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08-18-2019, 06:37 PM
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#1
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Coyotetrack
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Santa Barbara
, California
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
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23FB Mods
Hello— I thought I’d share some modifications I’ve made to our 2017 23FB.
This is our first airstream. We are not retired so it hasn’t got a lot of use yet, but that hasn’t stopped us from realizing that some things needed to be changed.
We bought this model of AS because it fit our budget and, at the time, we thought a key feature is the walk around queen sized bed.
It’s just the two of us and a large dog and we spend a lot of time outside. Most of our camping is in SoCal so that is easy and very enjoyable.
I’ve done a few things such as upgraded batteries, solar, etc. but this is just about sharing a couple comfort mods inside.
The first was to change the dinette table. The original was too wide in one direction and not wide enough in the other. Keep in mind that it’s just two of us. I removed the old table and removed the backrest up against the window. I resized the table so there is more room for my growing stomach and the table goes all the way to the window. This is working great for us.
The other mod I’ll share is the bed. The size of the bed is good but calling it a walk around bed is a stretch. If you own one you know what I mean. The storage underneath is good but too inconvenient to get to. I imagine it’s okay for those on super long trips. We don’t have the time yet for that.
The problems that we experienced included 1. that the bedroom had nice windows for viewing but we were in there only when we retired for the night. 2. The person (wife) sleeping to the front had difficulty getting in and out without bumping head on cabinet above or disturbing other person (me) in bed. 3. The dog (90 lbs) didn’t have a place to sleep without us having to step over in the dark at night.
We agonized over this for some time before I suggested that the AS be converted to a twin setup or what we call the Rickie and Lucy version. This will only work for the 23FB if you are short—at least one of you. I’m 5’7” and she is 5’5”. I removed the queen bed and frame and built two twins on opposite sides. I had mattresses custom made to fit. We now have a bedroom that has a center aisle where the dog sleeps at night. In addition the bedroom now has become a nice lounge during the day or evening for taking in the views.
Thanks and I’m eager to hear your thoughts and what you have done to make your AS home.
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08-18-2019, 06:49 PM
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#2
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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08-18-2019, 06:51 PM
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#3
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The Aluminum Tent 3
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,157
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Have you checked out the 23FB thread? Lots of good info there. One member is in the process of doing what you did with the bed. He removed the drawer on the curb side, like they do on the new Twin Globetrotter, making that side a full length bed. Sounds like you left yours, which is great if that side is long enough.
Your table mod makes it more like the pre-2014 23FBs that the table went to the window. The U-dinette on the 2014+ models are a source of frequent lamenting.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...um-166374.html
Also check out the 23d thread, lots of good mods on there that are transferable to the 23 FB. Many of which were done by Ronnie (GMFL) who commented above. He's a legend! (also he has helpful posts in the 'blog' section of his profile.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...ad-166085.html
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08-19-2019, 05:57 AM
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#4
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Coyotetrack
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Santa Barbara
, California
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GMFL
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Thank you! I’ll repost.
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08-19-2019, 06:01 AM
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#5
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Coyotetrack
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Santa Barbara
, California
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
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Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll repost there. I didn’t think about removing drawer but didn’t need to. I didn’t think I’d be the first one to think of these changes.
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04-29-2021, 04:30 AM
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#6
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Holiday Ramblers
2020 25' Globetrotter
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 51
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My Idea for Bed Mod
Agree with all your comments about the 'walk around' Queen bed, and the great, but inconvenient storage. As you noted, the curbside 'twin bed' would be pretty short unless you removed the drawers, and you are also you end up with distant sleeping. My idea for the mod I'm calling the 'V Twin'. Check it out and let me know what you think.
__________________
Bruce Adib-Yazdi
Beautiful Ozarks MO
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04-29-2021, 05:04 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
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We made a few minor modifications to our 23FB. I don’t mind the dinette for eating, but it isn’t very comfortable for lounging. I had a custom fill cushion made by Ultimate Airstreams that converts the dinette into a big lounge. It works great.
We also travel with a large dog, and she doesn’t sleep in the bed. I had a custom dog bed made for her that fits on the floor in front of the door. We have to leave the bathroom door open when the dog bed is in place, but overall it works very well.
__________________
Dennis
Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
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08-18-2022, 07:49 AM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
2020 26' Flying Cloud
Plano
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 12
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Can you remove wheel well box for dinette conversion in 23FB?
Hi all,
We are looking at purchasing the 23FB International Serenity (2023) after much research. We are newbies so feel the size and layout is a good place to start. My one major concern is the dinette. Does anyone know if the wheel well inside can be completely removed so that recliners can be installed which lay flush against the wall? I asked the dealer what is inside that internal wheel well and they said the wheels and axles don't go up in there. But perhaps there are other components or wiring? I've seen the other photos of some modifications people did which is very helpful. But they all show some type of box over that same wheel well area, which leads me to believe is it not possible to completely remove. Any thoughts are welcome! We look forward to joining the Airstream community!
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08-18-2022, 08:06 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
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I haven’t tried to remove my wheel well cover, but I’d be shocked if the floor was flat once you removed it. The wheels have to go somewhere! It has an electrical outlet on it as well.
__________________
Dennis
Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
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08-18-2022, 09:54 AM
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#10
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SR
2014 23' FB International
DFW
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jevst
Hi all,
We are looking at purchasing the 23FB International Serenity (2023) after much research. ... My one major concern is the dinette. Does anyone know if the wheel well inside can be completely removed so that recliners can be installed which lay flush against the wall?
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Hi jevst. The short answer is that the items in the wheel well cannot be completely removed. You could probably gain a couple of inches by moving the trim work closer to the inner plastic wheel well, but that would be about it. The below link is from the 23FB thread. It will give you more visual information.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f14...ml#post2422855
There are other posts on the 23FB thread regarding this topic that may give you some ideas.
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