We Tested Airstream’s Newest Camper Van on A Midwest Winter Adventure
I’ve always been a traditional tent camper. It was how my parents introduced me to overnighting in the great outdoors, and I never considered venturing into the world of RVing—until the opportunity arose to test Airstream’s newest camper van on the market, the Interstate 19X. And as my forays into new experiences almost always drop me into the deep end, it only makes sense that my first RV trip would involve camping in the midwest in the dead of winter.
My husband, Rob, and I drove from Colorado to Nebraska to Indiana where we had been invited to explore the states’ winter recreation scenes. A “snowcation,” we dubbed it. Well, that was the plan—snow only made a substantial appearance once during the trip, and happily it was on our snowboarding day. But while the weather didn’t quite live up to our hopes, our time in the vehicle did.
The Interstate 19X, designed for campers seeking a more luxurious RV experience, is built on a 19-foot Mercedes-Benz sprinter van chassis. It’s equipped with a foldout mattress in the back, a minifridge, a stowable induction cooktop, a kitchen sink, and a wet bath. Due to the freezing temperatures on our adventure, we had a dry camping setup and did not make use of the toilet, shower, or sink; this was fine by me, as I’m not yet confident in dumping wastewater tanks or mitigating pipe-bursting crises. We used the bathrooms at our campgrounds, and we brought a few large water bottles for staying hydrated and making coffee on the mini stovetop.
Enjoying some post-hike refreshments from the minifridge after exploring Brown County State Park, Indiana.
What We Enjoyed
A Good Size For Beginners
The van was 19 feet long, not so large that it was too intimidating to drive and park (it fits in most standard parking spaces), but big enough that you feel safer and more visible on the highway. It was especially cool to be window-level with semis instead of speeding below them feeling small and squishable. We also loved the cameras and sensors all around the van that helped with parking, backing up, and changing lanes.
A Comfortable Ride
I have a firm rule for road trips: Stop every 2 hours to stretch stiff legs, have a bathroom break, and maybe get a coffee refill. But because the sprinter van’s cockpit was so spacious and had well-cushioned, supportive seats—a far cry from my Subaru’s cramped quarters—we could easily drive up to four hours between destinations without feeling antsy.
A Portable Locker Room
We hit up several state parks and preserves on this trip: Fontenelle Forest and Platte River State Park in Nebraska, Indiana Dunes State and National Park, McCormick’s Creek State Park, Brown County State Park, and Pokagon State Park, to name a few. At every trailhead, the van was our cozy personal changing room: it was fun to hit a button, watch the side door dramatically slide open, turn on the heat, and peel off extra layers. My favorite part of the trip was snowboarding at Indiana’s Paoli Peaks Ski Resort. We parked the van and kept the heat running while pulling on our snow gear. After hours of hitting the slopes (on my part, falling on my butt), it was wonderful to come back to the Airstream to swap my damp bib and shell for drier apparel and hop into a heated seat. We’d also stocked the minifridge with coconut water as a hydrating post-ride treat—ah, luxury.
A Warm and Cozy Winter Shelter
Our first time configuring the van’s sleep setup at Platte River State Park, Nebraska.
Our first overnight—and my first time sleeping in an RV—was at the Platte River State Park campground in Nebraska. After plugging into the electric hookup to keep the van’s battery full, we unfolded the benches to make a firm yet comfortable mattress. I was surprised that my 6-foot-2 husband was able to lie down without his head or feet bumping against the walls of the van; we both had plenty of space sleeping side by side and didn’t feel confined at all. Sleeping in our warm, heated van at night, we felt safe and comfortable, and it was easy enough to use the campground bathroom for our morning routines. Plus, with no tent breakdown required, we were able to hit the road in record time.
What We Learned
RVing in Winter Comes With Tradeoffs
Because we were traveling in freezing temperatures, the van was winterized—this meant no running water for the sink or shower, and no use of the toilet. As a result, we couldn’t enjoy the full range of amenities that this vehicle offers in other seasons, but it was nice to see how RVing in the winter compares to my usual tent-camping setup.
We Had To Get Creative With Storage Solutions
Between the two of us, we had several bags and suitcases on this trip. While driving, the luggage fit well in the back on benches and on the floor (with a few items up in the overhead side compartments). But with the benches folded out for our bed, we had to stow an empty suitcase and two bags of snacks in the out-of-commission bathroom stall. Our trip was seven days long, and we decided that, for us, the van was best suited for long weekend trips with less luggage.
The Bottom Line
Dipping my toe into RV camping revealed that there are some real perks to having your transportation also be your campsite. As much as I love sleeping in a tent and having a more old-fashioned, in-touch-with-nature camping experience, I got a thrill from folding out a mattress to create a snug bed in the back of the van. The furnace running overnight created a warm, soothing atmosphere with its white noise blocking out sounds from neighboring campers and the (sometimes eerie) calls of wildlife. We even set up a laptop on the counter and watched movies at bedtime. Overall, it was a great soft entry into RVing, a cool combination of the comforts of home in a campground, and an excellent option for camping in the winter when otherwise, I probably just wouldn’t.
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