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10-22-2018, 04:21 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
Nashville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 8
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Any SOBs with style and comfort to compare?
Hi, I have a question for those who have shopped other brands comparing to Airstream. I'm not asking about quality or value or towing or longevity in this thread, and I don't care if it's aluminum or whatever. I am asking about interior style and comfort. When we go into an Airstream, we feel like we are in high end condo. We like how it looks and how we feel when inside it. When I go in most TTs I feel like I am in a cheap tract home, or mobile home, and can't wait to get out of there.
In my RV shopping I was wondering if anyone had found anything out there worth checking out, other than Airstream, that had clean contemporary styling and/or had comfortable furnishings. So far I have found the Bowlus Road Chief, and that is about it. Anything worth checking out?
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10-22-2018, 05:01 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2019 19' Flying Cloud
Renville
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 510
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May I suggest you check out Oliver, and other mounded fiberglass trailers. They may or may not fit your needs for comfort, but definitely do not look like a mobile home inside.
__________________
I currently camp in a 19’ Flying Cloud towed by a Nissan Frontier.
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10-22-2018, 05:15 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
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The Internet lists the following as the 5 best ..... No Airstreams?
Grand Design Reflection Travel Trailer
Keystone Hideout Travel Trailer
Palomino Puma Travel Trailer
Heartland North Trail Travel Trailer
Jayco White Hawk Travel Trailer
The Oliver does come up in the search as a hit, but it really looks like a Clorox Bottle. Doubt it's what you want, but it's what a lot of people need.
Pat
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10-22-2018, 05:27 PM
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#4
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diesel maniac
Airstream - Other
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PKI
The Internet lists the following as the 5 best ..... No Airstreams?
Grand Design Reflection Travel Trailer
Keystone Hideout Travel Trailer
Palomino Puma Travel Trailer
Heartland North Trail Travel Trailer
Jayco White Hawk Travel Trailer
The Oliver does come up in the search as a hit, but it really looks like a Clorox Bottle. Doubt it's what you want, but it's what a lot of people need.
Pat
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Those "5 best" or "10 best" reviews are a joke and I am pretty sure money changes hands to determine who's is "best". Nothing more than a sneaky advertisement. Just look at the way some of them are worded, like they are written by someone who hasn't a clue about the product and in some cases hasn't mastered the English language either.
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Brian
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10-22-2018, 05:38 PM
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#5
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diesel maniac
Airstream - Other
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billstream
Hi, I have a question for those who have shopped other brands comparing to Airstream. I'm not asking about quality or value or towing or longevity in this thread, and I don't care if it's aluminum or whatever. I am asking about interior style and comfort. When we go into an Airstream, we feel like we are in high end condo. We like how it looks and how we feel when inside it. When I go in most TTs I feel like I am in a cheap tract home, or mobile home, and can't wait to get out of there.
In my RV shopping I was wondering if anyone had found anything out there worth checking out, other than Airstream, that had clean contemporary styling and/or had comfortable furnishings. So far I have found the Bowlus Road Chief, and that is about it. Anything worth checking out?
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I've looked at a lot and the only ones that have that same feel as Airstream are some of the custom renovations of older trailers. As far as durable and functional like said the Oliver and Bigfoot are good but IMHO not super comfortable. I don't consider the Airstream exactly real comfortable either.
ORV makes some decent units that are very comfortable and solid but still not as stylish and contemporary as AS. About the nicest two box type trailers we have looked at are Lance and Grand Design with Lance being quite nice, however no ducted AC. Grand Design is not really a lot better quality wise except for maybe their residential grade furniture and counter tops but their final inspections and after the sale support are touted to be the best in the business ( although if you call Bigfoot for support you get to talk to one of the owners). Grand Design also features really large, nice bathrooms.
__________________
Brian
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10-22-2018, 05:38 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Gatineau
, Quebec
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 8
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We did an extensive search before buying and we also went to a lot of RV show in order to be able to compare and nothing is comparable to an airstream.
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10-22-2018, 05:40 PM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
Nashville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 8
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Oh I don't care about THEIR lists, I want to hear the lists from Airstreamers! I want to hear what Airstreamers found that tempted them when they were shopping. Was there anything else that made you go "hmm, that's really nice"? Yeah, I know it's slim pickings out there. They build Olivers right up the road from me, but I don't find them particularly attractive or comfortable, and even Airstream could stand to up the comfort quota, but they do seem to be moving in that direction lately.
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10-22-2018, 05:45 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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This is interesting.
https://www.rvingplanet.com/blog/bes...iler-rv-brands
They find the AS Sport the number 1 choice.
Maybe they did not go in a Classic or International or a EB or a TB or even a FC for that mater.
I know the Oliver trailers have a good rep.
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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10-22-2018, 05:53 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
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Tiffin, Newmar, Nexus*, Foretravel, Prevost .......
Earthroamer ......
I'd like to be impressed by the Bowlus, but can't get past the wet bath.
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10-22-2018, 06:13 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2018 30' Flying Cloud
South Hero
, Vermont
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 259
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Airstreams are sleek compared to the “grandmas apartment” decor in some SOB’s.
I looked at an Oliver. It’s really “plasticy” and very white. Not for me.
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10-22-2018, 06:15 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Newberg
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,052
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Leisure Travel Vans have some nice interiors on their class Cs. Made in Canada with quality.
Mike
__________________
2015 27ft FC FB
WBCCI #3960
2019 F150 ecoboost
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10-22-2018, 06:23 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
2019 22' Sport
Currently Looking...
Cohasset
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 136
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I certainly wouldn’t put the Bowless Road Chief in the SOB category, but if you are, it’s certainly as nice as any Airstream inside and out. And if the Bowless is game as an SOB alternative to Airstream you’d have to look at the Living Vehicle. It’s a box, but the most beautiful box ever with the nicest architect designed interior I’ve seen in an RV.
Rich
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10-22-2018, 06:37 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,164
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Bill, what are you looking for? Is it the aluminum walls inside? Are you looking only at travel trailers, or would you consider a motor home? If so, take a look at a Newell.
Personally, I'm not all that impressed with the newest Airstreams (not that I could afford one), but they look too cold to me. The older Airstreams, say, early 2000's, look much more homey. It really comes down to a matter of taste.
__________________
David Lininger, kb0zke
AIR 54240
Heartland mpg 181 (sold)
1993 Foretravel U300 (sold)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
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10-22-2018, 06:50 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
2021 16' Bambi
2021 22' Bambi
Currently Looking...
North Port
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 331
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Nothing in a towable compares to style and quality IMO. Grand Design maybe, but it’s still the same ole look and cheap interior. Closest I’ve encountered is my father in laws 5th wheel. Heartland Cyclone. Comfortable seating and quality built interior. But it’s BIG and weighs about 16k #’s empty.
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10-22-2018, 06:57 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,316
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We had a Camplite before our Airstream. They are not AS upscale as Airstream but they are a step up from cheap SOBs. They are a stablemate in the Thor lineup with Airstreams. They are crazy light and all aluminum...no wood floors and steel frames like Airstreams.
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10-22-2018, 07:28 PM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
North Bay
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 135
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I have no idea if there is anything worth checking out. I buy things I like. It is that simple. I went to one RV show in Toronto. It was a fairly large show as Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America and its shows are usually on the large side.
I walked around and went inside many. At the time I thought we may be interested in a Class A. I then walked into an Airstream. Although noticeably smaller I just liked it. It felt right.
A year later when we were ready to buy Airstream it is. We made the right decision. When my gut tells me it is right - I listen.
__________________
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
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10-22-2018, 07:44 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Hendersonville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,092
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What to Buy
We looked for 2 full years and were in a bunch of trailers. We purchased a 2017 Airstream International Serenity 23D. However, a STRONG second place was the Lance model 1985. It was very nice. Yes, a square box SOB. BUT, as far as I could see, decent build quality at about 1/3 less $$$$ than the 23D. I have talked to several Lance owners in our travels over the past 2 years and almost all were very happy with there purchase. Love our 23d, but would not think twice about purchasing the model 1985 Lance. Good luck and safe travels.
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10-23-2018, 09:36 AM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2019 30' Flying Cloud
Grass Lake
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 280
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You may want to look at DRV Mobile Suites.
http://www.drvsuites.com/mobile-suit...-fifth-wheels/
We full-timed in one and they can't be beat for quality and really do have great style, think high-end yacht. The down-side is they're HUGE!! Ours was the smallest unit (37', 18,000#) and we needed a 1-ton dually to pull it. VERY comfortable, even at 10 deg. F outside, but you can't fit into hardly any national parks and getting into state parks can be a challenge. After we came off the road back into a sticks & bricks house, we searched all over for a smaller RV that still had the quality of the DRV. We looked at all the ones listed by others but the only other brand that comes close for quality is the Arctic Fox: http://northwoodmfg.com/ but they come up way short in the 'style' category (and at 13/ 7" for their fivers, we were worried about OH clearance). That got us to where we are today with an AS Flying Cloud, which we've only had for 2-months but so far really LOVE IT!!!
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10-23-2018, 09:37 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Churubusco
, Indiana
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,007
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If pockets are deep... there are some class-A options with nice interiors
Other than custom stuff or airstreams, i've yet to see a travel trailer with an interior that isn't hideous and made as cheap as possible. Every rv show I've been to, all the showroom models are already falling apart, and the glue smell makes my wife sick
Travel trailers with decent interiors seems like a space in the market that airstream has to themselves
__________________
1983 Airstream 310 Class A Motorhome
-Rob
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10-23-2018, 09:38 AM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
2016 30' International
Quartz Hill
, California
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 354
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Arctic Fox or Oliver
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