2016 Flying Cloud 26U

[FollySteve]

I love the way that you can reconfigure the dinette for a smaller table. With twins I think it would be best floor plan yet.

Also, check out the Colonial Airstream video on YouTube. I think it pretty much lays to rest the argument that Airstream doesn't pay attention to wish list posted here. LED awning lights done right; oversized battery box; TV that can swing into the doorway for outdoor viewing. A lot of clever ideas.

[Al - K4GLU]

Also, check out the Colonial Airstream video on YouTube. I think it pretty much lays to rest the argument that Airstream doesn't pay attention to wish list posted here.

Then why do they absolutely refuse to install a good multi stage converter? This is one of the most wanted items.

[FollySteve]

Touché…

[flyncloud]

Black Ultra Leather looks sooooo good. Great point on the converter. I just don't understand why something this expensive doesn't have a 3 stage converter. It costs me $200 to swap it out, you know it would be even cheaper for Airstream to do it during manufacturing.

[AlanMcD]

"With twins I think it would be best floor plan yet."

I agree.

-Alan

[TG2500]

Got my 26U on Sunday - barely had time to move stuff from my old (now) 23FB to the new 26U before I had to leave town for a two week business trip. First impressions were that I love the layout. Dinette is huge and with just one table turned sideways you have two really comfortable lounging positions. Shower is huge as is the bath and I like the idea of the mace rating toilet. Even though the bed isn't really any bigger, the added space for the credenza makes the room feel much bigger.

First trip and test of systems won't be for a few weeks and I'll report back (with pics) when I have time to act silly spend in the unit.

One aside - the ducted air is dramatically quieter - wow. Also, my 26U only has one AC and, indirect sun and 85 degree weather, it called it down pretty fast and kept it cool. It didn't seem like there was a lot of air coming from the ducts but it was ...

Colonial, as always, did a great job delivering the new unit and picking up my old one. Great staff!

[KJRitchie]

Looking at the posted photo it appears you can rest your back on the rear cushions and spread your legs out to watch TV. If I try that on my 25fb 1/3 of my legs hang off the dinette which I find uncomfortable. The next time we are out we are going to try to put our dinette table down then pull out the side couch slide and move to cushions down so we can sit together. The wife gets the corner but the side couch pulled out should be able to support my legs when sitting next to her while watching TV.

Kelvin

[TG2500]

Some pics of our new 26U - very happy with it so far - first trip in 2 weeks

[AWCHIEF]

That looks darn nice. I am not a fan of dinettes but I do like the layout in this model. In fact it is the only current model I would consider buying. Hopefully quality control issues will not sour your experience.

[TG2500]

So far I've given it a thorough once-over and all is good. The only problem has been the rear speakers are pretty fuzzy - going to have to troubleshoot that - a loose wire somewhere.

I had colonial install the XM Radio adapter for the clarion stereo and it works great.

Took a few hours to set-up the satellite TV. Had to buy a new 2X2 HDMI splitter to replace the 1X2 supplied by Airstream so I can switch between sat receiver and DVD player. I wish AS did a better job of explaining the pre-wire. Once I figured it out, it was fine but it's not by any means obvious. That said, I like the pre-wire in the cabinet with the DVD - makes so much more sense than before with it sitting near one of the TV's. Shelf above the DVD is perfect to hold my sat receiver and, with the cabinet door open, the remote even switches from as far back as the bed.

Funny to have a unit without any 12V plugs - they are now all USB (and 10 USB plug points in total in the unit )

Like the macerating toilet - I had one in my boat and it worked well.

Overall fit and finish is good - just found one errant screw rustling about when cleaning.

Shower is huge - I miss the glass door but seems a fair trade for the larger size - what a difference from our 23FB.

Dinette will easily seat 6 (probably even one more) and with 1/2 the table set (as in my photo) plenty of room to use each side of the sofa like a lounge - more than enough room for my 5' 10" body and some. Better upholstered cushions are also noticeable - far more comfortable.

Ducted AC is very quiet and working well. I've been running it continuously for a week while I've bee inside setting up, etc. and even with temps outside in the high 80s, the unit has stayed in the low 70s.

A lot of storage - more than the 25FB I used to have. Both exterior lockers are really big.

I was surprised the range hood didn't have LED lights. Must come that was from the manufacturer - AS could spring the extra $10 to switch them to LED.

Water pump is an upgrade from my prior unit - much quieter.

I am a little worried about the skylight - the plastic material seems pretty flimsy - feels like a tree branch could fall and easily pierce it - seems lower quality than on my old unit.

Overall very pleased with the quality so far - seems AS used some of the items (macerating toilet, nice shower head, upgraded water pump, etc. ) from the classic and land yacht on this unit. Since this is the only 2016 I've seen can't tell if this is across all 2016's or unique to the new model.

[flyncloud]

I wish I could afford one. Just not sure it's worth the money to go from a 2013 25 FB. Nice write up.

[TG2500]

Took our first trip in the 26U this past weekend to the Northeast RVers Balloon Rally near Lake George with several members of our unit. Fun time though the 26U presented some problems:

1. Seems 3 rivets were never fastened on the screen door which explained the difficulty in operating the door. A fellow unit member helped fix it. This is an easy to see problem that should have been caught in QC.
2. water pump was cycling quickly every 15 minutes or so even when all faucets were off - after a day, I noticed a water leak under the hot water heater - no visible leak from any of the pipe connections but the styrofoam insulation under the heater is all busted and I wouldn't be surprised if the heater was damaged on install.
3. Sunday morning was cold and the furnace failed to run- would run for 5-10 seconds a few times then just quit.
4. rear stereo speakers didn't work.


While I love the unit, a few annoying issues that should have been caught in QC - this seems to be a common theme with newer units.

To the credit of Colonial (from whom this is my sixth unit) they jumped right on the problems and my unit is already back with their service being repaired in advance in my next trip.

Now I'm waiting to get it back ...

[IanPoulin]

Could you do me a favor and share two sets of photos? One of the dinette with one leaf removed and turned and one with the bed set down? I'd like to see both.

Still not sure it's a blow-out to my 28W, but it's very enticing. That all-in-one bathroom with enough room to shower and change may be the flip for me to go over to it in a year or two.

Ian

[rodsterinfl]

I would really like this model in a twin- sheer perfection- perhaps.

Looking at the floorpan, they improve on everything I would like in my current model floorpan (I still like it too)- more seating, bigger bath. The only thing I am not sure of is counter space. Someone mentioned the table has options. What are they?

They would also probably have to shift something off that galley wall to make a twin model or make a smaller wardrobe to get that extra 18" or so.

hmm. Maybe they could alter my floor plan a bit- U couch, twins- the bath is the challenge.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by IanPoulin

Could you do me a favor and share two sets of photos? One of the dinette with one leaf removed and turned and one with the bed set down? I'd like to see both.

Still not sure it's a blow-out to my 28W, but it's very enticing. That all-in-one bathroom with enough room to shower and change may be the flip for me to go over to it in a year or two.

Ian

Not sure if you saw the 26U Youtube video shot by Colonial featuring Patrick giving an overview?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjoRAeKZvh0

We love the U shaped dining set up much better in the 26U then the "long lounge" currently offered in 23-27' models. We also would like a twin. But the other issue for us is the hall is "very narrow". The refer. access is across from the bathroom, and located on the other side of the spice/food cabinet. I think they are on the right track with the seating now. We posted on this earlier; if they would incorporate more function in kitchen, like adding bigger work area with drawer storage along with the lounge offered in the 26U, like the custom kitchen lounge modification at Northwest Airstream, we would be happy...maybe next year. Seems this option could be in the 25 or 27 models...direct from AS if they are paying attention to this?

[KJRitchie]

Maybe just the angle of the photos but it appears more claustrophobic than other floor plans.

Regarding the Northwest photo the cabinet surface is much lower than the kitchen surface, you'd be bending over more for food prep. I'm wondering how much weight you could add to that side of the trailer once you load it up. Maybe switching to 16" rims and LT tires would be needed if you do this mod.

I could go with half that cabinet width for extra storage and a spot for entertainment equipment.

Kelvin

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Maybe just the angle of the photos but it appears more claustrophobic than other floor plans.

Regarding the Northwest photo the cabinet surface is much lower than the kitchen surface, you'd be bending over more for food prep. I'm wondering how much weight you could add to that side of the trailer once you load it up. Maybe switching to 16" rims and LT tires would be needed if you do this mod.

I could go with half that cabinet width for extra storage and a spot for entertainment equipment.

Kelvin

I am not sure about the how high this is as I have not seen one in person yet. But look at the layout in this picture...looks fine for us. (by the way, this picture is in a 25'FC for sale at Bay Area Airstream website.) But, imagine this storage/work surface option with the U Lounge and table offered in the 26U...there I go, dreaming again!

[KJRitchie]

Notice how the counter top is just below the window frame. The window frame height on my 25fb is lower than the kitchen counter height. Not saying it's not useable. I wouldn't mind a cabinet like the first set of cabinets or some about 2/3 wide as this example. Looks like A straight forward mod.

Kelvin

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Notice how the counter top is just below the window frame. The window frame height on my 25fb is lower than the kitchen counter height. Not saying it's not useable. I wouldn't mind a cabinet like the first set of cabinets or some about 2/3 wide as this example. Looks like A straight forward mod.

Kelvin

Yea, I like the drawer space as shown for our needs. I don't like getting down on the floor and fetching pots or items under the lounge the way it is now....getting too old for that stuff! It would be nice if AS offered a few options like a single or double bank of drawers, U shaped dining couch, split table (like in the 26U) right from AS, in 25 or 27'...we are paying a high price for AS...a little more customization seems could be done as "standard fitting" module type options without destroying a brand new unit and paying additional $7K~ or more for this option...Perhaps it could even be done at more AS shops...maybe I'm getting carried away again...but, hey; there is a new business option doing this at NorthWest Airstream Adventures already...why not make these a standard option from AS or easy install at all the dealers... just saying...

Pardon my input here; did not mean to "hijack" this thread from the 26U interests....

[TG2500]

Here is with 1 table