There’s a reason why this 1967 Caravel 17′ has been featured in an upcoming HGTV broadcast to be aired in the Fall of 2012 — it’s stunning. It’s perfect as a mobile office for remote working in style, or a longterm road trip adventure, or weekend beach outings, or even as a spare guestroom at home.
You will not find a more self-sustainable, simply elegant, efficient vintage Airstream with this level of quality, form and function. It’s a breeze to pull with any mid-sized SUV or larger vehicle.
The solid hardwood flooring is a rich and warm redwood. Smooth white Zero VOC painted walls and laminated counter tops are accented by silver aluminum-edged cabinetry with turquoise blue acrylic drawer fronts. Sustainable 100% recycled white glass tiles wrap continuously from the kitchen to the bathroom.
This contemporary-styled Airstream is the “greenest” model we’ve created yet, topped off with a set of flexible solar panels on the roof. The coolest part is they follow the aerodynamic curvature so they blend right in. The panels supply 270 watts of power that can be collected on a sunny day, and when it’s cloudy there are three on-board batteries that provide ample renewable power storage for more than adequate work and entertainment. There’s even an iPod/iPhone audio connection for high-quality indoor and outdoor sound.
The low window at the front of the trailer called for a custom solution for a functional workspace. A cooktop and stainless steel sink were custom designed and fabricated to rest above the countertop surface, the end result effect is that they seem to float above the surface of the counter. A design first, unlike any other on the market today.
The bathroom features our signature stand-up shower with generous lav seating. Modern stainless faucetry and deepset sink. A mirror faces a tall closet to store linens and such, that is directly adjacent to the bathroom entry door. Both custom crafted doors are constructed of water-resistant frosted plexiglass sheets mounted with stainless never-rusting hardware.
And here’s something new… we added automated bed extensions so when it’s time to crash the bed expands and retracts with the flip of a switch. Centrally-located Dometic air conditioner unit and several gas furnace outlets provide for complete year-round comfort.
Click here now for a list of our current Airstream inventory for purchase. For more information or an appointment to view, contact Wally at (805) 618-2461 x102.
Hi mate,
All your Airstream renovation look classic but modern. I like it very much. I’ve been thinking, searching to have this kind of Mobile Office for myself too. But the problem is we cannot get any Airstream down here in Australia.
I wish one day I could get this kind of office. Would like to know, for the interior fitout of this Caravel size, how much is the total cost? is it 1/3 of the price of the Caravel or more ?
Thanks
We’re woking on another Airstream bound for Australia as we speak. Let us know if we can help you with a renovation.
Hi Matt,
Me and my husband are fixing up an ’86 excella. We’re wondering how your cushions you chose for the dinette sets have been holding up. We’re considering ordering some online.
Thanks!,
Dom
Sunbrella fabric is an excellent, durable product. They work great!
Hey Matt,
You do great work!! I have a gutted 72 Tradewind that I have just started my renovation project on and keep coming back to your site for inspiration. I like the layout of your 78 but am also thinking about a removable bunk above the pull-out sofa. It looks as if mine was originally the smaller bathroom w/ the exterior bulkhead closets. I’m thinking of keeping that layout b/c of the storage and the amount of time you actually spend in restroom. I have 2 questions for you on the caravel restroom. I want the restroom to be a “wetbath” and I was curious how you did the drainage for that teak floor. Seems as if you don’t have alot of room to top of the frame. Also, the back of the shower wall on the caravel seems a bit of a distance from the original wall. Is that a dead space behind the wall? Did you pull it further out for the height clearance? I’m 6 ft tall so I can understand that.
thanks again
Eric
Hey Eric,
I think the bunk above your pullout sofa would work.
The shower room floor is pretty complex… we built a recessed metal pan below the finished floor level, reinforced it with metal supporting frames, sloped the pan for drainage to a drain pipe… lots of welding and custom plumbing. Then we used a brush-on waterproofing substrate to seal it. There’s a water-tight closet behind the shower for storing linens and bathroom supplies.
One of the things I love about Airstreams and this little Caravel is they’re BIG on height. I’m 6’4″ and can stand up in the shower space. Enjoy your new shower!
Thanks Matt,
I had a feeling that shower floor was a little on the complex side. I’m just in the process of removing interior skin, insulation, etc, so I’m quite a ways from the bathroom and bunk. Just trying to get the layout nailed down. I’ve attached a link to my blog. Check it out.
http://72airstream.blogspot.com/
Thanks again!!
Do you have a buy guide? I have a 72 I was thinking of selling — but I find your renovations an inspiration to start work today.
We can probably help with your buying/selling questions. Feel free to contact us with more details about your ’72 and let us know if we can assist on your renovation.
Beautiful work. Just wondering about those “flexible” solar panels. Looks like you custom fit solar film onto pieces of aluminum. I’m thinking about doing a similar install myself - could you provide the name of the company you purchased them from (the film I mean)? Thanks!
Flexible solar panels are actually “semi flexible” They will only bend to about a 30 degree angle across the length of the panel. The reality is that this works just fine for installing along the roof of an airstream. The solar panels are sold as a single unit, in varying sizes. The base is stainless steel, not aluminum - just keep the panel installed off the surface of the aluminum to allow for airflow (and shading) so the metals do not touch. Look for “HQRP” as the manufacturer.
Matt,
Did you ever draft a floor plan for the caravel as you did for the tradewinds? If so, could you post it?
Thanks. Eric
Not sure. We’re looking for it.
Hi Matt,
Beautiful trailers. I just fully gutted a 30 ft 1979 airstream and now planning the remodel. Can you please offer me some tips on what to do with the walls and ceiling? I’m left with different paints from people over the years and thus not even, not to mention the fully exposed aluminum from ripping out the bathroom unit and old rivet holes everywhere. Looking to make it as smooth and clean as possible, but not sure of what materials to use. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Cheers, Toby
I’ve seen many applications here. If you’re looking for a clean white surface, might I suggest a couple options: 1, sand down the existing skin, prime and paint as required - filling holes with rivets and patches. 2. install a new interior skin with aluminum or similar metal - keep unfinished or paint as before. 3: apply another surface onto of the existing aluminum: vinyl, wood, plastic sheets… etc. Lots of options!
Hey Toby, sounds like you’ve got a fun project. Clean the surfaces well with a good degreaser, sand the surfaces, fill holes with Bondo or rivets, paint a good quality base coat, caulk the seams with a good quality paintable silicone, then a couple coats of a good semi-gloss. Go with a light neutral color and use zero-VOC paint (non-toxic fumes). Lose all the extraneous riff-raff, such as curtains, molding, metal, lights, and the such. Only keep what you need — don’t keep anything you don’t. Refinish the screen frames and rescreen, too. You’re looking at a whole bunch of hours, but remember to enjoy the process and it will all be well-worth it! Send me some photos of your finished work, I’d like to see it. -mh