Potential buyer

[bloodman]

Looking very hard at the Interstate. Can anyone comment on the Winnebago model or the Gulfstream and why they chose the Interstate over the competing models?

[interstateflyer]

The Interstate is a touring coach. A super SUV. handles great and gets 22-23mpg if you drive 60. Two people can camp in it but it is best used as a touring coach for two or more. We travel everywhere in it, whether we tow a live-in trailer for a third person or stay in a hotel.

It makes a good tow vehicle for small trailers (2K or smaller). It's a good base of operations or support vehicle for activities or events.. I would avoid the couch/bed in the back if you intend to have passengers. They would be isolated...that's no fun.

The Itasca Navion or Winnebago Sprinter with slide out would be your best best for traditional RVing. It has more room than the Interstate. It doesn't handle as well and gas mileage is less on the 3500 chassis. They are a very attractive package.

[bloodman]

Thank you for your response. Definitely helps.

[swebster]

I think interstateflyer said it perfectly. The Winnie and Gulfstream are more traditional RVs (that you can actually camp in) and the AS is more of an overnight while enroute coach.

A lot depends on what you plan to use the vehicle for; work, travel, weekending, a month on the road, in a park, etc. Also, how many do you need to sleep.

I'm a big fan of the Winnie. I think the floorplan is solid, fit and finish are good and the value is there. I also like Winnebago's warrantee dealer network and service and parts history. In fact, if I didn't own the Airstream and had money to spend the Winnie would be my choice for a motorhome based on our actual usage patterns (three kids, occasional weekend camping, two or three long trips a year where we have access to a house alongside the RV)

[interstateflyer]

We'll use the Interstate and T@B combo on a 2 1/2 week trip through Northern California and Oregon next month. Two adults, one teenager. We'll do two 4 day dry camping stints at road race tracks and the rest at 1000 Trails RV Parks.

Dry camping is very doable. The Interstate has a 100 watt solar panel that keeps the battery guage on full most of the time. A full tank of water supplimented by restrooms with showers is good for about four days.

[wahoonc]

I have looked at both the Winnie and the Gulfstream. I felt like the fit and finish on the Winnebago was better than the GS. If I were in the market for a small moho the Winnebago would be in my garage. They are a bit pricey, but that is due in part to the limited numbers being built. Favorite floor plan is the 23 J with the storage over the cab.

Aaron

[Davydd]

Actually the competing models are not Winnebago. The Winnebago is a different class. The major competing models, all Sprinter 2500 vans, are Roadtrek, Leisure Travel Vans, Pleasure-Way, Great West, Sportsmobile, etc. I felt the Interstate was the best of the group from an aesthetics viewpoint but had some things that were not quite right in my mind. I was looking before they had a rear electric sofa model and I did not care for the mid bed/couch arrangement. So I ended uo buying a Pleasure-Way Plateau. At the time it was a toss up between Pleasure-Way and Leisure Travel Vans for me. As previously mentioned the B class is really only suitable for up to 2 people when you factor in capacities of tanks, space, etc. and the Roadtrek's put great emphasis on accomodating 4 people in their layout. Quality wise they are all Sprinters. Conversion wise I felt Pleasure-Way, LTV and Roadtrek were a cut above the others in real wood cabinetry, fit and finish, and amenities. The three I rate highest are all Canadian conversions. Best recommendation is the visit the respective web sites, gather the stats and information and narrow down what fits. Then definitely look at them in person. One great thing about looking is you only have to test drive a Sprinter once and know how they all are.

The Sprinters B vans are complete mini-motorhomes and have all the self-contained amenities with as much space as an Airstream Bambi trailer. As opposed to trailers and even the Winnebago class C you can drive a Sprinter everywhere, park everywhere except parking garages, and camp everywhere from primitive National Forests to full RV hookups.

[rving42]

Hi:
We are selling our 2005 Airstream Interstate that is in immaculate condition with a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty. Listed in classified for this site and also on www.[URL="http://www.craigslist.com/"]craigslist.com [/URL] for Philadelphia PA -just search for Airtream Interstate.
We liked this unit for reliabilty and quality. It is on a Freightliner Chassis with a Mercedes Turbo diesel -service managers say the engine should run reliably in excess of one million miles.
Excellent unit!

rving42@comcast.net
Len

[Skater]

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