Shasta has been synonymous with small, lightweight travel trailers since the 1950’s. With their classic rear wings and distinctive paint designs, Shasta was the top selling small trailer throughout the 50’s & 60’s.
Fast-forward to 2009. Parent company of Shasta, Coachmen, reintroduced a retro designed Shasta Airflyte 12.
At 17′ from hitch to tail, the 2009 Airflyte offered a sleek interior with a flash of European flair.
However, the 2009 Shasta Airflyte would be short lived. With just over 100 produced, the plug was pulled on the Airflyte. Sales likely weren’t construed as “brisk”. One big reason was the Airflyte was all electric, no propane. That’s fine if you’re at a campground where there’s always electricity. But it would eliminate the possibility of camping off the grid, or boondocking as it’s often called. However, the other big reason of its demise is that Coachmen had been absorbed by Forest River, who already had a lightweight, retro-styled trailer in the r-Pod.
And with that, the 2009 Shasta Airflyte was gone as quickly as it came back. Or was it? In the summer of 2011, two 2012 Coachmen Shasta Airflytes showed up on a few online RV classified websites. Both trailers were for sale at Clem’s RV & Trailer Sales in Ellwood City, PA. When contacted through Facebook, Clem’s wrote back:
“We have the only 2 produced for the 2012 models. They were discontnued as we know after 2009 models. When Coachmen looked in the plant here this summer they realized they had enough product left to build TWO units only and they would be the last 2 ever produced!! We sold 40 of the 2009s and has the oldest Coachmen dealer in the nation we were offered the 2 models.
So there you have it. Possibly the last two new Shasta Airflytes that you’ll ever see.
I think this new blog is a wonderful accomplishment for you Pat and Jennifer and I will really enjoy any news you are posting I am sure! Good job! Travel on! 🙂
Your final photo of the Shasta is not of the 2009 Airflyte 12 but of the Shasta Airflyte 16. The tip off is that the Airflyte 16 has propane – as your photo shows – and the Airflyte 12 does not. Also, the Airflyte 16 is longer.
The two Airflyte 16’s that you mention might be the only two ever manufactured. I have seen no mention of Airflyte 16’s sold prior to 2012.
We own an Airflyte 12 and really like it. It draws lookers and we give many tours.
I have been trying to learn the total number of Airflyte 12’s manufactured and have seen two figures, 114 and “around 180” for those manufactured in 2009.
I have seen advertised sales for 2011 Airflyte 12’s and I speculate that, as with the 2012 Airflyte 16’s, the 2011 Airflyte 12’s were assembled from left over parts after manufacturing otherwise had stopped.
If anyone knows the exact production numbers for the Airflyte 12 and 16 I would like to know them.
We own an Airflyte 12, no one believes it’s a real “Shasta”. We truly enjoy ours. We’ve only heard that 112-114 were made, but never anything official.
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I’m surprised they didn’t sell like hot cakes. I am in the process of re-doing a 1972 Frolic (which I’ve dubbed the Pink Paradise). I am in love with vintage campers and love your site. We just went to a Vintage Camper Rally here in the Finger Lakes this weekend. Check out my post!
Just getting strted. Have not decided what I am going to buy. I know it needs to be used, and a low price. I am a single woman. I am researching life on the road!
I too am looking into purchasing. I am recently widowed and would like something small and used. Not looking for life on the road but lots of adventures. Always loved camping but getting too old for a tent. Let me know what you find.
I too have a 2009 Shasta 12 Airflyte. The dealer I purchased from told me they only made 104. I do disagree with Robert about the Airflyte 12 being all electric. Mine uses both gas & electric. The gas heats and runs the fridge when not plugged into electric. I too get to “show off” our little gem wherever I go! Unfortunately we recently lost our spare tire cover with the Shasta name and can’t find a replacement.
How do you convert the table to a bed? Just got one and can’t figure it out!
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Keep in mind this trailer came out in the fall of 2008, just as the economy crashed. The RV market in general went into a tailspin. I attribute that to this product’s demise as much as anything. I own one and love it. Selling it now b/c I need something a little bigger. Kids keep growing on me.
Location??
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I was recently given a Shasta Astrodome. I need info to determine its “made” date. Read on another blog that they were made in ’62 ’63 and ’64. Saw a pic. online of one at a rally supposedly a ’61. How do I find accurate information? Mine has a single seat across the front with two tables that fold up on each side in front of couch, not the two banquette seats with folding table. Also need pics of interior to see what is original. Mine does not appear to have any add on’s inside or out.Thanks.
Nancy – Are you on Facebook? If so, I’d suggest joining the Vintage Shasta Trailers group. They have nearly 4,000 members on there and would be an excellent source of information.
If you’re not on Facebook, do visit Tin Can Tourists: http://tincantourists.com. Explore the site and look for the section under RVs and Trailers. There is a section that helps identify your trailer, or also contact them for assistance.
Sorry I can’t be of a lot of help when it comes to vintage trailers, as I tend to focus on newer small trailers. I still do what I can to help those who ask me for assistance with a vintage trailer they have.
Just purchased s 12′ 2009 today that appesrs to be new. There is not a discernible mark on it anywhere, Even underneath the frame and suspension is as shines as a new penny. Paid $14,000-amazing considering its age and original sales price-and are happy with the deal. We look forward to showing it off-our old/new trailer. By the way, it includes an external portable on-demand instant water heater(propane powered) made by Triton that just ads to the charm.
I’ve one!! A 2009 Shasta Airflite 12 as of Jan 2017! Love it!! I travel at least once a month and no problems so far. I watch over her very carefully because no one knows anything about this model!!
Peoples are very intrigued by her. I’ve the owners manual, thank heaven,
and it is interesting and helpful. Interesting changing the interior lights tho…
Hi! I just purchased a 2009 Airflyte 12 and don’t have an owners Manuel. I’m trying to locate one. How in the world does the awning work. Thank you
Kevin
Hi Kevin-
Here’s the awning manual:
https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/documents/Campout.pdf
The owner’s manual that came with my 2009 was a a rather generic forest river manual, but I’d be happy to xerox it if you’d like.
Dave
Hi Kevin, hope you have figured out the awning is not a one person job….maybe more like a three person each with a step-stool job! I’ve an original Owner’s Manual printed 9/08. I’d be happy to make you a copy. LessieLou1@aol.com
We just purchase a 2009 Shasta 12 airflyte camper it is beautiful!?
We are in desperate need of the 2009 Manuel for it.
We will pay top dollar any suggestions? We found several from Coachman, Forest River etc but they have blank pages and are not specific to that 2009 model.
Thanking you in advance for your help.
Hi John-
I have a 2009 too and it’s great….sliver with teal interior. Bought it new in 2010 and it’s been a lot of fun! My owner’s manual is pretty generic (forest river), just covers any trailer they sell, not specific. They only made like 114 of them before the R-Pod took it’s place. If you have any questions, feel free to email me, I know the little quirks that it has, My fridge initially had the 12V wired up backwards at the back of the fridge, so it wouldn’t run on 12V. I’ve met two other owners who had the same thing. Oh Forest River!!
Hi Lessie! I just bought one in beautiful condition, but with no manual. Might it be possible to get a copy of yours? deanoism@sonic.net
Sorry to have gone off the radar…. We’re still going strong just hook up kick the tires check the mirrors and go! Been through TX, NM, AZ, CO, up to and through northern Wyoming! New season of glamping about to begin going east and north then west and south Silver and teal? mine too!!
re the Shasta Owner’s Manual is by Viking Recreational Vehicle, LLC and is very proud of the 2009 Shasta Airflyte. ‘Revised 9/08’ Nowhere does it mention Forest River 😉 I’ll be glad to copy and share. LessieLou1@aol.com its what we do, right?
I had a decal made ‘by Coachmen/Viking’ that I’ve place next to the back Shasta metal plate emblem. As ya’ll know, these ‘coaches’ do get a lot of attention. FYI…the wings are very, very heavy.
How do u change the lights. Mine is it over the bed can’t figure it out.
Hi I have a 2009 airflyte and that’s why I’m on here I don’t know how to change the lights
We just bought a 2009 but it didn’t come with a manual and I’m having a hard time finding one online. Any suggestions?
We have one of these and LOVE it!!
Hi Adam-
The manual that came with mine was a generic forest river manual. But I’d be happy to xerox it for you if you’d like.
Dave
We have a 2009 Shasta airflyte 12 , love it! Seem to have been hit by hail storm and damaged the outside bubble on the skylight , if anyone knows where I can find one possibly two, ha! We have the three way fridge , propane and have added two solar panels to the roof so we can park anywhere and still enjoy a movie at nights. Thanks for the help!
Hi Brian-
I have a 2009 Shasta too. It’s one awesome little trailer! The skylight is a Dometic Seitz Midi Heki. I had to get new clips for the inner fascia and ordered them direct from the UK (after setting up an account) at:
https://www.leisureshopdirect.com/ventilation/caravan-roof-vent/dometic-heki-rooflights/dometic-midi-heki-rooflight-and-spare-parts
You may also want to contact Northstar campers, They may sell you Heki parts direct, but this is only anecdotal. http://www.northstarcampers.com/contact-us
Tel: (319) 233-3461
Fax: (319) 233-6302
info@northstarcampers.com
Amazed you have propane! Did you add that or did it come from the factory this way? Would love to know more…email me at dgebow@comcast.net if you could. – Dave
We recently bought a 2009 Coachmen Shasta Airflyte 12. Does anyone have tips on keeping the fridge cool when traveling? I can’t believe they would make something that would not keep food cold while traveling.
Thanks,
Hi Larry-
Many of these trailers (like mine) had a manufacturing error in the wiring harness where the 12V wires coming from the battery were reversed at the back of the fridge causing it to only work on 110V. You can tell if you disconnect the trailer from shore power, then check to see if a LED light in the fridge is on. Then try turning the thermostat until the compressor starts. No compressor noise at all with it turned up all the way? Then the polarity is reversed at the back. I reversed the wires on mine and voila, it began working on 12V. I know of another Shasta owner with the same thing. You have to take out the perimeter screws around the face of the fridge and carefully slide it out until you can access the back (two person job). While someone supports the fridge at the front to avoid damaging the wood fascia, swap the two wires coming from the 12V source (one red, one white) at the spades marked “12/24VDC + and -“. I have some pictures if you need assistance….email me at dgebow@comcast.net.
We have owned a 2009 since new and love it. I am looking for a new skylight opener as ours has broken. My dealer here in Ohio can’t get one. Please help anyone who knows where to find one. The manufacturer in Europe has gone out of business
Hi James-
I ordered some parts for my midi heki skylight from here:
https://www.leisureshopdirect.com/ventilation/caravan-roof-vent/dometic-heki-rooflights/dometic-midi-heki-rooflight-and-spare-parts
Even though it’s in the UK, they sold me the parts I needed after I set up an account and they emailed me back an order confirmation.
Thanks,
Dave G
I have a 2009 shasta airflyte 12 no issues except the one I created. I changed all my interior lighting to led, less power/heat. In the process I cracked one of the lens on one of my ceiling lights…..does any one know where I can a new ceiling cover lens.
Much appreciated any help I can get to locate one
GT
Guy-
I unscrewed one of my ceiling lights. It says ITC on the back. It looks to be the chrome version of their Sapphire Halogen Overhead Light:
http://www.itc-rv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/03/81297_Sapphire_Overhead_Halogen_Light.pdf
The chrome version light’s part number is 81297-CH
I don’t see anywhere to buy it online. (the chrome version I saw on Amazon is not correct) Contact ITC directly at1.888.871.8860 or email them at: sales@itc-us.com
Thanks,
Dave
Hey Dave, Thank you so much for the info I will check it out.
Guy
OK, so from what I’m reading here, there were actually two Airflyte 12s produced… one that was all electric and one with propane. Mine is all electric and I wish I had the 3 way fridge. Has anyone else experienced rapid battery drain from using the fridge on DC?
Hi Dean-
I’ve seen up to 3 configurations of the Airflyte 12. Some have a propane water heater and furnace but a 12V fridge. And another that had a propane furnace but a 110V water heater and 12V fridge. Seems like Coachmen couldn’t make up their mind? Lol. Mine is all electric. I had to install two Trojan T-105 batteries in a Century Plastics dual battery box in place of the single 12V battery to run my fridge for a reasonable amount of time. FYI- the fridge draws approx. 3.5-5 amps when running. I find that when boondocking I need to run my generator a couple hours a day to top off the batteries. I recently got two portable 100w solar panels (they put out 12 amps in full sun) recently that completely run the fridge during the day…now I generator charge about every other day when boondocking. And avoid taking your batteries below 50%…and never to 0%…you will dramatically shorten their life. I also found that a proper battery monitor such as the Victron BMV-700 is an absolute must with this all electric trailer. If you have more questions, feel free to email me at dgebow@comcast.net. Happy camping!
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Couple of questions about the 2009 shasta airflyte 12 is there a winter cover that will fit these trailers, and I would like to put a rear bumper on our trailer has anyone put one on, possibly welding to the frame where the triangle supports are so the trailer won’t bottom out if the trailer is raised to high. Looking to weld a bracket to the frame and then put a square tube aluminum bumper on. Comments, suggestions appreciated, was looking for an airstream back bumper to keep the retro look put haven’t had any luck.
Thanks,
Guy
We bought a 2009 Shasta- all electric. We are trying it out this weekend. How do you turn on the hot water heater? We are newbies! Thanks
Just buying a Shasta 2009airflyte and can’t wait to enjoy camping in it.
My wife and I are looking at a2009 Shasta Airflyte 12 for sale. I was doing a bit of research on them and those that own them seem to love them. Are replacement parts hard to find?
What was the suggested list price for the 2009 12 foot model new?
What would the 2009 in good condition sell for today?
Thanks
Hi Charles-
I’ve owned a 2009 Shasta since new…it’s been a great little trailer. Tows so easily and fits anywhere. They were $22,000 MSRP when new, I paid $11,000…the RV dealer had inherited the trailer from a dealer they bought out and were looking to move it fast, so I got lucky. I see good condition used ones now for around $6000-7000. The parts used are all off-the-rack RV appliances, etc. so theta’s not an issue. The weakest areas of the unit are: 1) Peeling fake wood edge banding that needs re-glueing as needed 2) Wavy looking fiberglass wrap over roof-not a structural issue, just poor attention to detail 3) My fridge was wired for 12V backwards(!) 4)Needed 2 6V gold cart batteries to realistically power the fridge (I did convert all lighting to LED),a 3000W generator still needed for AC/heat pump and microwave . If you have a questions, feel free to email me at dgebow@comcast.net – Dave
We will be selling our 2009 coachman airflyte soon! It is in beautiful condition and has no problems. We have kept it out of the weather In a Rv garage.
Location is Menifee Ca.
Hi there, How much are you asking? Does it take propane or electric only? Any issues you know about? Thanks so very much!!!
I believe I have 1 of the 2 that were built in 2012. It says 2012 and Clems. WOW, the dealer I bought it from said he got it in PA and brought it to WI. We both looked for 2012 Shasta on Nada so we could value it for my bank, but there is no option for Shasta airflyte in 2012.
I have a 2009 shasta airflyte 12 is there a air filter I have to replace and if so where is it and where is the proper jacking point to change a tire?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Guy
No air filter in the AC unit, though you can vacuum the intake area with a brush attachment after removing in the inside air intake grille. As for jacking it up: First I hook up my truck/set the parking brake for extra safety, and chock both sides of the opposite wheel of the trailer. Then I jack mine up on the main frame member just forward of the wheel where there is no crossmember (the main frame members are the bigger ones that run front to back, not side to side) using a 4 ton (though 2 ton would be OK) bottle jack with a block of wood under it to get the height I need. I always place a jack stand or two under the same frame member just in case the jack fails. Then I can change a tire, adjust the brakes and lube the bearings.
Dave G, thanks again for some great advice, much appreciated. I checked out my tires and they have lots of tread but severe cracking so ordered new ones and can safely change them on my driveway. My trailer did not come with the mounted spare as some did. I would like to add a bumper to protect the back and utilize it for a spare and accessories any suggestions?
We have a 2009 shasta airflyte 12 which is new to us and the kitchen sink window dropped down from hinged top … right now it’s closed but if opened it will drop down I’m afraid of breaking if too forceful to put top back in place, any suggestions ???
Hi Ken-
I found these links, they may help. It looks the window needs to be at 90 degrees to get the window back in its top track, which means removing the operating crank that operates it…they mentioned drilling out the rivets. I’d just replace the rivets with nuts/bolts.
https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/technical-information-sheets/windows/ccd-0002743.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFtZHOWtpzE&t=155s
Best,Dave G
Good day , checking in on our 2009 Shasta airflyte 12. Have owned it since 2011/12 , love at first site. Now I’ve read that it maybe a 16 because it has propane. Is this fact? We are currently looking for a interested buyer as we rarely use it anymore. I’m thinking we have the only one in Alberta Canada and maybe Canada itself. Would love to communicate privately with you but don’t know if I should expose my email address Will try and keep with this site to find an interest in it ! Enjoy your time , happy camping!
I bought the Shasta Airflyte 16 from David Salvo lol. It’s been pretty good, but it’s been some trouble. A lot of stuff failing on it.
We own a 2009 Shasta Airflyte 12 (Red) that has a front dinette (instead of the swerved front bench) and window that seem to be factory. How many of the 2009 units have front windows and breakfast nooks? I have seen pictures with 2 different size front windows and ours is the smaller. We are living in ours full time as we travel the country and so far its been a great camper. If anyone has information on the following it would be great to hear from you.
1) isn’t the rectifier on the fridge supposed to toggle between 12v and 120v as supply becomes available? the posts on here seem to suggest it needs to be wired one way or the other.
2) are there upgrades for the water heater and heat pump (air conditioner) that owners have used to replace the original equipment when it fails?
3) what method do people use for effectively dealing with the curling laminated wood trim cover. We plan to use a heat gun and glue.
Thanks for any responses and for keeping these trailers alive.