LEXINGTON, Ky. – Airstream CEO Bob Wheeler says he is excited about the prospects for his company for the next year.
Especially in light of the fact that leaders are confident enough in the national economy and a potential rebound that they are ready to start coming up with ideas for new models, floorplans and corporate partnerships.
“It’s been a fantastic dealer meeting for us this year, in large part because we had a lot more new product to show,” Wheeler told RVBusiness during a reception held before the dealer awards banquet Wednesday evening. “We know the market has been squishy and during the pandemic we spent a lot of time just making more of what we already made but now we’re very much back in the mold of innovating new products floorplans and new collaborations.”
Details on some of the company’s 2026 offerings are embargoed due to the sensitive nature of partnerships, but others such as a Frank Lloyd Wright-themed trailer, a new Basecamp trailer and new generator-free power system on Class B models were on display for dealers.
“We’ve been moving away from generators and now we have a standard of just over 10 kilowatt-hour battery pack generator replacement with optional 17 kilowatt hour upgrade,” Wheeler said. “Not only can you get by without a generator with the base model, you won’t even lose time off the grid or – as for energy independence – we’ve got an upgrade option and very strong offering. And that’s new for 2026.”
The Advanced Power Package has at its heart a separate alternator driven by the van’s engine that creates power to be stored in the battery pack.
During the morning session with dealers, Wheeler talked about some of the challenges Airstream has faced over the past year, including $85 million worth of damage to a facility caused by a tornado in Iowa as well as shortages of some products needed to build the RVs caused by tariffs.
But the company is poised to resume innovation and continue to support its dealer base, he said.
He pointed to renewed efforts to create brand collaborations such as the Frank Lloyd Wright limited edition trailer and refreshed Tommy Bahama model for 2026.
The New Ones
- Frank Lloyd Wright Limited Edition – Working with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Airstream’s engineering and design teams incorporated elements from across Wright’s career. Convertible spaces such as a table/work desk and various uses of leaf patterns show the influence throughout the coach. The 28RB floorplan has an MSRP of $184,900.
- Interstate 19X Class B is a rugged vehicle built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. It has rear beds with cargo nets above. A wet bath and small kitchen area with a microwave also are features. An optional cushion is available to convert the driver/passenger area into another sleeping option.. MSRP is $233,400.
- Basecamp 20XE is just over 20-feet long and weighs about 4,500 pounds. It has a cooler/ice chest below the floor between two beds in the back of the cabin. The front of the trailer features a large window and rounded dinette area with a small refrigerator and Contoure microwave above a storage area. MSRP is $78,500.
Award Winners
During the evening banquet, dealers were honored with Airstream Awards.
First up were the Five-Rivet winners. These dealers exemplify the brand’s five key “rivets” or customer service touchpoints – authentic brand representation, superior shopping experience, seamless delivery service, quality service experience, and trusted long-term loyalty.
Winners were: Boise Airstream Adventures, Colonial Airstream, Airstream of New Mexico, Airstream of Wisconsin, Spokane Airstream Adventures, Airstream of New Hampshire, Airstream of DFW, Airstream of Greensboro, Airstream of Austin, Airstream of Gainesville, Woodland Airstream of Grand Rapids, Woodland Airstream of Indiana, Woodland Airstream of Detroit, Airstream of Minneapolis, Airstream of Albany, Airstream of South Carolina, Airstream of Northern Michigan, Portland Airstream Adventures, Seattle Airstream Adventures, Airstream of Mississippi, Bay Area Airstream Adventures, Airstream of South Florida, Airstream of Tampa, Airstream of North Georgia, Airstream Inland Empire, Airstream of Central Pennsylvania, Airstream of Utah, Airstream of Des Moines, Mark Wahlberg Airstream Cleveland, Airstream of Wyoming, Airstream of Jacksonville.
Service Award: 1. Airstream of Northern Michigan, 2. Airstream of Mississippi, 3. Airstream of Wyoming.
Parts Award: Woodland Airstream of Grand Rapids.
Top Net Promoter Score: Airstream of Mississippi.
Top Dealer Travel Trailer East Region: 1. Airstream of Tampa, 2. Colonial Airstream, 3. Airstream of Greensboro, 4. Airstream of Virginia, 5. Woodland Airstream of Indiana.
Top Dealer Travel Trailer Central Region: 1. Airstream of Austin, 2. Airstream of DFW, 3. Airstream of Minneapolis, 4. Airstream of Colorado, 5. Airstream of New Mexico.
Top Dealer Travel Trailer West Region: 1. Seattle Airstream Adventures, 2. Bay Area Airstream Adventures, 3. (tie) Airstream of San Diego and Airstream of Chandler, 5. Airstream Las Vegas.
Top Dealer Travel Trailer Canada: Can-Am RV Centre.
Top Dealer Travel Trailer Overall: Airstream of Tampa
Top Dealer Touring Coach East Region: 1. Colonial Airstream, 2. Airstream of Tampa, 3. Airstream of South Florida, 4. Airstream of Virginia, 5. (tie) Airstream of Southern New England and Airstream of Charlotte.
Top Dealer Touring Coach West Region: 1. Airstream of Austin, 2. Airstream Inland Empire, 3. Seattle Airstream Adventures, 4. Bay Area Airstream Adventures, 5. Airstream Las Vegas.
Top Dealer Touring Coach Canada: Can-Am RV Centre.
Top Dealer Touring Coach Overall: Colonial Airstream.
Top Dealer International: Roka-Werk Airstream Germany.
Top Dealer Canada: Can-Am RV Centre.
Top Dealer Overall: Airstream of Tampa.
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