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Sky · 01-24-2007, 09:20 AM

Hello

Just wondering if anyone has camped in both the front couch configuration, and the front bedroom configuration (25 - 27 ft). If so, which configuration seemed best? The FB is appealing to me, but I have spent 0 time in either, so I am looking for opinions. Looking for people who have spent time in both styles.

Cheers
Dale

Over59 · 01-24-2007, 09:29 AM

Been in both slept in neither. Out next Airstream will be the FB. Here's the logic. Sleeping position in the trailer doesn't seem to effect sleeping comfort. Slept in the front of the 68 Caravel. That rear dinette is the best idea ever in trailers. The best view is almost always out the back when you are parked. You back in 95% of the time. Privacy and the best view. Your patio and the front of the trailer block the energy vibes from the campground road. They also don't have that colonial design thing going.

rickandsandi · 01-24-2007, 09:31 AM

Dale-

We love out little 22" Safari but I got to tell you, the 25FB is really sharp! It has everyting going for it and if it were availabel when we were looking we would have snagged it right away. I also no for a fact that JC can not keep up with the orders for them. The layout is wonderful, lots of room and lots of light. I just don't see how anyone could go wrong with this trailer!

kamadeca · 01-24-2007, 10:03 AM

I will be the contrary opinion here. I have a 25SS right now and like the arrangement. We are looking at something slightly larger and have looked at both the 27FB and the 28 foot.

The one thing I don't like about the FB is the seating arrangement in the front. The couch is right beside the dinette, with the TV usually on the curb side partition. So the question is where do you watch TV from? I think you would have to have one person sit at the dinette to watch TV.

also, if we go for the FB I definetely wouldn't go for the wrap around windows at the front. You loose closet space, and who needs that much window in the bedroom, especially if you are facing the campground road?

Silverhobby · 01-24-2007, 10:07 AM

I have slept in neither model. I would choose the 27 FB classic. I would get the panoramic window only in the dinette area. I would appreciate the wardrobes in the bedroom area and would like less light in the BR.

**jcanavera** · 01-24-2007, 10:26 AM

While it's sharp looking, I'd rather have the bedroom in the rear of the campsite. A lot more quiet back there and while the windows and light are neat, my life is spent more in the front side of the trailer and I like to watch what is going on around me. The likelyhood of those bedroom curtains being pulled full open are pretty remote for me.

Jack

**moosetags** · 01-24-2007, 10:36 AM

We have an '05 25' FB, and love the arrangement. We spent 80 nights in our FB in '06 and never tired of it. It is the ideal layout for two people. The Queen bed is great.

01-24-2007, 11:08 AM

Looked at both, and bought the 25' classic with twins. I like the the beds in the back were it's quiet at night and I like the couch for watching movies. The FB model seem to have less outside storage especially with the queen.

**CanoeStream** · 01-24-2007, 11:44 AM

I do well with the front bedroom, even with the windows open while sleeping. We're not real late sleepers. Panoramic window curtains around the dinette are open nearly all the time for us. The living space in the FB SE series has great vision to the outside and I sure appreciate having this end backed into the more private side of a campsite -- green works for us! Best advice? Hang around shows or dealers until you can actually walk through a rear bed or front bed model. Fitting into the widest variety of state park & nat'l forest campsites keeps me from having 27' FB Classic envy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craftsman

The FB model seem to have less outside storage especially with the queen.

Absolutely true! We have a 25' FB twin and it has the curbside single storage compartment of the queen -- PLUS outside storage compartments -- 5' wide across the front AND 4' long roadside front. A regular long distance cruiser!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamadeca

I have a 25SS right now and like the arrangement. .... The one thing I don't like about the FB is the seating arrangement in the front. The couch is right beside the dinette, with the TV usually on the curb side partition. So the question is where do you watch TV from? I think you would have to have one person sit at the dinette to watch TV.

... wrap around windows at the front. You loose closet space...

The two of us wouldn't fit in the corner bed. Susie didn't like the foot space being cut off or crawling over in the night. True enough about position to watch TV; I spend too much time outside to let that be a bother. There's only the occasional hour long show we want to watch. Closet & drawer space with the 25' FB queen isn't super. The twin bed doesn't have more closet space but it has much more underbed & overhead storage than the queen. That being said, I'd love to have the wider wardrobe between the fridge & shower of the 27' FB!

wheel interested · 01-24-2007, 11:57 AM

I love the 25' Classic with all the storage with the twins and the comfy couch can't be beat.

With the front bedroom model, I like having more seating choices and a permanent dinette and the sprawl room of a queen. There is less outside and convenient storage and no built in area for a microwave except a combo oven.

In the front bedroom, I feel much more snug up in my bed with head backed up to the truck while I snooze on the road. At a campground there is little road noise and traffic at night but I am closer to the mainstream of other campers while I sleep. I love the private back door and view when backed up to a scenic spot.

I'm in agreement with SilverHobby about panoramic windows around the bed vs storage.

As for watching tv, don't forget that the tv arm extends well away from the wall next to the couch if you desire it. We find it is actually better for tv viewing because we have room to put our legs and feet up. If you put the table down and make an L shape lounging area, you can really spread out or you could even have a crowd with perfect visibility of the monitor.

01-24-2007, 12:05 PM

The truth is: they are both great layouts. You just have to try them side by side and see which is right for you. You'll have a hard time deciding.

Mike Lewis · 01-24-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverhobby

I have slept in neither model. I would choose the 27 FB classic. I would get the panoramic window only in the dinette area. I would appreciate the wardrobes in the bedroom area and would like less light in the BR.

I'm with you on the wrap around in the bedroom. One of the biggest heat loss areas is the windows. We do enough cold weather camping that the additional glass would add to the heat loss. We have the conventional flat rear window in the bed room of our 30'classic and even that lets so much cold in we insulate it with plastic to keep the cold out. more glass--better views--more glass-colder coach---pieman

TIMEMACHINE · 01-24-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

I'm with you on the wrap around in the bedroom. One of the biggest heat loss areas is the windows. more glass--better views--more glass-colder coach---pieman

I agree with the majority..we have the 25FB Safari with both front and rear Panos because we like lots of light and the views, but the additional window area does allow more heat loss and thus requires quite a bit more furnace use to compensate. It is a true tradeoff. And if you are a "dark only" sleep late kind of person, forget the front Pano for sure. The one thing not mentioned so far is that with the twin bed model and the front Pano windows, the bedroom becomes a very nice second lounge, great for reading with lots of sunlight...just a thought I would pass along for those needing two kick back spaces prior to bedtime.

John