As someone who was looking for airstream alternatives, Oliver was an absolute no, a wet bath was a complete non-starter with my wife. Bigfoot was my top choice, but my wife thinks they are ugly inside. Bowlus is just out of the price range. Ended up with an Outdoors Back Country 20BD.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

I hope you enjoy the choice you made. Have safe and happy travels!

@jondrew55

7 күн бұрын

I have to tell you, I was a “no wet bath” person until we bought our Travato camper van. It’s really not a big deal. It saves tons of space, the shower is big enough for me (I’m 5’-9”, so if your 6’+ maybe no). Plus, lots of the places we go have nice bath houses and we don’t even use the shower part of a the wet bath.

Great Airstream alternative if you want to go vintage is Avion. Better Insulation than airstream, better frame. Stopped being made in 1990. I have a 1984 34w and it is beautiful. Put 3,150 watts of solar on room June 2023 and haven’t needed to plug into shore electric since. Live full-time in our Avion.

@RVInspectionAndCare

Ай бұрын

Thanks for that suggestion Thomas. I didn't include Avion because they aren't being made anymore as you said. But a good solid older one can be a great choice. And it sounds like you found the perfect solution for your RVing needs. Have safe and happy travels in it!

I owned an Airstream 23FB, ❤ loved it… until my foot went through the floor. (Newer +2021 units have a composite floor to correct the issue.) What you need to know; Excellent shell and overall design, some minor issues with woodwork, know that you will replace the components as they (like all manufacturers) use the cheapest. Over 5 years I replaced the water heater, water pump, refrigerator, hitch winch, and in each case the shop politely said, you don’t want ‘that one,’ you want this winch or whatever.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your Airstream experience here. Have safe and happy travels!

@Joe-cu4hi

2 ай бұрын

I have owned a 1999 Bambi now for 24 years and we replaced the water-pump, both LP tanks bc they were so old and I did not want to re-certify them a second time. The Dexter axle in 2023. Everything else is original. A/C, Dometic frig made in Sweden, stove, furnace, water heater. All appliances, light fixtures, switch’s, hinges were made in US. Everything in the new ones are made in China and unfortunately they are inferior with never ending fix and replace issues. These Chinese products are very very inexpensive for Airstream and all other RV manufactures. The markup is between 500%-800% so manufacturers are drunk with the profits they are racking in. If you look at a $12,000 Coleman trailer and an Airstream or Million dollar Motorhome they have many of the same low quality Chinese fixtures.

@johnharper2016

2 ай бұрын

Owned 2 Airstreams. 2017 International 23D and now a 2019 Flying Cloud 25 Rear Bed Twin. Both have been extremely good. Sold the 2017 for exactly what we paid for it after 2 years and 24k miles of travel. We have over 500 nights in our 2019 Flying Cloud. Vast majority of RV travel trailers loss 50 percent of there value in just a couple of years. Not Airstreams. 90 years of building Airstreams speaks volumes. We looked at EVERYTHING before we purchased Airstream. No comparison. Your $$$ is safest with Airstream and they are top quality. Oh, they tow way better than a box RV.

@Erin-Thor

2 ай бұрын

@@johnharper2016 - Do you camp in cold weather?

@johnharper2016

2 ай бұрын

@@Erin-Thor No cold weather camping for us. We live in Western North Carolina and spend the winter in Melbourne, Florida in our Airstream. Airstreams are really 4 season trailers. There are better choices of you want to camp in the cold. BRRR!

Another thing nice about the Oliver, is if you want to pick it up from the facility in Tennessee, they have a campground next to them where you can stay and they address all concerns right there, on the spot. They have the campground for this purpose.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

That's good to know Mike. Thanks for leaving that comment!

@user-sv9sk4qk3c

2 ай бұрын

airstream has that as well in ohio. you can stay up to two nites

We've looked at the Oliver and the Bigfoot. The other fiberglass trailer that we feel is a good Airstream alternative is the Escape trailer. They have 21' (2 floorplan) and 23' (3 bed layouts) models that weigh between 5-6k GVWR.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

I agree that Escape builds a great trailer. I just didn't think that they were as upscale as the brands I chose for this video that would compete more directly with Airstream. But I think Escape is a great brand that could be a good choice for RVers who want quality.

I just discovered your channel! I’m a newbie to RV life but have camp 🏕️ many years. I did a lot of research on travel trailers for a few years before I purchased my RV. And I must say that The Oliver Travel Trailer was number one on top of my list along with Airstream. And you just reassured my same thoughts on quality! With my circumstances that has changed unexpectedly I had to reevaluate this Travel Trailer business and scale down the size and weight that I could handle with the vehicle that I presently own, now that my significant other of 50 years is no longer. So I choose NuCamps TAB 320 S BD. For a small RV this is a quality built inside and out by the Amish for 1 or a couple. Just thought I would share. If you have never heard of them or researched them I would recommend you do and share the info on your channel.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Yes the NuCamp TAB is a great little trailer. You should be very happy with it. I hope to make a video on smaller travel trailers soon. Have safe and happy RV travels!

Take a look at Taylor coach from Canada. Their owners buy one and camp for the rest of their lives.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for that suggestion. I'll check it out.

Did you look at Intech trailers. They have several models that are in the length of trailer you are comparing. In tech has a full aluminum upper frame that all the walls and cabinets are attached to.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Yes, Intech builds a great product. But in my opinion it's just not in the same price range as Airstream and not really an upscale trailer. I felt that the three I chose for this video were the best match overall.

starting in 2024 intech is a viable alternative. with the new solar and inverters the dusk, explorer, and horizon are comparable. still want an airstream, and two years old seems to be the sweet spot in pricing

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

I agree that Intech makes a great product. But the ones you mentioned start at about half the starting cost of an Airstream 2 person RV like the Flying Cloud. Anyway, I hope you find the Airstream you're looking for. They aren't easy to find because Airstream owners like to hold onto them.

The Bigfoot, can be used down to -11@ F. Which means it does very well in the heat as well.. Interior is kind of 80's. But big tanks and don't have to worry about winter travel..

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for making those points Harvey. Have safe and happy travels in your Bigfoot!

How about the new Brinkley models? Originally only 5th wheels, but have recently introduced a bumper hitch TT line.

@RVInspectionAndCare

Ай бұрын

Brinkley builds a very fine 5th wheel. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to personally inspect one of their TTs yet. Have safe and happy travels!

I am going to add another to look at, but this one doesn't compete with Airstream, but is a mid-rage between it and low price/less luxury models. Lance. Manufacturing is superb and use of space is maxed out.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Yes, Lance is a travel trailer brand that is on my recommended list. But you're right, it's not in the same category as Airstream. Thanks for watching and leaving a nice comment!

@karit5332

2 ай бұрын

InTech maybe in same mid range as Lance…

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

@@karit5332 Yes, Intech is closer in comparison to Lance rather than Airstream. And InTech is a great brand to consodier.

What is your opinion of the Escape Fiberglass TT? They are a Canadian company as well.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Yes, Escape builds a very good RV. In fact, several fiberglass RV builders do a very good job. But Escape just didn't fit in this category as an Airstream alternative in my opinion.

I would think the palomino pause RV's would be on here.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

The Pause is certainly an upscale RV, but it's mainly an off-road RV. Airstreams are not necessarily made from the factory for off-roading so it doesn't fit in this category in my opinion.

Great video. Before purchasing our Airstream we looked at the Oliver travel trailer, met up with a local couple that had one, it was very nice. We crossed it off the list because it was too narrow and very few windows. We also came close to buying a Bigfoot rear bed 25, but the wife hated the very dated interior, especially when comparing to the Airstream. The bolus is beautiful, but way too much and not practical. We’re very happy with our Airstream close to 10,000 problem free miles, more than I can say about our previous Lance and Arctic Fox trailer.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

It sounds like you have the perfect RV for your needs. Safe and happy travels to you both!

Have owned three and not one of them has had comfortable furniture, my number 1 complaint. The other is the size of the shower. I will be selling my current one because the older I get the more comfort I want and need.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experience here. Safe and happy travels to you!

What about Intech?

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Yes, they make a great product. I just didn't think that they were as upscale as the brands I chose for this video. But the Intech Aucta is a great couples RV. Thanks for watching!

@mikemakar1220

2 ай бұрын

I own an inTech. They are pretty upscale. Slightly less in price than Airstream but not by much. I get you can only pick 3 but I would have eliminated Bowlus because they are significantly more expensive and in my mind much different in price than the other brands. That being said, I like Oliver and Bigfoot very much. Nice trailers.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

@@mikemakar1220 Actually the most expensive Intech starts around $30K less than the Airstreams I mentioned in the video. So I still stand by my choice. But feel free to make a video that includes your own top 3 list and I'm sure that somehow Intech will make the cut.

@mikemakar1220

2 ай бұрын

@@RVInspectionAndCare sorry if I struck a nerve. That wasn’t my intention. The MSRP on the inTech I purchased was $85k. It is a Willow Rover with solar and twin bed configuration. I was able to get a discount in the standard 20% range. Definitely less than Airstream and Oliver and way less than Bowlus but pretty much the same as Bigfoot. Again, sorry if I offended. I liked your list. I looked at many RVs for Several years and strongly considered Airstream and Lance but went with inTech as we liked the look and quality and it was more in my budget range.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

@@mikemakar1220 I'm glad that you like your InTech. As I said before, they make a very good product.

Sounds like a lot of people have more money than they do sense

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Could be Lawrence. Thanks for watching!

The won't be building any more of that good reputation with the poor fit/finish they've been pumping out lately.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Almost all RV manufacturers struggled with fit and finish problems over the past few years throughout the Covid pandemic and for a while afterward until they could get their workforce back to normal. But I am encouraged by what I am seeing recently from Airstream. Sorry but I don't agree with you on this one.

Ultra high-end travel trailer has to include Living Vehicle. Not light. Built to last and live in luxury. We're happy with Airstream Flying Cloud. It has issues but they're fixable/manageable. We know it will last generations.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

The Flying Cloud is a great RV. Have safe and happy travels in it!

Oliver is amazingly well built but too narrow, I felt to us like a glorified Casita. I think it’s 7’ wide and the hospital white interior is too sterile for me. Bigfoot is 8’ wide and has a very welcoming interior and much less cost than Oliver. The Escape is another well made fiberglass RV.

@RVInspectionAndCare

2 ай бұрын

Not everybody likes an Oliver, but there's no question that it is built very well. And you're right, Escape makes a great travel trailer too.