The Airstream vs. the Environment

One of the things I have struggled with as an Airstream owner is the fact it doesn’t exactly meld with my environmentalist leanings. I’ve prided myself on commuting by public transportation, maintaining a vegetarian diet, driving small cars, camping without leaving a trace, and generally living a modest footprint in life.

When I was considering the Airstream purchase, I read that Wally Byam had manufactured the trailers to be lightweight so that a regular car could tow them. “Great!” I thought, “I won’t be one of those honkies you see on the road with an RV the size of a house pulled by 2-ton truck.”

After we made the deposit, I remembered that a sedan or station wagon in the 50s and 60s had a whole lot more towing power than one manufactured in recent years. I came to understand it’s a matter of safety to pull the Airstream with a truck capable of the job after reading the Airstream forums. Safety consciousness pulls the same weight as environmental consciousness in my head. I didn’t want to put myself, Aluminuts, and others on the road in danger by insisting on an inadequate tow vehicle. After much debate, we’ve determined the Toyota Tundra will be the front-runner when the time comes.

For now, I feel like I can put my environmental concerns to bed. Our plan for next summer is to park the Airstream in New Hampshire and visit it on the weekends shuttled by the Accord. I hold out hope that when or if we gather the funds to take the Big Trip a alternative energy, affordable, tow-worthy truck will be on the market. And yes, I know that’s more a matter of fantasy than hope. On the other hand, perhaps 6+ years of public transportation will earn me enough carbon credits to take the trip without insomnia-inducing guilt.

Above, our nephew peers out the window. Please think of his future, Aluminuts!