Prior to this review, we knew Airstream trailers were upscale RVs that stood out in a crowd, and we knew Airstream owners tended to keep them for a long time. But, it was only after spending time in one that we learned why.

For starters, the Airstream is not a white box on wheels. The construction and styling is unique and distinctive. People keep them for the same reasons, we'll wager, that people keep wooden sailboats and classic cars. There's something about the way they look and the way they are built that people appreciate.

When it comes to trailers, you might suspect that they don't build 'em like they used to, but in fact they do. Only better. The current-generation Airstream camping trailer may look like a classic, but they offer all the modern qualities and amenities you would expect in an upscale RV.

Our home for the weekend was a 23-foot International, built with an aluminum skin and framework, furnished with high-quality interior materials. We found a relaxed, modernistic sense of luxury about the Airstream that provides a unique sense of well-being.

The International line, one of five different Airstream models, is available in lengths between 16 feet and 28 feet and GVWRs between 4,300 and 7,300 pounds. At 23 feet, our test unit had a 6,000-pound GVWR and was designed to sleep two to five people comfortably, so the three of us had plenty of room. Nominal payload is 1,299 pounds, but weights may vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on options, so we checked the door sticker for information. It told us our test unit's actual payload was 1,257 pounds, less 298 pounds with a full load of water.

Construction involves riveted aluminum skin stretched over extruded aluminum frames. It's a lightweight, durable design with a low center of gravity, helping to keep the trailer stable and easy to tow. It's also a long-lasting design, ecological in the sense that the trailer won't end up in a landfill after a few years. We're told there are about 100,000 Airstream owners worldwide.

The interior furnishings are consistent with the idea of a more permanent living space that needs to remain functional on a decades-long time frame. What you see are precisely laminated surfaces and bright stainless steel fixtures. What you don't see are plastic and particleboard. The interior reminded us of a corporate jet or modern sailboat. Outside, storage areas have doors that latch precisely, with quality hinges and quality locks.

Hooking up to our tow vehicle was made easier by the electric hitch jack, which has up/down toggles located in a lighted cove. No cranking is necessary, but should the need to crank manually ever occur, there is a manual jack provision. We noticed there was a crank handle located in the rear bumper storage area. Fuses for the jack are in the battery box. The battery box holds two Interstate green-top deep-cycle batteries.