Upgrade or change brands?

[lbdesign]

Bud, there is so much I like about the features of other trailers, except for their "me too" interiors with overdone, out of scale veneered wood cabinetry and puffy upholstery. That brings me back to clean, sleek Airstreams like my CCD.
Then I think about slide-outs, closets, basement storage, and get hopelessly confused. ;-)

[lbdesign]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I will always have an Airstream and I think I could full-time in my current trailer.
Other brands to consider for amenities, luxuries, space and storage:
Tiffin motor homes
Redwood 5th wheels
Mobile Suites 5th wheels
Continental Coach 5th wheels
These are the only ones that catch my eye in a campground. I have no interest in a Jayco, Montana, Cougar, whatever, whatever...

The DRV Mobile Suites (5th wheels) look really well done, for anyone who's following this. And they even cost more than some Airstreams! ;-) But very impressive interiors if you like that look, and great features. I could do that. DRV Suites

I will look at the others too, thank you!

[lbdesign]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, what exactly do people mean by full timing in a trailer? ...

Good question. To me it could be any flavor of living in an RV (with wheels) full-time instead of a house. You could be stationary if you love a spot, or travel 2x a year like a snowbird, or be touring the country. But that's just my view of it. IDK what others think when they see "full-timing".

Personally, I have found a great spot, so I would be (mostly) in one spot.

I think if it's a park model or larger, full-timing doesn't apply, since it's so house-like. But again, that's just me.

[m.hony]

When/if I ever get to full-time, it will be a combination of traveling and staying in one spot for a month or 2 at a time-

[TanCanMan]

I have been thinking of the same plan - more extended travel in a more comfortable trailer - maybe a couple of months at a time. Currently have a 19 footer that is great for weekends but not going to work with two adults and two dogs. In looking around I would suggest investigating a Bigfoot. They are molded fiberglass (no leaks/rot), 4 season and very robust. They make various sizes and the 25 ft rear queen bed layout looks pretty good. Bigfoot suspended operations a while back but they are back in business now. They over extended themselves with trailers, pick up campers and motor homes. They are now back doing what they do best - high quality trailers and campers. As a plus, with the US dollar so strong against the Canadian dollar they area now a better deal. Occasionally see a used 25 foot on the market but they sell pretty fast. Their 21 foot is also popular but for extended travel the 25 offers a more accomodating floor plan.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

[kb0zke]

lbdesign, you are in a similar position to us, with the difference that we have a Foretravel MH and you have an Airstream. We're talking about moving to a towable.

Full-timing simply means that one lives full-time in the coach. How often one moves is not the question. That is a question that one asks when trying to decide which type of coach is best for you. Generally, someone who moves a couple of times per month (or more often) is better off with a MH, while those who stay put for longer periods are better off with a towable.

Every coach is a compromise. A MH can tow a fuel-efficient vehicle for the daily driver, while a towable requires a truck. Some people use a semi as a tow vehicle with a SmartCar attached, while others have one person drive the truck and trailer while the other one drives a smaller vehicle.

Any coach with a metal frame and metal skin will transmit heat/cold to the interior unless there is some sort of thermal break between the skin and frame. I've seen some Airstreams with aluminum skin on the inside, and I would imagine that those portions would more closely follow the outside temperature than an area that uses some other material for the interior skin.

In addition to Airstreams, we're looking at Open Range (Journeyer 340FL) and Keystone (Vantage). Our reason for considering a change is that I'm working with a group of other retired guys who help congregations with their building projects. We usually stay on-site, and projects run from six weeks to a year, with most in the 3-6 month range. DRV is a great full-time coach, especially for those who are going to be in hot/cold temperatures, since they have thicker walls for more insulation. They are heavy, though, requiring at least an F450-class truck.

[BigButtUgly]

In our town we have a custom fabrication shop which does design complete and /or use your specs. Aluminum from frame rails to roof vent. Rigs as Spartan as $ 1.000 per foot ( 150# per foot) up to $4,000 per foot + ( 450# per foot). 8'6" wide w/4" foam and teak floors - mahogany cabinets down to 2" walls w/bubble pack and all plywood. The shop does stuff Airstream has not even thought of yet all the way down and as cheap as Airstream quality. Just saw a $20,000 paint job done by a mural painter. They pro bono'd me with my 1958 22' Caravanner.

[m.hony]

I have tried to consider changing brands. I just can't do it. The real test will be when the time comes to full-time. I love the iconic Airstream trailer. No other trailer has that "feel" for me- Maybe a restored Spartan Mansion or Manor? As beautiful as a Tiffin Allegro Bus is with all its amenities, it just lacks that "style".

[KJRitchie]

There are several blogs of full time Airstreamers. My favorite is Watsonswander. 1999 25a pulled by a 4x4 Tundra. They move south for the winter. Last year down into Arizona this year they were in the Florida keys.

Regarding Lance trailers mentioned, the main reason I don't like them is they have a flat roof and they don't have ducted AC like most conventional brands.

I looked into a Bigfoot 25B25RQ (similar to AS 25RB floorplan) but found it not to be as spacious as our 25FB especially the bathroom. It has distinct advantages over the Airstream in construction and window are double pane but its not lightweight. They run about $48-$50k new. They offer another 25ft floor plan with the queen bed in the front and a rear bath, dinette and sofa opposite each other, L kitchen with little storage. In the end we decided to keep our 25fb.

Looked at the Oliver on their website. Its a large "Casita" with more frills but still has a wet bath and the same prices as a Bigfoot. We had a Casita before our Airstream so it has no appeal to us.

When we start our extended travels we aren't sure we will have a home base. Our current house is not suitable for retirement so we may sell it and head out and full time for a couple of years. Its a bucket list item for us to check off.

Kelvin

[lbdesign]

Originally Posted by BigButtUgly

VAWT Savonius for power---Go green-go solar-buy an Edsel

Hey, regarding vertical wind turbines, here's some news. The Eiffel Tower now has two wind turbines on it!

The Eiffel Tower is now the loveliest electrical generator in the world – Quartz

Thanks for your advice and I'll be in touch...