Quote:
Originally Posted by Chikusho!
Sorry for not posting this in the proper forum, but I couldn`t find the 2008 classic forum.
The wife is interested in the the 30 foot classic FB with the king size bed. She likes the layout and would prefer a newer classic model. (I guess she thinks that money is no object)
I would appreciate any comments from anyone who owns or has owned one.
There are a lot of windows/skylights. How is the heat issue?
The layout suits me just fine, but the kitchen is a bit small. Is there plenty of room for clothes, food, etc?
According to Airstream two air conditioners can be installed, but that means one less fantastic fan. Is it possible to have 2 air conditioners and 2 fantastic fans?
I would prefer to pull it with a gasser instead of a diesel. I think a 2010 F-150 would suffice. Any opinions?
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First, WELCOME! Many good people here to help you find the perfect for you Airstream. (Serious advice - go to a rally, a big dealer or the factory and see the units in person. Brochures and websites only go so far.)
I have a 25 FB SE Safari - the Classics are the most luxurious, most costly and heaviest of all. Traditional wisdom is that a half ton truck is good for a 25 footer - over that you need 3/4 tons. I personally pull my 25 with a Chevy Silverado Diesel 2500. I may have a bit more truck than I need, but you'd be underpowered with a half ton towing a 30 Classic IMHO.
I prefer the CCD (International) styling and if I were trading up I'd go for the 27 CCD FB... The 30 is nice (only available in Classic), but I think the King is kinda silly. The bedroom is confined, and a king just makes it hard to walk around or get to the underbed storage. The thing that you have to remember about Airstreams is that the sides are radiused, they tuck in at foot level. In the 25 FB, I have to walk like an Egyptian to walk on the side of the bed facing the front wall. I think very few 30 FB's were ever sold. If it could be ordered with a queen or twins instead of the king, it would be more user friendly.
Size Matters - and it's a very personal thing. I've had a 22' - and there are times I curse the extra 3 feet - like small gas stations. I'd love the extra closet space and fore and aft queen in the 27' - but going to a 30... nope not for me. You may have kids and grand kids that tilt your decision in the other direction. I recently came back from a rally in the Wilds of Ohio - It was up a dirt path and I remember thinking the whole last mile or so in "GOD I so wouldn't want to be doing this in a 34 foot tri-axle." I don't think you could do "serious" boondocking in a 30... but your usage may be different.
Two Air Condtioners - only needed in the deep south - I'd definitely want at least a 15000 BTU A/C. You definitely eliminate the second fan when you put in a 2nd A/C. You don't say where you live, I wouldn't take on the expense of a second A/C without a real strong need for it. I have ONE A/C in a 25' in coastal Virginia... never felt I needed more.
Airstreams are not "winter campers". I fulltime successfully in south eastern Virginia. We get about six to eight weeks of pretty bitter cold (yeah - it does get below 32F for about 2 weeks - havent had a serious snowfall in 8 years but it can happen). That's tolerable as long as you keep your water line heated and your tanks warm. I wouldn't want to try to winter in Minnesota or Montana!
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Paula