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RedTruck · 10-06-2008, 09:30 PM

We are looking to buy a AS soon and we will be mainly boondocking. We are looking at a 23FB or a 25FB. Should we be looking for something smaller?

2airishuman · 10-06-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTruck

Should we be looking for something smaller?

why?

cheers
2air'

RedTruck · 10-06-2008, 09:36 PM

We want to be able to use NM and Colorado National Forest campgrounds and do not want to have a TT that is too big.

Relentless · 10-06-2008, 09:46 PM

I'm towing with a 06 Ford Expedition which is essentially a 1/4 ton. We have over 12,000 miles towing all over the West, including up and down several mountains, with no problems.

John

TIMEMACHINE · 10-06-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTruck

We want to be able to use NM and Colorado National Forest campgrounds and do not want to have a TT that is too big.

It is not just the AS length, although the campgrounds use TT length as a guide, they almost never measure. Many times the campground maps and descriptions of campsites are just plain wrong, usually much larger than what is printed. The real question is will you fit and can you maneuver your truck and trailer in the space available. We have a 25FB and have not found a situation where we were denied access even though some sites were designated for 23 feet. We also found that when we switched from a CrewCab-Long Bed truck to a Short Bed truck, the task of getting into tight spots became easier.

Buy the Airstream that fits you comfortably, if the 23 is it, go for it, but if the 25 is your thing, don't let the fear of access into some parks be the reason to say no.

Just opinion here, based on our experience.

Jim Foster · 10-06-2008, 09:53 PM

23 or 25 should get you into most any space. Some older places do have restrictions on size, but those restrictions are usually closer to the 30 foot mark.
Call around to the parks. Do some homework where you think you might want to stay. "Let your fingers do the walking".

casarodante · 10-06-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTruck

We are looking to buy a AS soon and we will be mainly boondocking. We are looking at a 23FB or a 25FB. Should we be looking for something smaller?

If I remember correctly, Airstream measures including the tongue. Most other trailers do not include the tongue. So a 25' Airstream is the same as 22' SOB. I have not had any impossible situations in any campgrounds just a tight one in the redwoods in No Cal.

2airishuman · 10-06-2008, 09:59 PM

red

this issue comes up regularly.

in 29 years of 'steaming i've been in one park that couldn't handle longer units.

the issue for me when boondocking is water and smaller trailers have smaller fresh tanks and holding tanks.

yes there are others ways to carry water.

we tend to read about a few famous spots that have length issues, and seldom from folks who OWN long trailers.

so to me it's a bit like worrying about a shark bite while swimming in lake michigan.

in general MANY more folks go UP in size because the first trailer is too small...

than go down in size because of access issues.

here are just a few of the 100s of threads on this issue.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...rks-43474.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f368...ize-42426.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f314...get-40751.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ost-35193.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...est-30668.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...nds-43668.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...tes-24793.html

cheers
2air'

purman · 10-06-2008, 10:16 PM

We live in Western Colorado and have a 28' and have had no problems thus far...

Wayne&Sam · 10-07-2008, 05:08 AM

AS= Airstream

We have a 20' and have camped in many places where a larger unit would have been difficult - not impossible, but difficult. We also really liked the floor plan of the 20. So I think that should be your deciding factor- which floor plan works best for you.

CanoeStream · 10-07-2008, 07:52 AM

We've done a lot of camping without hookups available. National forest campgrounds seem to have good sized slots with good clearance in general. They'll put sites where you'd drag your tail backing in but there usually are enough other choices. Only a small number of natl forest campgrounds take reservations in our area.

State forest campgrounds are another issue altogether. They're widely variable and you've just got to cruise sites when you get there. Branches may be low enough in some that a tent or popup would be all that fits. They won't appreciate your efforts at making it big enough for an Airstream. All Airstreams are virtually the same height.

AirsDream · 10-07-2008, 11:29 AM

A 23 or 25 ought to fit most places. But if boondocking is your thing, think a) tank size; and b) batteries or generator or solar. It's no fun to find THE perfect spot for a few days' R&R and then before the few days are up, to run out of water or black tank capacity or electricity.

Boondocker · 10-07-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirsDream

A 23 or 25 ought to fit most places. But if boondocking is your thing, think a) tank size; and b) batteries or generator or solar. It's no fun to find THE perfect spot for a few days' R&R and then before the few days are up, to run out of water or black tank capacity or electricity.

I agree with all of the above.

I boondock, a lot, an absurd amount in fact. If the question is truly boondocking as opposed to national forest campgrounds, then the real issue is WIDTH. When you get into the boonies, it is common for the prime boondocking spots to be down narrow lanes or tracts. A couple of my favorite boondocking spots would simply be inaccessible with a wide body. So if you really mean boondocking when you say boondocking, then you might want to think about the narrow body that the vintage units have

Steve & Susan · 10-07-2008, 01:34 PM

Red -

I'd advise getting the biggest one you are comfortable paying for

and towing. I agree with the advice about the bigger tanks (fresh as well as grey/black). I REALLY wanted a 19/22 footer - and my wife talked me into the 28 - bigger bed and space to move around on rainy days - I'm glad she did. We've been to 15 campgrounds and we are usually the SMALLEST trailer there. State parks and national parks have not been a problem.

Beat of luck!

RedTruck · 10-07-2008, 04:51 PM

Thank you for all your comments.

cwv · 10-07-2008, 06:17 PM

i have a queston..what are the numbers across the top in big red #for i just got a 1970 airstream .would really like to what the #are for

flyfshr · 10-07-2008, 07:08 PM

The big red numbers are the membership number in the Wally Byam Caravan Club, Int'l (WBCCI) for the trailer owners. A membership directory is published annually and folks can look you up plus your state of origin just by the red numbers.

Brad
FF

ROBERT CROSS · 10-08-2008, 11:03 AM

We love the 25, have never been been stuck while boon-docking, the tanks are just the right size for the two of us.

Our last trip to the Adirondacks, 4 adults two dogs,10 days, no problems.
Though the operative word here may be adults.

Pat Conway · 10-08-2008, 04:14 PM

Must agree with Robert Cross, our 25 Ft has served us well. We were particularly happy with it while camping at Chiricahua Nat'l Monument in Arizona. Any larger Airstream TT would not have cleared the drainage ditches crossing the roadway which accesses 1/2 of the parks available 25 spaces. The rear of the trailer would have dragged on the concrete after the tow vehicle had cleared. This was a beautiful campground built by the CCC in the 1930s. Owners of large units were quite disappointed to be turned away at the visitors center due to being oversized. The 25 is very maneuverable in tight spaces and concerns of the back end of it dragging when crossing ditches getting on and off the roadways (i.e. accessing shopping parking lots) are minimal.

Ray Eklund · 10-26-2008, 03:38 PM

For western US National Forest roughing it camping a 25 foot will get you where you want to stay. If you buy a 23 foot AS, you will be wishing you had the 25 footer in a year or two, or in three weeks after buying a smaller AS.

We pull our 23 foot Safari anywhere we can travel as long as we have road clearance. Having a 4x4 as a tow vehicle is a must. Not that you will need the 4x4, but when you do... If your towing ability is below average, go for the 23 foot or smaller dual axle AS. If you are a competent driver with a trailer in tow, go for the 25 footer. Nothing like having about 3 more linear feet of living space, a bit more width, a larger refrigerator and room to roam. Our "Rockdocking" requires a dual axle to cross creeks, small angular erosion in gravel roads and other irregular terrane. The black and grey water valves are your biggest worry for off asphalt travel, and having a spotter for those tight squeezes to avoid leaving your PVC pipes along a trench.

Bring trimming tools for removing low hanging branches and bushes that will drag along the sides of your AS or rake your roof accessories. Bring several so everyone can clear the brush along side the road. Believe me, you WILL need trimming equipment. Bring one or two sturdy short handled shovels for... road building. Also a two foot long, 2 inch by 12 inch board for tricky obstacle crossings...

For practice, try some of the off road camping locations that other AS owners have been so generous to offer on this forum! These AS owners know what is going on.