m (22ft 11 1⁄2") long and 2.3m (7ft 6 1⁄2") wide. The Airstream body width for the UK market is 2216mm / 7ft 3 1⁄4" externally - so as to leave sufficient margin for boiler flues, door handle to give an overall width of 7ft 5 1/4" with an allowance of an additional 3/4" for the optional Zipdee awning to achieve the maximum UK overall width of 2286mm / 7ft 6". 15. My car has a tow rating of 3000kg. Can I tow this much? The "tow rating" is a recommendation set by the vehicle manufacturer, which refers to the ability of the vehicle's power, cooling and transmission systems to handle load - typically what it can pull up a 1 in 12 gradient at a standing start. This is not necessarily what it is suited in reality to tow under a wide variety of conditions, not least speed. Real life towing conditions impose greater demands on the tow vehicle than this theoretical test. Hence, whilst some EU vehicles have tow ratings up to 3500KG, this does not mean caravans of this weight can be safely towed, thus tow ratings can be misleading. A caravan is a high sided object. When towed behind a car, it behaves aerodynamically in a different way from say a flat bed trailer carrying cargo. Hence recommendations for caravan towed weights are usually far more modest. 16. Outfit matching, step 1 – what principles should I follow? First check whether the laden weight of the Airstream is a match for the kerbweight of your proposed tow car. Look in the car handbook or on the car manufacturer's website, or speak to your local dealer to check the kerbweight of the car. The Caravan Club in the UK recommend towing a caravan with an actual laden weight not greater than 85% of the kerbweight of the tow vehicle to achieve maximum control and stability. Towing a caravan with a laden weight greater than 100% of the kerbside weight of the towing vehicle is not recommended. So, to correctly match your EU Airstream to a tow vehicle, we advise using the lesser of the tow vehicle manufacturer's recommended "tow rating", or 85% (or up to 100% for experienced caravanners) of the tow vehicle's kerbweight. 17. Outfit matching, step 2 – is noseweight important? Yes, check that the predicted noseweight of the laden Airstream does not exceed the lower of the noseweight limit of your proposed tow car, or the towball fitted to it. In reality, noseweight will change according to the options fitted and how you load the Airstream with personal effects. UK Caravanning organisations recommend for maximum towing stability that the noseweight be about 7% of the actual laden weight of the caravan, providing this does not exceed: • the noseweight limits stated by the towcar and towball manufacturer • or the trailer A frame or coupling maximum load rating as stated by the trailer chassis manufacturer. Airstream have worked with BPW to ensure both the chassis A frame and coupling ratings are sufficiently high (140-150kg) to not be a constraint. 18. Outfit matching, step 3 – where can I get independent advice? If you have any doubts on matching your outfit, we recommend you seek independent advice: • register with Towsafe, who operate a Car / Caravan Outfit Matching Service - http://www.towsafe.co.uk/what.asp. • Join a caravan club, to access their advice and services, for example in the UK, the Caravan Club (www.caravanclub.co.uk) provides advice free of charge to members. One of their many technical leaflets that members can download gives common tow car kerbweights and noseweights. Once you start using your car / Airstream outfit, visit a weighbridge to check your laden weights do not exceed what they should be, contact your local Council for a full list of weighbridges in your area. 19. Tow cars – what cars will suit EUAirstreams? Generally: • the single axle 532/534 EU Airstreams have been designed to be within the capabilities of large estate cars, MPV's, crew cab pick ups and mid sized 4x4's. • the larger twin axle 684 EU Airstream will require a large to extra large 4x4. Your choice will depend on the engine size of the car (the larger engine models have higher kerbweights) and the options fitted to the Airstream, which will affect its actual laden weight. 20. Drivers Licence – Is the license you have an issue? In the UK, yes. Drivers who passed their car licence test in the UK after 1/1/97 (or who have been issued a new licence after this date, EG because of a ban) have lesser entitlements when it comes to towing – a category B licence holder cannot legally exceed 100% of the un-laden weight of the tow vehicle. There is also a lower Gross Train Weight limit of 3500kg for braked trailers over 750kg, unless the driver takes an additional practical driving test B+E, at which point the legal 100% limit and GTW limit does not apply. 21. Towbars - what types are there? Towbars fitted to EU cars first registered after 1 August 1998 must be type approved under Directive 94/20/EC (except off road vehicles and light commercial vehicles do not yet have to comply with the EC Directive). Type approved towbars are stamped with an S value – the maximum vertical static load on the towball or eye, measured in kg (noseweight). This tends to mirror the noseweight capacity of the vehicle it is fitted to. Before having a new towbar fitted, contact an industry association, such as the National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) in the UK, www.ntta.co.uk for advice on selection and fitting. 22. What is the coupling height for the EU models? Coupling heights for the '06/07 Airstream models (when loaded to MTPLM and level) are; 532 – 433mm 684 – 463mm These coupling heights are towards the upper end of the range allowed in Europe, in order to allow a caravan mover device to be fitted under the chassis as optional equipment. 23. Axles – what axles does Airstream use for the EU models? All models of the EU range come with BPW torsion bar axles fitted as standard. Considered superior to the rubber suspension axles used by most EU manufacturers, the torsion bar axle gives a 'softer' ride and the bearings included in the axle itself result in more precise tracking of the wheel. The 684 twin axle model uses load compensation axles. These allow equal distribution of weight between both axles, ensuring optimum stability at different coupling heights and whilst braking. 24. Payload - How much can I put in the Airstream? Payload is the difference between the MTPLM and MIRO. It comprises 3 elements: Essential habitation equipment, Optional equipment and Personal effects. There is little you can do to reduce the amount of essential habitation equipment (hence the term 'essential'). As the total payload is restricted, it follows that the more optional equipment you choose to have installed on the Airstream (air conditioning, fresh water tank, microwave etc.), the less allowance will remain for personal effects (clothing, kitchen items etc.). If you wish your Airstream to be as light as possible, so you can use the smallest most fuel efficient tow car possible, then you should keep optional equipment and personal effects to the minimum you can. 25. Weighing before a trip – what should I weigh and how? There is no substitute for weighing everything you wish to take with you, before you start loading, at least the first time you take the Airstream away for a trip. Then periodically take the towcar and Airstream when both are laden for travel to a weighbridge to ensure you are not exceeding either the MTPLM of the caravan, gross vehicle weight of the car, or gross train weight (laden weight of car and caravan combined). You should also check the noseweight of the Airstream periodically, which can be done using a set of bathroom scales. 26. Stabilisers – is one fitted and how does it work? The Airstream Europe chassis made by BPW is fitted as standard with a Winterhoff WS3000 overrun coupling, with integrated stabiliser, approved for noseweight up to 150kg and max trailer load of 3000kg. A wear indicator shows when the friction pads require periodic replacement. Stabilisers are designed to reduce/ dampen snaking and pitching between the towcar and trailer. However, the use of a stabiliser should not be seen as a substitute for a well matched tow vehicle/ trailer combination that is correctly set up (hitch height, tyre inflation etc.), properly loaded and driven at sensible speeds. 27. Towing instruction / courses – do I need any? Novice caravanners will gain increased confidence and also reduce the risk of accidents and damage to their outfit, or other persons / property, by attending an instruction course before using the Airstream for the first time. In the UK, drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997 (or who have been issued a new licence after this date, EG because of a ban) are likely to need instruction to pass the additional practical driving test B+E. (This test is optional, if the driver wants to exceed the legal 100% ratio of towcar to caravan weight or exceed the Gross Train Weight limit of 3500kg for braked trailers over 750kg). In the UK, we recommend the Caravan Club's practical caravan course (2007 Course fees are £87.50 for the Practical Caravanning Course and £72.50 for the Caravan Manoeuvering Course), see www.caravanclub.co.uk. In other EU countries, local clubs are likely to run similar courses. 28. Insurance, UK – what do I need for travel within the UK/Europe? Whilst planning the acquisition of your Airstream, please ensure you take out adequate insurance for the car and caravan from the moment you collect or take delivery of the Airstream. If you are a UK resident travelling within continental Europe, you should notify insurers prior to departure and confirm if any additional cover is required – the minimum necessary is a "green card" covering legal liability to 3rd parties, full comprehensive cover is preferable, most insurance companies will charge an extra supplement for this. Additional breakdown cover is also sensible, for example AA European breakdown is an annual policy (up to 90 days each trip) covering car and Airstream. 29. Security – what steps can I take to prevent theft of my Airstream? EU Airstream models are pre-wired to allow a Phantom tracker to be fitted, triggered by a movement sensor. We would strongly recommend that you have a tracker device fitted. The Caravan Registration Insurance Scheme (CRiS) allocates a unique 17digit VIN (vehicle identification number) to each unit sold. This is etched on windows and the chassis to provide visible identification and deter theft. BPW are developing a new wheel lock immobiliser, and the BPW Robstop hitchlock is already available. |