27' vs 25' with two young children?

[sunnygirl]

Originally Posted by dkottum

I should also say our 25 is the rear bed model which has many interior differences from the FB 25/27. So it was not the bed configuration alone in our case.

But after extended use of our 25 I think the difficulties of this bed configuration are completely overstated, and not completely resolved with a fore/aft bed.

Referring to the original post, if considering two more feet of Airstream look at the 28 for the separate lounge and dinette setup. The fore/aft bed is there as well.

doug k

Doug,

I'm not sure what difficulties you are referring to in regard to the fore/aft bed. Since we have over 8,000 miles on the trailer, I can assure you that walking around the foot of the bed is absolutely no problem. I did crack my head on the roof locker getting out of bed in the 25FB. Since that would have been my side of the bed, I wasn't interested in going down that learning curve. My personal experience with both the 25FB and 27FB led me to respond to the thread. We were fortunate to have the chance to "try out" an Airstream before buying.

In the beginning of our search, we seriously considered the 28. We liked the fore/aft bed and the storage closets on each side of the bed. We also liked the L-lounge concept until we spent 30 minutes sitting on one on a dealer's lot. For our desired comfort, we would have had to modify the front seating area and we weren't willing to incur that additional expense on a new trailer.

We are very happy with our 27FB. Is it perfect? No. Do we like it enough to want to keep it and travel extensively with it? Yes. You feel the same way about your 25. One is not right and the other wrong. Personal preferences certainly come into the decision process.

Susan

[Airstream Dad]

I have two young daughters (7 and 11) and I also considered 25 vs. 28 ft in selecting my trailer. Some quick thoughts to add to the thread, based on what I thought was the right decision in going 28:

- While two kids can sleep on a goucho, it sure isn't conducive to bed-time. The little jokesters will tickle and chat and laugh endlessly if in too close proximity. So we really like the second dinette bed, keeps them separate and lets the 7 year old drift off more quickly. Also, it allows for separate bed times.

- Our eleven year old increasingly wants her privacy at bath/change time, and being able to close off the "hallway" with separate bath and shower by closing the pullette is invaluable both to parental and 'tween privacy. Can you do this in the 25'?

- The increased storage of the 28 is HUGELY helpful when packing for a family of four. For one, the 28 has the exterior rear compartment, a big luxury in storage and camp set up (although the newer 25's might have this)

- As mentioned above, the increased interior space on rainy/cold/yucky days is nice

Airstream Dad

[dkottum]

Susan, we most surely agree to disagree on the overall merits of the 25/27.

The op has another factor, two growing youngsters, that I suggest would make the 28 more comfortable, even though its virtually the same size.

doug k

[rodsterinfl]

Good discussion here. I would add that it is hard to beat a twin configuration. You get about Hal a king bed to sleep on which should be more than enough and you gain so much more- changing room, easy locker access, and Three exterior storage compartments total versus one.

What about converting your current AS into a twin and saving the repurchasing cash?

[mutcth]

The other advantage of a twin is that it eliminates the bed configuration issue (cross-wise vs front-to-rear) that splits the 25FB and 27FB. As DINKS, we'd get a 25FB twin unless we full-timed.

That said, I've seen several bloggers with 25FBs who use their trailers extensively with their family comment on wanting a bit more room. Just Five More Minutes upgraded to a 27FB; Malimish still has their 25FB.

Tom

[field & stream]

These comments about the desirability of a lounging area more comfortable than a dinette make me wonder -- once again -- why Airstream doesn't make a 25' model with a comfortable L-lounge and the folding table (like in the 23' L-lounge model). An L-lounge and twins (or queen) is a nice floorplan.

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by field & stream

These comments about the desirability of a lounging area more comfortable than a dinette make me wonder -- once again -- why Airstream doesn't make a 25' model with a comfortable L-lounge and the folding table (like in the 23' L-lounge model). An L-lounge and twins (or queen) is a nice floorplan.

Agree 200% If we bought a 25FB, we'd take out the dinette, install an L-lounge, and put in the rolling table cabinet/cadenza that's in our 23 L-lounge.

Tom

[switz]

The 27FB Classic is 27' 9.5" long, so it is shorter than the other trim line models this size that are 27' 11". I wonder where that 1.5" of space is located?

[tkowalyk]

We opted for the 27 FB with twins. This layout is a huge improvement over our previous 25 Safari

With the twin configuration you get 4 extra cabinets, and the trailer doesn't end at the end of the bed - but at the center nightstand.

The extra space is great for getting dressed, and can double as a lounge area if you have a bunch of folks visiting.

We camped a couple of weekends ago with two of our adult kids with no trouble.

[PharmGeek]

prospective buyers for the fall listening...we have a near 3 year old and a 5 month old....so all interesting to consider here...

I had never considered my 2 car garage and going in using 2 spaces cross-wise, but I doubt mine will have the clearance....

Good luck with your choice.

[IanPoulin]

When I was six, our sixteen foot trailer was a magical traveling fort to various locations for me and my three siblings all. To be honest, regarding the OP's two kids; they wont care if you're in a 25, 27FB, a 28, or even a 23 or sport model. They wont care about the amenities, the trim style, the bathroom or kitchenette. They'll be too busy outside, getting muddy, into poison ivy, bug bit, dragging caught frogs into the trailer, catching fireflies and generally having childhood mayhem. You may care about the trim and amenities as your kids track mud into the unit (they will,) release frogs (they will,) or cause general mayhem. Buy the unit that will enable you to get the maximum quality adventures for both yourself and your kids is my opinion.

[Lahontancut]

I have a 2009 Flying Cloud 25FB and live near Seattle. With two girls, 6 and 9 at the time of purchase, I chose the 25ft model over the 27ft because the 27FB will not fit in the majority of National Park campgrounds. We have found the 25FB to be the perfect size and my wife and I have even shared one of the sleeper sofa beds several times with no problems. If you order the twin bed configuration, you can add the bunk bed option.

Main advantage I see with the 27FB is the ability to walk around the queen bed and a bit more storage. But, to me, this is not worth being kept out of a Yellowstone camp site.

Good luck.

[karenjude]

We've been to Yellowstone in our 27 and lots of other NPs also. We've never not been able to get into a NP because of size.

[Moflash]

28ft for us could not be a better usable floor plan.L shaped couch with separate dinette booth and a queen bed is great.Lots of storage also.

[switz]

Today I signed the order form and gave the local Mesa,AZ dealer a deposit for a 2014 Classic 27FB twin beds, golden ultra-leather, 1,000 watt inverter and second AC with 50 Amp service. It will be built starting 13 January 2014 so I can be there and photograph the gestation process.