I wanna come back, but don't think I can.

[Impala SS Guy]

Gang,

I just sold my 28' Argosy MH last month because of having bought out 35' Bluebird MH 2 months ago.

After using out Bird for the last few weeks camping and making the mistake of visiting RV dealer, we have decided to sell the bus to meet the wifes ideal criteria. One of the thing she likes about the bird is that we can sleep in the back, have the 2 older kids (3 and 2) on the dinette that we never use anyways, have the baby back by us, and still have the 2 couches and captains chair for "living in".

We found a brand new SOB with 4 fully open bunks in the back, a queen size bed in the front, doors that close off both, and regular living space in between. This would let us meet our future sleeping requirements while not having to "unmake" somebodys bed to sit down someplace.

While I really do want an AS TT, I have not been able to find a layout that would let us meet those criteria. I have seen the 34 footers that sleep 6 and would dive in with no problem - except that when all the beds are made, there is noplace to sit - which is inconvenient

What I need to find is a side bath, ASTT with a 4 bunk bunkhouse at one end and a queen bed at the other. Is there even such a thing??!!??!!

I have also made her WELL aware that switching to the SOB would be a serious wake up call to the build quality that both our motorhomes have pampered us with. But realisically, for 2 light weeks a year, convenience has trump over exceptional quality.

Enough rambling - again, I just need to know, Is there even such a thing??!!??!!

Please help if you can - good bad or otherwise.

Thanks,

John

[bake315]

Get a 34' with the twin beds in back, then custom-build two additional bunks over those. 'Course this means you'll be sleeping on the hide-a-bed sofa in front, which is maybe a full at best. It would be cramped with two adults and a baby, to be sure - less cramped if you carried along a small, collapsible crib that you could keep stowed during the day, and by your bedside at night... That would yield the dinette and MAYBE one chair to sit in with all beds made.

Best I can do in terms of a suggestion, I'm afraid.

You didn't really explain why you're selling the Bluebird....?

[john hd]

have the wife drive, and get two 34' trailers then you will have room for everyone!

john

[Impala SS Guy]

Dave,

The baby doesn't actually sleep with us inside the bed, but "with us" as in she sleept next to our bed as you mentioned.

I'll take the idea home about the converting, but I have a hunch it won't really go over very well. I think that no matter what I say it will sound like "Honey, instead of picking up a BRAND NEW camper from the dealership with warrenty and everything, how bout I pay more money for a 15 year old one that I have to customize."

Also, just so I have as many bullets in my holster as possible, what are the odds of me finding a 34' with rear twins? What years would you recommend? And what would be the approximate expected price range?

I actually think if I were to go with the custom route, I might want to convert the twins into one huge bed all the way across, like to king size if possible, AND build a large bunk above that, maybe double. I would design it so that things could be put back to original though.

I do appreciate the input though, as it got my wheels turning towards a possible ASTT resulotion. Now I just have to refine my sales pitch.

As far as selling the Bird, I'm not one to get all caught up with the "mistique" of the label. It is an exceptionally nice setup, but the wife wanted a trailer when I bought the Argosy MH, then we were supposed to get a trailer again when I brought the bird home... before we had even sold the Argosy MH. She's a saint and I don't really care what we camp in, but I have always loved the Airstreams. I'm just trying to find some comfortable middle ground where we can both stand together.

[Karyn]

Total 3 kids? The "05" 30' Safari could work for you. You can get twins or queen at one end, a choice of twin bunks at the other or a double bed with a twin bunk over. The dinette wouldn't need to be made into a bed so you still have seating there and there is an optional sofa that could replace two chairs and a fold out table. You could have the whole family tucked in and still be watching TV in comfort on the sofa or sip hot cocoa at the dinette. Check out the floorplan at airstream.com.

[Over59]

How about here.

http://airstream.net/classifieds/ind...&fromfromid=25

[Impala SS Guy]

I'll be ready to look at affording the '05 by about 2020 and my total of 3 kids might be better phrased as "only 3 right now". We're not sure if we're done.

I have actually found a few relatively local units with a rear bedroom, and casually mentioned my plan over dinner last night about how "easy" it would be to just gut the bedroom out and rebuild it as we saw fit. She then asked where WE would sleep and my answer of "front sofabed" appeared to be the wrong one. I also don't think she bough tinto the "easy" part either.

So unless I hit the lotto that I don't play, it looks like I'm gonna have to live with a SOB till my squatters are ready to move out into a tent. And with my oldest of three having only recently turned THREE, I guess I'll have to sit on the curbside and watch till my day comes.

Thanks guys,

John

[1985air345]

Airstream is a late comer in the family oriented units. I guess most of the purchasers have been retired couples. The retire couple thing really shows in their product line. Some of the new units have bunks but the SOB's are far ahead in the units designed for familys. My kids really would have loved a 4 bunk/front queen SOB unit we saw so they could bring a friend with us.

[bake315]

Well, given the situation I guess recreating in an SOB is preferable to not recreating at all. Being as comfortable as possible also lends itself to an overall pleasant experience, as does an arrangement that is conducive to household harmony. Ultimately you'll make the right decision for yourself and your family.

And of course, this forum will be here if you need us!

[PizzaChop]

John,

As the father of six children (#7 due in March), I am familiar with your concerns. While my '72 Overlander is a rear bath unit (how I wish I had the center bath, rear bed), I have been able to accomodate my crew with sturdy yet relatively light bunkbeds constructed of birch CDX plywood (3/4") and aluminum channel. I removed the wardrobe/closet and built the bunks across from the rear gaucho. The baby (1 year old) sleeps in the porta-crib next to us in the living room. (We need to enlarge the front gaucho just a bit before next summer.)

We just completed an 8 day, 3300 mile trip from Georgia to Colorado, camping out four of the seven nights. Works great. We wanted a well constructed, easily (?) towable camper and realized that nobody builds them with large families in mind. That being the case, we'd have to modify anything we purchased. That is just what we've done. You will probably have to do the same.

My point is, you can have Airstream quality and have the sleeping arrangements you desire.

I'm attaching a picture of my bunks. I've been meaning to put together a pictorial with measurements and everything (wouldn't work the same with a rear bedroom) but haven't gotten around to it yet.

[IMG]

[Roze]

You figured out what causes all those kids yet? Ha, ha. God Bless you for having the courage and energy to take the family camping! Whawhoooo!!!! We only have one child and have yet to make it out the door for a camping trip with her. She will be 3 in November. Hubby is a 'city boy' so it's taking a little effort and patience to convert him.

Best of luck of creating, finding, building something for the fellow who is looking. Gutted trailers are cool because you basically design it yourself. And depending on budget you can hire out a lot of it fairly inexpensively (compared to buying a new AS).

OH and to the fellow with #7 on the way...WOW! That's all I can say...WOW! :-)
Take care, God Bless! Roze

[George Jr.]

Impala Guy,

Tell us about the Bluebird, photos if available.

Regards,

[Impala SS Guy]

1980 BLUEBIRD Wanderlodge FC35, 3208 Cat Diesel, Allison 4 speed auto trans, 97,000 miles total, 34,000 since factory remanufactured engine. 12.5kw Perkins diesel generator, Air horns, , musical horns, ZipDee Awning, Spotlight, Skid wheels, Cb radio, Luxury live-in coach Satellite dish. Alcoa premium wheels, Tow hooks, Front and rear chrome bumpers, Large storage pod on the roof, THREE roof airs, THREE furnaces, Rebuilt injector pump, New stool and electric heated marble floor in bath, New electric/engine water heater, New main batteries, New generator battery, New TV and phone wiring throughout, 3 full length closets. Built in desk and return. Raised generator. New radiator for generator, Swing main radiator, Full size bed and vanity Am/fm systems front and back, Strip lights, Swivel TV mount in bedroom, and a Built in slide out toolbox.

Inside of the last month, it also has one new tire put on, had the entire water system professionally gone through and installed new faucets in both the kitchen and bathroom, we also just installed a newly refurbished 8 cubic foot gas/electric Dometic refrigerator/freezer that performs flawlessly on both settings. It also has a very fresh oil change and the rear bedroom furnace was just cleaned/rebuilt.

I can also provide pictures to those with serious inquires. Given the current Bluebird market, we have decided to price ours very competitively for what we have and our asking price is $34,900/or best reasonable offer. Please call me at home @ 810-424-1699, on my cell @ 810-869-2356, or email me at mrbeebody@netscape.net. We are located in Flint, MI.

Bring offers or tell a friend

[Impala SS Guy]

I'm hesitant to post pics on the net till I finish wheeling it out. I'll gladly send you whatever pics I have before then if you might be interested though.