Covid-19 pushed people to explore the great outdoors, which resulted in skyrocketing camper and RV sales. While things have cooled off, sales are still significantly higher than before the pandemic.
This has been great news for companies like Airstream, but everything isn’t rosy as CEO Bob Wheeler told us campground capacity has lagged behind the increase in demand. As a result, finding a place to park can be a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. That’s especially true if you want to enjoy one of America’s National Parks as some sites are booked for weeks in advance.
To avoid the crowds and complications, an increasing number of people are turning to boondocking. This means they’re leaving the campground behind and are off-grid without access to water, sewer, or power.
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The lack of infrastructure poses a challenge, but it’s one that Airstream is stepping up to tackle by adding more off-grid capabilities to their lineup. This is particularly true of the new Trade Wind travel trailer, which has an array of solar panels on its roof.
They can generate up to 600 watts of power, which is twice as much as anything else in Airstream’s lineup. The model also has four times the battery capacity and this means you can live off-grid for longer and even use the air conditioner.
Those aren’t the only upgrades aimed at the boondocking crowd as a handful of models now have meaty tires and a lifted suspension. While you shouldn’t expect to tackle the Rubicon trail, at least you can travel a little farther off the beaten path.
When the call of the wild is interrupted by the call of nature, you’ll be thankful Airstream thought of that too. In the case of the Trade Wind, the model offers a composting toilet that minimizes water use and helps you stay off-grid for longer.
