Introducing the Bambi Travel Trailers
For years we’ve affectionately referred to all of our single-axle travel trailers as “Bambis.” That harkens back to the history of the Bambi name itself (more on that a little later). But these days, we wanted to make things more official.
That’s why we created a full family of Bambi Travel Trailers. They’re as lightweight as they are adorable, made for the Airstreamer who wants an option they can tow with the family SUV.
More than their size, Bambi travel trailers are perfect for your first foray into Airstreaming. Outside and in, you get the quality and head-turning design of the Airstream aluminum superstructure. The floor plans are designed to make the most of every square inch. And the features take your camping experience to a whole new level.
Take a look at the Bambi lineup, all of the photos and specs, and find your perfect Bambi.
Introducing the Caravel Travel Trailers
If you love our larger travel trailers but want something more lightweight, the Caravel will be your new favorite. It’s sleek, modern, and full of taste, with lots of extra features that make it one-of-a-kind.
Caravel’s design is all about creating a neutral palette on which you can build your personal style. The black accents are bold, yet they go with everything. The floor plans make a space for everything, so clutter is nowhere in sight. And the extras like the special window awnings (in addition to the main awning), the rear bumper storage, and the stainless steel rock guards will get you even more excited for your first trip.
Take a look at the Caravel lineup, all of the photos and specs, and find your perfect Caravel.
The history behind the names
Bambi
The first 16-foot, single-axle Airstream travel trailer was created in 1961. It earned the “Bambi” nickname on the famous Cape Town to Cairo Airstream caravan through Africa, led by Airstream founder Wally Byam. When Wally learned of a miniature deer revered by the Angolan locals, known for its strength and sure-footedness, it was only natural that it became the trailer’s namesake. The beloved creature was called “O’Mbambi” in the Umbundu dialect of the Bantu language.
Former Airstream Director of Sales C.H. Manchester put it best in a letter to Airstream dealers that year when he said, “Bambi means speed. Bambi means stamina…and, most important of all, Bambi means full Airstream quality, engineered and proportioned and thoroughly travel-tested.”
Caravel
The first Caravel Travel Trailer launched in 1956 and continued evolving into the early 1970s. The Caravel was always a place for innovation in lightweight, small-space design. It featured unique floor plans such as the cross-spanning galley which formed a lounging and dining area by the door and a “street-side” bed in the back.
The Caravel name itself is a nod to Airstream founder Wally Byam’s love for the sea. Growing up, he served as a cabin boy, sailing up the Pacific Coast. He joined the Seaman’s Union in 1918 and spent his college summers on a freighter in the Pacific Ocean.
Many Airstreams over the years have been named after the sea, from the Clipper to the Liner to the Land Yacht, and the Caravel is no different. Its name is indicative of a light sailing ship of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries in Europe. A Caravel’s key strength was its capacity for sailing windward.
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