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Old 07-19-2017, 05:18 PM   #1
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25' vs. 27' and Campground Sites

We'll be shopping for our first AS soon, and have narrowed down our choices on floorplans, options and interior colors. We want a Serenity FB Queen, and the only remaining decision point is a 25' vs. 27'. We expect to be visiting a lot of national parks, boondocking about 30% of the time.

I thought I remembered a thread on the trade-offs of 25' vs. 27', but can't find it anywhere. In that thread, there was discussion about how a 27' eliminates some campground sites, and then someone replied something about how the specs are measured differently than most other RVs and that 27 footers actually can use most of the sites that say "max 25'." Did I make this up in my head as wishful thinking (not an infrequent occurrence)?

If a 27' really does rule out lots of sites then that's probably a deal breaker for us and we'd go with the 25'. However, one of us is 6'4" and the other one would like some room in the trailer for herself when it's shared with the vertically gifted one and their space-hogging German Shepherd.

As far as towing, the specs appear to show only a 300lb GVWR difference between the two. Really? It seems like an additional 2 feet of just shell and insulation would account for that easily.
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Old 07-19-2017, 05:40 PM   #2
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Lots of travel trailers' length is just the occupied space, whereas Airstream's length is bumper-to-hitch. For example, my friend's "Nash 26" square bumper-pull trailer is 29'2" long. Recent Airstreams have their own oddities too, though... a "27" is about 28' long, and my "26U" is nearly 27' from bumper to hitch, etc. Flying Cloud 19s are 19'2" but a FC20 is 20'10". 2 of the FC23s are 23' long, but the 23FB is 23'9" long. 25s are 25'11", 26U is 26'11", but as I wrote earlier the 27s are all 28' long and the 28 is 27'11".

What was your question again?
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Old 07-19-2017, 05:42 PM   #3
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If a site is too tight for a 27, I don't want to put my 25 in it.
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Old 07-19-2017, 05:54 PM   #4
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I have a 25' 1990 Excella and have never had a problem anywhere in 4+ years and 400 nights out. We camp mainly in NFS, BLM and state parks. I've always been able to maneuver and I've always been able to fit. There are times when I've hung the rear over concrete curbs and had to park the TV at an angle.

So my experience is that 25' is pretty much all go - I can't speak for 2-3' longer. Both of us are average size and no pets (except my wife had a gerbil the first year - don't ask).

Cheers,
John

P.S. Plus we have found the 25 footer to be very comfortable for us.
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Old 07-19-2017, 06:03 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FarFetched View Post
We'll be shopping for our first AS soon, and have narrowed down our choices on floorplans, options and interior colors. We want a Serenity FB Queen, and the only remaining decision point is a 25' vs. 27'. We expect to be visiting a lot of national parks, boondocking about 30% of the time.

I thought I remembered a thread on the trade-offs of 25' vs. 27', but can't find it anywhere. In that thread, there was discussion about how a 27' eliminates some campground sites, and then someone replied something about how the specs are measured differently than most other RVs and that 27 footers actually can use most of the sites that say "max 25'." Did I make this up in my head as wishful thinking (not an infrequent occurrence)?

If a 27' really does rule out lots of sites then that's probably a deal breaker for us and we'd go with the 25'. However, one of us is 6'4" and the other one would like some room in the trailer for herself when it's shared with the vertically gifted one and their space-hogging German Shepherd.

As far as towing, the specs appear to show only a 300lb GVWR difference between the two. Really? It seems like an additional 2 feet of just shell and insulation would account for that easily.
From the specs you will see a difference in the 27' model is the orientation of the queen bed and a larger closet and pantry. Looks like the nightstands in the bedroom are a little larger also. The bed physically, the lounge, and the dinette are all the same size so technically while you will pick up a couple of feet in length, that extra space is really storage oriented and will be negligible to you visually or for space for you and your wife and doggie. I haven't seen specs like holding tanks etc so I'm not sure if there are differences there. Right now Airstream wants your address and phone number info to look at the brochures online, and last time I did that I got a call from a salesman.

Airstream does measure length from the rear bumper to the tip of the hitch, and most of their trailers are a little longer. So if it is stated to be a 25' trailer, it usually is 25' 11".

Bottom line storage is gold in a trailer and in many cases trade in's usually occur because of space issues where the owner finds the trailer just a little too small. I had a friend who went with a 27' front bedroom a few years ago. They had 2 decent sized dogs. I advised them to go with the 30' since I felt that the dogs plus she and her husband would find the space limited. After two seasons she sold the trailer because of space.

As far as the length issue, I doubt that going with a 27' model will eliminate very few sites. I'm sure we have a few folks on the site who can attest that they probably haven't had issues with the 27' size in obtaining adequate camping sites.

Jack
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Old 07-19-2017, 06:49 PM   #6
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Far-

We have had our Pete, a Flying Cloud 27fb twin nearly 4 years and we love this size and floor plan. It's perfect for us and often our almost 4 and almost 7 year old grands.

After a 40' motor home with a 39" deep slide, we seriously downsized and have put Pete anywhere in any state and county park (we avoid the parking lot parks) we have visited and love not having to worry about finding a big enough site.

We're convinced the 25s and 27s are just about perfect........

Hope this helps.
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Old 07-19-2017, 09:00 PM   #7
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The 25FB models are 25' 11" while the 27FB is 28' or 2' 1" longer. A model 28 is actually 27' 11" so is exactly (if such a word applies to Airstreams) 2' 0" longer. As has been mentioned above, Airstream measures from the back edge of the rear bumper to the front lip of the hitch. Most other brands are measuring the length of the box. So when making a reservation, comparing sizes vs the other brands method of measurement, the Airstream models are about 46" to 48" shorter than their overall Airstream literature length.

Thus I could say that my 31' Classic is actually 27' long when asking about reservations.

So when looking at the older camp grounds out West, one can say their 25FB is actually 22' long for checking fitment in any given park.
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Old 07-19-2017, 09:21 PM   #8
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The Airstream web site quotes the 25FB Queen at 7300 GVWR and 5503 empty, for a payload 1797. The 27FB Queen is 7600 GVWR and 5868 empty, for a payload of 1732. So the length increase adds 365 of weight you have to tow around. That's 5.5% more weight. The tongue weight is actually less on the bigger trailer, 837 vs. 791 (though with either trailer, the tongue weight will be higher once you load it up).

We have a 25FB and use it for both short trips and multi-month stays. I'd prefer to have the 27FB now. My wife prefers to stay with the 25FB for it's slightly smaller size and weight (and cost).

As for fitting in Park campgrounds, the two foot difference will usually make no difference. I don't remember any campground sign that set an absolute length limit, though there may be a few places like that. But each campsite is only so long, and sometimes you can find that there is no way to fit you trailer in the available space. But heck, that has happened to me with my 13 foot Scamp. So I consider it all a matter of degrees.
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Old 07-19-2017, 10:00 PM   #9
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I have a 25fb it's the largest trailer I've ever owned and it feels huge to me. I sometimes think about goin smaller but would never even think of goin bigger but that's just me. Depends on what ya prefer. But I'm comfy as a clam right now here at this lil park in Kansas.
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Old 07-19-2017, 10:55 PM   #10
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We have a 25FB with a queen. I'm 5'6" and sleep on the side of the bed next to the front window where there is about 6" to walk on the floor while crouching under the cabinet so you don't knock your head (which you will a few times....it hurts!). In other words, one doesn't walk there but instead crawls from the foot of the bed to the head of the bed. Doesn't bother me much but if I was your size I would most definitely go for the 27FB. I truly wouldn't give it another thought.

Yes, maybe there will be a time once every year or two you can't get into a spot that you could've with the 25 but it will be very rare. But every night you are in your 27FB trailer you will walk along the side of the bed to get in instead of crawling over. No contest!

Chris
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Old 07-19-2017, 11:47 PM   #11
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Have a problem recognizing models so this is likely incorrect. I thought the roof of the 27 had a bump that made it just a bit taller. Someone who really knows, please jump in here. Would not keep you out of sites, just another difference to understand. The North South bed configuration seems like a good idea if you don't like climbing over your partner. Note that at 6-4, upgrading to a full queen would help the feet find a place to fit.

Good luck with your decision. Pat
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Old 07-20-2017, 02:15 AM   #12
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Just a data point that I talked about last month. We were at Shenandoah NP. They had sites for any length trailer but most of the sites on the side of the mountain with the best view could not fit a trailer longer than our 25 FB. A couple came by with a tape to measure the sites for their trailer and a 27 would not have fit. It was a very tight fit for us, not to mention blocking the road while we unhooked and hooked up.

Larry
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Old 07-20-2017, 05:31 AM   #13
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You could fit in smaller sites if you have a 25rb (rear bedroom) vs a 25fb (front bedroom) just due to the entrance door location. 25rb door is in the front and 25fb is in the back. 25rb you can back in the campsite past the wheel bumper. I'd prefer the 27fb length as it allows you more kitchen counter space, larger hall closet and the front queen is arranged better.

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Old 07-20-2017, 07:51 AM   #14
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A couple of space considerations.

Are you aware an RV queen bed is only 75 inches long, 5 inches shorter than a standard queen bed. The bed can be modified and extended at the sacrifice of precious and tight walk-around. These models offer longer twin bed arrangements.

The tall fellow should attempt sitting in the bathrooms of the 25FB and 27FB models and closing the door. Then try it in the larger bathroom of the 25 Rear Bed model, which uses the same bath template as the 30' Airstream.

The tall fellow should attempt standing in the shower of the 25 and 27 models and moving his arms, then try it in the larger shower of the 26U.

Try sitting at the dinette and watching tv or looking out the window of the 25 and 27 models without getting a crooked neck after awhile. Then try it in the 26U and 28 models. (25, 26, 27, and 28 are all actually within 2' length of each of and 300 lbs GVWR, and will load to similar hitch weights).
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Old 07-20-2017, 08:18 AM   #15
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If one really likes the 25FB, one can order twins which can have a longer aftermarket mattress than the factory installs. We have the twins in our 2014 Classic and the mattress could be nearly 12" longer. Not necessary for me at 5' 5" and shrinking.

Twins give the user standing area between them so your back is not crunched when dressing. Also twins have both internal and external storage under them with a night stand in between and storage under the headboard area.

The Airstream queen mattress is 75" long and the Airstream twins are 78" long. So there would have been no issue to make them 84" if necessary in our Classic.
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Old 07-20-2017, 08:48 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by dkottum View Post
A couple of space considerations.

Are you aware an RV queen bed is only 75 inches long, 5 inches shorter than a standard queen bed. The bed can be modified and extended at the sacrifice of precious and tight walk-around. These models offer longer twin bed arrangements.

The tall fellow should attempt sitting in the bathrooms of the 25FB and 27FB models and closing the door. Then try it in the larger bathroom of the 25 Rear Bed model, which uses the same bath template as the 30' Airstream.

The tall fellow should attempt standing in the shower of the 25 and 27 models and moving his arms, then try it in the larger shower of the 26U.

Try sitting at the dinette and watching tv or looking out the window of the 25 and 27 models without getting a crooked neck after awhile. Then try it in the 26U and 28 models. (25, 26, 27, and 28 are all actually within 2' length of each of and 300 lbs GVWR, and will load to similar hitch weights).
Great advice we took over the last ~3 yrs and decided the 28 is the one for us. Our finalists were the 25RBQ and 28Q during most of this period. Started production yesterday and should be in AZ next month.
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Old 07-20-2017, 10:08 AM   #17
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I selected the Safari 25 SS for several reasons:

- 25' fits most USFS campsites. Crowded commercial campgrounds are NOT my idea of a vacation!
- The 25 SS was the smallest layout that had separate bed, dining, and sofa - so when there are only 2 of us each function can be used without any setup/teardown
- The 25 SS can accommodate 4 people when needed (6 would be tight in the dinette and sofa areas unless they were small kids)

My only complaint is the corner bed is difficult to put bedding on, and annoying when one person has to crawl over the other to get to the bathroom.

Overall I'm happy with the size and layout.
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Old 07-20-2017, 10:19 AM   #18
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Just go for it!

After doing this for past 15 years with 3 25' AS's, I have not seen many campgrounds that accept TT or RV's, where you could not get in with an AS. I have, however, seen some folks with these big 35'+ RV's struggle and not be able to get in. We recently went up to a 28' which is actually 27'11; the 27' is 28'! We have been in several spots in past 2 months in Idaho, Montana, and Washington campgrounds with no issues. We looked hard at a 27' after the 25's we had, but decided to go up to the 28 for the separated lounge and dinette space. Both are very nice rigs. I say just for it and quit worrying! You are missing the best part of summer!
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Old 07-20-2017, 10:36 AM   #19
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I suppose because we always make a reservation, we're filtering out parks where our 27FB won't fit and don't see them as options. However, given our camping habits (primarily California State Parks) and the fact that we moved from a 19' to a 27', I haven't had to take anything off the list that we used to camp at in our shorter AS.

Frankly, our 27' AS feels petite compared to the behemoths we are usually surround by at campgrounds. I've never been the "larger" trailer anywhere.

And, at 6'2" (shorter than OP), one of the biggest drivers for us was the bedroom. I was tired of crawling in and out of the corner bed in the 19'. Also didn't think I'd want to continue doing that in the 25'.

One bonus is your Serenity has the sliding upper cabinet doors. On our Safari we have the spring-loaded pop-open doors which are a head-banging hazard for tall folks.
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Old 07-20-2017, 11:20 AM   #20
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We've had our 27FB for 11 summers now and have found only 2 sites out of maybe 300-350 that I could not fit into due to length.

We tend to find that if we say we have a 25' trailer we won't have a problem fitting it in and that the sites are measured conservatively. You can always call the park and ask since they know the sites best.

As others have said, it is very unlikely the difference between the 25 and 27 model trailer will eliminate many sites for you.
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