Newcomer looking for information

[Atlee]

Currently I own a Roadtrek Class B. A class B works for what we use it for, which is touring (when I have the time) and tailgating during football season. It's a 1996 built on a 1995 Chevy chassis with over 130K miles.

However, I'm nearing retirement and plan a couple of long trips 1 to the west coast and another to the Black Hills and Yellowstone.

I'm looking to replace my current rig within the next 1.5 years.

I would get a replacement B if it's in the budget. But since I currently have a fairly decent tow vehicle, I'm also looking at some trailers.

For a one year period we owned a 2003 Trail-Vision Traillite 21 footer. Coupled with the Equal-lizer hitch, it pulled like a charm. Didn't really know it was behind us as we towed. Only averaged 10.5 miles to the gallon though.

I need something no longer than22-23 ft. There are just 2 of us plus a Dachshund. All we need is a bed or a lounge we can keep made as a bed, plus a dinnette.

I'm most interested in either Casita, Hi-Lo, plus I am intrigued by the AirStream. The Airstream is truly an icon of RVing in general and travel trailers in particular.

I'll be back to ask questions, but must get ready to go to work now.

[SteveH]

Welcome to the forums, Atlee. I'm sure you will find the travel trailer that fits your needs best, and get lots of recommendations on this forum.

Interesting you would consider a Casita, or an Airstream. It's interesting to me as I actually also own a 17' Casita. The Casita is comperable in size to only the very smallest Airstream, which is 16'. Nothing wrong with the Casita, mind you, it's just size wise in a different catogory than most Airstreams.

Good luck with your search, and if we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to ask.

[bike_addict]

Welcome!

I know it's said alot on here but if you're considering a 23' then I would seriously consider a 25'. It's a little wider, you get the dinette and the lounge that make a bed and you're grey and black tanks are bigger. I think the jump is worth it. Of course I'm biased since I went with a 25'.

[Foiled Again]

If you're from Mechanicsville, Virginia - the good news is that Virginia's only Airstream dealer is located about an hour from you. Go north on I-95 and just shy of Fredricksburg you'll see it on the right.

Safford RV
Thornburg VA
(540) 735-1100

They don't carry the most robust inventory in the airstream line, but they have some you can walk through and get a really good "look and feel".

OH - and check the "classifieds" tab. Lots of nice almost new stock right here! The hunt begins!

Happy Hunting! Paula

[Silver Otter]

Atlee - Your hunt will be fun. Last year about this time I thought we could never afford an Airstream, and I was looking at Casita and Scamp products, too. I you want a nice get-away in the Blue Ridge to talk Airstreams come see us - just a short trip West on I-64.

[Lucky Dog]

Hello Atlee,
Welcome to the Forums. We owned a PleasureWay ExcelTD for several years and really enjoyed it. We evenyually sold it and when it came time to replace it, we went for the Airstream. Although the PleasureWay was great to drive, park, etc., we decided that we wanted to tour an area that we travelled to without having to disconnect from our hookups, etc and then have to connect again upon return. Airstream trailer and tow vehicle took care of that. Everything is a trade off or a compromise of some sort but we like the trailer/TV better. We chose a 23' Flying Cloud which was a big upgrade in space over the PW. Hard to argue with Bike Addict, though. Although we chose the 23', that 25' is a beauty.

[zlee]

Welcome Atlee! You'll find this is a very helpful bunch of people here - I began my own hunt not long ago and thanks to people here found what I think will be our perfect trailer.

I also looked at the Casita (a friend turns out to own one). My problem with them was that none of the floor plans worked for us, and...well, none of them were Airstreams. I think of AS as the Rolls Royce of the business, and once I walked into one, I was going to have one even if I had to beg on the street (since I'm fulltiming in mine) to afford it.

If all you really want is a bed and a dinette with kitchen and bath facilities, it sounds like you may like one of the Bambi's, if there's enough storage space for you. (For quite a few people, there's not.) Only you will know what will work for you and what won't, in terms of how much space you need. For me, the quality of finish, the solidity of how it felt to be in an AS, and the floor plan that worked really convinced me that I could live in such a small space long term, but I'm coming to the conclusion that "small space" is a very malleable term from person to person.

One other really important thing that helped me decide on an Airstream is that my plans, while made, have a big question mark over them due to some medical issues, and the AS will hold it's resale value very very well.

Good luck, and see you around the boards!

[nilesrob]

Atlee, it sounds like you have the benefit of time before making a decision. My recommendation is, if possible, catch up with a local rally and talk to other owners. You'll get a great idea of what others value.