Jayco launches new 22ft Airstream

Australia’s on-again, off-again love affair with the distinctive Airstream aluminium caravans entered another chapter at this year’s Melbourne Leisurefest, with a new 22ft model a last minute addition to Page Bros RV’s large Jayco display.

While the 18ft Airstream was placed prominently in front of their main sales and hospitality area, the new 22ft model only arrived on show eve and was hidden out of sight of all but prospective buyers, at the rear of the Jayco stand, in the pit lane behind the garages of the Sandown Racecourse.

Sticker-priced at $169,990, the new Airstream joins the smaller $139,990 18ft model in the Australian range.

An attempt last year to import the smaller 16ft 6in rear entry door Base13 model with its funky retro style and projected RRP of $83,990 has now been abandoned after it encountered major compliance issues according to Page Bros RV director, Steven Page.

Page Bros is the sole Victorian dealer and one of just five premium Jayco dealers in the Australian Airstream network.

Built to Australian specification at Airstream’s Jackson, Ohio plant in the USA, the two Australian Airstream models have a similar left-hand-entry door configuration as the models it ships to the UK, but otherwise retains most of the trademark Airstream features, such as their shiny, curved alumium skin, attached by hundreds of hand-applied rivets.

And while the equally-shiny smooth aluminium internal lining may encourage moisture condensation under some circumstances, Airstream buyers are prepared to put up with minor inconveniences to be different.

Distinctive Airstream styling features seen on the new 22ft model with its front-side entry-door, include the brand’s distinctive ‘sausage’ styling, oval ‘port-hole’ windows, lightweight faux-timber interior cabinetry and curved bed and lounge pedestal bases.

Unlike its 18ft rear-side entry-door sibling, the larger Airstream has a walkaround transverse queen bed, but it's located in the van’s centre with a pop-up large-screen TV at its foot, rather than in its nose, where the larger model has a leather-clad U-shaped front lounge. A big curved front window is another typical styling feature.

As you'd expect from their alumium architecture, both models are relatively light for their size with Tare weights of 1800kg and 2200kg respectively.

In their home country, Airstream’s rich trailer park, Hollywood heritage, has made it an industry icon, yet in Australia, which doesn’t share this culture, buyers have so far been relatively scarce. This means that Airstreams here are niche, standout rather than mainstream players in the expanding luxury caravan market.

Also read: Airstream 18ft International Review