Options for a new Flying Cloud?

[rmacnichol]

I am in the process of buying a 2013 19' flying Cloud trailer and am trying to decide which (if any) options to purchase. I am not looking at anything fancy, just practical and important. Any suggestions? Wondering about the 600W Inverter and the solar package? Any thing you might say I "have to have."
Thanks

[mefly2]

In our experience, the inverter option is good to consider because it also include all of the internal / wall wiring to make the use of any inverter much simpler; the batts are upgraded, too. As for solar - the FC will be pre-wired for solar and you may likely doo much better in terms of watts provided per dollar expended with an after market system Search on her for many solar suggestions.

[dkottum]

We have the factory solar and inverter options. Highly recommend them because they are nicely integrated into the trailer construction, controls together at the galley and outlets convenient about the trailer. Although after-market can buy more wattage, this works very well for every-day travel about the country, and keeps your batteries up when not.

Consider the awning package. They are cool in both senses of the word, look good and work good. They are extremely simple to use and you will enjoy them.

We like the Golden Ultra-leather upholstery. It coordinates beautifully with the FC interior and is practical for camping. Is luxuriously soft, wipes up easily, and does not collect dust like fabric does.

That's a single axle trailer so there is more weight per wheel than tandem axle Airstreams. Buy either the factory Eddie Bauer 16" wheels with Michelin LTX tires, or save a couple hundred bucks and buy them aftermarket, then sell the unreliable factory 15" wheels/ST tires.

The 19' is a well-designed travel and vacation Airstream, perhaps their best for that purpose for two people. We had a 20' but switched to 25' when six month trips became the norm.

doug k

[Deb Trimble]

We have the factory installed inverter and solar package, also. The inverter is well worth it, if you plan to do any camping without hookups. I don't know if we will ever use the solar. We just carry a quiet Honda generator to charge up the batteries. Like Doug K. we had a 22ft foot Sport but went to a 25 ft. Flying Cloud when we were going to be camping in it for 2-3 months while volunteering. The 25 ft also is able to fit into many national park and national forests campsites.

[bonginator]

+1 on the awnings. I wish we had them all the way around and they are a pain to add later. It provides nice shade and keeps the inside cooler. + 1on the inverter too.

[srpuywa]

I picked up a 2012 FC 19 a couple weekends ago - I may add the solar panels aftermarket - like this

Portable Solar Systems | Zamp Solar

[Nozz]

We're thinking of a 25RB Flying Cloud in mochablue. What's a good price for this trailer? What are the associated costs to these options?

1. Inverter
2. Solar panels
3. Window awnings

Worth an additional AC in the rear bedroom?

Also, we'll be towing it with a 5.7L Toyota Tunda. Recommendations to help towing?

Nozz

[Aggie90]

We are going to buy a 25. What does an inverter actually do?

What does the solar panel do? Does it just keep batteries charged? If yes can you operate everything on the trailer while not hooked to a power source?

[TBRich]

Aggie... First, welcome to the Forums! Lots of info and friendly folks with answers here.

The solar panel charges the batteries. And you can use battery power to run anything that is 12v ... or power a small inverter (like 600w) to run some small appliances like TVs or chargers). The batteries will not power the air conditioning or microwave ...for that you will need shore power or generators.

[rmacnichol]

We are planning a 3-4 week trip to SW Utah and Arizona the end ogf March and beginning of April. Looking for recommendations for campgrounds (boondocking) and RV Parks. We have a 19 ft Flying Cloud Pulled by a Toyota Tundra. Planning on general areas around Moab, Escalante, and Kanab. Never been to the Southwest so any recommendations are welcome. Thanks!

[SilverCabin]

Originally Posted by dkottum

We have the factory solar and inverter options. Highly recommend them because they are nicely integrated into the trailer construction, controls together at the galley and outlets convenient about the trailer. Although after-market can buy more wattage, this works very well for every-day travel about the country, and keeps your batteries up when not.

Consider the awning package. They are cool in both senses of the word, look good and work good. They are extremely simple to use and you will enjoy them.

We like the Golden Ultra-leather upholstery. It coordinates beautifully with the FC interior and is practical for camping. Is luxuriously soft, wipes up easily, and does not collect dust like fabric does.

doug k

Bumping this thread back to the top.

We are in the process of ordering a 27FB. Have included the awning package, and agree with what everyone says on that. We have them on our 23.

Can't see much use for the inverter or solar as we rarely spend more than a night dry camping.

Have a question on the Ultra-leather. We were thinking against it because we're afraid of snags and tears, and having sunscreen (used a lot here in Florida) stain the material. We have the fabric seats on our 23 and haven't had any problems. Is it worth the nearly $1,000.00 for the upgrade?

Randy

[TinTin]

+3 on the 3xawnings, particularly if you plan on spending significant time in the southwest.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by SilverCabin

Bumping this thread back to the top.



We are in the process of ordering a 27FB. Have included the awning package, and agree with what everyone says on that. We have them on our 23.



Can't see much use for the inverter or solar as we rarely spend more than a night dry camping.



Have a question on the Ultra-leather. We were thinking against it because we're afraid of snags and tears, and having sunscreen (used a lot here in Florida) stain the material. We have the fabric seats on our 23 and haven't had any problems. Is it worth the nearly $1,000.00 for the upgrade?



Randy

Just curious what is the "awning package"? We may be ordering a new AS this summer and want to get the "right" options as well.

Thanks!

[kscherzi]

Airstream includes one large awning over the door. The awning package adds a awning to the rear and other side of the trailer. The option is well worth having the factory adding it at time of build.

[dkottum]

All of the options make your Airstream a more functional trailer. Ask your dealer to add them up and then negotiate like heck for the whole package. You may be surprised how much below list price for these goodies they can go to sell you an Airstream. And you will like them all.

[Lara Me]

We opted for the ultra leather because it may be actually more durable than fabric, but we were not fond of the tan color, as it seems to show dirt and oil from skin after a while, and the black might get hot in the sun. Instead we ordered the mocha espresso and paid an upcharge.

Also ordered the awning package but have yet to use as temps have not exceeded 70 degrees since we took delivery.

I'd save my money and avoid factory solar. For the same price or less you can get far better aftermarket panels with more power, efficiency, and controllers. See AM Solar. We may not go this route, and instead opt for a generator.

The 2014's have 1000w inverters, and we ordered them.

[SilverCabin]

Many that I know that do some dry camping say that a generator is mor cost effective than solar panels. Given that, why would you need a 1000W Inverter?

Randy

[SilverCabin]

Originally Posted by dkottum

All of the options make your Airstream a more functional trailer. Ask your dealer to add them up and then negotiate like heck for the whole package. You may be surprised how much below list price for these goodies they can go to sell you an Airstream. And you will like them all.

Any thoughts on how much off MSRP we should be able to get? 5%, 10%, 15%? Results seem to vary around the country.

Randy

[jbroedlow]

Waiting for the Flying Clud 27FB to be delivered in a couple of weeks. Got the awning package, second air conditioner, ultra-leather, and inverter. We got negative responses on the factory solar. We bought a small Honda generator to carry along. We'll add to all this as time goes by. Just excited and waiting for delivery. Jim

[baldbrian]

Zamp Solar makes a portable solar unit for RVs. It is portable and does a nice job on charging and folds up for nice storage. Check out their website.