Future AS owner

[rettoc625]

Hello to the group. I have been lurking around this forum to try to learn what I can about AS in general and figure out which might be the best for my husband, me, and 2 goldens. We currently have a T@B with the screen room that attaches, but honestly, there is just too much work involved with everything we must set up (screen room, cabella shower, etc.) to make the little bug comfortable. I won't even mention the fact that my DH cannot stand up in the cute little thing.

We are mainly weekend dry campers who frequently camp in parking lots or fields at agility trials with the dogs. Any suggestions about what size and year might make the most sense? BTW we have an F 150 6 cyl pickup as a tv. It has a cap and is set up with dog crates, leaving barely half the cargo area for 'stuff'.

I welcome the advice and wisdom from this group.

Mary in CT

[Mel]

Hi Mary, welcome!

We were camping a couple of weeks ago when a cute little T@B pulled into the site next to ours. Very cool little trailer, but we noticed it did take quite a while for them to get set up! We met the owners later on, and the husband really wanted an Airstream, so maybe we convinced them.

Good luck with your search - you will be limited by your tow vehicle, but I'm sure others will chime in with specifics.

[rettoc625]

Thanks for the welcome Mel. We actually like our little T@B very much and had a great time camping for 11 days last summer in an army corp camp ground in VT. Once everything is set up it's great and comfy. We are always giving tours of the T@B to people who see us.

We need to stream line our camping operation. I call my hubby my 'sherpa' because, bless his heart, he is the one who lugs my gear ringside and keeps the campsite maintained while I focus on competing with the dogs. To add to the setup, we just started vending at trials and now he lugs even more gear!

Any thoughts about size and TVs will be most welcome.

Mary

[vswingfield]

Welcome!

With a 6 cylinder, you will need to go small, alright. Check out the classifieds. Even if you decide to buy new, it will give you an idea of what is out there.

Vaughan

[cosmotini]

Hi Mary,

Welcome to the forums.

If you're looking at new units, check out the Safari Sport models.

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums, Mary. We're glad to have you with us.

You would probably be interested in one of the new Safari 17's or a vintage unit 22' or less. These would all be light enough for your TV.

Good luck in your search.

[InsideOut]

Welcome to the Forums!

Generally speaking, foot for foot, the older trailers are lighter than the new ones. So stick with a 16-19' new or 16-22' vintage...although you may still need to upgrade your TV depending on the loads you carry - check your specific rattings. For some empty weight guidelines on the vintage trailers, check out this Trailer Weights matrix.

The brand new Sport may fit the bill for you too as has been mentioned earlier. Compared to a T@B the 17' will probably even feel spacious inside!

Good luck in whatever you decide to do...I think the T@B is really cute...pretty functional to, but it does look like more work to set-up.

Shari

[urbanfood]

can you post a picture of the T@B , i don't think i know what that is.

welcome to the forums! i hope you find this as addicting as we do

[InsideOut]

T@B - made by Thor...not an Airstream, but very cool!

Love to see yours Mary ~

Shari

[urbanfood]

thanks shari. it's basically a larger version of a teardrop trailer. So-Cal Teardrop Trailers

i was actually planning on building a teardrop trailer until i got the airstream bug a few years back. i just need to get the bug off our lawn and on the driveway

[NevadaGeo]

Check out Craigslist.com. Amazing site, found our Excella there.

[rettoc625]

Wow! What a great welcome! I have posted some pictures of the little red and white T@B in the photo section for those who asked. As you can see we have already upgraded our tow vehicle from a volvo xc70 to a F 150.

There are lots of Tabbies that grow up to become Airstreams!

Mary

[TBRich]

Welcome to the forum, Mary...you will find everything you need to know here and plenty of folks willing to share their knowledge. Do check out the 17' Sport...it's a brand new model and is creating quite a stir in AS circles... I haven't seen one personally, but they sound great...and they are light weight, which may be just the ticket for your needs. With your current TV (tow vehicle), as others have said, you'll need to go smaller and/or older. We pull an 06 19' Bambi with an 07 Tacoma...it's a good fit, as the rating for the Tacoma is 6500 lbs...but we would be in trouble if we went larger, particulalry with a newer unit. But you know what...I'll bet a 16' or 19' Bambi would seem roomy after that cute T@B...and they are agile. We go with 2 cocker spaniels, too...and have plenty of elbow room. (Can you tell we love our 19'??)

Again, welcome...and Happy Trails...TB

[rettoc625]

Things happen pretty quickly around here. We just went from "Future AS owner" to proud AS owner. My husband and I finalized the deal and are buying a 2003 22 ft International CCD. We hope to pick it up the end of this week. We are looking forward to civilized living with indoor plumbing and the ability to walk upright.

Our only concern was would our F150 tow it. According to all the specs it will, with a little weight to spare. We need an electric brake installed on the hitch to make it right. If it doesn't feel right we will consider a bigger truck/SUV but for now it seems we are OK.

Does anyone know someone who might want to buy a little T@B bug?

Mary in CT

[Silvertwinkie]

16' to 19' with a 6 cyl. Any larger and you will need a bit more stout TV IMHO.

[vswingfield]

Congratulations.

I know your are thrilled. Keep us updated on towing performance.

Vaughan

[rettoc625]

Yes that is a concern that we might need to face. Do you have any recommendations for good used trucks or SUVs?

Mary

[Wayne&Sam]

THe two of us and our Border Collie and Jack Russell travel in our 20' Safari. While I wouldn't call it spacious, it's quite comfortable. I took the door off one storage bin and the JR's sleeping pad fits perfectly so she loves sleeping there out ofthe way. The BC parks under the table.

We went from a hybrid to our AS for much the same reason as you changed- it's a pleasure not to have to set a lot of stuff up each time you want to camp.

I don't trial in CT, but if you've been to NY or NJ AKC trials, we've probably crossed paths.

You're going to love your CCD!

[rettoc625]

We have only been to one trial in NY, the infamous Blackthorne! If you've been there and survived the night life, you might have a chance to Q!

We are picking up the trailer either Friday or Saturday. It depends on when my son's truck is available. We have to face the reality that our F150 will not manage the load of the AS and has more value as a trade for something bigger.

Thanks again for the welcome to the group.

Mary

[wbrownrr]

Congratulations on your new AS! We have a 2003 22' CCD and love it. I agree that your 6 cylinder F150 is not up to the task of towing it. We tow with a 5.9L Dodge and appreciate the pulling power, especially in the mountains of the west.