|
09-23-2013, 08:19 PM
|
#1
|
1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Littleton
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 7
|
New Purchase
My wife and I will be purchasing a Bambi Sport 16' AS this fall/winter, most likely a new one. This will be our first camping trailer. We will use the AS mostly on 2-3 night trips, primarily in National Forest campgrounds or boondocking. Occasionally we will use it on trips of 5-7 days but these trips will probably involve a night or two in a campground with all the hook ups. Most of our trips will be in CO, WY, MT, ID.
Our question is what should we add from the dealer or what should part of the purchase price that is not included in the standard package? We live in Denver but we will buy from the "best" dealer in the west.
Our tow vehicle is a 2013 Toyota 4 runner. The AS will be stored in a climate controlled indoor facility when not in use.
Any recommendations or advice will be greatly appreciated,
Thank you,
Garry and Kathy
|
|
|
09-23-2013, 08:32 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
|
... Solar power with AGM btty, inverter, load EQ hitch (?), wife might enjoy convection / micro if available; inverter generator for times when boondocking w/o strong sun for solar or to use 110 appliances. (We drove to Seattle ... but they also have branches in Portland, & Boise and found a great price from Airstream Adventures Northwest...ask for CJ or Steve)
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 05:32 AM
|
#3
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
|
Welcome Aboard....
Boondocking.....AGM battery, three stage converter up-grade. 2000w Honda or Yamaha generator. Quality WD hitch with sway control.
Practicality....rear bumper.
Sweet Streams...
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 08:59 AM
|
#4
|
3 Rivet Member
Newport
, Rhode Island
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 130
|
We have a 2010 16 sport that we purchased in May. I added a cover for the fan so that I can leave it open when it rains. I upgraded the battery, and switched the propane tanks to aluminum. I just ordered the screen door guards as they are not standard on the sport.
I tow with a 2013 v6 tacoma with Reese hitch. So far so good in New England. We shall see how it does out your way.
Have Fun
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 10:06 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
|
Welcome Garry and Kathy...here's my advice
Read everything you can on this forum about towing, safety, hitching up, dumping, maintenance, and precautionary measures that you come across.
( transmission coolers, brake controllers, anti sway bars etc )Learn about how to conserve batteries, propane, and water. Learn from our mistakes. Ask anyone you know who has experience for advise. I researched for a month before I took my first trip.
Then realize that you might change the way you thought you would use your trailer. I found out that my trailer was a great safe place during emergencies, such as power outages. You might want to run a 30 amp outlet to the trailer, so you can use it as a guest house. ( I give guests MY bed and I use the trailer ha ha ) Have fun, enjoy, MD
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 11:14 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
1984 34' International
Toronto
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,499
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kpatrick
My wife and I will be purchasing a Bambi Sport 16'
|
Not in any way trying to talk you out of this, but have you tried the bed? It's extremely snug for two people.
I love my wife, but I don't think we could be comfortable in a 16' Bambi.
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 12:11 PM
|
#7
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
|
pay him no mind......
......he's a Pooty Parper
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 02:40 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
|
Mmm comfy!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 05:36 PM
|
#9
|
Free Range Human
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Haines
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 736
|
Since you're going to be in a climate controlled indoor storage when not in use, have a battery switch installed that will completely disconnect the batteries from all use. The switch that they come with does not completely disconnect when in the 'store' position. There is a phantom load (LP gas detector and others) that will drain your batteries. Or, remember to disconnect the battery ground when in storage.
|
|
|
09-24-2013, 11:01 PM
|
#10
|
1 Rivet Member
2005 16' Safari
Mill Valley
, California
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 10
|
Look for a little bit older one in great condition, from a dry climate. They are out there and you can find them. I found that the newer ones lack some of the important features (bumpers with storage, rock guards etc.) that a few years older model comes with. Let someone else take the depreciation hit and be watchful and patient. Pounce when you find "the one". Buy the ebook "How to buy an Airstream" and educate yourself as much as you can prior to pulling the trigger. Get someone you trust, available on the forum, to check it out before you buy. Then go for it and love every minute of your life on the road....free and at home.
__________________
2005 16' Bambi
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 12:24 AM
|
#11
|
4 Rivet Member
2006 16' International CCD
Salt Lake City
, Utah
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 301
|
I think you will find the Bambi perfect for 2-3 days of boondocking. National Forest campgrounds are my favorite. Water and power become limiting factors for me at about 4 days without hookups, mostly the power. Top of my wish list is solar.
You will have a blast, and I hope you consider adding UT to your list of states to visit.
Stan
Salt Lake City
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 04:29 AM
|
#12
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by spenfolder
I think you will find the Bambi perfect for 2-3 days of boondocking. National Forest campgrounds are my favorite. Water and power become limiting factors for me at about 4 days without hookups, mostly the power. Top of my wish list is solar.
You will have a blast, and I hope you consider adding UT to your list of states to visit.
Stan
Salt Lake City
|
The sun don't shine enough in our forests....must be an East Coast solar thing.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
|
|
|
09-27-2013, 09:49 PM
|
#13
|
1 Rivet Member
2013 16' Sport
Washington
, Washington, D.C.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 14
|
Garry and Kathy
Darlene and I bought a 2013 Bambi 16 this year and we too camp as you've described. I'm 6'3" and Darlene is 5'2" and we sleep just fine in the bed. We upgraded the battery and installed all led lights. I use an Equal-I-Zer hitch and it works great for us and our Toyota Highlander. At a recent trip to a National Park we visited with an 86 year old couple who had their AS for 40+ years. I asked for his best recommendation to a new AS owner. His answer, "use it as often as you can."
You will love the 16 and most complaints about the 16 are made by those who do not own one.
I too spell my name with 2 R's.
Enjoy
Garry
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 04:41 PM
|
#14
|
Jack Dog in So Cal
2013 16' Sport
Orange
, California
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 138
|
Living life small
kpatrick,
We purchased our 2013 16' Sport new a year ago. We did have the AS dealer install a second battery and since I felt the factory porch light was to dim they added a unit from a Safari.
Since then we added led lights and will soon upgrade to a solar package. The day we picked it up I had them level the AS and installed bubble levels in the front and side. I picked them up from Camping World. They use a adhesive backing and being black look great against the silver skin.
We plan on returning to the dealer and have them install the segment protectors in the front. We added a brush guard accross the back of our Jeep to minimize road damage to the front of the AS.
Oh, and we installed a manual fan switch on the frig since it tends to run all the time even in cool weather.
So far we have done a 12 day trip in our little tin can and enjoyed every minute. Don't let the small size deter you from going small.
Jack Dog
in So Cal
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|