Are all 34's wide bodies?

[2wheelin]

I have got the bug bad! Already looking to replace the Sovereign with a 34 (love the looks of the triple axles)! On that note were all 34's wide bodies? if not when and which 34's are the most desireable? Years and models? Existing problems? Already looking for "our" perfect next "Stream"!

Thank all

Curt

[Silverwanabe]

Hi,

To give a simple answer ,No.

34's were introduced for the 82 model year.

Widebodies were introduced for the 96 model year.

Best years, do not know....

[Aviator]

FWIW, we have a 1997 widebody and are very happy with it. One issue to look for, our was not towed very much after about 2001. As a result, the axles are shot from sitting. Andy (Inland RV) fixed us up with brand new axles a couple of weeks ago, but three axles is still $$$. So long as the one you find has been on the road regularly, you shouldn't have the problem we had. Sitting with the weight on them is what ruins axles.

[2airishuman]

not only are the triples NOT all wide bodies...

but the earliest years are ROUNDER and narrower...

which means less head room/overhead storage and so on.

and 1000s of pounds LESS weight to drag.

the upper corner radius was PUSHED OUT when construction changed to 3 piece ribs.

so the oldest (modern 34s) look like jet bodies, then they get squarish, then they go wiDDDDer...

best year/model/trim/floor plan is completely subjective. and personal.

there are front kitchen models, slide models, units with fire places or double lounges...

some have washers/dryers or central vacs or split baths, plastic interiors or oak or hictory and so on...

there are even units with double entry doors (this is a wiLDy nice feature)

most recently there are 34 bodies with a rear POD bay door/8 ft garage and about 24 foot of finished living space forward.

lotz of pics here, many threads and even some "my version is best" exchanges on the 34s...

it's all good.

cheers
2air'

[HiHoAgRV]

I'll add to the already good advise...start by hitting EVERY web based 4sale site you can find...make notes...the '82-'87's look alot like the '70's interior, white tambor overheads, some with the '70's floorplans like rear bath!...'88 to early '90's start looking like wood interiors of a newer models...mid '90's had 1 year (if I remember correctly) that had the wide body look but actually was the 8' width...some late 90's had an issue with the padded ceilings falling down...

With a full awning set? rock guards and window covers? 1 or 2 AC units? (ask me if thats important in the south east...) and the $100 question...where is the floor rotted????

It won't take long before you can look at the exterior and tell if it's a twin bed, where the kitchen is and so on...

In most cases it's not a 'better' year...it's a how much do I wanna spend!

[tslanier]

Highly recommend the 34'
I began the Airstream journey with a 34' 87. We enjoyed Airstreaming more than we imagined and decided that we wanted a wide body with a queen bed instead of the twins. The quality was good.
We traded it for a 34' 97 wide body and queen bed. It is surprising how much more room there is in the widebody noticeably for passing another person in the hallway. Good quality again. We had intended to renovate the interior on that one but a 2000 34' w/ Sofa Slide came availabe thru my dealer and we traded again. This time we have done the personal renovations we had planned and are vey pleased with the outcome. Again, the quality is good.
It just becomes personal taste. I would remind you that buying an older one for less money many not be the most inexpensive way to go in the longer run.