19 vs 23 - anyone w/ a regret?

[ASCM86]

We are struggling with the 19 vs 23' debate
Anyone with a 19' wake up wishing they went with 23'?

Thanks

[GMFL]

I have a 23D and love it. Two axels is very nice.

[Candominium]

We started with a 19 and moved to a 25 twin nine months later. The 19 was nice but after a two week trip, we realize camping with the grandkids would be very uncomfortable. Also the bed was a pain to navigate and make up. The twin is much more comfortable.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you are struggling with a size issue (at any length):

1) Unless you are switching model lines (ie Sport -> Flying Cloud) the cost delta likely isn't very great. That's not an excuse to waste money, but it's not are massive step.

2) Your ability to get into a specific campsite with something 2' shorter may be better. For *most* campsites it will not make a big difference.

3) Maneuvering while backing up will be easier with the longer trailer.

4) You will always have "more" in the longer trailer. It may take a bigger TV to pull that "more". In a lot of cases the difference in tow vehicles is more of an illusion than reality. (Barely being able to pull this one vs ruling out pulling that one ..... hmmm .... rule out both).

5) If you look at what people trade in: Very few people seem to trade in bigger trailers for smaller ones. Most seem to trade in smaller ones for larger. There could be a lot of reasons for that.

None of that really matters as much as: What works for you? How much time have you spent in each one? How will you be using the trailer? How many people will there be? How does everybody involved feel about "living" in each trailer?. You *will* spend more than a few rainy days indoors. The sleeping arrangements will be an "every night" sort of thing. Think it all through in each "candidate". Don't just look at floor plans, spend time in the real trailers. If at all possible look at each of them on the same lot at the same time

Lots of decisions !!

Bob

[LBelle]

We have "only" had a 19' but have not second guessed ourselves at all! Especially re a 23'! But it bears one to recall "each to their own". We like the flexibility a Bambi gives us...the additional options for campsites, the marginal better as in towing and the snugness in camp. I do have minor reservations with a single axle from a saftey perspective, though replacing 2 not 4 tires is easier/cheaper and parking is slightly easie with the one axle. But it is only the two of us and we might like things a bit simpler than some folks..

[Len n Jeanne]

We have a 19' Flying cloud. The real question is, what will be your main camping style?

A couple? A family? Occasional guests or grandchildren? The 23' has extra sleeping space, which you may or may not want.

Do you like to camp in funky old BLM and National Park campsites like we do? We decided not to go longer than 20', as the shorter size gives us more options in all the campgrounds that were laid out long ago, not big-rig friendly.

Is your tow vehicle a consideration? If you're not sure, you can check your vehicle's rating.

Do you like to cook from scratch? There basically is no kitchen counter space in the 19' Bambi. You have to do your food prep on the table. The 20' AS with the kitchen in the rear is some better.

Does someone have to get up to use the loo in the middle of the night? Can the other person sleep all night on the inside of the bed? Our solution to this problem was to lower the dinette table every night to make a second bed.

We never felt cramped inside either the 16' or 19' Bambi, including when we had a dog. Space is kind of a state of mind. But what does matter is how you plan to camp, with whom, and other practical issues.

[rjbrown99]

For 2 people with no kids or pets, our International 23FB has been fantastic. We started looking at the 19 but the bed situation was just too cramped. The queen sized bed of the 23 is what won us over.

Size-wise for storage we could have gotten by with the 19 no problem, but comfort-wise it's a huge uplift to have a nice longer bed and bathroom that doesn't feel as cramped.

[Countryboy59]

We have the 19'. The corner bed and limited prep space are main reasons for ordering a 25'. I bought enough tow vehicle to pull a 25...or two so no worries there. The 25' has plenty of room for the two of us (grandkids can stay in a tent like I did back in the day. The Airstream is for grown ups).

I can't imagine anything easier than backing up that 19'. I can get it into any space, and whip into my driveway with traffic waiting, no problem. Had it up to 75 mph with no issues. And it was relatively affordable for an Airstream.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ASCM86

We are struggling with the 19 vs 23' debate
Anyone with a 19' wake up wishing they went with 23'?

Thanks

I am surprised that this is an either or choice for 19 vs. 23.

These are MUCH DIFFERENT trailers IMO. Not sure cubic volume figures are available, but the 23' "feels" more like double the size of the 19' IMO, especially the 23FB.

Have you spent serious time inside each one, and walked through your daily routines such as meal prep, cooking, showering and so forth? Then do this for an entire very rainy day.

We focused on the kitchen and ended up with our FC20, the best kitchen until you get over 25' ! Miss our old 25' with rear corner bed too.

Each AS in this size range is a compromise. Windows that hinge on top with full screens are crucial to us. A dry bath with stall shower. Great kitchen.

What are your priorities, and does the cook agree?



Good luck!

Peter

PS uncle bob hit the nail on the head a few posts back IMO, and the rest of the posts are well worth consideration.

[Seabeckpuck]

We spent almost five years pulling the trigger on our AS and for most of those years - the Bambi was the focus of choice for us. We have a 2006 Chevy Tahoe V8 5.3 Vortec and felt the smaller the AS, the better off we would be and we weren't sure we needed more room. But, a few months ago, we came back from a work trip at the Oregon coast, detoured through Portland and checked out the AS dealership. They had plenty of Bambi's on the lot, but a 2015 23-FB International just kept calling our names. Not a lot more in $$$, a bathroom with some space, a good sized bed and two axles.
That's the one we ended up buying and over the past couple of months, we've been giving it a great workout on all levels (full hook ups and no hook ups, flat lands and over passes). The Tahoe pulls her fine (although a Dodge Ram is going to take its place in our driveway before the end of the year).
For us, we may not have regretted purchasing a smaller AS, but we more than likely would have moved-up in a very short period of time. Heck, we already are letting the thoughts of a bigger one entering our minds!

[dandraws]

Our 19 foot Bambi is soon to go on the market. We will be moving up to the roomier 23 ft. (with the walk around bed!).

[Dorsalis]

In the city where our primary residence is, Miami Shores, FL., residents are permitted to park a boat or RV in the yard that is no longer than 20 feet. HOWEVER, they count the actual length of the Boat or RV, NOT extensions from a bumper/ towing yoke or boat trailer. Our new Flying Cloud 23fb is actually only 20 feet from end to end when measuring the actual trailer without bumper or hitch yoke. Therefore, we can legally park it in our back yard. So our 23' is really a 20' in disguise. A 19' AS trailer is actually a 16.5' in disguise.

We are DELIGHTED with our Flying Cloud 23fb. It is quite big enough for the two of us, now that our 5 kids are grown and out of the house, and we are able to adventure travel as a "senior couple" without attached offspring. For us, as a couple, it is plenty large enough with a great bathroom (something perhaps more important to senior couples than younger couples), kitchenette and queen sized bed. The trailer is small enough that it tows and parks like a dream. It is ergonomical excellence in an aluminum shell and the longer we own it, the more we enjoy it. There were a few things to fix, as with any new trailer, but Airstream was very courteous about dealing with our punch list. We have been especially pleased with the 2017 improvements on the 23 series and plan on using our little Airstream for a long time. Neither of us think it would be any better if it were any smaller and we both could envision feeling very "squozed" if it was.

Good luck with your selection!

[Ste and Bre]

We started with a 19ft Bambi. The rear bed was just too narrow for us. Shoulder to shoulder there wasn't much space left on each side to the walls. Love our 23fb. Bathroom is great. Just the two of us.

[Wingeezer]

having owned several trailers (nt all AS) from 20 ft to 31 ft, My guess is that there are a lot more folks that regret not buying longer than the reverse!


Our first was 20 ft - liked it fine.

Or next was 27 ft ft - liked it much better.

Our current is 31 ft. really hesitates in buying that length but had to do so to get the layout we preferred.

Of course the only downside is that at times it can be a bit more difficult to get onto a site, but all things considered the advantages have outweighed the disadvantages for us.

I can appreciate that if you do most of your camping at state parks and such you might feel quite different. We probably camp 75% at commercial parks with pull throughs, full hookups, etc., but do also like state / provincial parks.

Rarely do we have a problem with the 31 footer - but i always check first.

I doubt it would be an issue at all if considering 19 vs 23. personally I would certainly go with the latter! Just me!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

While the size of the kitchen or the bed is a pretty obvious thing looking at different models, there are other changes. The smaller trailers have smaller water tanks (fresh, gray, and black). That will impact how long you can stay out without full hookups. The hauling capacity on most of the longer trailers is much greater than on the little guys. You may never *need* to put 2,600 lb of "stuff" in your trailer. Having enough capacity to at least fill the fresh water tank is a really good thing.

Bob

[Ray Eklund]

If you are looking at the late model 23 foot front bed with 15" wheels... I would have purchased it before buying our 25 foot International. They are 8" narrower, do not need a microwave, if possible, and enjoy this one for the rest of your trailering days!

The 23 foot and 25 foot are best for our kind of Off the Grid camping. The 23 foot has a bit less interior to deal with, but if you spend all of your time sitting in the trailer... you need a 34 foot.

For Boondocking Off the Grid and two people and two dogs... these new upgraded to 15" wheels and hopefully axles are a 'Dream Come True' for camping away from RV Parks and paved campsites. You may even be able to buy a 25 foot for the same price, so work with the dealer until he gives up and sells you the 23 foot at your price.

There are a list of reasons for a double axle... you will not be disappointed.

[terrijs52]

We started with a 2015 20' Bambi. We take extended trips of 2 - 4 months. We loved everything about it -- except -- the bed. Once you are in, the mattress is extremely comfortable . . . but after a very short amount of time, we grew weary of having to climb over each other getting in and out of bed. ALSO . . . it was too much mattress downsizing for us. We are in our mid-60s and physically active . . . but we really don't sleep well when the mattress is smaller than a queen.

We now own a 2016 23' International FB. It's all about the bed for us. It's wider, and easier for two people to get in/out. The only downside was that we lost some counter space. But . . . it's worth it for sleep! Good luck!

[Len n Jeanne]

Some of us still think small is beautiful.

We enjoy desert camping "in the boonies." We have developed several measures to conserve battery power, waste water tank capacity, and fresh water. Just for example, even primitive western campgrounds have pit toilets that we use except at night. When we wash dishes, we dispose of the waste gray water out-of-doors in a sanitary way-- in some distant bushes, usually. We conserve shower water by putting a plastic tub or two in the shower with us. We turn off the battery main switch if we're out for the day, leaving the Bambi on-site.

Frankly, for people who stick to camping situations with hook-ups and sani-dumps, most of these problems go away.

We solved the bed problem by putting the dinette table down every night and taking it up in the morning, for a 2-bed solution. This takes under a minute.

I'm not saying that "the Bambi" is the right solution for everyone, but it is for some of us.

[OTRA15]

Just wondering if you are still monitoring this thread?

Thanks,

Peter

Originally Posted by ASCM86

We are struggling with the 19 vs 23' debate
Anyone with a 19' wake up wishing they went with 23'?

Thanks

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Just wondering if you are still monitoring this thread?

Thanks,

Peter

Hi

Apparently no check of the forums at breakfast

The "daily update" won't go out until tonight though.

Bob