New Member

[chaimemet]

Hi everyone out there! I am Howard and we are looking to purchase a pull along trailer. I have bounced around from Trailmanor to popups and now I have arrived here with you guys! We are planning a cross country trip from SFL to Vancouver this summer, my wife and myself. Our 12 year old will be in camp. I have a Suburban 3/4 ton 6L/05. Looking for advise on Airstream models new or very recent. Size 19-25ft. We would do mostly one nighters across country this trip.

[rickandsandi]

Howard-

Greetings and welcome to the forum. There are a lot of wonderful people here who you will calling friends before not too long. Use the search function above and you will find a wealth of information on Airstreams great than in the great Library of Alexandria! One of our AS is a 22' Safari and we have towed it with our Tahoe well over 13K miles and it has been a joy to tow. You will find lots of different tow combinations here in the forum. Again welcome aboard!

Rick

[Condoluminum]

Howard-
Welcome to the Forums.. As you learn the search key, you can try searching for other strings of messages on "what model" or "what length"...

All that said, you really have 3 choices to make:

1. New or slightly used or Vintage (over 25 years old..)
2. Fixer upper or ready to use and not needing maintenance...
3. Length and Floorplan..

You're going to love northern US and British Columbia area, which is well suited for travel by Airstream....

Others will weigh in I'm sure with their feelings and recommendations... Here are mine, for you and 12 year old...

Try slightly used (1997-2003) well maintained unit, get it ready to use rather than fixer upper, and try to find standard layout 25' trailer (rear bedroom - choose twin or queen ) and front couch/bed... That layout offers more privacy, center dry bath with larger shower, and room for 3 to eat at foldout table. Smaller units (Bambi's of 16 to 19') are really for two people, and the 22 and 23' models have cramped rear corner bathrooms.. Lengths of 25' or less get you into any state or national park campground, and you'll have larger holding tanks for more fresh and shower water storage. Your truck can haul anything Airstream makes under 25', and probably a 27' trailer without too much strain...

If money is no object, the 25' Safari SE Front Bedroom (offered new in 2005 or 2006) is the way to go.. Great layout, private bedroom at front of trailer, and open kitchen dining area in rear...

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Formums. You'll find a lot of good information here.

[airstreamers]

welcome howard, so glad to have you with us. as the previous posters have stated, there is a wealth of information here and people ready, willing and able to help you. do you have a preference for layout, etc. it might be a good idea to check out the pictures on this site and others and figure out what would work out the best for you. also, keep in mind what length you are comfortable towing, you towing set-up, and of course what price range you are planning on. best of luck and welcome, friend!

[TIMEMACHINE]

Originally Posted by chaimemet

We are planning a cross country trip from SFL to Vancouver this summer, my wife and myself. I have a Suburban 3/4 ton 6L/05. Looking for advise on Airstream models new or very recent. Size 19-25ft. We would do mostly one nighters across country this trip.

Welcome....Sounds like a great trip. I agree with Condoluminum, the 25FB is the way to go. We purchased our 2006 Safari 25' Front Bed (FB)Airstream
last spring and took our maiden voyage from California to Florida to Virginia, over to Ohio (stopped at Airstream factory) up to Minnesota and across to Utah and back down to So Cal. The 25FB was perfect, not too big and not too small, decent size holding tanks, a queen bed, plenty of storage for an extended trip, and fit in everywhere we stopped for the night. I have seen a few pre-owned which could save you thousands without much penalty for age since they were first made in 2005.

John

[Airhog1]

Welcome from beautiful Arkansas!!!

Gene

[chaimemet]

Thanks everyone. Since my post between doing the serious things I have also concluded the 25ft model is the way to go. Q, I actually like the brushed aluminum interior look over the wood grain or blackened wall. The Seabreeze striped light blue looks pleasent. What is the difference between the international and the safari? I also thought the couch or L shaped config looks practical. Are there 2 different configs on the couch? What are the opinions on front dinette or sofa. It looks like there is actually 3 configs? Where are the actual specs for machinery and construction? The company website brochure is just a colorfull "I want it". FB or SS ?