Travel Companions

Saf, that dealer is the reason I will even LOOK at an Airstream. They are the only dealer in Ontario. Were I buying new, I would go to Award, in Dunville, Ontario. Buy directly from the factory. Their trailer ARE designed for ease of towing, but they still refuse to show you a trailer beyond what your vehicle will tow according to the manufacturer's data. I've seen way too many crashes caused by poor vehicle loading and poor maintenance. And then there are the FOOLS who ride with their feet on the passenger side airbag, forgetting there is an explosive device in there. UGH. People sometimes deserve what they get!

 

It's funny, but I'm the exact oposite. I have a big diesel 4wd crewcab that I pull a little 13 foot 1969 Aristocrat Lo-Liner with. Pleeeenty of towrig in this set up.

 

Hope it's a dually. Wouldn't want to overwork that truck.

One time at a membership campground we'd rented a permanetly set up RV for a weekend for us and our two kids. For some reason they put us in one of the few 13' footers they had. We'd rented RV's at many other membership parks when driving one of our old cars. Usually got small mobile homes or decent sized RV trailers with a slid out.
OMG was that 13' trailer small!

 

No, that would just be overkill.

 

Love this,I am restoring a basket case a 1956 Shasta and hope to pull it with the wagon in the next couple of years. HRP

This is what I started with...



This is where I'm at now...



This is the style I'm going for only the paint will match the wagon.

 

Shasta lovers speak up. When did the Shasta RV's come out with the little wings on the back sides?

I really should know this because when I was in high school in the late 50's, and still into the 60's my dad and his friend sold new Shasta campers as a sideline. I'm thinking those had the wings.
I may be wrong. I was once. I'm thinking they sold new for around $650. As newlyweds, in the 60's we wanted one but couldn't afford all that money for a camper. I had a 1954 Ford at that time.
So that's two questions.....
When did the wings come out?
How much did a 60's Shasta RV cost?It's RV related!

 

This is from another site. 1958

In 1958 the Airflyte was released. The 16' "Airflyte" was considered a big deal at the time. Over 50 improvements, more windows and sleeker design. Also found the same year, the 19' Deluxe, which had a toilet & shower and is 8' wide. These models came with "wings", made from wood and aluminum. Wooden screen doors are a good clue you have a model prior to 1960. Also, pay close attention to window detail... this can also help in identification.

As for price. HRP

A 1958 16' Airflyte cost $1095.

 

Thanks HRP. Makes sense. I was still in highschool and got married in the fall of 1957. By then dad and his friend were selling Shastas from the side lot of a gas station on the main highway.
We were soon camping in a wall tent that looked like an Army tent and wanting a real RV. The $1095 price was probably lower for me with the dealer price. Still with house and car payments, etc. it was way more than I could afford.
Those were some of the first campers I remember. Very few people in the midwest had anything much larger. Tents, fold downs, truck campers were what most had. After all, campsites were just clearings among the trees or along a lake.
Another model I liked was the small RV with the overhang over the car trunk. I believe they had a step down like a Hudson car.

 

BTW,Shasta is reproducing a limited production 1961 Shasta camper with wings and many updates. HRP

http://youtu.be/Xp7WRedZgPU

 

Thanks. Not only the new Shasta, but many other interesting things on this link. Lots of things I dreamed about and was too poor, lazy, and dumb to do.
I remember years ago seeing an older couple with a 1957 Studebaker Hawk and an old RV come into the campground we were staying somewhere in Wisconsin. After that I dreamed of owning an old RV pulled by an old car. I guess life got in the way.
Be nice to own one of the 1,949 new 1961 Shastas built.