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baldwin6601 · 10-31-2014, 10:52 AM

My 22 Sport does have the covered underbelly. It's a 2010 model. If I know that I'm going to need extra water, I simply take it with me in water cans carried in my tow vehicle. If you are going to be out for several days boondocking, you'll need some solar back up for your battery and/or an extra battery and/or a small generator to occasionally recharge the battery. I went with the small generator, but if I had it to do over, I'd go with solar panels and an additional battery.

dkottum · 10-31-2014, 11:06 AM

baldwin, I agree with you on solar. We have factory solar and 2000 watt Honda, but no longer travel with the nuisance generator and it's companion gas can(s). The solar panels can provide more than the batteries can hold, so when these batteries have run their course we will move up a size.

troutjock · 10-31-2014, 02:13 PM

Wow , what a wealth of information on this subject! I do have a girlfriend and a 70 lb Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Both will be along on weekend trips. On longer trips, the CBR will definitely be along and the girlfriend, too, if her schedule allows (She works, I'm retired) but for at least some of those trips it will be me and the Chessie-dog.

Love the idea of a solar panel. Can a dealer hook me up?

Supposed to snow here in NC overnight. If weather allows plan on traveling to a dealer tomorrow and look just one more time before pulling the trigger.

Thanks again to everyone!

Bk Yd Safari · 10-31-2014, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutjock

Wow , what a wealth of information on this subject! I do have a girlfriend and a 70 lb Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Both will be along on weekend trips. On longer trips, the CBR will definitely be along and the girlfriend, too, if her schedule allows (She works, I'm retired) but for at least some of those trips it will be me and the Chessie-dog.

Love the idea of a solar panel. Can a dealer hook me up?

Supposed to snow here in NC overnight. If weather allows plan on traveling to a dealer tomorrow and look just one more time before pulling the trigger.

Thanks again to everyone!

While Colonial in NJ has probably the best prices, don't over-look Out of Doors Mart in Colfax, NC...we purchased a used 2008 20' Safari (one owner) in 2011..we considered a new 22' Sport but for layout and price we chose the 20' Safari...it's just a matter of preference

mutcth · 10-31-2014, 07:54 PM

We had a vintage Argosy that was the same width as the Sport. I thought the one foot wider 23' that I bought later would be much more difficult to tow. It isn't. I got similar fuel economy towing either trailer; other variables mattered more than cross-section.

Where the added width pays off is in livability. Our 23 feels spacious compared to the 7-ft wide trailers. As Doug said above, the 25'+ trailers feel much more spacious still, amazing for 3' longer and 6" wider.

IIRC, the Sports still use a different window design. Less opening area but perhaps cheaper to replace broken glass and easier to keep open in the rain without wetness inside. That said, we like the big opening windows. (It's actually a frustration - I'm looking at Sprinter-based class b mohos and they all have tiny opening window area.)

The back bumper probably isn't great in a rear crash, but it would be dandy if I tapped a tree backing into a site. Much better than hitting an unprotected rear corner of the trailer. Also like dumping the sewer hose in there rather than sliding it into a tube-like holder.

I do think the Sport 22 is a great floor plan, but wish AS gave it the features of a Flying Cloud.

Finally, if it was my $$ and I was buying new, I'd get a 23D. Tight bathroom but otherwise feels so open and light inside. More floor-room for the dog too.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

baldwin6601 · 11-01-2014, 08:08 AM

You can have rock guards added to the Sport22. I talked to my dealer about it this summer...

ODSCS · 11-06-2014, 03:37 PM

We have the 22' Sport. Travel with 3 20-30lbs dogs that have their den under the front bed. The dinette has not been our favorite for sitting and recently tried lowering the table and making that area a large couch. Works better for the both of us to relax. Still not perfect though. Do like the separate shower and toilet area and the larger bed than the corner bedroom layouts in the FC and 16 Sport. The dogs get a pen outside on a large mat when weather is nice for their dinners.

I had to select the Sport as the 4500 lbs was close to the max my Jeep Liberty could tow. We also liked the more modern feel of the Sport. Ideal for us will be a 25FB with some recliners or comfortable sofa but that takes another investment in a bigger tow vehicle.

troutjock · 11-08-2014, 12:05 PM

I really appreciate all of the replies, they were most helpful. I tend to over research things and agonized over this decision for nearly a month before I FINALLY pulled the trigger on neither trailer, electing instead to purchase a 2014 25 Ft. Flying Cloud, which was heavily discounted due to it not being a 2015 for basically the same price as a 2015 2013 FB.

Anyway, hoping this was the right decision, but I won't know until I get out and start camping which I plan to do with a 6 week trip to the Southwest beginning on November 19 (see new thread about my concerns regarding winter camping).

Thanks again, everyone, this really, really helped.

baldwin6601 · 11-08-2014, 12:06 PM

Enjoy!!

m.hony · 11-08-2014, 04:49 PM

You will never regret that extra 2-3 feet of living area and cabinets.

Bk Yd Safari · 11-09-2014, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutjock

I really appreciate all of the replies, they were most helpful. I tend to over research things and agonized over this decision for nearly a month before I FINALLY pulled the trigger on neither trailer, electing instead to purchase a 2014 25 Ft. Flying Cloud, which was heavily discounted due to it not being a 2015 for basically the same price as a 2015 2013 FB.

Anyway, hoping this was the right decision, but I won't know until I get out and start camping which I plan to do with a 6 week trip to the Southwest beginning on November 19 (see new thread about my concerns regarding winter camping).

Thanks again, everyone, this really, really helped.

congratulations...
just curious did you purchase from Out of Doors Mart??

troutjock · 11-09-2014, 02:33 PM

Yep, sure did. All things being equal the deal on the 25' FC made it pretty much a no-brainer over the 23' FC's. Plus, they are the closest dealer and seem to know what they are doing.

troutjock · 11-09-2014, 02:37 PM

Had no idea how hard this decision would be. Spent a month tent camping in MT last summer and am dying to return for the entire summer, thus the desire for an AS.

Size, can I winter camp and now agonizing over a tow vehicle (don't want to open that can of worms). I think it's just time to hit the road!!!!

silbull02 · 11-10-2014, 08:10 AM

I see an F-250 PSD in your future! I can't wait to tow my New AS with it!

KJRitchie · 11-10-2014, 08:29 AM

We came to the same conclusion looking for our Airstream, 25FB, not too big and not too small. Did you get the front bedroom or the rear bedroom model? The only advantage of the 2015 is the ducted air on the 25ft and larger models.

Kelvin

troutjock · 11-10-2014, 08:33 AM

Kelvin,

I got the rear bedroom, which I personally like a little better but I think I would have been happy with the FB, too. Honestly a new 2015 was a bit outside my budget, so I jumped on the chance for a new 2014 for just a little more than a 2013 FB. The way I see it, I spent just a little more money for some
Living space.

Hope you are enjoying your 25 FC as I hope to enjoy mine!