Improvements

The Liner followed the Clipper and featured many design improvements. It was an extremely lightweight model with advanced optional features including electric refrigeration, lavatory, and a shower.

One of the few Airstream travel trailer designs to feature two doors, the Whirlwind's unique design allowed for more air flow and an additional emergency exit. 

Wally was always experimenting with new designs, and in the 1940s he invented a unique chassis featuring a pipe frame support that ran from the back of the travel trailer to the hitch. The new chassis was the latest embodiment of Wally's commitment to lightweight design.

Wally scoured the world looking for products that would improve the Airstream experience. On the 1956 European Caravan, he met with a Swedish company named Electrolux, manufacturer of the Dometic refrigerator. Wally agreed to begin importing the refrigerators for use in Airstreams and today, nearly 70 years later, Dometic is now a staple in the RV industry.

When the right product didn't exist, Wally had a way of bringing it into existence. In 1954, he persuaded Max Bowen of Bowen Water Heater Co. to develop the first hot water system in a travel trailer.

Also known as a razor strop hook, these uniquely designed hooks are commonly known in the Airstream world as “Byam Hooks.” They achieved that nickname due to Wally's propensity for utilizing them through his Airstream – inside and out – to hang everything from clothes to his trademark bullhorn.

In 1957, Wally built an Airstream travel trailer sheathed in gold anodized aluminum that wound up being a test trailer for the International's self-containment package. Wally dreamed of Easter Egg colored trailers with anodized panels but this would prove to be too difficult.

In 1958, Airstream introduced the first self-contained travel trailers in the world, which allowed you to travel free from water and power hookups. With features including a water heater, holding tanks, and batteries, the International travel trailer line let owners enjoy the comforts of home even when far afield.

In 1958, Airstream created a commercial division to sell trailers to industrial customers. Most went to the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific railroads to house work crews. Between January 1960 and March 1964, almost 270 additional trailers were built, with most varying between 32’ and 40’ long. The 1958 and 1960 units were designed and badged as Airstreams, but in mid-1961 the units started being identified as Mobile Industrial trailers.

In 1950, Wally developed a ladder frame chassis with an A-shaped hitch to replace the pipe frame chassis. The body became more square with flatter walls and new flat windows. The flatter ends required thirteen panels on the end caps to form a tight curve. The flat front ends had double horizontal windows that opened, and the flat ends added more interior room.

In response to a growing number of people buying smaller family vehicles, the Bambi single-axle Airstream travel trailer launched in 1961. It was small, light, self-contained, and easy to tow.

After Wally's passing in 1962, Airstream leaders carried on the torch with innovations such as the Univolt electrical system which converted 110-volt external power to 12-volt DC power (for light fixtures).

The 1960s also featured the introduction of the patented Aerostress underbelly which gave Airstreams an “astonishing strength-to-weight ratio.”

In 1964, advancements in metal-working allowed for a reduction in end cap segments from 7 to 5, which is still the configuration of today's Airstream.

Airstream manufactured 7’ long, 2’ high vacuum-formed car bodies for American Motors in the shape of Gremlins, Vegas, Mustangs, and VWs. These miniature cars could travel up to 15 mph and were given to children by American Motors as part of a promotion when their parents purchased a new car.

Airstream designed an all-aluminum, heavy-duty utility van called the A/Van for bread companies, dry cleaners, florists, potato chip companies, and the mailing industry

With a planned annual limited run of 500, the 1971 Excella 500 was the ultimate in luxury. Paving the way for today's Classic, the new model featured a full slate of amenities, including a retractable power cord and water hose, standard vista view windows, a motorized TV antenna, a telephone jack, and a standard battery-powered hitch jack.

Introduced in 1972 as a mid-priced alternative to the main Airstream line, Argosy travel trailers were the testing ground for new ideas – including motorized units. Their painted aluminum shells would one day become highly-sought after vintage models.

The first motorized Airstream model to hit the road, the Argosy Motorhome was manufactured from riveted aluminum. An Argosy Compact Bus was offered on the motorhome chassis for several years in the 1970s.

After the success of the Argosy Motorhome, in 1979 Airstream introduced a motorhome model of its own. Featuring the trademark riveted aluminum exterior, this Class A motorhome featured all the luxurious amenities that had come to define the Airstream brand.

Beginning in the early 1980s, Airstream's Commercial Department began building custom units for various organizations that were utilized in a variety of ways – as audio labs, computer labs, mobile doctor offices, and more.

Responding to the oil crisis that gripped the era, Airstream began seeking diversification opportunities outside the travel market. One of many efforts to diversify came in the form of a Funeral Coach, with room for family members to ride comfortably up front and a side compartment to hold the casket on the way to the cemetery.

This modified Airstream Motorhome featured expansive seating throughout, allowing business professionals to work together while traveling on the road. The perfect corporate transportation solution, the Air Coach was another way for Airstream to diversify during the economic struggles of the time.

Built for NASA to transport Space Shuttle crews, this modified 1983 Airstream Excella Motorhome was affectionately nicknamed the "Astrovan" by the astronauts who rode to the launchpad in this iconic vehicle. The Astrovan featured bench seating, a rear hatch, and space for equipment. Today, the Astrovan is proudly displayed at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

In 1986, Airstream revived the Argosy line – this time with bonded aluminum rather than riveted pieces. Fiberglass was used on the fore and aft caps and the tops and sides were squared. In 1988, Airstream introduced the Argosy 5th Wheel – the first of such design to be offered by Airstream.

1989 saw the introduction of the Land Yacht Travel Trailer, painted silver with a baked enamel finish. It earned the nickname “Square Stream” for its boxy shape. Also that year, Airstream introduced the Land Yacht Motorhome – constructed of laminated fiberglass, and featuring front and rear end caps that were so innovative that a design patent was granted.

A relative rarity in Airstream world, 1998 saw the first silver bullet Airstream model with a slide-out feature that expanded the interior space while camping.

In late 2002, Airstream introduced the SkyDeck – a unique Class A motorhome featuring a rooftop deck, complete with cushioned seating and a barbecue area. The deck could be accessed via residential stairs from inside the motorhome for outdoor entertaining.

The original Basecamp, designed in partnership with Nissan Design America, was introduced in 2005. The 16-foot design had a distinctly rugged vibe for more active campers. Basecamp got a design refresh in 2017, with a wetbath, updated kitchen, rear-spanning bed, aggressive departure angle, and plenty of tech features.

The PanAmerica was the first Airstream travel trailer to feature a rear hatch. It was a 34-foot toy hauler with living quarters in the front of the trailer and a built-in garage in the back for motorcycles, ATVs, and other adventure gear.

Upfitted by Airstream in 2005, the Dodge Sprinter Westfalia by Airstream was just over 18 feet in length, with a bright and inviting interior artfully laid out on different levels for a spacious look and feel. Featuring a unique roof bed, the motorized Westfalia featured the latest vehicle technology from Dodge^® and Mercedes-Benz^®. Its outstanding reliability and exemplary safety features would become the hallmark of Airstream touring coaches to come.

This 2014 Airstream touring coach was equally at home transporting business clients to a meeting or friends to a tailgate. With seating for eight, the Autobahn featured roomy seating, individual tables, and an onboard television.

After its initial design in the mid-2000s came to market, Airstream introduced a reimagined Basecamp in 2017. Featuring riveted aluminum in a rugged, adventure-ready design, Basecamp continues to be one of Airstream's most popular and best selling models today.

Airstream's largest Class B motorhome, the Atlas, was launched in 2017. Affectionately referred to as a Class B+ because of its expansive interior and luxurious amenities, the Atlas featured a Murphy Suite that slid out to make more room for the bed. In 2019, a modified Atlas was built for Boeing to use as a Crew Transport Vehicle for their Starliner astronaut crew.

The opulent Interstate EXT Slate Edition was introduced in 2018 as a limited run of 75 individually numbered touring coaches. Crafted with sleek, dark tones and luxurious textures, the Slate edition was available in both the Grand Tour and Lounge floor plans. It offered the same 50+ best-in-class features found throughout the Interstate line, plus several unique features not found elsewhere in the fleet.

In an effort to streamline Airstream's travel trailer fleet and offer customers a wider variety of single-axle options, Airstream relaunched the Bambi and Caravel lines in 2020. Featuring lightweight towing capabilities and identical floor plans in 16, 19, 20, and 23 feet, Bambi and Caravel were differentiated by their interior finishes and exterior features.

Building on the success of Basecamp 16 and its adventure-ready optional X Package, in 2021 Airstream introduced Basecamp 20X – a 20-foot version of Basecamp that offered more space, more features, and more capability to go further and stay out there longer.

With more Airstreamers looking to take their adventure further afield, the Interstate 24X hit the market as Airstream's first true adventure van. Featuring the same power and performance found throughout our motorized line, the Interstate 24X was equipped with rugged tires, innovative gear storage options, and exterior features perfect for taking your adventure beyond the pavement.

Responding to the sudden shift in travel mentality and the work from home trend caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Airstream redesigned the popular 30-foot Flying Cloud Bunk Model to replace the bunk beds with a versatile work station. The Flying Cloud 30FB Office was an instant hit with owners who wanted to hit the road safely on family adventures while staying connected to work.

Originally introduced in the 2014 Land Yacht, Quietstream ducted air conditioning was introduced in all 25-foot and larger models in 2015. In 2016, the technology made its way into all 23-foot and smaller models (except for Sport). 

Through a partnership with AT&T, Airstream launched a groundbreaking new "Smart" RV concept in the 2019 Classic model. Featuring 4G LTE connectivity, the technology allowed owners to remotely monitor and control interior and exterior features through a smartphone app. An aftermarket solution with a high-gain roof antennae and mobile router allowed owners to add connectivity solutions and a powerful Wi-Fi hotspot to any Airstream travel trailer.

While Airstream's top-of-the-line models incorporated Smart Control Technology into their designs, Airstream Connected allowed any Airstream to be upfitted with connectivity solutions. Since 2019, all Airstream travel trailers and touring coaches come prewired for easy installation of the Airstream Connected kit.

With technology advancing quickly through the RV market and more owners looking to stay out longer, Airstream introduced its Power Plus option in 2020. A flexible solution that brings together solar panels, battery monitors, and the option of upgraded LiFePO4 batteries, Airstream Power Plus is a versatile way to add powerful travel solutions to your Airstream.

For decades, wood flooring was the RV standard. But in 2020, Airstream migrated away from the traditional 5/8" plywood used for flooring and began utilizing new composite flooring in its traditional travel trailers. Seamless, water resistant, lighter, and stiffer than traditional wood, the composite material also offered greater screw retention. The recyclable material is more environmentally-friendly and improves quality for the life of the travel trailer.

With the introduction of the 2022 Pottery Barn Special Edition and the 2022 Classic, Airstream subtly improved the shape of its iconic riveted aluminum shell. The redesign utilized the combination of state-of-the-art stamping tools and streamlined manufacturing processes, resulting in increased quality across the entire production line.