RB vs FB

[switz]

By default, the two 2014 31' Classic trim models had a rear bedroom, side dinette opposite the kitchen and a front sofa. They have a front entrance door. I have seen a modified 2015 Classic with a rear door added beside the queen bed.

We chose the twin bed model model 30 for the storage and and inside space considerations. We love our floor plan and the way the space works for us with three distinct spaces.

One really has to get away from the high density camping facilities (like KOA) to more remote areas for a view to even exist. If you are in the middle rows, you may see a few trees, but mostly other camper vehicles of all descriptions.

If one seeks out the national, state, and local RV parks, there is a much better chance for a view out of the window. I stopped in a small local park in Texas with no services and was the only unit there with a lovely view out the side dinette window in the morning.

The livability question is more important to us than the view issue. This is our bedroom on wheels with a dining facility and shelter from the elements. If the views are there, they are outside.

[Ntex]

I have never seen anyone suggest that the location of the bedroom impacts trailerability, or anything like that. It is solely a floorplan preference issue as far as I know. It also puts the door in a different place, and to some that might be a factor. The size of the bathroom area was VIP to us...it is bigger if the beds are in the rear. This took a frontbed 27 out of contention from our perspective...the 28 rear bed has a better bath.


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[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by JandS

We certainly appreciate everyone taking the time to reply to this thread.
However, we are now at 18 messages into this and there hasn't been a single reply that is in direct response to the original question, or the clarifying message in post # 13.

I'll try again. Does anyone have opinion on FB vs RB OTHER than which provides the best view?

Thanks again,
JandS

Hi, OK, I'll answer that one. In some camp grounds, the rear door of the front bedroom Airstreams lines up with the standard sewer location of the next sight. The front door of the rear bedroom Airstreams are quite far away from the standard sewer location of the next sight. Most campgrounds have the sewer location towards the back of the space.

[Hiho Silver]

We have had both rear(28) and front bed (27) flying clouds. We like the panoramic windows on the 27 flying cloud, both in the front and rear. On our 28 rear bed their were no panoramic windows in the bedroom, instead their are closets, which may be nice for storage, but it is a closed in feeling to me having the closet next to the bed, instead of a nightstand like on the 27FB. We are used to a kingsize bed, so the queen without the closets, like on the 27FB, gives me a more open feeling,
than when I roll over on my side in the 28RB and their is a wall in my face it is a little claustrophobic to me. And the view is usually better with the 27FB IF YOU BACK IN, not always but it works for us.

Sandy

[msmcv51]

I like the front bed models because of the way the outside door opens. It is not a suicide door.

[jbroedlow]

Another plus for our 27FB is that the main storage outside is behind the propane tanks and relatively easy to get things out of. If we had a RB WITH a factory bike rack, which we do, the main storage area outside would be in the back, and with the bicycles on the rack, it would be very difficult to get large items out of the storage area without removing the bikes. Sometimes for over nites for example or if it's raining, we never remove the bikes but in an RB we would almost have to do it 100% of the time.

[Dexterpix]

I wrote about this in the other RB/FB post, but beleive it or not, a difference in the RB/FB is if your left handed or right.

I am left handed, the FC25 RB is also left handed. Stand in the kitchen, the sink is to the left, enter the front door and the key holder and counter are to the left, you enter the trailer and turn left into the trailer main body. It is a weird thing, but if you are left handed their is some thing about this layout that "feels" right (not right, correct )

As was stated before go to the dealer and stand in them like your using the items in the trailer don't just stand in it and look around. try to wash dishes, use the range, get things out of the cabinets. One configuration over the other will feel better to you and what your use to.

Joe D

[fltlevel510]

We often travel with another couple with a front bedroom/rear door Airstream. We usually camp at off the beaten path campgrounds in very scenic areas. We find when our friends back into a campsite the rear door goes past the gravel or pavement of the site. Many times the sites drop off in the back and our friends are always having to build up some type of platform to comfortably reach the back steps.

[jbroedlow]

We've been on the road full time since 9/15/14. In regards to the above post about the rear door going past the gravel or pavement of the site, we've never had that happen once. Yes, you have to be careful to park "short" to avoid doing this, but it's never been an issue. We move every week or two so have been in quite a few campgrounds.

[Colonial Airstream]

A video about this topic.

http://youtu.be/rP1_RgI_NRE

[moosetags]

That's a great video comparing the two models (FB vs. RB). It's just a matter of personal preference.

Brian

[AnnArborBob]

I certainly hope that by now the OP has gotten the answer to his fundamental original question:

"Is there a clear advantage to a FB vs. a RB?"

The answer is a resounding: NO!

Time to bring up a new non-controversial subject:

"What size Tow Vehicle?"
"What type of hitch?"
"Diesel vs. Gas?"
"Honda vs. Yamaha genset?"
"Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge vs. Toyota vs. Smart Car?"

[Skater]

There's no mechanical/towing/etc. reason an FB or a RB should be better or worse than the other. The interior layouts are different, but the probably have the exact same frame and they're definitely built the exact same way.

I wouldn't hold a RB up as a standard for smoothness or anything like that. Our dinette chairs are always somewhere else, sometimes flipped on their backs, when we open the door after a trip. (In our trailer, the dinette has two separate chairs rather than built-in booths - it was an option during the 90s, but ours is the only one I've seen with it.) And, we have to shove the mattress in the rear bedroom back into position after each trip. So, I conclude that both the front and the back of the trailer are pretty bouncy on the road. We've never had anything broken.

[Hans627]

The RB in the 25FC has a shorter lounge than the FB. Could a 6' 2" tall person sleep on the lounge in the RB model?

[KJRitchie]

Even on the FB the rear lounge is only 66". I'm 70" and my feet extend to the dinette cushion. Makes it hard to use a fitted sheet.

Kelvin

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

I certainly hope that by now the OP has gotten the answer to his fundamental original question:

"Is there a clear advantage to a FB vs. a RB?"

The answer is a resounding: NO!

Time to bring up a new non-controversial subject:

"What size Tow Vehicle?"
"What type of hitch?"
"Diesel vs. Gas?"
"Honda vs. Yamaha genset?"
"Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge vs. Toyota vs. Smart Car?"

Sure, FB vs. RB is non-controversial, IF you ignore the fact that the FB design has been known to spontaneously combust and sling molten aluminum all over the interstate... AND 9 out of 10 serial murderers prefer the FB design. The tenth one kind of liked an old Shasta, but went with a Spartan instead. ALSO, FB's have been known to kill puppies and kittens. The choice here is obvious...

-Red, GIVE ME AN RB OR GIVE ME DEATH!!!

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by Panama Red

Sure, FB vs. RB is non-controversial, IF you ignore the fact that the FB design has been known to spontaneously combust and sling molten aluminum all over the interstate... AND 9 out of 10 serial murderers prefer the FB design. The tenth one kind of liked an old Shasta, but went with a Spartan instead. ALSO, FB's have been known to kill puppies and kittens. The choice here is obvious...

-Red, GIVE ME AN RB OR GIVE ME DEATH!!!

[JandS]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

I certainly hope that by now the OP has gotten the answer to his fundamental original question:

"Is there a clear advantage to a FB vs. a RB?"

Bob, this question was never asked by the OP.

Thanks to everyone else that responded on topic.

[nilesrob]

Originally Posted by JandS

Thanks all for your opinions and insight.
I guess I was mainly just wondering if the location of the bedroom would have any noticeable impact on cost to operate. I.E. maintenance, upkeep or trailer-ability. I suspect it is unlikely, but wondered if experienced owners had thoughts on this.

We have had 2 RB and 1 FB models, no impact on cost. I think the best counsel was offered in post #2: go with what floats your boat.

[Hiho Silver]

Originally Posted by NeatAirstream

A video about this topic.

http://youtu.be/rP1_RgI_NRE

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