Airstream Interstate Camping

[73shark]

Could be. I had to have both the BIM & the solar panel controller replaced before everything worked. Almost since the solar panel still charges the batteries even tho they are above 12.45V.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Teamaron

I have another question:
My son and I have slept in the interstate very comfortably, but now the wifey and daughter want to come along.
... anyone have any suggestions to 'enlarge' sleeping accommodations??? Any suggestions would be helpful......

I made a temporary cot arrangement across the front seats so our 10 year old granddaughter could stay with us on trip to Niagara last June. I used a collapsible camp cot from Thermarest. It worked OK but was crowded. See attached photo and pdf file of Thermarest cot.

In July we had three adults and a 10 year old in our Interstate. I don't recommend it. The three women slept on the lounge bed and I slept on the camp cot up front. I was the only one to get much sleep. We only did it because it was pouring rain. The next night my daughter and granddaughter used a tent.

Here is a link to one solution used on a Roadtrek.
Roadtrek Mods / Modifications, DIYs, Campgrounds, Class B Mods / Modifications, RV Modificatio: Folding Mattress for Sprinter Front Seats

Also adding two photos of Roadtrek's solution. Note that the Roadtrek seats fold up in a different way than those in Interstate.

[73shark]

Someone posted on this forum how they oriented the front four seats to support a board and thin mattress to create two beds suitable for kids up to their early teens.

[Supercatspjs]

We sleep all 4 of our kids inside our extended interstate - they are 13,10, 8 and 6. The little ones -8 and 6 -squish with mom and dad in the bed. The other 2 - 10 and 13 yr olds -have the set up In the front that I may have mentioned in the past on the forum. (note that at certain locations - like the remote forest- my 13 year old Boy Scout sleeps in a tent)
You do what protagonist said...turn front seats all the way around facing the back (there is some vertical seat adjustments because the seat hits the door when you try to turn it all the way around).
Then move all the seats as forward as possible and recline as much as possible.
The passenger seat will go back far enough for a small adult to fit.(my 13 yr old is 5'5" and 140)
You will only have about 6-8" between the 2nd row and the turned around front seats.
Then I use a 2'x4'. Piece of 1/2 plywood -they are precut 2'x 4' at Lowes and I had them cut off maybe 4" off the end to shorten it to make it fit flat - I'll get measurements posted. Note that this piece fits flat on the floor trunk area exactly perfect in the extended interstate.
To protect the seats I used white duct tape around all the edges of the plywood - it is very full of splinters- and covered it with probably 3 layers of tape especially on the corners.
I use towels on the seats for protection against scratches or tears. Then I use two patio chaise lounge chair mats as cushions.
Throw a sleeping bag on top with a kid inside and night night - they can even watch tv facing the front of the car.
Although I think it is better with your head toward the front of the car because it seems slanted to me.

I will be happy to get some pix posted ASAP.
I did consider the roadtrek ones but those are virtually impossible to find.
I also thought of making it fancy w folding ability but I think it would end up bending. This is nice and solid and could be more solid w thicker plywood. And the cushions can be stuffed in different spots in the camper as needed. We have a FULL house when we go!

Also in a pinch - I carry a rolled up airmattress for my big boy to crash in the aisle when we are just too tired to get the boards out - e.g, road trip and walmart overnighter on the way someplace cool.

[73shark]

Thanks for posting the info. You are the one that I was referring to yesterday.

[c21]

Made our first trip in our new 2014 AI this month. Drove down to San Diego for a week where we visited old friends and played tourist. Only issue was oil residue burn off the first time we used the furnace. Next morning I ran furnace for a half hour with the side door open and it cleaned up fine. I have owned 3 previous motorized rv's and every one of them has had a hand full of bugs which took anywhere from one to three trips to the dealer to get resolved. This Airstream is our first rv with no bugs (so far). Everything just works as does the coach itself, smoothly & quietly motoring down the freeways at 65+ while getting 19+ mpg. On one leg of the trip I drove for 280 miles straight with no fatigue. The quality of these coaches is great and many many people come over to ask us about it. Several have told us they are thinking of dowsizing to one of these (one fellow from an American Revolution). Granted, they are much smaller than anything we have had before but you learn to live with what you have. Ours is the twin floor plan and I am enjoying sleeping on a real matress for a change. I for one wouldn't trade. We plan an extended trip to the East Coast next year and the plan is to stay in rv parks and get a hotel every 6 or 7 days so we can do laundry.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by c21bill

We plan an extended trip to the East Coast next year and the plan is to stay in rv parks and get a hotel every 6 or 7 days so we can do laundry.

Don't be silly. Stay at State parks or CoE parks, not Hotels. In my (admittedly limited) experience, the State and CoE parks I've stayed at usually had laundry rooms.

Also, to minimize the need to carry lots of clothes, I have two words for you: Hospital Scrubs (the kind the doctors and nurses wear, not the backless gowns). They not only make cool and comfortable casual wear around the campfire, but they're perfectly acceptable to wear in public, AND they make really comfortable pajamas, too! They hardly wrinkle, and even if they do, who cares!

[m.hony]

Why would you stay at a hotel to do laundry? You can do laundry at the campground...
A lot of state parks have coin op washer/dryers.
I see RV's at hotels from time to time, and I'm like, "Hmmm. I don 't get it."

[c21]

With a month on the road we'd just like a chance to stretch out from time to time. To each his/her own!

[m.hony]

I guess maybe the difference is we have a trailer- more room- and less money-

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I guess maybe the difference is we have a trailer- more room- and less money-

Play nice, now. Interstates have their own advantages. Higher cost and smaller interior volume aren't among them, but pointing that out to an Interstate owner isn't terribly productive. While you're feeling smug about having more room to stretch out, we'll be smug because we can park in the same amount of space that you need just for your tow vehicle.

[Panama Red]

Oh yeah!!! Well, my tow vehicle can sleep four... Four very small uncomfortable children, but it can sleep,four... If two of them don't mind sleeping outside in the bed...
-Red

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Play nice, now....... While you're feeling smug about having more room to stretch out, we'll be smug because we can park in the same amount of space that you need just for your tow vehicle.

And, one vehicle to insure and maintain, one payment for those of us who opt to finance, the ability to pull into a small space for the night....wherever that may be.

We who love our Interstates can go on and on and on.

All a matter of personal preference.



Maggie

[Panama Red]

Well then, I up my tow vehicle to sleeping six... Six incredibly small, very uncomfortable children, with four of them outside in the bed...
-Red, trying harder to justify the space his tow vehicle takes up...

[Lily&Me]

Yep......our entire unit, within which we and medium sized dog travel quite comfortably......probably requires just the space of your truck.

However, they are not for everyone, We have had more than one couple tell us bodily harm would come to one or both if they had to live in something as small as ours.


Maggie

[c21]

Another thing I forgot to mention about our AI, while driving to San Diego about half way up a grade I looked down and noticed I was still at 65mph which is where I had the cruise control set. I pushed the accelerator and lo and behold, still had power left. This is my first rv that didn't look for a lower gear and a sweet spot rpm to climb grades.

[AirRiggie]

You neglect to mention being able to use the bathroom while the vehicle is in motion...road condition permitting of course...and an extra passenger seat with the lid closed