When the new Eddie Bauer influenced Airstream was launched at last year's RVIA show, something told me that I needed to contact Mr. Bob Wheeler, the man behind Airstream.

I thought the idea of affiliating with Eddie Bauer was brilliant on many levels. I emailed him to tell him what a big fan I was of Airstream, and also to ask him some questions about the direction the company was taking moving into 2011. Soon after, I got an interesting email back from Mr. Wheeler.

RV magazine:
Airstream's brand seems to attract a loyal following. Is it because of your trailer's styling, construction or history?

Bob Wheeler:
The short answer is....yes! All three of these things contribute to our appeal.

RV:
What do you think the consumer sees when they think Airstream?

BW:
Well people certainly see a beautiful travel trailer perfectly evolved to do what it does best, and a great example of form following function. But it's much more emotional than that. Over the 8o years we've been around the Airstream trailer has come to represent freedom, and possibility, and a way to answer the call of the open road. It's this unique combination of the practical and the emotional that has garnered us such a loyal following.

RV:
Wally Byam founded Airstream decades ago, how much focus does Airstream place on its history and does this American success story shape the direction for its future? How.

BW:
We're all about celebrating our history; we couldn't escape it if we wanted to. It's that history that has made the Airstream a part of the American fabric. But we want to remind people that we today make the best travel trailer in the world, one that is designed to meet the needs and tastes of today's buyers. But all the changes we're made over the years are guided by the words of our founder, Wally Byam, "Let's not just make changes, only improvements".

RV:
Every major automaker holds press functions before their products are released to the public. It gives the media a chance to review and comment on the product, much like a motion picture is reviewed by critics before it goes into theaters. Why haven't we seen the larger RV manufacturers taking similar steps in introducing products?

BW:
Because the exposure generated through the RV trade press is too small, and the mainstream and automotive press aren't generally interested. The industry needs to do more to attract mainstream media, especially to events like the Louisville show. I will note that we had a press event at the show this year to introduce the Eddie Bauer Airstream.

RV:
The environment is on everyone's mind. What new technologies will Airstream be incorporating in their products to promote a smaller carbon footprint? Can we expect to see solar panels or some other green technology in the Airstreams of the future? Airstreams are already pre-wired for solar and promote good mileage by design, but is there more in that regard to come?

BW:
Much of what we do to protect the environment we've been doing for 80 years. We make the most aerodynamic trailer in the market, and one that is designed to be handed down not sent to the landfill.

About 80 percent of our material content is recyclable, as well. We use efficient LED lighting inside and outside of the trailers, low-flow water fixtures, and low VOC-emitting materials. And you already mentioned the solar panels, an increasingly popular option. Looking ahead, we're going after our manufacturing processes to reduce scrap and landfill hauls, recycle every scrap we can, source from local suppliers to reduce trucking, install high-efficiency lighting in the plants, etc.. So it's not just the trailer that's green, it's how we make it as well.