Should I switch to an Interstate in a year?

[Msmoto]

Having had two AS trailers, a 44 foot MOHO, and now my 2015 Serenity 30 RB behind a Dodge 2500/Cummins I am thinking of towing this for another season (2017) and then maybe going to an Interstate pulling a small trailer with a CanAM Spyder on it so as to have a local vehicle to get around on easily at various venues.

However, I am curious about the real issues folks have with the Interstates, and are they a lot more problematic than the trailers?

If there are opinions, I would love to hear from those on both sides of the issue, particularly folks who may have experience with big moho's, little Interstates and the trail trailers.

Thanks much

[Protagonist]

Interstates aren't really any more— or any less— problematic than the trailers. The problems are different in some cases, that's all. Newer Interstates have more electrical and electronic whizbangs than the older ones and so a larger proportion of the problems they encounter would be electrical in nature; my 2012 is the soul of simplicity compared to a 2016 Grand Tour, for example, and has been mostly trouble-free for the past four years— once I got past the learning curve.

But back in 2012, the learning curve was strictly school of hard knocks because the Interstate owners were few and far between here on the Forums. The proliferation of owners willing to share their experiences has made it easier to figure out where and how things go wrong, and what to do to remedy the situation.

The Interstate is a fine towing vehicle for items within its towing capacity— my toad pulls like it's not even there, and only costs me 1 mpg compared to not towing anything, as empirically measured driving the same roads at the same speeds both towing and not towing. Given the number of miles that I've towed my toad (over 20k miles at last count), and the current price of diesel, the cost of converting my toad (adding the towbar baseplates, supplemental brakes, and supplemental lights) is down to about 11¢ per mile towed and dropping lower on every new trip, and the cost to bring the toad on any given trip is holding steady at just over ½¢ per mile towed.

And the toad also solves one of the bigger complaints about Interstates for people scaling down from a bigger trailer or MoHo, namely the lack of storage space for bulky items. I use my toad— a Honda Fit hatchback— as a de facto trailer for hauling outdoor gear. Your Spyder-hauler trailer would add outdoor storage the same way, for those items that you'd only use outside anyway and don't need cluttering up the inside of the van while in transit.

[Titus]

Given that you can wait a year, I would seriously look at what Advanced RV can do and at what cost. From what I can tell they use a bit higher quality components and do a credible job of installing those components. A shower that actually drains, no 50W panel that will only keep the battery charged if it is not being used for anything, etc., well thought out and well executed wiring, etc.

[AWCHIEF]

If money is no object Airstream has a new MOHO built on a larger MB bare chassis comeing out that might be worth waiting for.

[73shark]

And unless you just have to have a new one, I'd recommend buying a one year old one (could even be current model year) w/ low miles. A new one takes a big hit just like a new car or truck, maybe worse.

[Rocinante]

Contrarian here. Hey, if you're gonna spend that kind of money, take a look at the new Bowlus Road Chief Limited Edition Lithium+ trailer. It's gorgeous, but wow, so expensive (over $200K).

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

Having had two AS trailers, a 44 foot MOHO, and now my 2015 Serenity 30 RB behind a Dodge 2500/Cummins I am thinking of towing this for another season (2017) and then maybe going to an Interstate pulling a small trailer with a CanAM Spyder on it so as to have a local vehicle to get around on easily at various venues.

However, I am curious about the real issues folks have with the Interstates, and are they a lot more problematic than the trailers?

If there are opinions, I would love to hear from those on both sides of the issue, particularly folks who may have experience with big moho's, little Interstates and the trail trailers.

Thanks much

Hi, I think you already used up your allocation of RV's.

I/We were thinking about one of those until I actually got inside of one. I think a 19' Bambi has more room in it. Perfect for single people, like a few on this forum. Maybe the new larger cab and chassis models will be better size wise.

[ulwbob]

Instead of an "open trailer" for your trike I suggest you consider one of these. http://www.united-trailers.com/XLMTG It is enclosed but about 10-12 inches shorter than the usual enclosed motorcycle trailer so it can fit into a regular garage. Has a back door full width ramp, 1 foot longer front hitch to prevent crashing the tow veh into the trailer when turning or backing and can hold your trike or two side by side regular bikes PLUS give you plenty of extra storage that you will loose when going to the class B TV. I just ordered one last week for just such reasons. $5,000 range.

[m.hony]

I can't compare to the new Interstates with dual rear wheels because I have never driven one, so I don't know how the new ones feel or drive.
I do know that a truck and trailer drives and handles far superior to the old 4 wheel/single rear wheel TN1 Sprinter based Interstates.
Please drive on before you buy one.
I still haven't driven a big 44' diesel pusher any further than across town, but I can say a pickup and travel trailer (or fifth wheel) handle, ride, and drive better than a front engine gas Class A, Class B, or Class C motorhome in my experience.
The 5 cylinder diesel TN1 Sprinter based Interstates can be driven around town very easily just like any van. The TN1 Sprinter gets excellent fuel economy, usually between 19-21 mpg, and drives really easy with the easiest to use cruise control I have ever seen.
That being said, remember the loss of storage from your 44' motorhome to your trailer? That loss of storage will again be repeated going from a trailer and pickup to a Sprinter based Interstate.
Will you be able to use the CanAm Spyder in all weather?
Just some things to think about-
Maybe try to drive one and camp in one before you commit.
Class A motorhomes win in storage but lose in economy.
Class B motorhomes win in fuel economy, but lose in storage.
A truck 'n' trailer to me is a happy medium- in-between storage and in-between fuel economy.
You don't have to have a toad with an Interstate. You can just drive it around like a car if you are willing to disconnect and reconnect electricity and water. Some people are. Some people use their Interstates as a daily driver. At 19 mpg it gets better fuel economy than many other vans and pickups.

[Msmoto]

This is quite helpful. Lots to think about. And, I am doing just that, thinking about it.

I fully agree, used, one to two years old, hopefully debugged, this could save a huge amount.

My thoughts were to have a trailer which could have some storage space, hold a generator which could be run at any time, and provide the way to carry the Can Am Spyder. And, as to whether one can ride the Can Am in any weather, well, I have ridden 300 miles on a motorcycle in 30°F with the suit I have, so I suspect the Can Am would work.

But, I hope more ideas will be shared on this topic.

Thanks again

[RareStream]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

This is quite helpful. Lots to think about. And, I am doing just that, thinking about it.

I fully agree, used, one to two years old, hopefully debugged, this could save a huge amount.

My thoughts were to have a trailer which could have some storage space, hold a generator which could be run at any time, and provide the way to carry the Can Am Spyder. And, as to whether one can ride the Can Am in any weather, well, I have ridden 300 miles on a motorcycle in 30°F with the suit I have, so I suspect the Can Am would work.

But, I hope more ideas will be shared on this topic.

Thanks again

I just don't see how it would be enjoyable or even possible to go from having three real authentic Airstream trailers to a tiny cramped ridiculously overpriced skinny Dodge/MB Sprinter problem-riddled camper van while at the same time throwing all that money away to get sooooooooooooooooooooo much less...

[c21]

Originally Posted by ulwbob

Instead of an "open trailer" for your trike I suggest you consider one of these. http://www.united-trailers.com/XLMTG It is enclosed but about 10-12 inches shorter than the usual enclosed motorcycle trailer so it can fit into a regular garage. Has a back door full width ramp, 1 foot longer front hitch to prevent crashing the tow veh into the trailer when turning or backing and can hold your trike or two side by side regular bikes PLUS give you plenty of extra storage that you will loose when going to the class B TV. I just ordered one last week for just such reasons. $5,000 range.

Or this trailer which I just picked up in June. It's quite a bit more $$ than the one ulwbob showed you but it is extremely high quality and all aluminum construction. I had mine built 9" narrower than standard to better line up with the Airstream. I have two wheel chock positions, one center line for hauling one bike and one offset for hauling my bike + a scooter. Won't accomodate two full size bikes but it will handle a trike. The standard width version can be set up to haul two bikes.

[Piggy Bank]

Or
for a lot less expense maybe consider a smaller AS trailer (23 or smaller) that can be readily pulled with a 5.8L gas standard pickup. Both would be easy to sell if you try and don't like it.

Having an easier to drive truck with better MPG would be good for around town. Heck some people figure out how to load a motorbike into the bed on these.

If nimble once you get there is what you are after, then don't overlook the fact that you right now are driving around a big AS trailer, and you might like a smaller AS trailer.

[LB_3]

Originally Posted by RareStream

I just don't see how it would be enjoyable or even possible to go from having three real authentic Airstream trailers to a tiny cramped ridiculously overpriced skinny Dodge/MB Sprinter problem-riddled camper van while at the same time throwing all that money away to get sooooooooooooooooooooo much less...

It really depends on what kind of travel you like to do. If you only travel 200 miles up to the lake and stay there a week or 10 days, a trailer is your answer. If on the other hand you like to travel thousands of miles and only stay a day or two in any one place before moving on, the Interstate may be a better fit.
The Grand Tour, is called that for a reason; it excels at touring. A 30' trailer is difficult to park in urban areas making any stops along your route more difficult. But with the Interstate's ability to park most anywhere a car can park, dropping in and out of anyplace is a breeze. You simply make your bed in the morning, then pull on to the road. No need to hook up a trailer and the load distributing hitch, no need to stop for lunch or to let your passengers make potty breaks. Hell, if I had to pull over after eating a burrito, we're going to lose 45 miles. Instead, we just hit a rest stop long enough to switch drivers and I take care of my buisness while we're on the road.

If you outfit an Interstate with solar, you have a very versatile vehicle. It can boondock for a week in the wilderness, tailgate before the big game, take your friends to the riverboat casino in comfort, travel thousands of miles while getting over 20 mpg, parallel park in town, and gives you the flexibility to change plans at a moment's notice. That last part is what we find most fun. When we don't have to make reservations at a campsite and have the ability to stealth camp literally anywhere, we can make deeper connections with the new friends we meet along our route.

If we were in an F250 looking at a lighthouse while our trailer was parked in a campground 25 miles away the curator of the lighthouse might not have come out to talk to us. And if he did he never would have invited us to stay the night in that single parking spot at the end of a little dirt road.

The Interstate is expensive but you get a lot more than just a trailer. Not to mention you don't need to buy that big F-250 to pull it.

[m.hony]

I wonder if the Polaris Slingshot would fit in a cargo trailer to be pulled behind an Interstate.


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[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I wonder if the Polaris Slingshot would fit in a cargo trailer to be pulled behind an Interstate.

Maybe. Here are the Slingshot's published dimensions:
* Length 149.6"
* Width 77.9"
* Height 51.9"

[MO_Moderate]

RE "Airstream has a new MOHO built on a larger MB bare chassis comeing out that might be worth waiting for” - any place I can find details? Thx!

[m.hony]

Maybe the new motor home on a Sprinter chassis will resemble the Classic motor homes?
One can wish...


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[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Maybe the new motor home on a Sprinter chassis will resemble the Classic motor homes?
One can wish...


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That's what I was sort of hoping also!

I have tried to talk my wife into an Interstate, but every time we have looked at them - and their competitors - at RV shows, she just insists that they are too small for us (even though we too are pretty small!).

Maybe the new model might be just enough larger to swing the deal!

Brian.

[Rocinante]

We have friends with a Coachmen C-class RV built on a Sprinter chassis. It's really cute, has automatic levelers they added after-market, and they love it. So, an Airstream version could be pretty exciting. I look forward to seeing it, though we're pretty happy with our 27FB.