2020 Bambi 16RB weight question

[splat matt]

The airstream website claims 3000lbs with batts. and full propane with a cargo of 500lbs.

At a local dealer the tag says 3222 lbs (not including water) and 278 lbs left for cargo. The inside tag confirms number but adds water weighs 8.3 lb/gal and a full tank weighs 240lbs. even the 23 gal x 8.3 = 191 lbs. Based on the tag 3222 + 240water = 3462 lbs only 38 lbs left for cargo (otherwise you will exceed 3500 GVWR).

For comparison the 2019 is tag says it is 3020 lbs.

So did airstream accidentally include a full water tank in their weight 3222 lbs for the 2020? If you take 3222 -191 (actual water weight) you get 3031 which would be closer to airstreams advertised spec.

Has anyone seen this? If you have a 2020 16RB would you share your tag info?

Thank-you!

[Halford1]

Airstream website show 3000 lbs dry weight and 500 lbs cargo. GVWR would be 3500 lbs.

I usually don’t carry water in my tank.

[splat matt]

Originally Posted by Halford1

Airstream website show 3000 lbs dry weight and 500 lbs cargo. GVWR would be 3500 lbs.

I usually don’t carry water in my tank.

Right but issue is that the actual trailer tag says 3222. We camp in state parks where water hook-ups are not available so we need to bring water in.

[skitger]

I have a 2018 Bambi 16, at the time is was 2,800# dry with a total at 3,500#, but I have not put it on the scale loaded, now I am curious too. I carry water for the same reason you said, some parks it is a pain to get water, so it is nice to have. The #10 axle is also 3,500#, mine has the 14 inch rims, looks like they now use the 15 inch ones (maybe for weight and height). The new features on the 2020 did push up the weight, but they will be nice to have. The tank sizes are better than the 2018's which is good. They also added a second battery, which you really need to have anyway. I tow with a truck, so I put the heavy stuff is in the box, but the DW still has a nicely stocked pantry. I will put the TT on the scales this Spring and see if I need to move weight around. I still love the 16 Bambi, fits anywhere.

[Halford1]

Originally Posted by splat matt

Right but issue is that the actual trailer tag says 3222. We camp in state parks where water hook-ups are not available so we need to bring water in.

Who would you rather believe: dealer or AS Jefferson Center?

Ask the dealer where they got this info.

[splat matt]

Originally Posted by Halford1

Who would you rather believe: dealer or AS Jefferson Center?



Ask the dealer where they got this info.

All info is coming only from AS and none of it is consistent.

AS 2020 Bambi Brochure says 2900 lbs with batt. and propane) leaving 600lbs cargo

AS website says 3000 lbs (with batt. and propane) leaving 500 lbs cargo

But the trailer sticker/tag says 3222 lbs and 278 lbs cargo. See pics

[Halford1]

Was solar system added?

[splat matt]

Originally Posted by Halford1

Was solar system added?

No - everything is standard. Basically there is a 222 to 322 lbs weight discrepancy from website and brochure (respectively). Even a solar panel wouldn’t make that much difference.

Again if anyone has a 2020 Bambi 16RB please share the weight info posted on your trailer.

[splat matt]

So I answered my own question, but this maybe good for others to know that are looking to buy their first airstream.

The tags on the trailer are actual weights weighed by Airstream after it is finished being made. This is the kicker, the model I was looking at weighed 3222lbs even though airstreams literature says it should weigh around 2900 (brochure) or 3000 (website) lbs. Being that the 2020 16RB has a GVWR of 3500 lbs. means you can only carry 278lbs of cargo safely. Airstream’s door tag also says water weight for a full tank (in reference to the model I was looking at) is 240lbs and counts as cargo weight (meaning the 240lbs water weight is not apart of the 3222lbs finished trailer weight). So if only have 278 lbs of cargo available and use 240 lbs for water because where you are going doesn’t have hook-ups then you only have 38lbs for cargo inside the trailer!

All of this is confirmed in the 2020 Bambi Owners Manual (see pic)

[chugchug]

It seems the industry standard to overload the trailer, especially the low weight ones. I owned a 19' Jayco before and it was regularly 500 lb. overweight when leaving for a trip. I actually took it to a scale to check. My personal stuff + water was 1000 lb. but the allowed cargo was 500 lb.

Cargo Carrying capacity is one of those items you need to check carefully when buying a travel trailer. The manufacturer are hoping you will not. I suppose most people don't else those trailer would stay on dealer's lot.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by splat matt

So I answered my own question, but this maybe good for others to know that are looking to buy their first airstream.

The tags on the trailer are actual weights weighed by Airstream after it is finished being made. This is the kicker, the model I was looking at weighed 3222lbs even though airstreams literature says it should weigh around 2900 (brochure) or 3000 (website) lbs. Being that the 2020 16RB has a GVWR of 3500 lbs. means you can only carry 278lbs of cargo safely. Airstream’s door tag also says water weight for a full tank (in reference to the model I was looking at) is 240lbs and counts as cargo weight (meaning the 240lbs water weight is not apart of the 3222lbs finished trailer weight). So if only have 278 lbs of cargo available and use 240 lbs for water because where you are going doesn’t have hook-ups then you only have 38lbs for cargo inside the trailer!

All of this is confirmed in the 2020 Bambi Owners Manual (see pic)

Attachment 357089

Each trailer before it leaves factory is weighed and they will be different depending on options. That’s why the manual reads as it does. According to these tags on the trailer if you have full water it leaves 38 lbs. for cargo the total GVWR shouldn’t exceed 3500 lbs. that’s the way I read the tags you provided.

[splat matt]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

Each trailer before it leaves factory is weighed and they will be different depending on options. That’s why the manual reads as it does. According to these tags on the trailer if you have full water it leaves 38 lbs. for cargo the total GVWR shouldn’t exceed 3500 lbs. that’s the way I read the tags you provided.

I understand that; the point I’m making is they advertise these for having 500 and 600 lbs for cargo and in reality you are getting 278 on this model which is standard model (no add-one) according to the dealer sheet. Then you load it with water and no room for anything else.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by splat matt

I understand that; the point I’m making is they advertise these for having 500 and 600 lbs for cargo and in reality you are getting 278 on this model which is standard model (no add-one) according to the dealer sheet. Then you load it with water and no room for anything else.

Sounds like this particular trailer has extra weight options maybe Solar, an extra battery, stone guards, you need to look into that. 2020 model has extras that previous models do not have that add weight.

[splat matt]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

Sounds like this particular trailer has extra weight options maybe Solar, an extra battery, stone guards, you need to look into that. 2020 model has extras that previous models do not have that add weight.

I saw it in person, no solar, no options, no stone guards. Price listed shows no add-ons. I also did a search online looking for 16RB Bambi tags to see their weights - a lot of fluctuations no add-ons to deviate from advertised numbers. Calling AS tomorrow to get more info. I really want one but not if it can’t hold cargo and water.


In fact this one has solar and the tag says it has 356lbs of cargo in their pictures
https://www.arbogastrvs.com/product/...6rb-1124140-29

[Adventure.AS]

What is your tow vehicle? Perhaps you could consider a larger trailer?

[Bill M.]

All interesting stuff. One add on that adds a good bit of weight is the awning. Marketing views the awning as cargo. I see one on the trailer in the picture. Depending upon your use it would be possible/likely to travel with only 1/8 to 1/4 tank of water and fill up when you get near or at the destination. In any event you have demonstrated that you can not carry a lot of stuff in a Bambi without over loading it according to the sticker. Good thing you are getting your learning in before buying. I expect that marketing might also consider some things like a removable table or granite counter tops or bedding as cargo too. Wheras we might tend to think of them as part of the trailer.

For the Bambi people who weigh and tow: How close are you on your axle rating when loaded for towing and hitched? That is the loading I would keep track of. And as your % tongue weight goes up the axle load goes down.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by splat matt

I saw it in person, no solar, no options, no stone guards. Price listed shows no add-ons. I also did a search online looking for 16RB Bambi tags to see their weights - a lot of fluctuations no add-ons to deviate from advertised numbers. Calling AS tomorrow to get more info. I really want one but not if it can’t hold cargo and water.





In fact this one has solar and the tag says it has 356lbs of cargo in their pictures

https://www.arbogastrvs.com/product/...6rb-1124140-29

After you speak with Airstream please let us know what they say 356 lb cargo sounds more likely to be + -

[Shiny16]

Consider the Caravell or an upgraded axle.

[splat matt]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Consider the Caravell or an upgraded axle.

Both are good points that aren't going to work for me. The Caravel has a bunch of farkles that don't justify the price premium. If airstream was to offer a method to increase cargo beyond spec then it would be a custom order, again to me a waste of money. Simply airtstream should not advertise what they cant deliver. The 2019 are close enough to spec, but they have the evaporative 3-way fridge and we want the 2020 for its new compressor style fridge. Funny thing is the fridge on the 2020 is 40lbs lighter, but this offeset by a second battery which weighs 45lbs. So that being the differences they should still be close.

I am still waiting to hear back from airstream. Going to nag them today.

[splat matt]

OK this is what I was told from airstream.

For the model labeled with having a 278 lb cargo really has a cargo around 510 lbs. because airstream subtracted 232lbs (8.3 * 23gal) for the black/gray combo tank being full (which is weird to me). But that doesn't explain why another identical unit has a cargo weight of 370 (they couldn't explain that either). Either way I need to have the dealer weigh before I buy. Airstream said they were going to look-in-to-it and their customer service was great.