Last weekend, tucked in among all of the new trailers at the Calgary RV Show, there was something old.
Except it wasn’t old, because the Shasta Airflyte ‘retro’ trailer is brand new.
“Shasta started building trailers in 1941,” said Don Pettit, general sales manager at Trailer Town on Blackfoot Trail in Calgary. “And to commemorate that date, Shasta has built and re-issued a total of 1,941 examples of their Airflyte 16 foot travel trailer, which was actually first released in 1961.”
There’s been some demand of late for vintage travel trailers. Folks are scanning sites such as Kijiji and Craigslist, hoping to score an old Airstream or Trillium unit.
In fact, last summer the neighbours two doors down surprised us when they pulled up with a vintage Boler behind their Subaru. It’s their first trailer, and they have plans to retrofit the interior with modern equipment and fabrics.
“A number of car guys with older vehicles, too, are wanting a retro-style trailer to go along with their toys,” Pettit said.
Pettit first saw the Shasta Airflyte retro last fall at the 2015 model-year dealer show in Indiana.
The re-issued Airflyte is based on the original trailer, but is built to current codes and standards using modern, lightweight materials.
“(Shasta) has been able to keep the weight under 2,500 lbs.,” Pettit said. “That means it will be towable by something that’s modern and smaller, or an older car like a 1957 Chevy would pull it just fine.”
Shasta, based in Indiana, has recreated its distinct Airflyte trailer down to the finest details.
According to the manufacturer, all windows are the same size as original, the interior wood cabinet doors are scalloped and equipped with chevron handles – as original, and the exterior wings are to the exact original dimensions.
Also, the trailer’s metal counter top edging, dinette table leg and trademark Shasta logo magazine rack could be a direct retrofit to a true vintage Airflyte.
As distinctively nostalgic as the Airflyte looks, however, it’s fitted with all of the modern conveniences.
“Shasta included a microwave, hot water shower, hidden air conditioner, concealed flip-down stabilizer jacks, all LED lighting and a stereo with USB input,” Pettit said. “They’ve even hidden speakers in the refrigerator vent so music can be enjoyed outside.”
The exterior door has been widened from 22 inches (558 mm) to 24 inches (609 mm), and the specifications include a 39-inch (990 mm) twin width rear bed and interior height of six-feet-four-inches (1,943 mm). Upgrades also include a 25-gallon (95-litre) fresh water tank, 11 gallon (42L) black water tank and 18 gallon (68L) grey water tank.
All three original colours, Seafoam Green, Buttercup Yellow and Matador Red are available and the Airflyte rides on 15-inch wide whitewall tires.
“We’ve got these on the lot, and people keep stopping in to reminisce as they remember camping in a trailer like this when they were young,” Pettit said. “People are also stopping in to ask who restored the old trailers.
They’re surprised to find the units are limited production re-issues.”
Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Shasta will not be making any more, and dealers across North America have received their allotment.
According to Pettit, they’re retailing the Airflyte for just under $21,000, and for that kind of money, it would be difficult to restore a vintage trailer.
Pettit adds, “Plus, the advantage of the Airflyte is its light weight – the old ones would be in the 4,500 lb. range, and these are almost half of that.”
Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have a column tip? Contact him at 403-287-1067, gregwilliams@shaw.ca, or visit gregwilliams.ca
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