Ten years ago, Airstream introduced , a small, nimble pull-behind camper that was meant to resonate with the growing young-adventurer set. More of a toy hauler than a den of comfort, the trailer lacked a bathroom and hit the market just as the recession did. Only 200 were built before Airstream shut down production of the model.听
So I was more than a little surprised when, while towing 鈥攂ehind my truck this summer, a gentleman in his 60s approached me at a gas station and started studying the silver spaceship and its eight tinted windows. 鈥淒o you mind if I look inside?鈥 he asked without taking his eye off the camper. Not at all, I told him. 鈥淕reat. I remember when they came out with the first one in 2007. It didn鈥檛 do so well.鈥
He poked his head inside, probably ran a mental inventory as only an Airstream devotee could, then emerged beaming, clearly in approval of the upgrades.听
The new model includes a shower and flush toilet, a two-burner propane cooktop (and propane water heater), a refrigerator and stainless steel sink, a sliding screen door on the passenger side and a swinging rear door at the head of the bed, ample living space,聽tableside bench seating (which turns into the bed), a 23-gallon freshwater tank, heat, and AC. All that in a camper that measures聽16 feet long, seven feet wide, and weighs聽2,585 pounds鈥攍ight enough to tow with a Subaru Outback.听
Like any Airstream, the Basecamp isn鈥檛 cheap. Its MSRP is $34,900, and extra聽options abound, including a 160-watt solar package聽and enclosed patio and rear tents.听
When my family of three took the standard model for a two-night test spin in Colorado鈥檚 lower Blue River valley in July, I was expecting to like it. And I did. We found a perfect creekside parking spot the first night, but the nook wasn鈥檛 very long. I drive a crew-cab pickup with a full-length bed, so I worried we鈥檇 fit with a camper. No need. It nestled right in,聽thanks to the Basecamp鈥檚 modest length. We made a fire outside on the creek聽and gabbed and snacked until the mosquitoes launched a hellacious attack. Then we stepped inside the well-lit camper and ate at the table like models of civilization (save for the wailing 1-year-old, who wanted to go back outside).听
The following night, after a drive up Ute Pass and a long day hike, we parked next to the Blue River at a site with views of the Gore Range. We made fish tacos for dinner and braved the chilly air for as long as we could, sitting聽next to the fire. Then, with our son asleep in a portable crib that fit perfectly between the bed and kitchen counter, I opened the rear hatch door and climbed into the warm camper without a sound. I don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever slept that well away from home.听
Dealers will begin receiving Basecamp inventory in October. Until then, they鈥檙e taking reservations. Find out more at .