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10-07-2014, 11:02 PM
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#1
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Quiksilver
2006 16' International CCD
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
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Crazy? Going to fulltime in a Bambi 16'
Hi Everyone,
I'm new; just bought it, named it Glint.
I'm a true minimalist, so I plan to fulltime in my Bambi 16 as soon as I learn how to use all of its bells and whistles and take care of maintenance. Are there any disadvantages to full timing in the Bambi other than a lack of space issues (which is not an issue for me)?
Thanks!
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10-07-2014, 11:28 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
New Borockton
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,593
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None
__________________
Randy...Converters, Inverters, Trimetric, Surge Protectors, Zamp, Smartplug, AGM Batts
888-828-1893
Bestconverter.com
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10-08-2014, 02:12 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Ebro
, Fla Panhandle
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,212
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Sounds fine to me, I lived full time on a 25' sailboat for seven years. It did not even have standing head room inside, but that time remains one of my best memories!
Keep it simple, and be free.
Cheers Richard
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10-08-2014, 03:18 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
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We love our Bambi but there are two of us and two Scottish terriers so sometimes it gets cramped. We have done 5 weeks at one time and we are fine.
You will have to keep us informed as to how it is going!
Bruce
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10-08-2014, 06:16 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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I spent 10 years cruising and living aboard a 32 ft sailboat. Actual living space was 15X5. Cozy to say the least. I recently traded up from a Bambi II to a 23 ft Safari. At 14ft of living spade the Bambi was just to cozy. Much nicer now with a real bed, comfortable couch, dry bath and larger frig.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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10-08-2014, 07:13 AM
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#6
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Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
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As long as it works for you. I lived off grid for nearly a year in a big slide in pickup camper, not as much square footage as your Bambi. Loved it!
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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10-08-2014, 07:19 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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If you are alone this should work just fine. If you have a companion and/or furry friends, the 16 feet might seem a tad small, especially on rainy days.
Your most practical limitation will the size of the fresh water and holding tanks. The smaller trailers have smaller tanks. So if you don't have water and sewer hookups at your sites, you'll be making the trip to the dump/water fill station more often.
Have fun!
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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10-08-2014, 07:20 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1964 24' Tradewind
2006 39' Land Yacht 396 XL
Lawrence
, Kansas
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 292
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So what do you have to lose? Go for it.
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10-08-2014, 07:21 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Met a couple in Glacier Natl Park in 2012 at Many Glacier campground full timing in a 17' Casita. Your advantage is a bigger dinette, more headroom, interior is wider, gas oven. Casita advantage is larger holding tanks (15 gal black, 32 gal grey), 4 cu/ft fridge. They towed with a pickup so they had room to store extra clothes etc.
Kelvin
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10-08-2014, 08:16 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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A couple on the Fiberglass egg form travel time many months of the year. They have a 16' Scamp and towed it with a 4 cyl Honda CRV. They now have a Honda Oddy as a TV but still plan to keep the 16'.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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10-08-2014, 12:54 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,289
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I would think it would be too small for a full timer. The trouble is storage even for 3 days of rations, bathing, and the ability to stretch your legs. Traveling for a week or two is okay, but full time would become a hassle fast. There isn't room for a comfortable chair.
David
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10-08-2014, 01:25 PM
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#12
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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
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Enjoy your adventure!
__________________
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
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10-08-2014, 11:48 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
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If you are comfortable living in smaller spaces and can deal with the holding tank and fresh water limitations there's nothing stopping you.
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
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10-09-2014, 04:38 AM
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#14
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begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
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Sounds like a great plan,go for it. I would love to declutter my life and live like you.
__________________
2006 Bambi CCD ("EireStream!!")
2010 Funfinder
2005 T@B
2001 Teardrop, Mountain Hardware Tent
For some perfection takes a little longer...
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10-09-2014, 06:22 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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We toured the country in VW Campers many trips in 35 years which convinced me it is the best way to tour but I wouldn't want to live that way. So for extended retirement travel we bought a 20' Airstream, no living room, then a 25' good for 6 months at a time with seating mod's.
Thoreau's cabin was warm, a place to sit, cook, eat and sleep but importantly, unlimited toilet facilities just outside the door. That may be the greatest challenge today.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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10-09-2014, 05:37 PM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
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I agree that water and sewer are going to be your biggest headaches. Your 2nd biggest headache will be keeping your battery fully charged.
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10-10-2014, 02:23 AM
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#17
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1 Rivet Member
1962 16' Bambi
Chase
, BC
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 14
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You'd be amazed at what you can do! A Bambi has everything you need. For inspiration, you could Google "tiny house living," and check out the YouTube vids of people fulltiming in camper vans (even smaller, and often no real wash or real cooking facilities). Totally different and cool mindset. Enjoy. They do!
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10-10-2014, 06:14 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2012 30' International
Vintage Kin Owner
Bad Axe
, Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 564
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Stick to places with decent weather. If you spend a bunch of time out of doors you will have tons of space.
I doubt I could full time in any Airstream but envy those who can.
__________________
2012 30' International Serenity
1947 Spartan Manor
2005 28' Safari LS - traded
1977 31' International Sovereign - sold
2012 Ford F250 Superduty Crewcab
WBCCI# 1007 Air#2158
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10-10-2014, 02:40 PM
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#19
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
We toured the country in VW Campers many trips in 35 years which convinced me it is the best way to tour
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I'd say it depends on your age and place in life quite a bit. No offense to the older crowd on this forum. But gosh, the you'll regret anything smaller than a 50 ft Airstream is tiring.
But like I said, I think it's age and place in life. Old people can't stand the couches, they need recliners. Young people seem to love living in Vans and bumming around the country full time.
I suppose when I'm 60+ I'll want a recliner and not a microbus myself.
So I don't think it's crazy, I think you just gotta know what you want, and what you'll be comfortable in.
What's comfortable for me might not be comfortable for you. I had a friend rave about how great his Accord was. I rode in it and hated the seats. He loves them. See, we all respond differently to our environment. Our tastes are even more varied.
Speaking of, I seriously entertained a VW Vanagon Westfalia. But they're under powered, and I really wanted a Syncro (4x4) and man those things fetch a price! They fetch Airstream dollars restored.
Still, I think if I where to settle in one place outwest, I might buy one to take the kids camping.
They're just so cool looking.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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10-10-2014, 03:17 PM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 118
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Interesting comments here. Of course, if you had to, you could live in a pup tent for the next ten years. However, my advice for someone like this is to first not so much focus on "is it or is it not possible," but more focus on what you can afford and then learn to live and love that. So if a Bambi is what you can afford, then be happy with that. But for living full time, I wouldn't be too quick to ignore some of the comments here. If you can work just a little longer or make a little more money, my guess is that one of those 20-23' Airstreams would double the "satisfaction" factor of one of those Bambis. Double axles, ability to have a guest, storage, etc. are all factors that should not be too quickly discarded by simply saying that you travel light.
My wife and I bought a 25' unit so that we could have a separate freezer and room to carry a few things. That freezer meant that we weren't constantly under pressure to grocery shop. Items like that and owning holding tanks of a size that won't make you miserable, to me, are worth the extra money. But if that is out of your budget, "love the one you're with" as the old song said.
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