The Airstream, over 11 years old now

11 years and still kicking

Richard Charpentier Airstream, Notes from Rich, RV, Travel, Trials on the Road Leave a Comment

04 Nissan Titan - 1920x800

The 04 Nissan Titan

In the Spring of 2004 my Airstream was purchased from Marty’s USRV.  My understanding is that they no longer exist today.  Too bad, but it does happen.  Businesses come and go.  Products come and go.  But happily some things that have worked for you continue to work for you to this day.

Take my 2004 Nissan Titan for example.  Fast approaching 200,000 miles, the Titan has seen it all.  It has pulled my Airstream from the east coast to the west coast several times over.  It’s been off roading into the Vermillion Cliffs, the Borrego Desert, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Glaicer, Hole in the Rock Road, and many many other places.  And with a few regular repair items here and there, the Titan has kept going like a champ!

04 Nissan Titan

04 Nissan Titan

Recently the rear axles were in desperate shape.  Replacing both came to $1,600 and some change.  But since they’ve been replace everything seems to be doing great.  It’s not surprising either given the amount of towing, and the amount of off road exploring I’ve done with it over the years in the desert Southwest!  Somehow I think the Titan has more than a few miles left in it too.  And I hope that’s the case because new trucks are slightly expensive!  😉

11 year old Zipdee Chair

11 year old Zipdee Chair

Also in 2004 I purchased a pair of Zip Dee chairs to go with the Airstream.  Zip Dee makes the awnings for Airstream, and they’re pretty awesome.  Only one of the 2 chairs remains today.  The other died sadly, and the remaining chair is starting to fray a little around the edges.  But hey, it’s 11 years old just like the Titan and the Airstream itself.  I am thinking it might be time to buy two new Zip Dee Chairs, but we’ll see how much more this one has in it!

The Airstream, over 11 years old now

The Airstream, over 11 years old now

Finally, there’s the Airstream.  11 years old, and I’ve lived in it almost 9 years.  Wow!  It’s been through it all.  Just recently a hail storm spared it.  The Airstream has been snow covered in New England, snow covered in West Virginia, and snow covered in Arizona.  It has also been subjected to extreme temperatures in Arizona and Florida, and weathered more than a few major monsoonal downpours and one tropical storm.

Since 2006 the Airstream has been coast to coast several times.  From the desert to the ocean, from high elevation to low, and it’s served as my home that’s always behind me when I’m off with the Titan.

So yeah, some things do last.  If you ever ask me I’ll tell you, Nissans & Airstreams are worth their cost!  And Zip Dee Chairs too……

 

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