Quote:
Frederick, tell me a little about the origins and life of the Fiber Stream trailer, would you please? Like.... - When did Airstream start and stop manufacturing them?
- Where were they built?
- Did they incorporate the same frame as used for the Airstreams, or is it lighter?
- How much does a 17 footer weigh dry?
I haven't found answers online anywhere and I am curious about this brand egg. I assume, being Airstream in origin their fit and finish holds up well over time.
|
I have deduced the following information from my research:
- "Fiber Stream" was NEVER manufactured by "Airstream"; they were two totally different companies.
- Fiber Stream trailers were built in at least 3 different cities, all in Southern California, between 1975 and 1986.
- Fiber Stream's frame is nothing like Airstream's; it is MUCH lighter.
- The least MY Fiber Stream 16' ever weighed was 2000 pounds
Airstream during the 1970's and 1980's was a large manufacturing corporation, with 2 assembly plants and many employees.
Fiber Stream, on the other hand, was a sole proprietorship, a "company" consisting of one man, his wife, and a hired helper. The trailers were built and
sold one at a time. The "factory" moved from San Diego, to Mira Loma, and then to Fontana because the rent was cheaper for each succeeding building. The company went out of business in 1986 because the guy wanted to (or needed to) retire, and could not sell the business to anyone else. There was only one model, the "16", that was marketed as a lighter alternative to the Airstream Bambi. He was just enough different from Airstream to prevent him from being sued for copyright infringement, but benefited from confusion with the Airstream name. Airstream is one word; Fiber Stream is two words... Airstream was always only made out of aluminum; Fiber Stream was molded out of
fiberglass.