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12-11-2015, 10:51 PM
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#41
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4 Rivet Member
2018 19' Flying Cloud
Newport
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 350
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After several of you mentioned the 20FC we found a used one today and went and looked at it. My wife too one look at the galley layout and the bath and now I can truthfully say our confusion is over. We are now officially in the market for an FC20. There is a nice used one about 8-10 hours away. Going to have to learn how the inspection program works and see if we can find someone to go look at it.
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12-12-2015, 06:05 AM
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#42
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Rivet Master
2019 25' International
Traverse City
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 594
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
Thanks, I have been wondering about this. I will check the other threads when I have time, but does the switch to the 16' Michelins require any modification of the wheel well or exterior skin? Thanks.
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Peter - I noticed no one responded to this question. The switch to 16" wheels (I went with Sendel) and the Michelins does NOT require any modification. The wheel caps from the 15s even fit perfectly!
__________________
"Don't let perfect be the enemy of better."
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12-12-2015, 06:08 AM
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#43
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Rivet Master
2019 25' International
Traverse City
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 594
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KelloggKid
After several of you mentioned the 20FC we found a used one today and went and looked at it. My wife too one look at the galley layout and the bath and now I can truthfully say our confusion is over. We are now officially in the market for an FC20. There is a nice used one about 8-10 hours away. Going to have to learn how the inspection program works and see if we can find someone to go look at it.
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Good luck with your quest for a 20! We searched the nation and then found one in our little town. If you get a chance, join the 20 owners thread on the Forum. Lots of good advice and nice folks...
__________________
"Don't let perfect be the enemy of better."
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12-12-2015, 07:13 AM
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#44
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Good luck KellogKid. With the 2016 model year hitting the dealers' lots, you may be able to get a good deal on a new 2015 or earlier FC20 with financing. Ours was about 20% off list, which was worth the leap, given its pristine condition and mfg. warranty.
Peter
PS TC I replied on the 20-footer thread. Thanks
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12-13-2015, 09:39 AM
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#45
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2 Rivet Member
2007 28' Safari SE
Anchorage
, Alaska
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 65
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Duel Axle
My husband does most of the towing and wouldn't tow anything without a dual axle. I haven't heard anyone here mention the preference for dual vs. single axle. I think the smallest AS with dual axle is 22ft.
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12-13-2015, 10:16 AM
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#46
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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The smallest current Airstream with tandem axles is 23'.
We were happy with our single axle 20' Airstream for most of our travels, traded it after two years when our trips became longer and we became completely uncomfortable with it's lack of anything resembling a living room for extended travel.
The single axle made us nervous when on busy interstates, city interstates, crossing long bridges, and remote roadways with little or no shoulder to change a tire after dark. With a tandem axle trailer we could drive some distance to a safer spot to change a flat, or just remove the flat tire and finish our destination for the day.
Our trips became very extended (six months a year) because we enjoyed the Airstream travel experience so much. So we went to a tandem axle trailer for its larger living space and increased sense of safety in case of a flat tire.
If our trips were primarily weekend and vacation travel, the single axle Airstreams would do very well and have the great advantage of towing well behind the family car.
__________________
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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12-13-2015, 10:21 AM
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#47
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Well said, doug. I had a 25' AS years ago, and appreciated the security of the two additional tires, separate rear bedroom, and the front lounge area with couch and flip-up dining tables. In a world full of thoughtful compromises, however, we are also very happy with our Flying Cloud 20, and full-sized van tow vehicle with additional storage and sleeping.
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12-13-2015, 11:32 AM
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#48
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Rivet Master
2007 16' International CCD
Vintage Kin Owner
Somewhere
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,575
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
The smallest current Airstream with tandem axles is 23'.
We were happy with our single axle 20' Airstream for most of our travels, traded it after two years when our trips became longer and we became completely uncomfortable with it's lack of anything resembling a living room for extended travel.
The single axle made us nervous when on busy interstates, city interstates, crossing long bridges, and remote roadways with little or no shoulder to change a tire after dark. With a tandem axle trailer we could drive some distance to a safer spot to change a flat, or just remove the flat tire and finish our destination for the day.
Our trips became very extended (six months a year) because we enjoyed the Airstream travel experience so much. So we went to a tandem axle trailer for its larger living space and increased sense of safety in case of a flat tire.
If our trips were primarily weekend and vacation travel, the single axle Airstreams would do very well and have the great advantage of towing well behind the family car.
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As current owners of both a dual-axle 23' Airstream and a single-axle Basecamp, we could not agree more with dkottum's take on this.
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12-14-2015, 08:24 AM
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#49
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,222
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We are firm believers in the dual axle category, even for the Harley motorcycle trailer back in the day. In my experience over the years, the rear tire of the two on each side tends to get road debris thrown up from the front tire. That is also the same experience I have had on a motorcycle.
The dual axle setup of the 23D was a major influence on choosing that smaller Airstream trailer that could be towed behind our existing Mercedes. The 23D also comes with the larger furnace of the 25' and 27' but does have the smaller gray water holding tank of the shorter models.
The connected 23D and Mercedes work together well with and all the relevant weight number limits are not exceeded. We won't set any acceleration speed records, but we get to our self-imposed 55 mph towing speed where we are seeing about 16.5 mpg on the level.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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12-14-2015, 12:16 PM
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#50
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
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We chose the 23FB to get the dual axle configuration. What we did not know initially was that the 23 comes with 14 in wheels and that a dual axle configuration puts side loads on the tires when turning. A single axle does not have those side loads, because the tires just pivot. The dual axle configuration is more stable, we believe it was the correct choice for us, and we accept the added cost of maintaining two additional tires on a more frequent basis to get that directional stability. We would not change our choice, but we will replace the 14s with 15s and go to Michelins. Pat
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12-15-2015, 09:18 AM
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#51
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,222
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Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires are sidewall rated 2,183 pounds @ 50 psi but must be derated to 1,985 pounds for trailer use. We used SenDel T03-56545T wheels (15x6 - 5/4.50 bolt circle - zero offset - 3.19 center bore and rated 2,150 pounds at 60 psi). We also installed the Centramatic 200-221 wheel balancers along with McGard 24138 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Locks and McGard 64010 Chrome Bulge Cone Seat Style Lug Nuts. For safety we added a Dill TPMS #1506 - 453 valve stems & #1900 crystal monitor.
We found that Fred working street side and Sam working curb side did not cut the sheet metal wheel well openings the same length. So we had to trim about 2.5" off the curb side front edge to clear the tire. That made the gap between each front tire and the metal the same.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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