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AirHeadRik · 04-10-2007, 09:48 AM

I am a long time member of this forum, but I have not posted in a long, long time. I have a motorcycle forum that I moderate and it keeps me busy. However, I plan on coming here more often as I have relinquised some of the duties of my motorcycle forum.

Now, for my question... I currently have a 16', 1964 Bambi II. Really good shape and I love her. However, after my lady and I went out last week dry camping it seemed like I was working the entire time! The Bambi is only 16', has no holding tanks, lighting the gas on various appliances was a bit tough, drawers are tight, etc., ect. You know how older models can be. Bottom line, I am thinking of selling the Bambi and getting a new 19' Bambi Safari. It's a pretty huge step. It's a ton of money and I loose the vintage thang. But, I want our trips to be fun, not work. I suppose I can upgrade stuff on the vintage Bambi, but it will still be 16' footer. I know 19' isn't a huge difference, but I think it's enough and where we camp it's better not to have a large trailer. Any thoughts?

InsideOut · 04-10-2007, 09:56 AM

Tiny 16' trailers aren't for everybody...I think just about everyone can appreciate that! We have camped in 19' for 5+ years and just "upgraded" a couple of feet too...makes a big difference. As long as it's an Airstream - vintage or not - your one of the family!

Shari

S C Streamer · 04-10-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambi's Dad

has no holding tanks

What happened to the black water tank?

AirHeadRik · 04-10-2007, 10:30 AM

Sorry, yes there is a black water tank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S C Streamer

What happened to the black water tank?

Fyrzowt · 04-10-2007, 10:34 AM

Follow your intuition. Almost always.
Dave

AirHeadRik · 04-10-2007, 10:35 AM

Looks like we have a similar set up. Looks like you have a Dodge Ram in Silver too!

**moosetags** · 04-10-2007, 10:42 AM

A newer 19' would be much more comfortable and still easily towable. If you're sure that you are willing to part with the Vintage thing, I say go for it.

overlander63 · 04-10-2007, 10:45 AM

Why not see if you can find a 20'er. One more foot would make 4 more feet of length, and still not all that heavy.

jdalrymple · 04-10-2007, 12:45 PM

Or, still, yet you could go for a good ole big'un

cooperhawk · 04-10-2007, 02:46 PM

Prior to our 345 we had first a Scamp, (too small), and then a 16 foot Bambi. Vintage 1962. (Again too small). The crowning trip was in the Minnesota Arrowhead Country where there isn't much to do when it rains. It rained, and rained, and rained. Two of us stuck in that Bambi was too much.

When the sun is shining and the birds are singing, small is okay. The rest of the time it can lead to aggravated assualt!!!

Ed Emerick · 04-10-2007, 03:20 PM

I have an 18 and a 30, the 30 is the way to go. I like the room and with 2 kids and 2 dogs and a cat, the 18 gets a little tight! But when I travel with just me or me and the wife the 18 works great. I updated all the services and its no more work than the 30 setting up. Go a big as you feel you can pull, me I'm now looking for a 34!
Ed
VAC President

cameront120 · 04-10-2007, 08:38 PM

I know you from the New Bonneville Forum! Glad to see you here as well.

AirHeadRik · 04-10-2007, 10:51 PM

Nice to see you as well!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameront120

I know you from the New Bonneville Forum! Glad to see you here as well.

AirHeadRik · 04-10-2007, 10:52 PM

Here's the thing, we do mostly camping for climbing. Big rigs are cumbersome in those areas like Joshua Tree where it's mostly small campers and tents.

airstreamers · 04-10-2007, 11:16 PM

i can see where you would like the amenities and extra room, but i am in love with the little bambis and would love one myself. we have a 28' excella motorhome and would love to find a small trailer. doesn't it seem like nobody is ever satisfied? anyway, good luck in your quest.

**Stefrobrts** · 04-10-2007, 11:33 PM

I felt like that when we first got our Caravel. It was a little too vintage for me. Everything had to be lit by hand. I added ignitors to the fridge and water heater, and that helped a lot with the futzing around with lighting things (and it relights the water heater when it blows out). The heater went out, and I replaced it with a new one that has a thermostat, so now I don't have to mess with it anymore, I just throw a switch and I'm done. We eventually replaced the vintage fridge with a new one, again, you just turn it on, push the ignitor button, and you're done. Now we get setup in about half an hour after we back in and I don't have to mess with anything until it's time to pack up and go home.

Basically, if you don't care too much about originality, you can make it a lot easier on yourself and keep your little cutie. Or you could sell it, and Bambi's do fetch a high price on name alone, and replace it with something a bit newer. I'm just saying you can eventually make your vintage just as comfortable as a new trailer.

I guess it would come down to size, and how much you like the floorplan of the new bambis. I don't care for them (even though they have a full time bed). I think they feel smaller than my 17ft trailer. Part of that is because everything in them is stationary, where in the old trailers a bed turns into a couch and you have more flexability.

Good luck in your decision!

AirHeadRik · 04-11-2007, 07:38 PM

Thank you so much for your input. Yes, I thought about replacing all the stuff (keeping the original stuff in case of selling) and just being happy that way. All in all, I love my Bambi and I do know that the 1964 was the only year of a 17' foot Bambi. So, that's very cool. It's a very nice rig. Only the frig doesn't get cold, but lights. The water heater won't light. Themocoupler (sp?) maybe?(Thought of getting an instant hot dealio maybe). Other than that, everything works 100%!

We are looking tomorrow at the new ones. They are quite expensive. I also thought about a BaseCamp because I might be able to write that off on taxes because I can tow that behind my bus on tour. We'll see. Again, thank you!

Rikki

[QUOTE=Stefrobrts]I felt like that when we first got our Caravel.

3Ms75Argosy · 04-11-2007, 09:52 PM

I was thinking of this for you as I read your post.... but then remebered that the Basecamp has NO toilet (except for a portapotti)... think your Bambi is limited... your girlfriend will have something to say about THAT if you try it!

I say the 16 or 19ft Bambi would be about right. Used ones pop up for around 25,000 on Craigslist around here and on ebay. Keep an eye out, and I'm sure you'll score a deal.
Good luck!
Marc

AirHeadRik · 04-12-2007, 10:45 PM

OK, so I went nuts! I ended up with a 2006 Bambi 19' today! The guy bought it new, used it once and it was too small for his family and picked up a 25 footer. He bumped the back, so they discounted it 5k and put in writing to fix it.

So, now I gotta sell the '64! any offers?