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Old 10-29-2016, 09:43 AM   #1
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FC 25FB or FC 25RB? Which is better?

We've narrowed our search for our first AS to a FC 25. We like the "feel" of the RB when we enter it, and also like the thought that our sleeping quarters will be on the "quiet" side, away from the aisle. We plan on doing mostly state and national parks, and are avid outdoors people. Can you please poke holes in our plans? I notice that 3/4 of dealer inventory is in FB units, so obviously they are more popular. Why?
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Old 10-29-2016, 10:03 AM   #2
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We like Rb because it is away from traffic if there is any. Also foot traffic doesn't have to walk through campsite to get to back door on FB. Also like the window in bathroom. However it does leave one less window in dinning area unless layout has changed. Take a good look and spend sometime in both, enjoy.
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Old 10-29-2016, 10:46 AM   #3
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The big advantage of a Front Bedroom is the view. Since most campsites require you to back in and since most of your awake time is in the kitchen or dinette area, your view is usually the forest, lake, river, or beach. In a rear bedroom, your view is always the back of your tow vehicle.
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Old 10-29-2016, 11:29 AM   #4
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We had one of the original 25FB's in 2005. At that time, there was no 25RB. We traveled quite a bit in our 2005 Safari 25FB. We spent 1,300 nights in her in 8 years and towed her 120,000 miles.

We traded the 2005 in 2013, and downsized to a 2012 Flying Cloud 23FB. After traveling for a year in the 23FB, we decided to go back to the 25.

In 2014, we started shopping for a new 25 footer. we were now faced the the dilemma of an FB vs. and RB. WE looked at both very carefully, and considered the pros and cons of both. After quite a bit of soul searching, we decided to go with the FB for several reasons.

First and foremost, we had extensive camping experience in a 25FB and knew that the floor plan worked for us. It has been our camping experience that more often than not, the better view is out the back window. As we spend most of our waking hours in the Airstream at the dinette table, we appreciate having the more often better view. We do quite a bit of our Airstream camping while remaining hooked up to the tow vehicle. Accordingly, an RB would afford us a view of the LP tanks and the back of the tow vehicle.

We now have over 250 nights in the 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB and are happy with our choice.

Brian
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Old 10-29-2016, 11:51 AM   #5
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We have a 25FB and prefer it for all the view advantages. Also we preferred the window configuration of the FB model.
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Old 10-29-2016, 12:10 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by moosetags View Post
We had one of the original 25FB's in 2005. At that time, there was no 25RB. We traveled quite a bit in our 2005 Safari 25FB. We spent 1,300 nights in her in 8 years and towed her 120,000 miles.

We traded the 2005 in 2013, and downsized to a 2012 Flying Cloud 23FB. After traveling for a year in the 23FB, we decided to go back to the 25.

In 2014, we started shopping for a new 25 footer. we were now faced the the dilemma of an FB vs. and RB. WE looked at both very carefully, and considered the pros and cons of both. After quite a bit of soul searching, we decided to go with the FB for several reasons.

First and foremost, we had extensive camping experience in a 25FB and knew that the floor plan worked for us. It has been our camping experience that more often than not, the better view is out the back window. As we spend most of our waking hours in the Airstream at the dinette table, we appreciate having the more often better view. We do quite a bit of our Airstream camping while remaining hooked up to the tow vehicle. Accordingly, an RB would afford us a view of the LP tanks and the back of the tow vehicle.

We now have over 250 nights in the 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB and are happy with our choice.

Brian

Super helpful!
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Old 10-29-2016, 12:12 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by moosetags View Post
We had one of the original 25FB's in 2005. At that time, there was no 25RB. We traveled quite a bit in our 2005 Safari 25FB. We spent 1,300 nights in her in 8 years and towed her 120,000 miles.

We traded the 2005 in 2013, and downsized to a 2012 Flying Cloud 23FB. After traveling for a year in the 23FB, we decided to go back to the 25.

In 2014, we started shopping for a new 25 footer. we were now faced the the dilemma of an FB vs. and RB. WE looked at both very carefully, and considered the pros and cons of both. After quite a bit of soul searching, we decided to go with the FB for several reasons.

First and foremost, we had extensive camping experience in a 25FB and knew that the floor plan worked for us. It has been our camping experience that more often than not, the better view is out the back window. As we spend most of our waking hours in the Airstream at the dinette table, we appreciate having the more often better view. We do quite a bit of our Airstream camping while remaining hooked up to the tow vehicle. Accordingly, an RB would afford us a view of the LP tanks and the back of the tow vehicle.

We now have over 250 nights in the 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB and are happy with our choice.

Brian

Having spent so much time in a 25 and in a 23, how often was the smaller size a real advantage? At campsites? Gas stations?
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Old 10-29-2016, 12:18 PM   #8
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We went with the FB layout for the better views out the back, and we've been quite happy with our choice. We've never had a traffic noise issue in the bedroom area. It just isn't something that has ever been an issue for us at any of the campgrounds (mostly state parks) we've stayed in. The entry door location has also never been an issue. There were a couple of times where having the door closer to the front would have been preferable, but it worked either way.
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Old 10-29-2016, 01:59 PM   #9
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There are a gazillion threads on this subject; it would be useful for you to search on that. One prevailing thought from the many discussions on this subject is that you should NOT listen to others' opinions. Go to Colonial or some other dealer with large stock and spend some time in the different models. Go through all of the motions of camping, pretend. Only your own opinion counts, especially for such an expensive investment.
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Old 10-29-2016, 03:06 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Outdoorpeak View Post
Having spent so much time in a 25 and in a 23, how often was the smaller size a real advantage? At campsites? Gas stations?
We thought that the 23FB would be more maneuverable and easier to handle. It wasn't really. We never noticed any advantages at campsites or gas stations with the 23FB over the 25FB.

The interior size was doable, but we did not find the floor plan as comfortable as our prior 25FB. The all-in-one bathroom without a shower vent was not as accommodating. The smaller single door refrigerator did not hold as much as we wanted. The 18 gallon black tank in the 23FB adversely affected our camping style.

We have now been back in a 25FB for two years now. I guess that it took going away from the 25FB for awhile to realize that it was the right fit for us.

Brian
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Old 10-29-2016, 03:11 PM   #11
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I'm not exactly sure two feet is going to make that heck of a lot of difference towing and parking and maneuvering. But being inside, every inch counts.
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Old 10-29-2016, 03:21 PM   #12
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One more thing in the mix, twin vs. queen. We had a queen and converted to twin. What a difference. Twin makes the floor plan seem larger. We have the front bedroom.
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Old 10-29-2016, 03:30 PM   #13
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Larry suggested that you don't listen to other opinions which is fair. But, the OP ASKED for our opinion so that is why we are weighing in here.

Personally, I prefer the FB for the views as many have pointed out. But, everyone is different, views are not as important to some as to others. Some spend very little time inside so the model wouldn't matter as much. I think you need to really think about how you like to camp.

As far as the noise goes, I really don't think it is louder on one end of the 25 foot trailer than the other.
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Old 10-29-2016, 03:45 PM   #14
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I believe the 25FB has no microwave VS the RB. Just something to consider if a micro is important to you.
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Old 10-29-2016, 03:47 PM   #15
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FB Pros:
View out rear dinette
Side couch is longer than RB
More floor space in shower as seat doesn't extend all the way across like RB
Fridge vent on roof. No noisy fan running to expel hot air out the upper side vent in RB

RB Pros
Microwave/convection oven available unlike FB
Can park in shorter campsites than an FB due to entrance door placement
Bathroom is bigger, more legroom for toilet than FB

I have an FB due to purchasing preowned and not a lot of choice.

Make sure you look at a twin bed model. The queen takes up the whole bedroom area. We are having our FB converted from queen to twin.

Kelvin
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Old 10-29-2016, 05:10 PM   #16
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For us, the RB Twin works best. The twin was a huge outside storage compartment. The FB Twin also has it but the LP tanks hinder access.

As mentioned, it has a larger bathroom. That means a shorter sofa, but we thought that extra length was wasted.

We don't find the view to be an issue. We find it hit and miss whether the front or rear has a better view, there's no clear winner. But the RB definitely affords more privacy.

Different strokes for different folks.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:21 PM   #17
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There are a gazillion threads on this subject; it would be useful for you to search on that. One prevailing thought from the many discussions on this subject is that you should NOT listen to others' opinions. Go to Colonial or some other dealer with large stock and spend some time in the different models. Go through all of the motions of camping, pretend. Only your own opinion counts, especially for such an expensive investment.

Larry

Thank you. I plan on heading to Colonial to do just that. I really value everyone's opinion - yours included - because each of you bring a different perspective and help me make a more informed decision. I am truly grateful to those who share their experiences here on the AS forum
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:24 PM   #18
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I agree with the prior post. We've been totally happy with the RB twin. We have found it to be about 50/50 as to which end has the better view. For us the decision boiled down to the differences in the floor plans including the storage differences, and the RB twin was the best for us. It is extremely efficient. Spend some time in each and try to pick what will seem more comfortable for you. Personally we would not give the view issue much weight because it has been so hit and miss in our experience.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:32 PM   #19
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I agree with the prior post. We've been totally happy with the RB twin. We have found it to be about 50/50 as to which end has the better view. For us the decision boiled down to the differences in the floor plans including the storage differences, and the RB twin was the best for us. It is extremely efficient. Spend some time in each and try to pick what will seem more comfortable for you. Personally we would not give the view issue much weight because it has been so hit and miss in our experience.

I think you're right. As others have pointed out as well, we need to spend more time with the specific floor plans. The dealership we were in last week said that the FB and RB were basically exactly the same, just flipped around. That's clearly not the case. The differences may be subtle, but they could end up being significant.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:54 PM   #20
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I believe the 25FB has no microwave VS the RB. Just something to consider if a micro is important to you.
Not true. The microwave/convection IS available in the FB.
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