EB ground clearance

[submirj]

Is the ground clearance better on an EB , than other models?

[AnnArborBob]

Not so you'd notice, and if it is different, it's a matter of a fraction of an inch. In the past some less than fully informed people got all excited because the EB had 16 inch wheels while most of the other models at the time had 15 inch wheels but what those folks forgot to take into account is that the tires were slightly lower profile so the effective diameter of the tire/wheel combo is basically the same. I am assuming that you are asking this question in the context of "off road" performance to which I can say that the EB is just as vulnerable as any similar sized Airstream to dragging it's bottom on a rough surface.

The Eddie Bauer is still a great model with a lot of nice features and I would definitely get it again.

[djarrett]

Bob,
I was told by the dealer when we purchased our 2015 EB that it has a 2 inch higher clearance than other models. I later read that as well.

D

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by nashrover

Bob,
I was told by the dealer when we purchased our 2015 EB that it has a 2 inch higher clearance than other models. I later read that as well.

D

Dealers are notoriously wrong. Next time you are in a position to do so, measure your EB vs. another similar sized, similar aged Airstream.

[CDONA]

The wheel/tire combo on EB's are slightly larger than the 15" wheel from the "standard" models. The spare tire carrier has to be bent a bit to allow the EB wheel/tire to fit. Larger, yes. Real gain in ground clearance, no.

[dkottum]

It uses the same axles as other models of its size, the only difference is tire diameter. I believe someone measured the tires to be 1" difference overall, 1/2" difference trailer height.

Many of us have installed the same tires on our FC's and Int'ls giving us the same height as E.B. if there is any. There are good reasons to buy a Eddie Bauer, nice concept, but ground clearance is not one of them.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by submirj

Is the ground clearance better on an EB , than other models?

Yes, prior to some other models adopting the larger wheel / tire ~2015. Make out of it what you wish, but we find the taller ground clearance noticeable particularly on the pivot / overhang on secondary roads / unimproved campgrounds.

[AnnArborBob]

I certainly hope that all of you who are asserting higher ground clearance for Eddie Bauers have actually measured the ground clearance of their unit in several consistent locations and compared those measurements to a 25 or 27 FB model of similar vintage with the same tire pressure. Comparisons to decades old Airstreams, comparing a 27 foot unit to a 16 foot Bambi, simply relying on the wheel size without taking tire diameter into account, not adjusting for tire pressure, or worse yet, believing an RV salesperson is not going to get you the correct answer.

Let's see some field measured, comparative clearance figures between EB's and other comparable AS models in this thread. I've done the comparison in the past but did not keep the actual numbers and I do not have access to an non-EB model at this moment to remeasure. In my experience the minor differences in ground clearance were within the tolerances of Airstream's manufacturing process.

[HeadWest]

The 15" GYM is 28.3" diameter, the 16" Michelin is 29.4" diameter per Tire Rack. So, if everything else is equal it should be about a 1/2" additional clearance.

[mefly2]

Yes, we did measure, Bob.

See this post as well - from another member ...

Originally Posted by HeadWest

The 15" GYM is 28.3" diameter, the 16" Michelin is 29.4" diameter per Tire Rack. So, if everything else is equal it should be about a 1/2" additional clearance.

oops ...HW already posted it here, too ...

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by HeadWest

The 15" GYM is 28.3" diameter, the 16" Michelin is 29.4" diameter per Tire Rack. So, if everything else is equal it should be about a 1/2" additional clearance.

I think we are "all correct." There may be indeed 1/2 inch of additional clearance with any Airstream with a 16 inch tire (including the Eddie Bauer) compared to an Airstream with a 15 inch tire, but #1, this is not a feature of the Eddie Bauer, just of the 16 inch tire (which I believe is standard equipment on a lot of current Airstreams,) and #2, in any event, 1/2" does not qualify as meaningful additional clearance in the sense of providing any added safety for rough roads or off roading which I believe was the OP's original point.

[submirj]

Thank you all for your knowledge on this subject. Much appreciated.