REI-Airstream Basecamp

[Ralph Mawyer]

Makes the pricing and functionality on the Elite 1 look pretty nice…granted it is lighter. 
 

https://www.airstream.com/configurator/tt/complete/?model=20&length=16&floorplan=basecamp-16&decor=rei&options=732,723,733,636

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Ralph Mawyer said:

Makes the pricing and functionality on the Elite 1 look pretty nice…granted it is lighter.

Hi Ralph, 

I completely agree with you! 

Kirk

[routlaw]

Wow, over $63K for that at a starting point. I was in one of those many years ago, was not impressed then but at this price of admission yeah the Elite I seems like a far better deal.

 

[SeaDawg]

I never even look at their prices. I have seen a lot of complaints on airforums, on the base camp. 

I'm super glad about our 2008 decision. And, we still enjoy our 2008 elite. Hull is great. Frame is great.  We just update as we wish. 15 seasons in, best trailer, ever. 

It's a bit heavy,  but so easy to tow. Do I wish we had a queen bed? Sure. I do.

I'm looking forward to the redesign , coming soon.

[routlaw]

From what I understand there is a lot to complain about with all of the Airstreams too. On more than one occasion we have had AS owners come to us asking about the Oliver and also with a laundry list as long as your arm on the issues they have had with their AS. Base Camp excluded I do like the look and design of the AS trailers though, especially the interiors.

[CnC]

Many of us (including me) left Airstream for Oliver superiority. 

[Guest]

Carrie and I thought we wanted an Airstream. Then we found Oliver Travel Trailers! 

[Mike and Carol]

I got that email from REI/Airstream this morning and watched their videos and read through the literature.  We’ve been in a Basecamp a couple of times and we weren’t overly impressed.  If you have to have a small Airstream I’d probably go for the small Bambi.

We were just at REI in San Antonio yesterday.  There’s an old Airstream food trailer that parks outside and has for a couple of years.  I didn’t check to see if it had an REI plaque on the side….  Mike

[Katjo]

I found the inside of the base camp to be so dark inside. It’s the bright white interior of the Oliver and my previous AS Nest that attracted me to them. So nice and bright! I can’t say I had any issues with my AS and I still love Airstreams but they can’t beat the quality and customer service of an Oliver. 

[Rivernerd]

On 7/28/2022 at 4:56 PM, Mike and Carol said:

If you have to have a small Airstream I’d probably go for the small Bambi.

Before ordering our Elite II, we tried to shop Airstreams, including the Bambi.  We contacted our local Airstream dealer in Boise, Idaho, asking to walk through and check out a Bambi.  We were told we could not, as all Airstreams on the lot had been pre-sold and could not be shown.  We were advised that if we wanted an Airstream, it would have to be ordered "sight unseen," based on the virtual tours available online.  That would be like buying a new truck without even driving it, or even one like it!  No thanks.

After thoroughly evaluating, inside and out, an Elite II owned by another Idaho resident, we ordered the Oliver.

Edited July 31, 2022 by Rivernerd
Clarification

[John E Davies]

Early review showing all the defects in his year old Nest. This video was delayed because AS asked him not not publish it. Eventually he gave up and did upload it anyway. AS pawned everything off onto the local dealer, in the end everything was corrected to his satisfaction, and AS gave the owner a new 3 year warranty. But new failures piled up, so he got rid of it.

2019 Airstream Nest Defects: A REAL REVIEW

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f368/new-nest-owner-anyone-else-having-issues-195445.html

Yay Ollies! Some of the “bad” methods used by all Airstreams also apply to Olivers, such as using residential solid core 120VAC wire instead of premium marine grade multi-strand, and using cr@ppy “box store quality” outlets. At least we don’t have to deal with cabinets literally falling off the wall and rotted floors and frames…. the small amount of wood in an Ollie is non-structural and very well done, for the most part (I especially like the dovetailed drawers).

From a different thread there, about Nest being discontinued. 465 units were built, and one member commented “You can win in the market place with a better mouse trap, or with a cheaper mouse trap, but you can’t win with a poor mouse trap sold at a premium price.”

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Trainman]

When the Base Camp came out we looked at them at an RV Show, we thought our Casita was a better deal at a much lower price. Do note, Airstream dealers were selling them at big discount just to get people to buy them, check todays used  prices, they are not that great. 

trainman

[Patriot]

We did some research on the AS forums on the Base Camp and a few other models back in 2019-20 when we were looking to purchase a TT. Besides being way to small after seeing one at a local dealer, We then read on the AS forum all the complaints regarding water leaks with the BC other models resulting in rotting and molding floors.
Needless to say we never returned to the AS dealership in Greensboro, NC.