Airstream trailers boast a whole lot of positives, however “low-cost” and “light-weight” usually are not sometimes amongst them. In truth, we by no means anticipated to make use of these two phrases in an Airstream description, however the brand new World Traveler trailer is in reality designed as a lighter, extra reasonably priced Airstream journey trailer possibility. True, it carries the massive asterisk of being mild and low-cost *for an Airstream, however it does show clearly that the long-lasting Silver Bullet badge is constant to adapt its near-century-old design to the altering tendencies of recent occasions.
By no means an organization to draw back from innovation or evolution, Airstream has been performing some increasing over the previous decade, not merely by introducing new fashions however by embracing new markets. In 2016, it introduced a compact adventure camping trailer to market over a decade after taking part in round with the concept as a concept. It adopted up a pair years later with the short-lived Nest, its first manufacturing fiberglass trailer. Extra not too long ago, it expanded additional into off-road journey with a sequence of Sprinter AWD adventure camper vans.
You would possibly say, it is an entire new Airstream, however that might grossly shortchange the corporate and the evolutionary innovation to which it has been dedicated since its inception.
The World Traveler does not seem at first to be fairly as dramatic a shift as these earlier examples, however it does present Airstream adapting to a altering market, one which more and more embraces smaller motor autos and electrical powertrains. Equally, the three,700-lb (1,678-kg) weight may not sound that mild compared to the sorts of smaller trailers already roaming the streets, however a fast comparability with different Airstreams exhibits the 22-foot (6.7-m) World Traveler is definitely 200 lb (91kg) lighter than the shorter Bambi 20FB 20-footer and 400 lb (181 kg) lighter than the 20-ft (6-m) Caravel 20FB.
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Airstream did a whole lot of streamlining and weight-cutting to get to that weight level, beginning by thinning the trailer out into an extended fuselage measuring 7.5 toes (2.3 m) vast, narrower than the shorter 8-ft-wide (2.4-m) Caravel/Bambi 20FB trailers and the 7.8-foot-wide Basecamp 20X. The corporate has additionally simplified the outside, eliminating the standard panoramic entrance triple window array for a single window and giving the Traveler a clear, uncluttered roofline by relocating the air conditioner beneath the inside bench seating.
Airstream’s exterior discount and smoothening enhances the World Traveler’s easier-towing efficiency and likewise pays homage to a number of the less complicated early Airstream profiles from the post-WWII period – again when a hardier era of wilderness lover did not want air-con, Wi-Fi or microwaves to outlive a three-night tenting journey.
“With World Traveler, we delivered all of the consolation and craftsmanship we’re recognized for in a brand new light-weight mannequin that homeowners can tow with many light-duty vans and SUVs,” stated Airstream boss Bob Wheeler in introducing the World Traveler earlier this yr. “[That] could even be a automobile they already personal or their every day driver.”
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Airstream’s give attention to light-weight effectivity continues inside, the place it installs what it classifies a minimalist Scandinavian-inspired inside. The ground plan comes anchored by an outsized 80 x 80-in (203 x 203-cm) major mattress on the rear, notched right into a V form to make it simpler for every sleeper to get out and in of mattress.
The second and final mattress within the four-sleeper structure is situated on the alternative finish, all the way in which towards the entrance wall. The twin-bench dinette transforms over into an 86 x 35-in (218 x 89-cm) double(ish) mattress.
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Separating these two sleep-in ends are the entry-side kitchen block and far-side dry rest room. The kitchen comes customary with a dual-burner fuel range, stainless-steel sink, 116-L fridge and extendable countertop. Patrons may add a secondary drawer fridge beneath the eating bench for additional chilly storage.
To additional assist in weight financial savings, Airstream sizes sure tools down or switches it over to the choices sheet. As an example, it outfits the World Traveler with a 72-L recent water tank as a substitute of the 87-L tanks geared up to smaller Caravel, Bambi and Basecamp fashions.
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Nonetheless, the World Traveler comes totally outfitted and features a Truma Combi Eco Plus furnace/water heater, the aforementioned air conditioner, a JBL Bluetooth stereo with audio system and a 24-in HD sensible TV, all customary. {The electrical} system has a shore energy hookup, multi-stage 120-V converter and photo voltaic prewiring. A heated lithium battery financial institution with 300-W photo voltaic charging setup is obtainable optionally.
The World Traveler debuted earlier this yr on the Florida RV SuperShow and is obtainable now for a base worth of US$69,400. Airstream imagines it serving as an entry-level mannequin for first-time consumers, whom it could like to retain and improve once they’re prepared for one thing bigger and extra luxurious. The brand new Traveler is a full $9,500 cheaper than the subsequent 22-foot trailer up in Airstream’s lineup, the Bambi 22FB, and solely $500 greater than the a lot smaller Bambi 16RB.
Supply: Airstream
