How AutoCamp Customized Airstreams Are Different from Other Airstream Models

How AutoCamp Customized Airstreams Are Different from Other Airstream Models

First, if you’re like me and you find yourself studying Airstream floorplans every night before you go to sleep (I’m not alone, right?), you’re going to find the AutoCamp Airstreams are not like any model in the Airstream lineup.

AutoCamp is super clear: these are custom Airstreams. Is custom always good?

Spoiler alert: no.

However, don’t think this is going to now become an “AutoCamp sucks” review because you have to consider: what’s the definition of “good”? These Airstreams for AutoCamp are clearly designed for
a) short-term use
and
b) not to be moved.

That is not the case for Airstreams that are on their website or at any dealer.

Because I loooove looking at Airstream floorplans (did I mention that yet?) and dreaming about what is “perfect” for me, I’ll be outlining just what the AutoCamp custom Airstream is all about and what you can expect.

So, for those of you who, like me, are a interested/obsessed/fixated, let’s look at the differences because if you’re an Airstream nut, like me, you need to know. For the normal ones who aren’t as obsessed, you might still be entertained!

If you are more so interested in what to expect of an AutoCamp Airstream – including a list of what you might want to bring with you, check out this article.

Size

The AutoCamp Airstream is 31’ in length. There is no 31′ model offered by Airstream.

The least expensive 30’ Airstream, the Flying Cloud, starts at over $124,000.

No way they’re going to make this a rental unit!

The largest Airstream is the 33’ Classic.  Have a look at the floorplan and don’t get married to it. This is a work of luxury, art, and use of space, combined. Check out the gallery – be sure to click INTERIOR photos. Keep in mind, these photos are for both the 30’ and 33’ floorplans.

Oh boy, that’s a lot of luxury to live up to – and a brilliant use of space with amazing storage.

Again Check out the floorplan and  gallery of the 30’ Flying Cloud– be sure to click INTERIOR photos.

Again… beautiful.

The AutoCamp Airstreams are really nothing like this, and we think it’s important to set expectations for those who are getting their hearts set on renting a Flying Cloud, International, Globetrotter, or Classic.

AutoCamp does not provide a floorplan of their Airstream. Google tells me so. Maybe some day that will change.

I found myself initially very let down when I first had a look around our AutoCamp Airstream. I found myself constantly thinking about all the layouts and features I had been studying for so many months. I had assumed, if anything the “custom” Airstreams would be MORE/better/enhanced. It took a few hours (and yeah, a campfire and a beer) to work through why I was disappointed. I had expectations that were not met. Those expectations were based on all the photos and great details on the Airstream website.

I realized the AutoCamp website was really lacking in many details, especially the layout of the Airstreams. They show very close up details, but it really doesn’t give you a sense of the camper as a whole and how it compares – yes, compares – to the retail versions of the Airstream lineup.

So, with no further ado, as they say, I’m going to provide here a thorough comparison between the 2022 Airstream lineup and the AutoCamp “Custom” Airstream.

Key Differences

Some very key differences:

• No screen door. What?! Seriously. There was no screen door on our camper. Very frustrating.
• It’s missing a ton of windows! Part of this is due to the full width bathroom at the front of the camper. Ok, ok, but…
• The entire side of the camper was missing all the lower level windows. Clearly, this was to provide privacy between camp sites.

These are huge disappointments.

There’s more, and it’s HUGE!!!…

• There is no cooktop. Repeat: there is no cooktop. On rainy days or cold weather, you cannot cook an egg on a stove. You can use a very nice convection microwave or fire up your firepit (with the super-expensive “good wood” you have to buy through them) and cook on the cast iron frying pan they provide. Other choices: buy a $13.95 breakfast burrito per person in the clubhouse (Cape Cod, July 2022), or go for a drive to a restaurant. OUCH no matter how you look at it.
• There is no TV in the living room. Really. Truly. You’re there to camp, not watch TV, right? There is a TV in the bedroom. But you’re not there to watch TV, right?! Really odd choice on their behalf to put the TV in the bedroom and not in the living area.
• There is very, very minimal storage. This is a tremendous difference from the typical Airstreams, which are absolutely brilliant with use of space. The bed is on a frame with no storage below. There are no cabinets above. The sofa is a futon kind of thing with no storage below. These campers are designed for short-term stays.

Additional Differences

Oh, how this could have been designed soooo much better. In fact, they put a beautiful door to the bedroom as opposed to the curtain used in some models.  Nice touch, right? Nope. You can either have the bedroom door open to get the light and views from your beautiful pano windows in the bedroom (assuming you’re not facing another camper) or access your refrigerator and microwave. Design flaw.

Another oddity – why does only one of the 2 windows in the kitchen open? Yup, odd.

Unfortunately, the shades were crazy hard to close, especially the skylight shade! This is big because …light blocking for sleep!

As I mentioned, in an upcoming post, I’ll be reviewing all that’s awesome, such as the enormous, beautiful bathroom, but the reality is that the bathroom could have easily been 1’ – maybe up to 2’ – shorter in order to give so much more space to the living area. Add a stinkin’ TV for those who like to watch the morning news with their coffee! And that little, tiny table … no two people could eat a meal there in crummy weather. Do something to make a real sitting area.

Here’s an interesting difference between commercially available AirStream’s the and the AutoCamp version: they clearly don’t expect to be moving them anytime soon! They’ve planted shrubs/bushes in front of them! (Also note: no power jacks, typical of most Airstreams, especially the larger ones).

A point about air conditioning: it’s LOUD! Later this week, I hope to experience the a/c in various models of AIrstreams, but I can’t imagine they’d be this loud. But it’s GREAT – cooold!! 2 zones. See the video for the PRO TIP to make the loud/cold a/c a win-win for your stay.

The last significant difference compared to retail version of Airstreams: No SMART technology at all. Fair enough. You’re only there for a few nights. I do hope to someday experience Airstreams’ super “smart” tech.

AutoCamp’s official Instagram account announced that there are 4 new locations coming soon!

I can’t image, this early into their business, that they’ll be doing anything but churning out the same floor plan as they’re using in their current locations. For those who aren’t Airstream “afficianodos” (aka…super fans aka crazy!), you’ll LOVE the experience. I’ll be writing more about all the awesome features available in the AutoCamp Airstreams and also about how wonderful our AutoCamp Cape Cod experience was. I am so excited to combine my love of Airstreams, travel, nature – and now AutoCamp. Next up for me: Catskills (since I’m East-coast based). Onward!

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