23D or 27FB

[slimhawg]

Hi All,

Trying to decide if there is $20K difference between the 23D and 27FB (International). Are there that many places you can take a 23 that you can't take a 27? TV is 2013 Tundra Crewmax with tow package. Thanks for your thoughts.

[dkottum]

First question, yes there is great difference in length/width, liquid storage capacities, tire/wheel/brake size, inside storage. The greatest interior space difference is in the size, configuration, and access of the bed. You could live in the 27 for long periods of time with comfort.

Second, the 27 is 5 feet longer, more less, and takes that much more space. As for maneuverability, that is more a function of the tow vehicle wheelbase; the trailer just follows.

doug

[Scott J-24]

Go for the 27FB and don't look back, you will love it. The Tundra is a great tow vehicle. We tow ours with a 2010 Tundra CrewMax with the 5.7 V8 and it pulls the 27 without effort. We haven't had any problems camping where size was the issue and that includes National, State, County, etc., campgrounds. I have heard many stories of buying small then trading it in for a longer model within a year or two. Go big and you won't regret it.

[68Streamline]

We have a 22' FC and we've been in a few campsites where our Airstream barely fits the site (around Los Angeles).

[m.hony]

Aw shucks. Go ahead and get a 30.

[andreasduess]

We accidentally bought a 34'' and, with three kids, love the space. I was really worried about access to provincial parks but not a problem so far.

[jdalrymple]

We have met al least 5 couples over the last years that started with a 23 and upgraded within 6 months of purchase to a 27.

That cute, cuddly little trailer runs out of space very quickly.

Regards,

JD

[slimhawg]

Thanks everyone.

Now we just have to decide on the '13 Serenity on the lot (one A/C) or order a '14 Signature (two A/Cs).

[eheffa]

Originally Posted by slimhawg

Hi All,

Trying to decide if there is $20K difference between the 23D and 27FB (International). Are there that many places you can take a 23 that you can't take a 27? TV is 2013 Tundra Crewmax with tow package. Thanks for your thoughts.

Why not split the difference & go for the 25? As far as I'm concerned, it is a good compromise between space/usability & length/size.

There is also a big difference in the two plans. If you like to camp where the view is to the back, the FB models give you great access to the view. The 23D has you enjoying a nice view of the back of your truck.

-evan

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by eheffa

Why not split the difference & go for the 25? As far as I'm concerned, it is a good compromise between space/usability & length/size.

There is also a big difference in the two plans. If you like to camp where the view is to the back, the FB models give you great access to the view. The 23D has you enjoying a nice view of the back of your truck.

-evan

I completely agree on the usability of the 25' but not on the FB models. We took the 27 out of consideration because of the FB configuration, and bought our 25 front dinette.

During our 6 months a year travel, seldom do we camp with out truck parked in front of the trailer for long, but we do spend much time in RV resorts where units are parked back-to-back. We are looking out the front at the activity areas rather than viewing the back of someone else's camper, and them looking into our Airstream.

doug

[mandolindave]

A trailer always too big while towing and too small when camping.

[eheffa]

Originally Posted by dkottum

I completely agree on the usability of the 25' but not on the FB models. We took the 27 out of consideration because of the FB configuration, and bought our 25 front dinette.

During our 6 months a year travel, seldom do we camp with out truck parked in front of the trailer for long, but we do spend much time in RV resorts where units are parked back-to-back. We are looking out the front at the activity areas rather than viewing the back of someone else's camper, and them looking into our Airstream.

doug

Ha! Different strokes I guess.

We tend to avoid RV parks & those back to back sites looking for more private sites; Provincial Parks/National Parks figure higher up our preference list. A site like this is just begging for the FB plan.



OTOH, if we are stuck in an RV park, I can see how looking out over the hitch could be an advantage.

It's good to know ahead of time where & what sort of 'camping' one will be using the A/S for... That makes it much easier to figure out which plan has the fewest compromises.

- evan

[eheffa]

Oops.

Wrong pic but same location.




- evan

[IanPoulin]

I would also argue that the sounds of stream or ocean would make it perfect to have the bedroom window in the back; alone.

[eheffa]

Originally Posted by IanPoulin

I would also argue that the sounds of stream or ocean would make it perfect to have the bedroom window in the back; alone.

Fair enough.

Priority for view when eating or sleeping.

Which would you prefer for this site?





There is no perfect setup. You could have 2 or 3 different units & take the one best suited to your destination! ;-)

- evan

[DanB]

I talked to a snowbird that had a great understanding of trailer size. He stated "The trailer gets 1 inch shorter everyday you stay in it"!

I love this explanation. I bought a 30 and have never regretted it. I might buy a 40 next (hmmm?)

[mutcth]

Like said above, different strokes. Just to throw out an opposing opinion to the "bigger = better" folks - We camp a lot in Vermont state campgrounds. More times I go out, more I'm convinced that a trailer bigger than our 23' would be a tight fit onto many of the sites we use, even with a short tow vehicle like mine.

No question that once you get to the 25' trailers, interior space opens up significantly.

Depends on your use profile: if we full-timed or went out for 6 months, we'd have a 25FB twin.

Tom

[IanPoulin]

Originally Posted by eheffa

Fair enough.

Priority for view when eating or sleeping.

Which would you prefer for this site?


Attachment 193170


There is no perfect setup. You could have 2 or 3 different units & take the one best suited to your destination! ;-)

- evan

You win :-P

[switz]

Sight unseen, we acquired our first RV trailer, a 2013 25FB International Serenity with queen bed. That cross frame bed was a major issue for us on the very first trip. We would have been happier with twin beds, but they are not offered on any of the International models (only in Flying Cloud and Classic trim lines).

We saw inside a 34' tri-axle 2011 Classic and loved the real wood interior but it was really long and the 11,500 GVW could have pushed our TV to the maximum weight allowances in several categories. Thus we settled on a 27FB Classic with twin beds.

We never use a microwave at home, so omitted that option and gained the use of the full pantry cabinetry. We also have a gas oven instead of the convection/microwave that most dealers install for a few extra hundred dollars profit. That oven choice won't work when parked in the woods with no electric utilities in the area. It requires more electric power than the factory 1,000 watt inverter can generate from the stock batteries.

Visit a large stocking dealership and spend some time sitting in each model and trying to visualize spending a rainy day couped up in that space on that dinette seat or chair. Lie on a cross frame bed close to the hitch side of the bed and sit up. Did you hit your head? Notice the narrow space beside that edge of the bed and try to gracefully move to the foot of the bed for a nightly pee run and not bother the sleeping companion. Stand beside the other edge of the bed and visualize how to put stuff in the overhead cabinet without climbing on the bed.

Welcome to the forum and good luck making your decision.

[NCstreamer]

Airstream will do a special order International 25FB with twin beds. We have the only one made in the 2013 model year and so far it is perfect!