The 23D thread

[pcskier]

Have you guys seen the floor plan for the 19' Tommy Bahama, which is a corner bed like on the 23D? Cool new bathroom door design that is a bifold, so when bathroom not in use, opens up the bedroom space, and when in use, provides more toilet/bathroom space (angels singing). As far as I can tell it hasn't been expanded to any other model lines, but it would be sweet on all the 19 and 23 corner bed models, don't you think?

Rob, I think we just found your next project for your 23D

https://www.airstream.com/travel-tra...ler/floorplan/

Quick glimpse of it and the way it operates starting at :55 second mark. https://www.airstream.com/blog/airst..._hsmi=53476230

[Troutboy]

I really like that idea of the expanding door for the bathroom. I agree, Rob, help us with the blue print!!

[pcskier]

I was reading a thread where an owner of a 2016 was asking where the switches are for the Grey, Black and Fresh tank heating pads.

Can any of you confirm...does the 23D Floor Plan not have furnace heat ducted to the tank locations like on the 23 FB and most other model lines?

I'd love to switch from the FB to the D at some point, better floor plan for me I've decided...but as I do some boondocked winter camping, often 'dry' but sometimes 'wet' being sure to keep the furnace going to heat my tanks...not having that capability might require a different path. I also might full-time for awhile, including the winter in an RV Park (other Airstreams have done it and gotten through the winter OK there) but wonder what the electric cost would be to run these tank pads all winter...electricity at this particular park is metered for long-term stays.

I could have researched this elsewhere to confirm but thought I'd take the lazy route since you are all right here

Thanks.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by pcskier

< snip >
Rob, I think we just found your next project for your 23D

https://www.airstream.com/travel-tra...ler/floorplan/

Quick glimpse of it and the way it operates starting at :55 second mark. https://www.airstream.com/blog/airst..._hsmi=53476230

Originally Posted by Troutboy

I really like that idea of the expanding door for the bathroom. I agree, Rob, help us with the blue print!!

I'm really looking forward to seeing this thing in person. As I think how this new design door works, it occurs to be that it might be a bit awkward... reserving judgement until I've seen it "in the flesh."

So, I'm wondering if Airstream is going to go to this new "bi-fold" door on all models that use the corner bath. Hmmmmmm

[RFP]

Well, I finally got a bit of time to 'sturdy up' my whiz-bang folding table.... you know, the one with the unexpected wiggles from poor wall-attachment design (mine ).

T'was easy. One 'stick' of ash cut to fit between the table and the back wall, secured with #8 screws to the back wall on each end, smack-dab on a vertical rib.

Took less than an hour and now the thing is super sturdy.

I just rounded over the edges of my 'stick,' sanded it and painted it with Krylon aluminum paint. This is certainly not the final version, but we are going to use it as-is for our lengthy road trip later this year. While on the road, I'll have plenty of time, and the actual experience of real-world use to see if there is anything I want to change (besides that ugly silver-spray-painted stick).

So, I'm done for a while except for a little project for a friend. Then I'm off to Panama for a week-plus, then back home to get ready for 'the road.'

Here's wishing you all a perfect week.

Rob

[Troutboy]

Originally Posted by pcskier

I was reading a thread where an owner of a 2016 was asking where the switches are for the Grey, Black and Fresh tank heating pads.

Can any of you confirm...does the 23D Floor Plan not have furnace heat ducted to the tank locations like on the 23 FB and most other model lines?

I'd love to switch from the FB to the D at some point, better floor plan for me I've decided...but as I do some boondocked winter camping, often 'dry' but sometimes 'wet' being sure to keep the furnace going to heat my tanks...not having that capability might require a different path. I also might full-time for awhile, including the winter in an RV Park (other Airstreams have done it and gotten through the winter OK there) but wonder what the electric cost would be to run these tank pads all winter...electricity at this particular park is metered for long-term stays.

I could have researched this elsewhere to confirm but thought I'd take the lazy route since you are all right here

Thanks.

My 2017 23D uses duct heating from furnace for tank heating. No heating pads.

[Troutboy]

Congrats Rob! sounds like the right fix. Have fun in panama, let us know when you check out the bifold door. I'm going to the dealer in a few weeks and will do the same....

[switz]

The furnace heats the tanks. So running the heat pump of the air conditioner does NOT heat the tanks.

However, the complete gray and black water valves and drain are hanging out like the lion's male parts and subject to freezing.

We retrofitted a 120Vac single outlet beside the rear access hatch. I had to wrap these valves with a heat tape and insulation when I first got to the Airstream RV park in the mountains at the end of April and the temps dropped into the mid 20s. I plugged into that outlet. The heat tape is very low wattage and could possibly be run off of the battery with the converter on.

The flimsy "tape" and fiberglas insulation for the heat tape would blow off in the first mile on the highway, so all of that kit has two be removed before moving the rig.

[pcskier]

Trout and Switz thanks for the feedback on the tank heating. I looked at the 2017 FC Owner's manual and it does say that furnace heat services the tanks, and only the FC 20 uses 12V tank heaters instead. However my owner's manual (2014) and the 2016 owner's manual states that the 20 and the 23D use 12V tank heaters, and the other sizes use ducted furnace heat.

So either--the manual was wrong in earlier years and they updated the manual starting in 2017--or for some reason 2016 and earlier 23D models used 12V tank heaters and they switched to ducted in 2017. Which would seem odd to me as I don't think there were any changes to layout or furnace location?

Would be good to know--any 2016 or earlier Flying Cloud 23D owners on here who can verify? This would certainly impact my possible search for a 23D should I switch from my 23FB.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by pcskier

< snip >
Would be good to know--any 2016 or earlier Flying Cloud 23D owners on here who can verify? This would certainly impact my possible search for a 23D should I switch from my 23FB.

Our 2014 uses ducted furnace heat.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

< snip >
The "right" solution unfortunately is to lower the table to become a bed while on the road. Airstream has many decades of design input on the effect of road action on dinette table tops, and the design signs all lead to one conservative destination IMO.
< snip >

So, my Airstream Owner's Manual says for traveling to set the table in the upright position.

And, of course, I will always travel with the table in its most compact, 'folded' configuration. This shortens the moment of the 'pendulum,' resulting in less inertia. Since inertia is increased more by the length of the 'pendulum' than it is by weight (I=mr^2), my design will be more resistant to lateral inertia than the Airstream original table.

[deljim]

Originally Posted by wingtipwalke

Really enjoying following the thread. My wife and I are coming up on 1 year of ownership of our 23D.

Had the pleasure of meeting Rob in Santa Fe on our first out-of-state trip! What a surprise to learn that we have the same home port in DFW!

We've loved everything about our trailer, but I do have one horror story to share on our lovely 2017 23D...

In February, we had just gotten her cleaned up after a weekend trip and I was pulling it to our storage. I had just pulled off of I-30 and onto a smaller city street when I look out the rearview window and see pieces of aluminum bouncing down the street behind me.

I stopped immediately (in moderate traffic) and saw that the fresh tank had dropped out from under the trailer and was dragging along behind by the fill hose and the tank level sensor wires

I said a few things I wouldn't share in mixed company and used some wire cutters to cut the hoses and wires free from the tank. Pulled the trailer over off the street and then emptied the waiter out of the tank so that I could throw it in the back of my pickup.

I didn't have the presence of mind to take any pictures. But it was a Sunday so I just went and parked it. I went ahead and called the AS customer support number and left them a lively voicemail.

So, turns out that all of the straps that hold on the fresk tank came loose after the bolts fell out. The repair shop said that apparently those bolts on the tank had not been adequately torqued and just vibrated out.

Airstream sent a new tank and all the components....ended up with a $0 repair bill...and now I have 5 straps (originally was 3, but they saved 2 of the old ones) and I'm pretty confident my freshwater tank isn't going anywhere.

Long story short, you might want to include checking the torque on those tank strap bolts to your regular maintenance routine!

thanks. so good to know. will be checking this out.

[GMFL]

Rob,
Thanks for the help. Be safe in PANAMA and keep those guy nailing them square. Take some pictures on the clinic and church as I would love to see you progress

[GMFL]

Rich,
Post some pics if you can of the door when you check it out

[GMFL]

By the way the awnings really came in handy last week at the beach

[GMFL]

After all the work I have done. Replacing skylight and adding awnings. My trailer survived tropical storm Cindy while at DESTIN beach last week. Rained TONS for sure. We made the best of it because any travel beats workin. But airstream stayed dry as a bone.

[ClaysandBird]

Just picked up my 2017 23D from Colonial yesterday/today. Never had driven with a trailer before. Awesome experience. They really showed me everything. Really excited for all my upcoming adventures with it. I look forward to following this thread.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by ClaysandBird

Just picked up my 2017 23D from Colonial yesterday/today. Never had driven with a trailer before. Awesome experience. They really showed me everything. Really excited for all my upcoming adventures with it. I look forward to following this thread.

Attachment 288513

Welcome to the club. Great group of guy here. You will have questions. Most of them we can answer

[RFP]

Originally Posted by ClaysandBird

Just picked up my 2017 23D from Colonial yesterday/today. Never had driven with a trailer before. Awesome experience. They really showed me everything. Really excited for all my upcoming adventures with it. I look forward to following this thread.

Attachment 288513

Yep, as 'GMFL' said, "welcome" to this little group. I'm sure you'll like it here. If you have read through much of this thread, you probably realize that there are a whole bunch of us who simply can't leave anything alone... but the results are some pretty good 'mods.' Fun and make a great trailer even better.

By the way, now would be a good time to update your profile, replacing "looking" with your great sparklin' new 23D.

All the best,

Rob

[Troutboy]

Welcome and congrats! You will love it and let us know how we can help