In the market, need advice

[sparkymark]

I purchased my EB used (2012) in November 2013 in Arkansas, great deal and took it to AM Solar in January this year for a 405w solar system with 4 6v AGM batteries, awesome for boondocking! I do most of my "camping" in the Sierra. I also replaced the stock bed with a real queen size pillow top mattress! The AS will hold up better than sob, although, you might look into a tear drop-a friend of mine has one that has awesome clearance and a queen size bed inside...


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[Len n Jeanne]

We think small is beautiful, but that's off topic (unless you like camping in in CGs designed by the CCC (apparently) in many National Parks, Forests, & BLM lands in the days when most RVs were shorter... Except to mention bed-wise that Jeanne has to get up several times during the night for the above-mentioned potty breaks, and Len gets claustrophobic sleeping on the inside, so our solution is simply to lower the dinette table every night to make up bed #2. Not super-romantic or hassle-free, but it works for us. It remains as a bed all day on occasions when we can eat our meals outside, anyhow.

For sure, we don't camp in some of the places we explored in our tent-camping days, but the solution is simply to set up a base camp in a site where we would comfortably haul the trailer, uncouple it, and then just take off for the day in our truck over some of the rougher roads. We get to the back of beyond, but the trailer does not.

For one thing, we don't want to beat up our AS. They weren't designed for shooting the rapids. For another, if one does damage its underside in a remote area, it's a loooong way to the nearest RV service center (or even mobile RV mechanic,) never mind an AS dealer. Having to wait someplace for parts to be shipped can take a big bite out of a vacation. Also, we don't even have cell phone reception in some of the remote spots.

Bambi I plus our former truck were in a highway accident last August. We had a true horror situation dealing with the insurance adjustor. Thankfully we were clearly not at fault, but just imagine having to go through your insurance company about TV or RV damage when you've been hauling your AS over rough roads.

Folks around here who want to camp in the more remote, rough-road areas generally have the cab-over truck-bed style campers. I don't know how long these get, but I don't think we're talking 25 feet.

Buying a used AS is a good way to cut down on the price. They aren't all fixer-uppers. Bambi I was 2 years old and in excellent condition when we bought it from a dealer-- at a significant discount.

[mtbguy]

FWIW, I drove my 26 footer to Colorado last summer and had it at several boondocking remote sites. Nothing extreme from a road standpoint, but just use common sense and go slow if there are potholes,etc. I did have brand new axles and brakes installed before I went on the trip so my ride height was factory original and not sagging like they do when axles get old.

When I arrived at one BLM area 5 miles off the main road in Granite, Colorado there were people there with all kinds of RVs, motorhomes of all shapes and sizes, The biggest problem was cleaning the dust/mud off the outside at the end of the trip.

I installed my own solar power and controller and would not trust most of the RV shops in my area to install one. Expensive labor and I would rather use larger diameter wire/etc. and do the job right myself.

[troubadour1]

For mor mobile off road Check out cricket trailers and the Moby1 Also if u are willing to camp the morris mule makes an excellent backcountry style trailer for around $3,000

[Brav]

Well, we couldn't wait any longer. Just did the paperwork today and it's official! Went with the 25FB Int Sig, 2016. Got full awnings and power awning. Got a great deal at local dealer. We were willing to compromise on some of the more aggressive boondocking locations to get what we want. We will backpack or tent camp for those hard to reach places..

We are picking it up Friday and taking it to Death Valley. Very excited!!

[paiceman]

Congratulations - enjoy

Bud

[Ron A]

Congratulations, enjoy the outdoors.

Ron


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[Piggy Bank]

Gorgeous! Hope you have a blast.

[Hittenstiehl]

Yeah for another young Airstream family. The smiles tell the story. It's beautiful have fun make memories.

[Brav]

Apparently I never smile in pictures ( according to my fiancé).. Until this one!

[Gsmblue]

Sweet! Welcome to the club

[KJRitchie]

Before venturing to Death Valley make sure during the PDI you test all the systems thoroughly. You don't want any nasty surprises on that trip.

Congratulations.

Kelvin

[Brav]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Before venturing to Death Valley make sure during the PDI you test all the systems thoroughly. You don't want any nasty surprises on that trip.

Congratulations.

Kelvin

Thanks Kelvin. Any list of common issues? I went through it yesterday and checked water pumps, A/C function, heater, fridge, etc etc. I don't pick it up until tomorrow.

[SeaAirstream]

Congrats!!!!

[SeaAirstream]

Second the testing systems. We had an awning fail (automatic) on our first trip. Love our 2015 FB INTERNATIONAL otherwise...

[mpsgolf]

I agonized over 23 or 25 on my purchase. I was concerned about the additional weight of the 25 but I thought the 23 was too small. In the end I went with a used 25fb because of the separate shower and toilet/sink, because the fridge/freezer is separate, and the bed arrangement in the 25fb is better. We were very happy with the choice. We tow with an Armada and the weight difference was not an issue at all. We kept it three years and loved it.

We loved camping and the AS so much we recently traded from 25 to a new 28. We did it because of the separate couch and dinette (don't have to clear it off to put it down at night to have a couch), the additional room and storage, and the bed is laligned with the trailer so you can get to both sides easier. We've had it 1/2 year and love it. The weight difference in towing is little to none.

I will say that in my brief investigations many NPs don't have full hookups and many of the sites are limited to about 24'. For example Yosemite has some sites that accommodate 28-30' but they are few relative to those that will take 24'.

There are lots of used AS available if you want to save some money. Shop hard and you can find a good one that is travel ready.

Good luck and let us know what you decide. Pics are mandatory!

[mpsgolf]

Oops!

Just noticed I posted too late to help you pick.

Nice choice! You will love it!

Travel Safe!

[Brav]

Have had our 2nd trip since we picked it up. Dealer fixed one of the two issues (front burner wouldn't ignite on the stove) after our first shake down trip to Death Valley. They also installed the 3" or so lift kit. Still tows pretty well, no noticeable difference.. but today was the first time we finally brought it home to put into our "RV parking" spot.. which was a large reason for us validating the Airstream purchase.. and WOW was it close!

[chris_kelly]

Originally Posted by Brav

Have had our 2nd trip since we picked it up. Dealer fixed one of the two issues (front burner wouldn't ignite on the stove) after our first shake down trip to Death Valley. They also installed the 3" or so lift kit. Still tows pretty well, no noticeable difference.. but today was the first time we finally brought it home to put into our "RV parking" spot.. which was a large reason for us validating the Airstream purchase.. and WOW was it close!

What a view! Looking Forward to more of those photos!


caw

[ArkFortyCal]

Love the AS/RR combo, looks great. We have the same pairing except with an RRS. Really like the Signature with Oyster, we are trading our FC in for a Signature that should arrive the end of April.

Why did you decided on the lift and what did that cost?

Thx......bb