Airstream Trailers Post Index - Polly Auyeung

This post is to provide a brief summary of the Airstream trailer and link to more in-depth posts on the blog. Cited sources for each category are in the linked posts.

Subject: Airstream (photographs)

Inventor: Wally Byam (bio)

Purpose: Byam first designed the Airstream to be the perfect trailer. At a time when road culture and exploration were becoming popular, it was to be aerodynamic, light, and provide luxurious accommodations anywhere in the world. (origin of the airstream name), (the Wally Byam Creed)

Size and Scale: Small and compact, they are meant to be towed by vehicles. They range from 17' x 8'x 7' to 31' x 8'5" x 9'7". We are studying the largest model, the Classic 31'. (trailer plan), (elevations), (section)

Timeline: The Airstream company was formed in 1932 and is still making trailers. It is one of the oldest trailer manufacturers in the world. It has changed its trailer design over the years but overall it has retained its sleek aluminum shell. (company history), (design morphology timeline)

Construction: Airstreams are carefully hand-constructed of quality materials such as aircraft grade aluminum, steel, and wood. They are meant to provide a luxurious environment and last for a long time. 70% of all airstreams ever built are still in great condition. As a result, they cost much more than regular trailers, at roughly $70 000 USD. (how it's built video), (Airstream construction guide), (wall detail), (trailer 3D render), (exploded axonometric)

Address, Location and Site: As they are self-contained trailers, Airstreams can travel anywhere. However many Airstream enthusiasts choose to have rallies at Airstream-only parks. At the grassy, scenic sites, trailers are arranged in circular formations to encourage socializing. (rally arrangement patterns), (site pictures), (site plans), (site organization parti), (site freedom parti)

Community: The Airstream has many enthusiasts united by its iconic idea of "freedom to put the world at your doorstep". They set themselves apart from typical RV-ers by holding ambitious Airstream only caravan trips and regional rallies. They often discuss these expeditions on their Airstream online forums. (airstreamer culture), (airstream caravans)

Relationship to the Site: Airstreams are constantly moving, traveling from one place to the next. They never dwell in a place for more than a week. (tracking airstream rallies), (major airstream camps over two years)

The Changing Concept of Trailers - Polly Auyeung

While airstream trailers are superior to the models used in FEMA camps, using airstreams in the camps would not make them significantly better places to live. Similarly if average trailers were used as travelling shelters, people would still find them enjoyable. What needs to be questioned is the concept of the trailer, its purpose. By altering the conditions of its use, it affects how the trailer is perceived. The trailer (especially the Airstream) was originally designed to prompt americans to travel, to explore the land, "to place the great wide world at [their] doorsteps". As a FEMA camp unit, it was valued for its cheap production, easy transportation to the site, and packing efficiancy. Without the choice of movement, the fundamental idea of the trailer is lost. So though it succeeds as a luxurious, nomadic shelter, it is a failure when it's a cheap alternative to a fixed address.

FEMA vs. Airstream - Juan Pablo Uribe

Movement - Giles Hall

MOBILITY

IMMOBILITY

Airstream Exploded Axonometric - Juan Pablo Uribe

Airstream International 3D Render - Juan Pablo Uribe

Airstream Wall Detail - Felix Cheong

Note the precision that needs to be involved in the construction and the quality materials.

Airstream Classic Limited, Section, 31' - Caelin Schneider

Airstream Classic Limited, Plan, 31' - Caelin Schneider

Airstream Camp Pari (Central Focused Organization) - Felix Cheong

Airstream Parti (Freedom) - Iggy So

parti - freedom

Illustrated Evolution of Airstream Design - Milda Miskinyte

1930's

1940's

1950's

1960's

1970's

1980's

1990's

2000's

Airstream Simplified Site Plan - Iggy So

Airstream Elevations and Sections - Iggy So

A Comparison of Postcards - Andreea Toca

[1]

[2]

Media References

1. Cafepress. "Camp Fema". Cafepress.com. 2009

http://images2.cafepress.com/product/109675032v1_480x480_Front.jpg (Accessed January 20, 2010)

2. Gtykal. "Airstream Postcard 3." Flickr. December 3, 2008.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30848961@N04/3079663368/in/set-72157610674668116/ (Accessed January 20, 2010)

Airstream Park Site Plan - Iggy So

Media References:
Piehl, David. "Park Map". Minnesota Airstream Park. 2009
http://www.airstreampark.com/park_map.htm (Accessed January 12, 2010)

FEMA and Airstream Camps over Time - Polly Auyeung

While Airstream gatherings set up and leave within a week, many Katrina camps still exist despite their original deadline of 18 months. Airstream camps are in blue, FEMA's are in red.

2005-2007

A month by month timeline can be downloaded here

Tracking Airstream Rallies - Polly Auyeung

Airstream Rallies generally occur for 3-7 days and involve at least 30 people. Usually regional clubs organize trips to natural landmarks or cultural festivals but sometimes rallies occur at campgrounds so Airstream enthusiasts can socialize and share their travel stories. I went on the Airstream Forums and noted all the rallies within two years of Hurricane Katrina. Listed below are their locations

2005
jan - cedar keys
june - moraine view state park
october - kingman, az; longs, sc
nov - pyramid lake, nev
dec - lake ray roberts state park, texas; bianco state park; pasadena, ca

2006
jan - san dimas, ça; indio,ca; oceanside, ca; temecula, ca; lodi ca; cedar key, florida; saltine city, ca
feb - mckinney falls state park, tx; blythe, ca; riverside city,ca; avon park, fl; sarasota, fl; cottonwood, az; newport, or
mar- freedom, new hamp; hoboken, ga; tombstone territories rv park; reno, nv
april- for lauderdale; mt. vernon, wa; st. augustine, fl; amish country, pen; wentachee, wash; san diego; chatsworth ga; belleville tx; myrtle beach, sc.; dos picos county park; parvenu state park; west alexander pa; riverhead ny; salisbury, ma; duncan mills, ca; smith, nv; salem, ore; durand mi
may- chatham ny; limestone, pa; port aransas, tx; lovelock, nv; lake sampson, va; gettysburg; hancock, nh; tumalo sp,
june- lake george ny; limestone pa; north norwich ny; pasco wa; moraine view; seaville nj; scusset beach; truckee ca; montage nj; salem, or
july- silver falls, ore; trout lake we; vail lake, ca; burlington, vt; mammoth lakes, ca; georgetown, main; estes park, co
aug- grass lake michi; brooks, ore; galax va; rockies; strasburg pa; rochester nh; marblefalls, tx; par buena, nj; dayton pa; bellingham, washington; hats creek,ca; angel fire, nm; upper saranac lk, ny
sept - lebanon pa; edinburg va; yucaipa park ca; block island, rhode; pecatonica river forest; east wakefield, nh; silver springs, nv; land between the lakes, kentucky
oct- newport dunes, ca; townshend, vermont; woodland, ca; gray, tn; new hope, pa; coloma state park, ca; palmetto cove, sc; san marcos, tx; columbus, ohio; silver springs, nv; lake san antonio, ca
nov-oxford mi
dec- baraboo, wisc; pasedena, ca

2007
jan-topsail, fl; santa paula, ca
feb- montgomery, tx; cottonwood, az; old town, fl; sarasota fl; newport or; manteca, ca; freedom, nh
mar- washoe lake, nevada; four corners
april- sonora, ca; washington, ca; lincoln city, oregon; lake chatuge, georgia; silver springs, nev; pensacola
may- bloomsburg; frankfort ky; hatcreek ca; council bluffs, iowa; birch run, mi; north situate, ri; wallowa lake oregon; columbus, indiana; painsville, ky; kanab color country; susanville; thousand islands, ny
jun- nyc; moraine view; lovelock, nev; poplar grove, il; perry, ga; fletcher, oh; jordanelle state park; lizardhead pass; perry, georgia
july- fountain green utah; mammoth lakes; wellington, oh; durand mich; pyramid lake
sept- meteor crater; dayton, washington; block island; gilbert lake state park, ny; freeport, maine; port republic, nj; ione, nv; beverly beach state park
october- albuquerque; gonzales louisiana; pecatonica forest preserve; brandon montana; doyle california; shenandoah; valley virginia; lake san antonio; north ga mountains, ga
november- kernville ca; san antonio nm; show low, ariz; kernville,
december- westford, ma; blanco, tx; picacho peak state park

Information Sources:

1. Social Knowledge. "Upcoming Rallies". Airstream Forums. 2010.
http://www.airforums.com/?page=rally (Accessed January 13, 2010)

The Overall Idea? - Polly Auyeung

For a piece of architecture that is designed with an ideal in mind, there will always be people who find an alternative function for it. The trailer and especially the Airstream was originally designed to prompt americans to explore, "to place the great wide world at [their] doorsteps". But FEMA officials noticed the economical side of the design. Trailers modified to their bare minimums could be produced quickly and cheaply, transported easily, and packed tightly to make emergency camps.

Without the choice of "movement", the trailer, originally a permanently temporary shelter (forever travelling) has become a temporarily permanent structure. Instead of inspiring freedom it evokes desolation. Instead of fostering strong communities bonded by their love of travel, trailer camps produce social isolation.

Airstream Construction Details - Felix Cheong

The following PDF outlines construction details of an Airstream. One of the aspects that make Airstream such an icon is its construction. The construction and specification of the Airstream trailer is what makes it unique since everything right down to the last bolt is custom for the use of Airstreams. The construction is very clean with connections that promote the form and mobility of the trailer. Its materials are also unique such as using aircraft aluminum for the outer shell. This is part of what makes the Airstream such a trademark. This PDF has almost everything from furniture construction, to chassis details, to rivets, bolts and handles that are used inside the airstream. If anyone needs to reference for details, structural axos, or plans and elevations you can probably find it here.

Information Sources:
Airstream. "2002 International Travel Trailer." Airstream. 2002
http://www.airstream.com/docs/2002%20Parts%20Books/2002%20International%20Trailer%20Parts%20Linked.pdf (Accessed January 13, 2010)