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Skee75 · 12-30-2014, 08:46 AM

Hello,

My wife and I are planning on ordering a 2015 28 or 30 foot Serenity. I will be ordering it with 16 inch tires and wheels, inverter, and standard stove. Are there other factory mods that I should consider?

Thanks in advance,

Scott

CDONA · 12-30-2014, 09:23 AM

I deleted skylights on mine for $500.

lsbrodsky · 12-30-2014, 09:42 AM

Do not know your camping style, but the awnings are a necessity in my mind. Solar is nice also.
Larry

dkottum · 12-30-2014, 10:04 AM

We were looking for basic Flying Cloud 25' Rear Bed model when we stopped at the Anoka dealership, but a "loaded" one had just arrived from the factory. We were the first and last customer to look at it. We spend 7 months year traveling and snowbirding with it every year and there is not a factory option we regret.

Solar, inverter, full awnings, convection microwave have all made our Airstream much more versatile and enjoyable. The Ultraleather seat fabric is very comfortable and will result in a less dusty interior. We added 16" Michelins and a ProPride hitch for reliability, safety and absolutely pleasant towing, and converted the uncomfortable bench seating to recliners at the factory. We put Maxxum vent covers on the roof vents to allow vents open and ventilation in rain and while towing. We added the Airstream bike rack on the back last year, a convenient and secure way to carry our bikes.

I would strongly recommend the 30' Serenity with the recliner chair option, keeping in mind the Flying Cloud is the same trailer with less fancy but probably more durable cabinets and partitions at a substantial savings in cost.

I think you will like the skylights in Minnesota; we're sitting here in our recliners in Arizona right now with it open to brighten the interior. Maybe pull it's shade later in the day if the sun is too bright or warm. If you can have the standard stove AND the convection microwave, get both. If not, get the standard stove because the gas oven are more useful in all camping venues.

mefly2 · 12-30-2014, 10:07 AM

Convection micro, awnings ...solar ?

Skee75 · 12-30-2014, 11:44 AM

Great advise. We are going to be living in the trailer for work during the summer and not traveling in it right away. The lighter wood tones of the Serenity is what we like..The recliners will not fly with my family. I need space for friends and grandkids. The AS will be parked in the sun all day, so awnings may be on the list. Did the dealer add the ProPride and fan cover's? The dealer has suggested the Blueox WD system, but I have been learning more about the PP system. Have you had a good experience with the Anoka dealer?

Jim Flower · 12-30-2014, 01:17 PM

We have found that the translucent panels on the upper cupboards are more useful in the showroom than they are in reality. The light radiating through them provides a pleasing ambiance. The same light also shows off all your junk and the little round finger holes for operating the panels make pretty decent guillotines when your finger meets up with your junk that has shifted during travel. On the other hand, the Serenity is a real looker. Based on my experience with my previous Safari and my current Signature, I would now choose a Flying Cloud loaded with all my goodies, including my new RV Rearview Camera, which is one of those items that now, after only one trip, seems like an absolute safety necessity. At the end of the day, no matter what Airstream you choose, you will most likely be very pleased. Jim

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KJRitchie · 12-30-2014, 01:33 PM

One thing about the 28 International is you loose the overhead cabinets above the dinette the Flying Cloud has because the International has the two port holes above the dinette windows.

Kelvin

dkottum · 12-30-2014, 01:48 PM

Know that if you plan to live in it, the L-shaped lounge is a flat wooden bench with cushions on it. If you plan on extensive travel the ProPride hitch is the way to go, expensive and worth it, $500 or so not wasted if you get it right away. But if just a summer residence locally, a good weight distribution/sway control hitch will work fine.

The local dealer came close to other dealers in purchase price and the sales dept was good. Our last Airstream came from the factory with no problems, but when I asked service about a later issue with clearance lights the response made us decide it was worth it to include the factory service center in Jackson Center, OH in our travels, as our service provider. Good decision, they replaced all the clearance lights with a higher quality model "in good faith", no charge.

1Boyscout · 02-03-2015, 11:19 AM

We just purchased a 28' Serenity 2 weeks ago. I think the only options we did not get were awnings on curb and rear sides, and solar package. Love the leather seats. Wife is anxious to use confection microwave oven. The 30' has more wardrobe space is all.

Rocket53 · 02-03-2015, 12:44 PM

Boyscout who did you buy your trailer from?

Msmoto · 02-03-2015, 02:17 PM

Here are some modifications I did to my 2015 Serenity 30 RB.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fantin...7649003133217/

Options: I have the recliners, but they take up a lot of space.
Do not do the power awning.
If you like Sirius/XM radio, see if the factory will install the antenna.
Rear view camera.... very useful on the road and when in reverse.
Ultraleather....a must IMO
Two A/C...for sure
All the awnings...reduce heat in summer and offer a bit of privacy
I wish I would have ordered the 16" wheels, but this was not offered.

Advantage of the 30 footer is the huge amount of storage space and the 8 extra inches of toilet space, very much appreciated by me.

If any questions about the modifications need answering let me know via PM.

RonaldC303 · 02-03-2015, 03:22 PM

If you're going to be spending much time in hot climates, I would recommend considering the dual air conditioning option.

Ron

Msmoto · 02-04-2015, 01:31 PM

My guess would be that the extra cost of the second A/C would be recouped in resale value. At a bit over $2,000, I think this is an easy way to open resale markets up. However, if planning on keeping it for a long long time, maybe not, especially if planning on only cool climates or, one has no problem with the heat.

There are some clear down sides to the second A/C, that being the 50 Amp vs, 30 Amp, loss of the front power input, use of an extremely cumbersome power cord, and, if I am not mistaken in some models loss of the second fantastic fan.

Skee75 · 02-08-2015, 02:20 PM

Thank you all for the great feedback. We ordered our Serenity last week with the following. 2 A/C's, inverter, full awnings (not powered). We decided to go with the traditional stove/oven and will buy a microwave separately. The next upgrade will be 16 inch rims and tires.

Scott

Msmoto · 02-08-2015, 05:37 PM

@Skee75

I think you will be very happy. And, I agree, the manual awning is what I would get next time so when boondocking one does not kill the batteries putting the awning up for the night.

1Boyscout · 02-17-2015, 12:30 PM

Rocket 53,
I bought mine in Oklahoma City. Serenity 28. We took it out 5 days last week to learn how to use everything. The heat pump works great. It was down to 34 at night and the TT only got down to 54 with the heater on 50. If had it to do over, I would have bought a 30'.
We did get 2 ACs, convection oven, equalizer hitch, XM radio. Our bath room is pretty tight. More wardrobe closet and more counter top in the kitchen would be better.

1Boyscout · 02-17-2015, 12:34 PM

Leisure Time in Oklahoma City.

paiceman · 02-17-2015, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skee75

Thank you all for the great feedback. We ordered our Serenity last week with the following. 2 A/C's, inverter, full awnings (not powered). We decided to go with the traditional stove/oven and will buy a microwave separately. The next upgrade will be 16 inch rims and tires.

Scott

Congratulations, but why not order the rims and tires directly with the unit? We did and took delivery in December of 2014.

Again congratulations.

Bud

Skee75 · 02-18-2015, 11:37 AM

I looked into the factory installation of the 16" tires and rims, but thought I could get a better price on my own. In addition, they don't give you the original 15" tires and rims when you have the factory do it. I will sell the originals to offset the cost of the new tires and rims.

On another note, I'm considering adding on the solar package..Will it keep my batteries topped off when boondocking? Is it wiser to have an aftermarket installer put this on?

Feedback appreciated.

Scott