25fb vs 27fb | the details?

[cory_can]

My wife and I are currently getting into the nitty gritty on a 2015 27FB FC deal. We like the layout and being 6'3" I'm assuming the bedroom layout (compared to 25fb) will be favourable. However, I keep thinking that this is "camping" after all and since I'm only 40yo I could easily get out of the sideways bed configuration of the 25FB (without knocking my brain), save 2ft of exterior length and a little overall trailer weight. Also, another major advantage would be to save a chunk of cash on this overpriced "can" . It appears the difference (at least in Canada) between the 25FB and 27FB is $7K-$8K! So,the questions is....what am I missing between the two?

27FB gains a little cutlery drawer space
27FB gains a larger hall wardrobe and 25FB gains bedroom wardrobe space
27FB gains a larger pantry
27FB has the "better" bedroom layout
27FB exterior storage is larger

What else? Does the 27FB gain A/C capacity? Is there an extra window? Something else I'm missing?

To me it seems there should be another significant upgrade that would make up for the large price gap.

Thanks for your help
Cory

[murreywalker]

Quite often, the larger pantry space can/is fitted with a separate microwave. I believe you also gain a full oven in the 27.

Did you know you could get twins in the 25 (also in the 27). With them in the 25, you get more outside storage.

Both are built with one 15,000 BTU A/C. I do believe you can order an additional unit.

You're relatively close to Colonial Airstream. Why not visit and see the difference in real time. Their inventory at this time of the year should include the variations in the two models.

Good luck!

[cory_can]

Thanks Murrey, we did know there was a twin layout but my wife and I prefer to be in the same bed .

If we get the 27FB we were planning on swapping out the oven for convection/microwave to free up cupboard space.

I guess I should have mentioned that we have been in both but I was wondering if there was something "under the skin" or some significant feature that I may have missed.

[jdalrymple]

Get the larger trailer.

We have the 27 with the queen. I can name at least 5 couples that upgraded to a larger trailer within 18 months of a purchase.

And, consider the twins. After owning both, and her demanding a single bed for reasons you mention, I am about to tear out the queen and build twins.

The floor space and storage is worth it.

Regards,

JD

[cory_can]

Does your wife agree with the twin arrangement . I'm putting some thought into it. I can see some benefits but I can't imagine sleeping in separate beds.

[jdalrymple]

Yes, she is now all for it.

The bedroom is essentially wasted space with the queen. One must turn sideways to navigate around the bed. With twins, one can stand in the middle and dress without being trapped in the hallway or out in the living space.

Regards,



JD

[cory_can]

The dressing space is something I didn't even consider! Thanks for pointing that out.

My wife and I are certainly seeing the benefits of the twin layout in a trailer. The bedroom layout was the biggest reason for wanting the 27fb over the 25fb. This quick discussion has effectively changed our entire view and are now leaning toward a 25fb twin. Our dealer is going to hate me .

The 27fb pantry, larger countertop and wardrobe configuration were always very minor additions in our eyes anyway. The extra exterior storage in the twin arrangement is also a nice added benefit.

[ShinyPete]

We went through this same decision last fall - FC 25 or 27 FB and twins or queen. Even after 22 yrs of sleeping together at home, the twins are great for my wife and I, and I can't recommend the 27 enough. We chose perfectly (thankfully ) for us. We came from 39 ft diesel pusher with a slide so this was a big downsize for us. We wanted every inch possible in 1/2 Ton towable.

Extra storage, 3 exterior storage doors, bigger wardrobe and pantry, room for luggage at foot of beds.... A 25 for us would have most likely led to a costly trade soon after we bought..... We couldn't be happier after probably 60 nights or more in our Pete in 8 months (including tonight!).




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[cory_can]

Thanks for that. I can see where the extra space in the 27' would be beneficial depending on your situation and length of trips. However, we only average 6 to 8 (3-4 day) trips in the summer months with perhaps a single longer ~2 week trip once/year. We are only 40yo and won't be retiring anytime soon In ~15 years we will reassess and likely have a TT vs RV discussion. For us the size of the 25 has always felt right, but the configuration of the bed in the 27 was pulling us in. With the twin layout the 25 now makes most sense again.

Another couple quick question for everyone..... Do the FC's have outside speakers? Do the Internationals? We don't need something to blow our neighbour away but we like having soft music playing occasionally while we sit outside. If not I could bring a BT speaker with us but I was curious.

Also, is the single exterior light adequate? Most SOB's now have LED's running the length of the awning which are nice but it appears the FC's only have a single small LED cluster on the side/middle. Again, are the Internationals different in this respect?

Thanks again

[wsuduc]

We have asked the same questions, sat in, talked to, and reviewed many photos and floorplans discussing the same issues.

We don't own an A/S yet, but if I was to buy one today it would be the 25 FC rear twin.

My view of the pros/cons of the 25 vs 27 and twin vs queen:

Pros:
- Easy accessible storage in the rear with the twins (3 storage areas without the propane tanks in the way)
- "slightly" larger bathroom
- less weight to tow
- less $$$
- easier to tow (???)
- Basically same kitchen in 25 and 27

Cons
- Couch is slightly smaller (couple of inches)
- Twin bed vs queen. Granted we like sleeping together, but our daughter is with us 98% of the time...
- Smaller wardrobe
- Micro is up high (not a concern for us)
- Can only get 1 A/c in the 25' model

We have traveled in a 23' Winnebago View for 5 years with MUCH less storage/wardrobe/kitchen space than a 25' AS and managed very well. We don't believe we need more (probably famous last words...)

My $0.02 from a non AS owner, yet.

[dkottum]

Just to muddle things a bit, take a look at the 25 RB (rear bed) twin or queen model. Door in front, similar layout to FB but larger bath with a window, gas oven and convection microwave, and the only one of the group than can be easily converted to recliner seating and folding table if you tire of the bench seats (you most probably will). See our avatar for the recliner conversion.

We settled on a queen bed because that's how we like to sleep, but certainly understand personal preference. It's also a fairly easy conversion if we change our minds some day.

These things are really expensive and require regular maintenance and repairs, as well as pretty stout towing equipment. If you take excellent care of it it will easily last for many years, but be sure you need this much luxury at your age to go camping.

[drew05]

We like the queen, but have recently been discussing converting to twins.

Sleeping together is great, and can be accomplished just as easy in a twin as in a queen. But you do get more floor space and access to the interior spaces.

In the 25' queen, moving around in the bedroom is awkward and at times a challenge.

We originally were looking at a twin, but it was sold before we got to the dealer, we wound up getting a queen. We still love it, but am looking at changing to twins.

WRT to 25 or 27 foot, we choose the 25 because there are some size restrictions out west and we didn't want to worry about being oversized. Plus like someone posted previously, there was a $5,000 plus difference for 2 ft.

It comes down to what you want to do when you camp. For us we try to spend more time outside of the trailer than inside...

Good Luck in your decision...

Drew

[cory_can]

Hi Doug,

The FB layout is our preference due to the location of the dinette and entry door at the back of the site. BTW, your recliners look great!

...... but be sure you need this much luxury at your age to go camping.

No disrespect meant but this comment struck me as odd. Why do you feel younger active campers can't enjoy luxury and interesting design the same as retired travellers?

[dkottum]

Cory, you certainly can enjoy luxury and design. It's a cost vs amount of use question. We couldn't afford an Airstream until we retired but use the heck out of it now, 6-7 months year in it. So we traveled all over the country in VW Campers and tents when we were young and can't say we were ever uncomfortable. But at 67 years I would be much less comfortable today in a tent, the VW Camper I still miss on short trips.

[Rocinante]

We love our 27FB with the North-South queen bed. Wouldn't even consider the twin. We have room to dress in either corner around the bed and find we have plenty of room for ourselves and our stuff. It's also really easy to make the bed and there's no head-bonking, which I could see coming in a 25FB.

We're not switching to a twin-bed configuration for the sake of "room" and "storage" - heck, we just got rid of a MoHo with twin beds...mostly because it had twin beds. Everybody has their own philosophy that works best for them and that's great. Ours is that we're a married couple, not roommates, and we want a queen that works for us.

[switz]

We started with a 2013 25FB International Serenity purchased in October 2012 and knew on the first trip I had made a bad selection from a catalog while overseas. By May 2013 we were ordering a 2014 27FB Classic (we loved the Hickory interior) with twin beds. The back 15' of the 25FB and 27FB are identical and we decided that was not for us and changed the order to a 31' Classic model 30 for an additional $3,012 (which is the difference in list prices between the two models) which arrived in January 2014. The only factory option selected was the 50 amp service with a second air conditioner. That meant we had the standard microwave and the propane oven. We could always change out the conventional microwave for a convection/microwave.

We had a third party install a large solar system and complete a trailer disc brake conversion.

The queen bed storage hatch is behind the propane tanks on the 27FB models (and other models with a front queen bed in line with the frame) and that hatch has been leak prone for some folks. So one of your first purchases needs to be a leak detector and use it after driving in the rain which forces rain into the gasket area.

We all need to check the awning support areas as well as that is a typical water entry point.....

Good luck with the decision process.

[Wayne&Sam]

Maybe it's because we have a king at home RV "queens" don't cut it for us. Recently got our rear twin and have no regrets. Still happily married.

[switz]

Despite the Airstream drawings for the twin bed mattresses, they can be made much longer than the stock 78" for taller folks at custom mattress shops like Rocky Mountain Mattress Company that we used for their 8" thick model.

If we were tall, we could have had 90" long twin mattresses in our Classic . We also could have had the 10" thick model versus the 8" we ordered and not been taller than the night stand.

[dkottum]

The twin vs queen bed question, bonking heads, dressing, and such.

Most quickly adapt to not bonking their head much as they adapt to not bonking their head using the entrance door or overhead cabinets all over the Airstream. It's just an overstated issue put forth by folks who have something else.

There is plenty of dressing room in the hall at the bath and into the bedroom, for privacy pull the pocket door between the bath and kitchen.

Lots of personal preferences here, remember they're all tiny houses with advantages over each other. We could have flipped a coin and got along with any of the three bed configurations mentioned. Don't fuss over it, they are all great travelers and campers.

[kscherzi]

As far as length for fitting into campsites goes, having a trailer or not is really the issue. A Bambi plus tow vehicle is going to be 32 feet or longer. The California state parks standard is a 27 foot pad. So we all are competing for the few longer sites (that are somewhat level). The difference between 25 and 27 is not material.