Why did the weight change so much from 2009 to 2010 on the International 28?

[Lucky Strike]

I am shopping for a used Airstream, and in my research I noticed a drastic year over year weight change in the International 28.

International 28 Base Weight (from Airstream's website)
2009 = 5,440
2010 = 5,853
(5 years later the Intl 28 is now 5,923 lbs)

I could find no significant changes in the layout or equipment, yet it gained 413 pounds. Did the AS International each too much cheesecake in 2010, or is there an explanation for the increase?

[overlander63]

Corian countertops? Rocks are heavy.

[AWCHIEF]

Bells and whistles.

[dznf0g]

The corian is indeed heavier, but they are pretty thin, with a plywood sheet insert. They aren't the full thickness that you see on the front edge.

[Andrew T]

Corian was not added until 2014. I doubt the change was that sudden it was likely just the year they updated the weights.

I would not worry too much about it. Weight is highly overrated as a factor when towing.

Andrew T

[terryV]

I think you will find that the whole line of Airstreams have gained weight over the years. My '02 31' Classic is about 2000 lbs lighter than the new ones.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

I am shopping for a used Airstream, and in my research I noticed a drastic year over year weight change in the International 28.

International 28 Base Weight (from Airstream's website)
2009 = 5,440
2010 = 5,853
(5 years later the Intl 28 is now 5,923 lbs)

I could find no significant changes in the layout or equipment, yet it gained 413 pounds. Did the AS International each too much cheesecake in 2010, or is there an explanation for the increase?

I guess I don't know where you got your information off the AS site. When comparing the 2009 vs 2010 spec sheets in the manuals off the AS website, the 2009 and 2010 both show the UBW at 5440.

On Edit: I see the weight change was actually from 2010 to 2011. Hmmm. Did they add an extra A/C unit and 50Amp that year?

[idroba]

My '74 Argosy 20' loaded for travel weighs about 800 # less than my 2014 FC 20' also loaded for travel. The tongue weights are very similar however, both around 700#. The wood cabinets in the new AS are much heavier than the lightweight ones in the old Argosy and there are a few more goodies on the AS. The frame on the AS is also 5" deep vs. 4" on the old Argosy.

[tyggeln]

If they were correcting some marginal structural issues that would be good. My guess is they had a surprise in the mass properties when they actually weighed a unit.

[EarlM]

Maybe they added more weight in the frame or axle area?

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by CA Streamer

I guess I don't know where you got your information off the AS site. When comparing the 2009 vs 2010 spec sheets in the manuals off the AS website, the 2009 and 2010 both show the UBW at 5440.

On Edit: I see the weight change was actually from 2010 to 2011. Hmmm. Did they add an extra A/C unit and 50Amp that year?

On Airstream.com I went to the Service tab, then document archive. I downloaded "weights and specifications" pdf for 2009 and 2010. The UBW for 2010 is listed at 5,853.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

On Airstream.com I went to the Service tab, then document archive. I downloaded "weights and specifications" pdf for 2009 and 2010. The UBW for 2010 is listed at 5,853.

Hmm... that's interesting. If you download the 2010 manual the specs at the back list it as 5440. Maybe they forgot to update the manual in 2010 or put the wrong info in the weights chart. Go figure. It's also interesting that the GVWR is the same at 7300 so that 400 or so pounds reduces the net carrying capacity substantially.