Oregon-Based Business Gives New Life to Old Airstreams – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
You see them lumbering down the highway, proudly reflecting the sunshine from their aluminum frames. And somehow you know that there are stories within – and that they are loved. They are Airstreams.
Now nearing its 100th anniversary, the Airstream phenomenon started in 1931 when Wally Byam opened a small factory in California. By 1937, there were more than 400 trailer manufacturers in the United States. But after World War II broke out, the U.S. government restricted travel trailer manufacturing only for use for the war effort. So, Wally closed up his shop and went to work building military planes at Curtis Wright Industries. After the war ended, he persuaded Curtis Wright to let him use aluminum to build a new trailer – the Curtis Wright Clipper. In 1947, he left the company and began to manufacture the Airstream Clipper on his own. Thus the iconic Airstream was born.
Today, in Bend, Ore., Damian Schmitt and Anna Jacobs, a husband-and-wife team in their 30s and 40s, are the owners of Modern Mountain Airstream, a small company specializing in the renovation of aging Airstream trailers. Back in 2015, after scouring the internet and Craig’s list, the couple found a 1966 Airstream Overlander that had been stationary for seven years. Damian was managing a bike and ski shop in town but started gutting the old trailer (which they named Gilda) while Anna provided the design and direction for the job. Two years later, and after much trial and error, they completed the job.
Anna had documented each step (and misstep) of the way on Instagram, and several people contacted them, asking if they would take on similar restoration projects for them. Damian and Anna saw an opportunity and formed Modern Mountain Airstream. Today they have between three and seven employees, with Damian leading the renovations, and Anna the design.
”Our clients are individuals, and are involved from start to finish. No project is cookie-cutter – everything is unique. We take the entire trailer apart,” says Damian. “The shell is separated from the frame and then we rebuild everything.”
At this point, Modern Mountain’s projects have been for individual owners, although they are currently working on their first commercial project. Some clients bring their own trailer, others ask Damian and Anna to find one for them. Often, the company will pick up the trailer and transport it to Bend. And they still ask their clients to give their new/old trailer a name.
Twenty years ago in Montreal, Quebec, Steven Clement was experiencing some changes in both his personal and business life. “I had been fascinated by Airstreams since I was a small boy,” he says. “My godfather had one, and I was always after my dad to buy one, but we never did. In 2004, I had the money, so I bought one for myself.” Steven still owns a Pottery Barn Special Edition Airstream trailer.
Recognizing the fascination others had with the iconic trailer design, Steven and his business partner formed Custom Airstream in 2010, with the idea that they would focus on refurbishing trailers for commercial use. Their first project was to transform a trailer into a kitchen for a New York city restaurant. The company, which currently has 19 employees, has branched out internationally with trailers at hotel, store and restaurant sites throughout the United States, and in Mexico City, and the Bahamas.
As they specialize in commercial clients, Custom RV offers two side openings on their Airstream trailers – a full gull door and a half gull door. The full gull door opens up like a garage door, leaving the full side of the trailer exposed. The half gull door only opens the top half of the side of the trailer. As Canada is one of the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world, they have access to a plethora of talented work force.
Steven acknowledges that the unique design of the trailers and their varied uses often capture the attention of high-ranking company executives. “While we specialize in commercial restoration, the CEOs of our client companies often get involved in the project,” he says. “And then when they see the end result, they decide they want a personal Airstream of their own!” Naturally, the company fulfills the request.
Even Madonna got into the act when she decided she wanted her kids to experience camping and borrowed one of Steve’s Airstreams. She wound up making a sultry video of the experience, which has received more than 70 million views on Instagram.
Refurbishing an Airstream does not come cheaply. Modern Mountain Airstream charges between $3500 to $6500 per foot, depending on the condition of the trailer and how much work they are doing. “It’s hard to complete a 31-foot trailer for under $200,000,” says Damian. As Custom Airstream is installing the gull doors on most of their projects, their prices average between $300,000 and $400,000, with some as much as $700,000.
“Airstream is an iconic American identity. Most people we work with knew about Airstreams as kids. The trailers represent liberty and freedom, and stories that go back to childhood,” says Steven. “We feel that our products are promoting the American camping lifestyle on an international basis.”
