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Old 12-12-2018, 10:37 PM   #1
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2021 30' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
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Lady Lake , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2018
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How many just leave it as is

Thought I would start a friendly questioner Thread

How many Airstream owners have just brought their Airstream home and enjoyed it as the factory designed it. This is without major rebuilding it or re-engineering ?

I remember Harley Davidson did a on line study once. It was 50/50 those that bought it left it alone and enjoyed it stock vs those that modified engines or bolted on tons of chrome. I know at trade in time with the stock bikes, seems they always got about the same money as modified. Only the service and parts department made money.

I was that guy.

Anyway - Looking at our new 25 and i’m thinking of a few additions but pretty much leaving it as it was out of Jackson Center.

What’s your thoughts?
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Old 12-13-2018, 04:26 AM   #2
2017 FC 28 Twin
 
Plymouth , Indiana
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Pretty much left it alone regarding design interior, however made numerous mods to improve overall performance (for lack of a better term) and those mods addressed design,build, poor defective parts equipment.
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Old 12-13-2018, 04:40 AM   #3
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2014 27' Flying Cloud
Wenatchee , Washington
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How many just leave it as is

Only thing I’ve done so far to our FC 27FB is upgrade to 16” wheels and tires. Next I hope to have the mothership install a second A/C and 50 amp service.

I think I’d kinda like to have a lift kit installed (as described in another thread). After that, maybe satellite, solar panels, and a generator.

No plans to change anything in the interior though, still pretty happy with it.
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Old 12-13-2018, 04:53 AM   #4
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2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor , New York
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Depending on your intended use, a multi-stage top shelf battery charger/converter might be a good upgrade if your model does not have one already. Other than that . . .

Keep It Simple, Stu.

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Old 12-13-2018, 05:18 AM   #5
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2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
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Welcome Aboard!! 👍

Reemodle changes no...upgrade, repair, frustration modification, oversight adjustments, FOD insp. interior, doesn't everyone? 😘
Bob
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Old 12-13-2018, 06:04 AM   #6
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2015 23' Flying Cloud
Copper Hill , Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 432
Remodel no. Upgrade and general hardining of the trailer yes.( hardining,got that from the 23d thread). New tires and rims,new converter and batteries,3" lift and better skylite. Lots of redo's like water heater support,microwave support, medicine cabinet reinforced. Just general improvement on what we have.

Scott
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Old 12-13-2018, 06:20 AM   #7
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2018 28' Flying Cloud
Clayton , Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 400
As above - no major remodeling, just upgrades and improvements.
MicroAir added to both A/C units, Dinosaur board for the water heater, rear facing video camera, maple/cherry/walnut dinette table to replace the sharp edged formica one, matching sink cover, custom screen guard on the door (see avatar pix), mudflaps, etc.
All part of the fun.


I'm camping in Florida as I type this and there is a fellow Airstreamer parked across from me who's partially gutting and remodeling his new 30 foot FC while he's camped. Had to go across and see what all the noise was yesterday while he was running a skill saw and sander. Looks like he's doing a fine job of it, but it's more than I'd want to get into.
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Old 12-13-2018, 07:52 AM   #8
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2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach , Florida
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

We have had two 25FBs. We had a 2005 Safari and currently have a 2015 Flying Cloud. The only significant modifications that we made were both got 16" Michelin LT tires (highly recommended). We also replaced the curbside dinette with a recliner. Other than these, we just used the trailers. We are now up to almost 2,000 nights of Airstream camping over the past twelve years.

Brian
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Old 12-13-2018, 08:54 AM   #9
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2024 27' Globetrotter
Jonesville , Louisiana
Join Date: May 2018
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We love ours just like it is.

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Old 12-13-2018, 09:01 AM   #10
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2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights , Texas
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Only small modifications. We bought the plan that worked for us (26U with twin beds) and it's needed small refinements... Memory-foam toppers for the beds. Better anchor points for the latches that hold the 2 parts of the table together, little clear bumpers to keep the sections of that table aligned properly when using it as the platform for the convertible bed, and leveling the platforms for the twin mattresses (they slope down toward the aisle.)
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Old 12-13-2018, 09:23 AM   #11
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2015 27' Flying Cloud
Truckee , California
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No major remodeling for our 2015 FC 27FB. Similar to the others above, we did the converter upgrade, added some solar, AGM batteries and upgraded to 16” wheels and tires.
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Old 12-13-2018, 09:27 AM   #12
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2019 27' Globetrotter
Salem , Oregon
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For me as on my previous trailer I will do the lift kit. This is because of a driveway issue. I noticed no difference when towing.

For everyone I recommend you look at TPMS of whatever brand you like may save you some grief down the road.

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Old 12-13-2018, 09:34 AM   #13
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2004 28' Classic
Monument , Colorado
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Part of my enjoyment in having an AS is working on it. I bought a used, 11 year old trailer, so fixing, up-grading, making it "look pretty", making it more to our liking, making it tow better, adapting it for boon-docking, etc. etc. is all just part of the fun!!
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Old 12-13-2018, 09:49 AM   #14
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2018 30' Classic
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
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Perfect the way it is.
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Old 12-13-2018, 09:51 AM   #15
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Churubusco , Indiana
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1983 motorhome, so yea, I'm making a couple modifications/repairs as needed . I do try to keep it as original looking as possible though, not trying to make it look "modern", quite the opposite, trying to hunt for materials that look era appropriate and not out of place

If I was to buy a brand new TT, I'd lift, add solar, and other than that leave it nice and stock
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Old 12-13-2018, 09:57 AM   #16
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2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs , Georgia
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It might also be informative to attach the question, "How long did you own your original unit before you began upgrading/remodeling it?"

We only repaired/replaced items as they failed during the first five years, then we embarked on a slew of upgrades/remodels as fabrics/foam wore out, our needs morphed, and technology improvements emerged over the subsequent decade.

It is still a work in progress
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Old 12-13-2018, 10:00 AM   #17
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2016 27' International
Clackamas , garyburke
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Mostly as was

Just add a few mods to our 2016 International FB:

2 80w Zamp solar panels (AANW in Gladstone Or, “Kelly” is highly recommended)
Wilson Cell Signal Booster w/external antenna (also installed by Kelly)
Swapped foam in all seating for stiffest available, changed seating material (from slick surface, cream color to pebbled Surface, cayenne color) Ultimate Airstreams, an AANW company.
Added two drop-down surfaces, one under the tv for stand up computer jockey (me), one on right side of sink for added kitchen workspace. (UA again)
Added shelves and storage space behind seat next to door (UA once more)
Oh, and removed table, using 1950’s drop leaf instead.

Hope to attach pics but never done it before, so we’ll see...looks like it worked but you’ll need to view sideways for some of them. Sorry!
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Old 12-13-2018, 10:06 AM   #18
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2019 30' Classic
Brooklyn , New York
Join Date: Sep 2018
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My Classic will be built in FEB2019, and so far I intend to leave it as is. I know I have a learning curve ahead of me, and I hope the manuals match the curve I will be following.

My Harley Davidson 2010 CVO Ultra Classic Limited Edition is a different story. The first thing to go was the exhaust to Rhineharts so the drivers in NYC would notice me while they were texting, talking, shaving, reading, putting on make-up, or plucking their eyebrows while driving. Then The front lights all went from halogen to bright LED's, and added faring LED's, and more so I appear larger than I actaully am. Taillights to LED's and even more taillight's with strobing brake lights. I also added fore and aft running LED's to the "crash" touring bars so the width of the bike would be outlined. Still not satisfied with the bikes power I put in true dual exhaust with even higher flow Rhinehart mufflers. I'm not done yet.

So learning this lesson, I hope to leave my Airstream as is. I hope.
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Old 12-13-2018, 10:09 AM   #19
kpayne
 
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Shreveport , Louisiana
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 16
We've made several changes to our 2015 FC rear queen. New mattress, thicker and much more comfy. Replaced old GY Marathons with GY Endurance. New lug nuts. 400 watt solar on the roof with 400 amp lithium batteries under the couch. 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter. WeBoost cellular antenna. King Jack tv antenna. Inserted photography grade filters under all the overhead puck lights to change the wavelength to a more pleasant color. And other minor mods like stick on towel holders near the shower and in the bedroom, paper towel holders near the stove and in the bathroom. Replaced the Baraldi hood light with an LED equivalent. Strung cheap, battery powered colored lights above the couch and bed. Good for Christmas, Mardi Gras, or just any ole time you need some festive lighting. So far, pretty pleased.
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Old 12-13-2018, 10:24 AM   #20
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2019 27' Globetrotter
Madison , Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2018
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All I've done is to install a Max Air cover over the fan so that we can have it running during a rain storm or open while we are driving.

I'll be slow to make other changes until I get a better feel about what it's like to use it as-is. There may be a cell phone signal booster antenna going on the roof but even for that I may wait and see.
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