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JFScheck · 06-13-2014, 11:08 PM

Farewell Airstream Forum

I just wanted to post a quick "Farewell" to the many great folks with whom I have shared the Airstream Passion here on the "Air Forums" these past 5+ years as for today I have left the "family" with the sale of my 2013 27FB International Serenity for a 2014 Itasca Solei 34T diesel motor coach.

For my style of travel and requirements, a diesel motor coach with the ability to tow my Ducati in a motorcycle trailer (or tow boat, car, etc.) while having a bit more room & creature features (washer & dryer even) just makes good sense for my lifestyle.

I have enjoyed many a discussion, from towing with the "then new" Volkswagen TDI Touareg and my 25FB Classic all over the country, debates of the "then new" ProPride Hitch, my Classic 30 transition to the 27FB International Serenity, one week of F-150 EcoBoost ownership and all the other banter in-between.

I do hope to come back and visit from "time-to-time" to see how things are going, catch up on the latest gossip and "hot topics" - and of course help out new Airstreamers if called upon (can anyone say Cayenne\Touareg\Q7 Brake Controller?)....

Thanks again everyone, keep on streaming and hope to see you out "Glamping" in this great country of ours!!!

John "JFSCHECK" Scheck

Msmoto · 06-13-2014, 11:26 PM

Oh my.... In 2010, after pulling my Int Ocean Breeze 27FB and previous 25 foot Int Ocean Breeze about 40,000 miles I purchased a Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QGP. SO, drove this with my Suzuki Dr on back and other towers including a Smart ForTwo, a total of 51,000 miles.
Now, having sold the bus, new Int Serenity 30RB to arrive next week.

Also, had pulled my 25 foot Airstream with my Porsche Cayenne Turbo, but found a Dodge/Cummins 2500 works better.

Motorhomes are very nice, but I decided I wanted more back road travel and the ability to stay at all the state and national parks. Good luck with the motorhome, but at some point if you do come back we will be waiting with open arms.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 06-13-2014, 11:52 PM

Hi, John; Don't go away mad, just go away!

Just kidding. Show and tell us more about your new RV. [Note: RV means Recreational Vehicle, not just motorhome] More pictures, specs, and trips. We were looking at new Monaco Vesta's a few years back. Wife liked the washer/dryer in it. But for now, we will stick with our nine year old set-up.

**Stefrobrts** · 06-14-2014, 01:40 AM

Yeah, let's see inside that bad boy. I'm betting I could park my Caravel in the living room

wahoonc · 06-14-2014, 04:17 AM

Those big diesel MoHo's are nice... until you have to pay to fill the tank

Congrats, you have to use what works for you!

We actually looked a used Alfa See Ya this past weekend, but decided to stay with towables. We needed a small trailer that would go behind my wife's F150. Could not find a suitable AS so bought a SOB to use for the time being. Still have the Airstreams though...

Aaron

overlander63 · 06-14-2014, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Could not find a suitable AS so bought a SOB to use for the time being. Still have the Airstreams though...

Aaron

Aaron, you could trade in all three on a newer Airstream, and stick the dealer with the old trailers.
Oh, wait-- that would end up being me.

On second thought, never mind...

dkrug · 06-14-2014, 05:56 AM

We looked at big motorhomes before we bought the Airstream we have now. They just weren't round enough, silver enough or shiny enough.
I hope you enjoy your travels in the new coach.

SteveH · 06-14-2014, 06:53 AM

Yes, we have discussed many times the advantages of a motor home over a travel trailer as we have friends who converted. They each have their distinct advantages, and disadvantages. For us, it seems a motor home would be more advantageous if full timing, but it's definitely a decision each person must make for themselves.

Good luck with your future travels, John Scheck.

Denis4x4 · 06-14-2014, 07:26 AM

Turned my Safari 25 FB into a guest house and bought a Leisure van Unity TB! Planning our fourth trip since we bought the B last August. At 24' it's easy to drive through cities and parking is not a problem. This is the first new RV I've ever owned that has yet to go back to the dealer for warranty work. Can't say that about the AS. The fact that my wife feels comfortable driving it was the dealer closer.

mojo · 06-14-2014, 07:33 AM

Happy trails...I sure hope you got it right this time!!

JFScheck · 06-14-2014, 08:30 AM

Yea Mojo, the best was that 25FB Classic with disc brakes, even if I had to travel uber light. But now I can bring my a Ducati tourer with me or a Wrangler as toad.

Think I'm pretty happy, the misses is very happy (she never was a trailer gal) but in five plus if Thor starts making the Airstream motor coaches again....

Good news is this diesel coach has been getting 10-11 mpg where towing the 27FB or 30 Classic with the 6.7 liter diesels on the same route I get 9-10 mpg. Not the 14-17 I could get with the 25FB and Touareg, but the coach is getting 1mpg better than the trucks towing the Airstreams while the coach is a bit bigger with more creature features.

Sturgis for 75th anniversary is gonna be fun!

Lot's of nice Class A's out there to include the Itasca Reyo which is on the Mercedes chassis and averages 18-20 mpg, kinda like if my 25FB and diesel Touareg had a love child

. That Reyo is great size, small enough to get around town and into all the campgrounds but big enough for comfort as it's on that Mercedes platform with the 3.0 diesel engine.

BTW, got the pics working again for the Prodigy P3 install for the Cayenne\Touareg\Q7 if you guys see anyone asking....

I'll be around, no other forum has the comradely or passion of the AirForum folks...

Bluto · 06-14-2014, 08:52 AM

Are you sure that new one is a 2014? It looks like a 2013 to me.

Just kidding. Enjoy your new ride!

JFScheck · 06-14-2014, 08:55 AM

Bluto, that is so awesome you remember that!!!

rodsterinfl · 06-14-2014, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Yes, we have discussed many times the advantages of a motor home over a travel trailer as we have friends who converted. They each have their distinct advantages, and disadvantages. For us, it seems a motor home would be more advantageous if full timing, but it's definitely a decision each person must make for themselves.

You got that right. I have posted about my family's (father's) debates on the issue. It never ends!

Very nice unit. I have been in one that they received here at the dealer- the twin model named the Forza. Good size - 35'. We were advised that the Class A 35 is the new sweet spot- still have space for the washer/dryer or features of larger units but in a smaller package and without tag wheels- that alone adds a huge cost. Another thing that I remember is that the rear overhang was not as prominent as some of the other ones- looked better balanced. Yep, just looked on the website. uh, guess what? They are bringing back the old style Winnie called the Tribute.

rodsterinfl · 06-14-2014, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Lot's of nice Class A's out there to include the Itasca Reyo which is on the Mercedes chassis and averages 18-20 mpg, kinda like if my 25FB and diesel Touareg had a love child . That Reyo is great size, small enough to get around town and into all the campgrounds but big enough for comfort as it's on that Mercedes platform with the 3.0 diesel engine.

I have tracked mileage specifically on the Mercedes based units for my father and have the owner reported overall averages. The View/Navion-15mpg; the Via/Reyo- 14mpg. I like them too but the number one impressive model to me in smaller rigs, was the Unity B+ MB model by Leisurevan- amazing amenities for the overall size. Just have to set some money aside for all the motors in the motorized stuff. If you can overlook the monkey (just kidding) in the tree, here is the video of the model I am talking about.

http://www.leisurevans.com/unity/video.html#anchor

I am sure you will like your Solei. The nice thing about it is that it is a new design with the latest features built-in rather than a retrofitted model adding LED or something after the fact.

Denis4x4 · 06-14-2014, 12:43 PM

The Unity in the video is the one we purchased. Towing an aluminum flatbed trailer with a Porsche on it, I got 13.8 MPG. Usual is 15-17 MPG.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 06-14-2014, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

The Unity in the video is the one we purchased. Towing an aluminum flatbed trailer with a Porsche on it, I got 13.8 MPG. Usual is 15-17 MPG.

Hi, no wet bath; That looks nice.

tvketchum · 06-14-2014, 06:56 PM

Could tow the AS as a guest cottage...

Fly at Night · 06-15-2014, 12:19 PM

As we see in the reply - whatever you drive/tow - that open-road camaraderie never changes.

All the best!

JFScheck · 06-15-2014, 04:46 PM

Thanks, and true - we need to always try and assist our fellow travelers, regardless of rig - again, I don't see the comradely on other forums that we have here with Airstream folks, but rest assured - I'll always be available to assist my fellow travelers, just might come to the aid of the Airstream folks just a bit quicker than others...

Aloha - Fair Winds & Following Seas To All!!!