Greetings from Southern OREGON

[sakthorp]

Greetings from Southern Oregon!

DH and I have been lurking on the Air Forums site for several months gleaning useful information. It's obvious that forum members here are enthusiastic and happy to share ideas, opinions and knowledge.

DH and I have owned travel trailers in the past, beginning with a small entry level Fleetwood and ultimately ending up with a 32' Holiday Rambler Alumalite with slide-out. We have fond memories of camping when our children were young but as they grew we found it difficult to get away more than a week a year and so we sold our trailer 14 years ago.

Last year we joined the empty nester club. DH retired a few years back and I recently retired my business. We are finally free to do some traveling and explore our beautiful pacific northwest!

Steve has a 2012 Ram 1500 Hemi crewcab 4WD,so we are somewhat limited on what we can tow but it appears we can pull a SOB Light or Ultralite OR preferably, a Airstream 25'/27' model. We were VERY close to purchasing a 25FB Flying Cloud at a dealer here in Oregon, but when we arrived at the dealership we discovered a small dent in the front guard, a dimple on the side of the trailer, a broken marker light, slight problem with the slide out pantry, etc. Granted, the unit had not been prepped but it obviously was old stock that suffered some wear while on the lot. We are both very…….. 'particular' about aesthetics and it chilled the deal.

While on the lot, we saw a 25' International Serenity and we really liked it! Rather spendy but I think we are going to save the extra pennies for the International. While we had planned on buying dealer stock we have come to the conclusion that we are ideal candidates for a factory fresh order so that we can get a inverter/solar/microwave, etc. We are not sure how soon this will happen as there is a large price difference between the Flying Cloud and the International.

In the meantime, we are trying to decide between the 25' and 27' models. I would prefer the bed face front to back so we don't have to worry about the trailer being perfectly level and it seems that access to the storage under the bed is much easier on the 27' as well. The microwave would be nice and the extra countertop and extra 15" of pantry wouldn't hurt. But then we may find it difficult to squeeze into preferred sites……… and ……it's just more to tow ...... and of course more $$$.

We are coming out of lurking and will be asking some questions from time to time.

Great forum!!!!!!!

Steph and Steve

[Mike91208]

Originally Posted by sakthorp

...we have come to the conclusion that we are ideal candidates for a factory fresh order so that we can get a inverter/solar/microwave, etc.

Hi guys and welcome!
Just wanted to say that you'll be getting much more bang for the buck if you have the solar installed non-factory from someone like AM Solar (they are in OR too - Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987).
We, too, compared the 25' versus the 27' FB and ended up getting the 27FB International (used) - and love it!

[btowntincan]

..but most of the comments i have seen from owners of the 25' and 27' FB units seem to really like them. I dont think you can go wrong. The 25' FB has been great for us (we have the twin, which has bed that goes front to back and has lots of storage).

[Airslide]

Welcome to the Airforums Steph and Steve!

We're glad you found us. The Holiday Rambler series trailers were also my favorite "square type" trailers. It had a classic look to it and with a slideout it must have been quite roomy. We have a slideout now and enjoy the extra space. I love the Serenity and would like to see one in person. Sounds like you guys are on a fun adventure. Post pictures when you find your dream stream.

Cheers,

Vinnie

[sakthorp]

Thanks for the recommendation, I remember seeing this company mentioned in a blog.

Originally Posted by Mike91208

Hi guys and welcome!
Just wanted to say that you'll be getting much more bang for the buck if you have the solar installed non-factory from someone like AM Solar (they are in OR too - Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987).
We, too, compared the 25' versus the 27' FB and ended up getting the 27FB International (used) - and love it!

[sakthorp]

We did see the twin option in the catalog, on both the 25' and 27' models. I noted that they are not as wide as industry standard twins..... must you get custom sheets from Airstream?

My husband likes that you gain outside storage but then you sacrifice some storage inside. And I wonder about the hassle of making the bed and the cold wall.

Originally Posted by btowntincan

..but most of the comments i have seen from owners of the 25' and 27' FB units seem to really like them. I dont think you can go wrong. The 25' FB has been great for us (we have the twin, which has bed that goes front to back and has lots of storage).

[danlehosky]

Welcome, we love our 25 FB Flying Cloud. Look us up if You make it up to Gig Harbor.

Dan

[sakthorp]

Will do

Originally Posted by danlehosky

Welcome, we love our 25 FB Flying Cloud. Look us up if You make it up to Gig Harbor.

Dan

[AlumFalcon]

We just swapped out our 19' Serenity for a 27' FB twin flying cloud.

As far as towing, I had to keep reminding myself on the drive home that I wasn't towing the 19 anymore on lane changes. Really, I felt very little difference. So I imagine that pulling the 25 or 27 would be about the same.

Serenity is really beautiful and I'll miss it. But I went Flying Cloud for the easier to access overhead bins.

Good luck!!

[Orson]

We bought a 2112 Flying Cloud 25 ft. and love this size because it fits into most every campground.

[Orson]

We bought a 2112 Flying Cloud 25 ft. and love this size because it fits into most every campground.

[herrick51]

Originally Posted by sakthorp

We did see the twin option in the catalog, on both the 25' and 27' models. I noted that they are not as wide as industry standard twins..... must you get custom sheets from Airstream?

My husband likes that you gain outside storage but then you sacrifice some storage inside. And I wonder about the hassle of making the bed and the cold wall.

Hi,
If you order your Airstream,be sure and get a complete purchase order or builf sheet with msrp and all costs.The dealer you talk about has a habit of some bait and switch.Like a 145 dollars for advertising or trying to charge extra for the color of ultraleather. Be quite specific about what you want.Be aware ,the factory will try to charge 500.00 for change orders.Overall,the quality does not match the price,just be very thorough when you do your inspection.Test all systerms including intertainment. We spent seven hours because techns couldn't figure out intertainment system.The dealer you visited will tell you they are the most knowledgle in the area and they still screwed up our order.

[J5MM]

We have a 25' and we love her. I will also tell you that we stepped into the 27' and fell in love as well but for our needs the 25' is perfect. We travel every weekend with her, my husband and my 8 year old son.

We have experienced some beautiful campsites where 25' was the limit (and they brought out the measuring tool and carefully measured us). One of our favorite and most breathtaking spot was on San Juan Island at the county park. Sweeping views of the straight and at night you can see the twinkling lights of Victoria all the way to Sydney.

It is a hard decision I imagine and every now and then we tinker with the idea of moving up to 27' but then we remind ourselves of the campgrounds we would no longer be able to visit

Good luck. The forum is such an incredible place to come for help (so many have helped me out in major times of crisis).

xoxo

[Orson]

I do not know which dealer you are referring to which has some bad traits. We dealt with Mark at Sutton RV in Eugene and had a most pleasant, win win experience. The only thing I will not do again is pay for the license fee paper work for an out of state RV. The lady who handled this really screwed it up with the wrong vin which was further complicated by CA DMV. Other than that they were great folks with whom to deal and Mark keeps in touch.

[sakthorp]

Thanks for the replies everyone...... we have decided on the 25' Int'l and will keep saving our pennies. Would love to order a '13 within the next six months. I'm already purchasing items for the trailer :-)

[AlumFalcon]

Originally Posted by Orson

We dealt with Mark at Sutton RV in Eugene and had a most pleasant, win win experience.

I fully agree. I also worked with Mark on my recent trailer and can't say enough good things about him or Sutton. No car salesman games, just a good family business.

funny thing, Mrs Sutton brought in home cooked meals for their whole team while I was there. Never seen that before.

[btowntincan]

[/QUOTE]sakthorpWe did see the twin option in the catalog, on both the 25' and 27' models. I noted that they are not as wide as industry standard twins..... must you get custom sheets from Airstream?

My husband likes that you gain outside storage but then you sacrifice some storage inside. And I wonder about the hassle of making the bed and the cold wall. [/QUOTE]

Making the beds doesnt seem to be that much of a hassle to us - mattresses are pretty easy to manhandle. Some complain about the cold walls - I havent experienced that, but we just got the rig a few months ago and have yet to do any REAL cold weather camping (every night camping in the northwest is a little cold ) The PO had left some long round cushions that seem to keep you away from the walls too.

What i really like about the twin is the wide aisle. Lots of room to move around and get dressed.

[sakthorp]

Thanks for the reply.

We have decided to go with the twins for the storage access from the exterior of the Airstream as well as the aisle in the bedroom. Never thought my husband and I would sleep in twin beds but when we stay in hotels we often feel crowded in a queen due to my 'woman of a certain age' sleeping challenges. I see the cold wall in the Airstream as a plus



SNIP:

Making the beds doesnt seem to be that much of a hassle to us - mattresses are pretty easy to manhandle. Some complain about the cold walls - I havent experienced that, but we just got the rig a few months ago and have yet to do any REAL cold weather camping (every night camping in the northwest is a little cold ) The PO had left some long round cushions that seem to keep you away from the walls too.

What i really like about the twin is the wide aisle. Lots of room to move around and get dressed.[/QUOTE]

[Tony S]

I also have interacted with Mark at Sutton and think he is a square guy.

Tony