Finally located photos of this trailer. Looks like the axels are as far back as possible and with the extra foot of length (longer than the Argosy 22) and the 500 lb hitch weight, it may be balanced well enough to tow OK. I'd still be cautious with short wheelbased TVs.
Could you clarify this concern for a newbie with a short-bed Chevy Silverado (119" WB) and a hunger to start the Airstream lifestyle?
Could you clarify this concern for a newbie with a short-bed Chevy Silverado (119" WB) and a hunger to start the Airstream lifestyle?
I own one and tow with a 01 Sequoia. My towing experience is three times since early April on interstate, two lane winding and four lane divided highways (approx. 400 miles total). I have not had an unsafe or out of control experience at any time.
OK, so who here owns one of these babies? Please describe your experiences with those of us that may buy one. Talk about towing it, and with what you are towing it with. Talk about how well or bad the floor plan living really is? Would you buy it all over again? Are the holding tanks large enough for your application? How comfortable is the bed? Give us some real world information about your 23 FB. Thanks
I just picked up our new 2008 23' FB two weeks ago, driving 700 miles back home. Towing the 23' was great, TV 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a hemi and towing capacity of 7700# so this trailer fits in nicely. 2 turnpikes, hundreds of semi trucks and winds, rain, etc. It towed beautiful, not much different than the Bambi, little longer and heavier, but tracks just fine.
The interior floor plan is very comfortable. Reasons for upgrading so soon, the queen bed as mentioned above, and a full bathroom that you can use without flashing everyone in the trailer (believe me you can't sit on the toilet and close the door! This feature alone is quite appreciated! Not having to do a houdini to get the bed made is a blessing, and back saver, storage is a lift away with hydraulic arms to raise the bed and reveal all the great storage underneath the bed. Only complaint in bedroom is the curtains - why can't AS figure out that blackout lining could be useful for a good nights sleep! Two of the storage bins are accessible from the front of the bed, and a door opens on the side to reveal a plastic tray to pull out and still have ample room for additional items.
Two wardrobes, one long the other shirt-type with drawers. Storage under dinette is small, but with all the other storage in the kitchen, I barely noticed. A pull-out pantry! Double deep stainless sinks, counter space! Oven/stove and convection micro, large refrigerator with storage bin and extra shelves. Only complaint here is that the fan does not have a switch to turn off, however, after a couple of nights, got used to it, and when the ambient temperature cooled down, the fan did not come on as often.
The LCD TV tucks around the wall in the bedroom, you can extend it and pull it into the aisle, exposing it to the dinette. Only prob here is you can only view it from dinette from one side, since it faces the back of the trailer. Yes, it does have the wheel-well box, but am considering being able to convert to a u-shaped couch, somehow keeping the drop down table, which by the way drops down without having to move the cushions to get down! The upgraded entertainment system is behind a cupboard. Only complaint here is why does AS think a CD changer is wanted - hello IPOD. There is also a connection for IPOD and other devices on the front of the player. The surround sound is great and speakers are mounted on the ceiling, not under the cabinet.
The full bathroom - yes a full bathroom, but only complaint is that you have a window instead of medicine cabinet. There is a retractable mirror - lighted would have been nice. Definitely considering if AS could retrofit a medicine cabinet in there.
Fresh water tank is 30 gallons, other tanks are the same as the bambi. But at 8#/gallon, I really don't tow water. the FW tank is located in the middle towards the front.
Same crappy power jack, had nothing but trouble with the one on the bambi - it died in the dealers driveway! Thought moving gear from bambi to 23' would be a snap - just where did all this ## come from! Going back and forth had a great reward - a great queen bed, after a good stiff cocktail!
The deciding factor was definitely confirmed. Don't have the awning package as the bambi, but will be adding that. We are enjoying this unit so much and just can't wait to get on the road again. If you have any specific ?? just send them down the line! Go for it, you won't be disappointed. By the way, great time to buy -
Seems like Airstream is offering more and more FB units. I was shocked to see the base Safari SS discontinued or only offered in CCD/International versions.......
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
Seems like Airstream is offering more and more FB units. I was shocked to see the base Safari SS discontinued or only offered in CCD/International versions.......
Wow, that's kind of surprising. I know the corner beds are not all that popular, but I'd rather have the corner bed AND sofa AND dinette in a 25 foot package than have to give one of them up. And I still think the bench in the FB units are not nearly as comfortable as a sofa.
As to whether it's better to have the living area with the view at the rear (as in a FB unit) or the front (as in a more traditional unit) is still debatable to me.
Gary
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Gary & Debbie
2001 Safari 25 SS
2001 Yukon 5.3L 3.73 • Hensley • Jordan Ultima • McKesh
One of the reasons we bought the original bambi was that the dinette was in front of the trailer and we would have the wrap windows for the light, I am an artist and that is important, as well as view. However, the limitations of the corner bed and the bathroom as I mentioned before, was the factor that made the 23' attractive. After seeing the floorplan and the pics from Colonial Airstreams website, I realized that the lighting and viewing was fine. after stepping into the unit it was flooded with light, I have large windows all around the trailer and sitting at the dinette I have a panoramic view just as in the bambi and 2 huge windows at the dinette.
Couldn't be more pleased with this arrangement. I have 5 more windows than the Bambi and more than enough viewing area and light. Since the first time I walked into it, I knew it was perfect.
ps. thought I would have to change my name to ncsafari, but I think we'll keep the ncbambi, it was the main reason we bought our first AS!
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