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Old 08-08-2014, 09:20 AM   #41
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What Airstream size works best is a personal choice that only you can answer. Everything is a trade-off. The larger the Airstream the more interior space and comfort but a larger unit to tow and park.

We have not found a state park that we couldn't get into. However, the number of sites are fewer than if we were a 22 footer. As an example I drove through two Wisconsin state forest campgrounds without my Airstream 34. In one of them I would have fit in 50% of the sites whereas in the other one I would only fit in 33% of the sites. This is based upon being comfortable in the site and not shoe-horned into it.

We opted for comfort as we eventually plan on fulltiming and this will be our home 24/7/365.
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:38 AM   #42
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It sounds like you are looking for a separate dinette and lounge arrangement as the prime reason at looking at either the 28 or 30 vs the 25 and 27 floorplans. The 28 has the small wardrobes next to the bed which look like they wouldn't carry much and a hall closet but no pantry. I've seen some that convert the hall closet next to the fridge for a pantry but that leaves little hanging clothes room in the 28. I think it would be a pain to get clothes out of the 28 queen bedroom closets. Now if you look for a 28 with twins they mount the shirt closets on the bathroom and shower walls. The 28 is 27' 11" and the 30 is 30' 11" so 3 foot difference. The 27 is 28' about the same as the 28.

I have a 25fb so 30 sounds huge

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Old 08-08-2014, 09:57 AM   #43
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I don't think its an interior comfort vs towing maneuverability issue. We're very comfortable in our 25rb which has every function a larger trailer has. Maybe more like interior space vs towing maneuverability.

And maneuverability has more to do with truck wheelbase than trailer length. A long wheelbase truck with a short trailer is no more maneuverable than a short wheelbase truck with a long trailer.

So consider the combination when trying to decide what size trailer can go where.
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Old 08-08-2014, 09:58 AM   #44
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For sure a lot of personal preference in our choices, but my experience was after purchasing the 2007 25 International Ocean Breeze, configured like a 25 CCD SS here: http://www.airstream.com/wp-content/...2f7f13b47d.pdf

I found out the space too cramped and ordered a 2009 International Ocean Breeze 27 FB. Then some changes in it which can be seen here: Extra Shelves For My 27fb - Space, this is what we need and the shelves make storage more accessible Photo Gallery

So, having been through all this, I wanted to make certain I had enough room. And, for the life of me, I cannot imagine a space which would accommodate a 28 footer and not a 31 footer… Maybe the TV has to be parked a bit inconvenient in extremely cramped quarters, but IMHO, the extra space in my new Serenity outweighs the inconvenience in the extra length.

I need to qualify once again where i am coming from, however, as i am clearly quite biased on this issue. I was in a 44 foot long tag axle motorhome… definitely way too large for any state, local, or national parks. Oh well….
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Old 11-12-2014, 05:45 PM   #45
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I'm downsizing from a 40' motor home that towed a 17' trailer.
I took many trips from Florida to Colorado, and learned which campgrounds could accommodate my size and also which ones where affordable. (Usually, I wanted water and power, not a swimming pool, bicycle, or volleyball net) Sleep and dinner was on my agenda.
So, You won't have a problem, and keep a copy of the Campground guide handy.

OBTW, state/county parks may be a problem. There's where the guide will save you. I drove alone so I didn't follow my advice usually, but a call in the morning to reserve a space will save you driving around at 10 PM.
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Old 11-14-2014, 08:19 AM   #46
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Finally purchased our AS

Thank you everyone who helped us decide the issue of 'size'!
We purchased a 2014 30' Classic and now our adventure begins.
I think a mixture of boon docking and provincial and state parks is
on our agenda come the spring. So many choices it is hard to know where
to begin. Your ideas will always be welcome.
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Old 11-14-2014, 08:22 AM   #47
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Good for you.

We own a 34' triple axle and have yet to find a park that could not accommodate us. There were one or two close calls in the older Provincial Parks, where the maneuverability of our tow vehicle saved the day, but nothing dramatic.
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Old 11-14-2014, 09:19 AM   #48
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A 28 vs. a 30 won't amount to enough to notice.
I've had both and camped in the same places, on the same campsites with both.
Also, remember to look at the actual length vs. the model number designation, i. e. the Classic 30 and the Classic 31 are the same actual length. They just use the number 30 to designate a walk-through bath and the number 31 to designate a side bath.
Also, my previous 28' sob and 30' Airstream are both about 32' actual length. Even camping pads shorter than your trailer can accommodate your trailer if you back the back tires all the way to the end of the pad and let the rear of the trailer hang over the end of the pad.
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Old 11-14-2014, 09:45 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eheart View Post
Thank you everyone who helped us decide the issue of 'size'!
We purchased a 2014 30' Classic and now our adventure begins.
I think a mixture of boon docking and provincial and state parks is
on our agenda come the spring. So many choices it is hard to know where
to begin. Your ideas will always be welcome.
Congratulations! That is the same model we have and if our experience is anything to go by, I don't think you will regret your choice.

We felt it was an excellent layout for our needs after looking at all the other options.

When we first looked at this model, it seemed odd having the toilet normally fully exposed to the walk through aisle. We soon became very appreciative of the large bathroom you get when the siding doors are closed though. It does take a bit of coordination when using the bathroom/shower so as not to trap your partner in the bedroom. It becomes routine after a while!

Brian.
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Old 11-14-2014, 10:04 AM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eheart View Post
Thank you everyone who helped us decide the issue of 'size'!
We purchased a 2014 30' Classic and now our adventure begins.
I think a mixture of boon docking and provincial and state parks is
on our agenda come the spring. So many choices it is hard to know where
to begin. Your ideas will always be welcome.
As you can see, we have a 2013 30' Classic and I love it.
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Old 11-14-2014, 11:06 AM   #51
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Congratulations, never a problem for us as this is our second 30'. Also a SOB 38' Motorhome never had any issue with either in public or private campgrounds.

ENJOY

Safe Travels
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Old 07-31-2016, 09:34 PM   #52
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easier to back up, 28' v 31' ?

Just prepping my baby for a trip to the high sierra, only my second outing and first on a mountain road etc ... have to admit I'm a little apprehensive about the journey .. , you know, stopping for gas, navigating steep mountain highways, driving through the campground, backing into my spot ... yikes, fingers crossed.
went to a large church parking lot today and practiced backing into a space, not too hard but the lot was huge .. !
is there much difference in backing up smaller trailers ?
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Old 08-01-2016, 07:53 AM   #53
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I often find parking the 31' Classic attached to my Ram 25HD Cummins easier than the 23D attached to my Mercedes M320 CDI. And both units have the Voyager rear camera.
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Old 08-01-2016, 08:42 AM   #54
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Be mindful of the trailer tracking behind you. I'm always concerned with narrow winding roads that don't have a shoulder. You have to go a little wider so you trailer tires don't go off the edge. My tow mirrors have convex mirrors on the bottom so I can check how the trailer tracks around sharp corners. I notice even my 25fb tracks closer to the edge than my truck. Typically when I have go a little wider for my trailer an oncoming truck pulling a 5th wheel is approaching.

Kelvin
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Old 08-01-2016, 09:16 AM   #55
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The shorter trailer is harder to back up because any steering correction is felt quickly by the trailer and it will go off course quickly. The longer trailer is easier (that is, longer distance from the hitch ball to the trailer's axle) to back up. However with experience backing your trailer either one is a piece of cake.

Tow vehicle wheelbase has the most effect on maneuvering the trailer. We just traded 120" wheelbase for 140" wheelbase truck. The short wheel base truck made backing into a tight spot much easier.
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Old 08-01-2016, 09:19 AM   #56
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Besides, the 30' AS is not really 30'. Its about 28'. It's 30'11" to the ball hitch, which IMO doesn't count. But I don't make the measuring rules...
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Old 08-01-2016, 10:19 AM   #57
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For me my Classic 30 is just right.
I do have triple axle 34 envy, but I think I would find myself having difficulty in some campgrounds.
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Old 08-01-2016, 10:20 AM   #58
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I had a 28' before the 30'.
I can't tell the difference towing or parking.
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Old 08-01-2016, 10:13 PM   #59
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We went from a Safari 28 to a Flying Cloud 30. I am pleasantly surprised that I hardly notice the extra 3' when backing, if at all. It seems that Airstream has the axles in the ideal spot. Other than the slightly greater parking space needed I would not factor that into your decision. The Flying Cloud 30 had an inverse floor plan from all the 28w models and we really prefer that. We love it!
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Old 08-01-2016, 10:24 PM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJRitchie View Post
Be mindful of the trailer tracking behind you. I'm always concerned with narrow winding roads that don't have a shoulder. You have to go a little wider so you trailer tires don't go off the edge. My tow mirrors have convex mirrors on the bottom so I can check how the trailer tracks around sharp corners. I notice even my 25fb tracks closer to the edge than my truck. Typically when I have go a little wider for my trailer an oncoming truck pulling a 5th wheel is approaching.

Kelvin
Good advice for any newbie ... you have to go as far wide as you can then turn at last possible moment on those tight corners ..
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