In 1929, Wally Byam purchased a Model T Ford chassis, built a platform on it, towed it with his car to a campsite, and painstakingly erected a tent on it.
This was the beginning of the Air Stream Travel Trailers………
Wally’s wife was not happy with the camping arrangement and urged him to build a tear drop shaped permanent shelter on the platform that would enclose a small ice chest and kerosene stove.
This turned out so well, he decided to publish an article with the headline “How to build a Trailer for One Hundred Dollars.”
Wally sold these detailed plans for one dollar each.
He ended up earning more than $15,000 (check the year……that’s A LOT OF CHANGE for that period)
Airstream Trailer Company went into full production in 1932, when fewer than 48 trailer manufacturers were registered for business. 
Five years later, nearly 400 companies squared off against each other. Today, of those 400, only Airstream remains.
Wally had a dream and a vision…….
His creed was….
“In the heart of these words is an entire life’s dream.
To those of you who find in the promise of these words your promise, I bequeath this creed . . . my dream belongs to you.”
- To lead caravans wherever the four winds blow…over twinkling boulevards, across trackless deserts…to the traveled and untraveled corners of the earth.
- To play some part in promoting international goodwill and understanding among the peoples of the world through person-to-person contact.
- To open a whole world of new experiences…a new dimension in enjoyment where travel adventure and good fellowship are your constant companions.
- To keep alive and make real an enduring promise of high adventure and faraway lands…of rediscovering old places and new interests.
- To place the great wide world at your doorstep for you who yearn to travel with all the of home.
Wally Byam
Even back in 1936, Wally recognized a need for recreation travel. At that time he stated that he is the business ” to make people’s dreams come true”.
Since that time, Air Stream Travel Trailers have come a long way……
Wally was fond of saying ” let’s not make changes, let’s make only improvements” and that’s exactly what he did.
The image of the Air Stream Travel Trailers are pretty much the same as they were when Wally first started production in 1932.
Over the years, Wally has “improved” the Air Stream Travel Trailers…..if he couldn’t find a suitable item on the market, he would urge someone to manufacture the item.
What this means for the R.V world is a travel trailer that holds up to the test of time. The Air Stream Travel Trailers offers as standard…..the following:
- low, rounded shape
- trailers made using aluminum
- superior structural integrity
This youtube video is a little long…..20 minutes long. But take the time to watch it. It’s full of info about the construction of the Air Stream Travel Trailers.
This gives you a trailer that is lightweight, streamlined, fuel efficient and durable. You can see Air Stream travel trailers every day on the road…..vintage and new ones.
I could list all the different trailers offered and the floor plans…..but that would make for a LOT of reading….
If you’re really interested in taking a closer look at these remarkable trailers just head on over to the Air Stream Trailer site.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little bit of info on the Air Stream Travel Trailers.
I knew about these trailers, have seen them on the roads and in the campgrounds. But since researching this post I’ve learned so much more about this trailer and what it stands for.
If you have one of this iconic symbols of America…..we’d love to hear from you. Just leave your comments in the box below.
