The 23FB forum

[GMFL]

spared Should be “SHAPED” in the above post
IT will form to the irregular space between the floor and Water heater well and provide support both vertically and laterally
I am very pleased with it.

[AirstreamInc]

Originally Posted by Xplore

Would someone with a 23FB mind taking a look at their water heater support blocks. On mine something does not seem right. Looks like the top piece has a slight lean to it. The outside of the unit looks fine. Is it normal to support a water heater like this. Does not seem very professional or maybe that's how it's done.

Thanks for any help.

Hi Xplore,*

If you need assistance, please send us a direct message with your contact information and the last 6 digits of your VIN so we can share it with our Customer Service and Technical Support team.

You can also reach Airstream Customer Service and Technical Support at*customer_support@airstream.com*

Thank you.*

[Tin Tin]

Originally Posted by PKI

Clear coat sealer is not a wax. Wax boils off in a few months. Wax protects the surface, but must be reapplied over and over. That is not a problem for some. It is even kind of cool to rub your baby all over every so often. The sealer is like adding clear coat, but less porous and usually harder material. It is not a waste of money, if you value your time or have little to use for maintenance. We have an older car that rarely gets waxed and looks great after 16 years.



Cost - think $2-3K.....may be more/less. It is a negotiable item and some dealers use it as a profit generator while others sell it at close to cost to make the customer happy with AS ownership so they come back and upgrade. The cost is high enough to not just assume you should go for it. There is a fair bit of labor to apply. The material is not inexpensive and part of the cost is insurance. So there is some justification for a high price. The product really does not apply with the ease that a non-professional should do the work unless they regularly do this type of application. If your husband was slow to go for awnings, this may well be $s that are best spent for trips. You will enjoy watching him do the waxing. These are all "$ vs work" compromises. Your coach will not crumble away without this option. You can deal with everything one way or another. Just understand how you will do it.



Good luck with the new coach. Pat

I disagree I had seal a jet(not sure about spelling) applied and I had a problem with it and the company wouldn’t stand behind it. They told me they had no way of knowing if it was applied. I told them I was charged for it. Again was told they would not correct the problem. I’ll never fall for it again.

[Tin Tin]

Originally Posted by pcskier

Don't spend a dime on any of the 'poly glip glop' treatments. (that's what we called it behind closed doors when I worked at an auto dealer back in college.) It's 80 percent or more profit. Airstream skins already have a beautiful clear coat finish, just keep it clean and wax it twice a year and it'll look good as new years down the road. Interior cleans easily with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed.

Save the $1,200 for other upgrades later, there will be some, believe me.

Congratulations on your order!

I agree don’t waste your money on it

[Pinetarswife]

Originally Posted by pcskier

OK folks, truth. While the larger bathroom and queen bed is nice, does anyone feel the tradeoff for the cramped middle area is worth it? Tried to have a couple friends join me in mine to socialize this weekend (not sleep, just visit) and it felt so ridiculously tight trying to negotiate our way around the U dinette, spin and slide the table top, etc. Just not that comfortable compared to a 23D that has the 4-foot sofa and standard dinette.

Who loves their U-dinette? I'm thinking about installing a smaller top just to make it more accessible. Anyone done any mods to their dinette?

Hate dinette. Replaced with wine barrel top. Hope to make to fulltime daybed or replace with jackknife sofa.

[Muriel 1]

I think the wine barrel top is a very clever and inexpensive way to make the salon
area in the 23 fb more usable.
I used the 24x24 kobi butcher block.
Was just in a Pendleton for drinks last week.
That is a very cool airstream!
The table should be 24x24 to maximize
lounging area at the rear hatch. It was wonderful. For late night cocktails I’ll bet the Tommy Bahama is sweet also!
Tom

[Muriel 1]

After (3)3600 mile adventures from Virginia to the Rockies ,my thoughts on the 23 FB.
I am a traveler and generally do not stay at a camp more than 3 nights.
A 1/2 ton gasser truck is a perfect TV.
The length of truck and 23fb will fit in 2 parking spots tip to tip.
It can fuel at almost any 7-11 or gas station.
The throne,shower and vanity with opening window is amazing!
The salon is perfect with table top modification.
The queen bed is perfect.
The galley has everything you may need.
Tons of storage and wardrobes.
This size seems to me the ultimate adventure basecamp as I do bicycle adventure and meet ups.
It gives folk a place to potty
get dressed and keep the beer and wine cold for after ride drinks. The galley lets you heat up bbq or food if required.
It tows great and the wheelbase of trailer is the same as the truck. That’s great for construction zones and tight spaces.
I do not see any downside to this coach for my purposes.
This is the 23 FB thread so I thought this was the place to post my 2 years of fun with
Muriel.
Tom

[Xplore]

Originally Posted by Muriel 1

After (3)3600 mile adventures from Virginia to the Rockies ,my thoughts on the 23 FB.

Thanks. I'm getting pressure from the wife. She wants a 25 FB but I love our 23. I think I will use your list to support my case to keep the 23

[Vinster]

to answer your question, honestly, I love the 23FB as is and both Hubby (who is 6'4") and I think the trade off is worth it. That cramped corner bed without the underbed storage (and other storage btw) and the further cramped bathroom would not work for us at all. The trade off is that socializing with friends in the trailer is "close" but we have made it work on occasion when the weather was inclement and had fun. It should be noted that none of us were "super sized" in the girth area. I have seen the table downsized and it looked barely big enough to hold a cocktail let alone dinner. When we rarely entertain at our trailer, we usually do it outside at a picnic or other table which has worked well. So I personally don't mind the lack of entertaining area in the trailer for more than two when I get the large airy bedroom and the uncramped bathroom. If we wanted to entertain more in the trailer, we would certainly move up in size but for us, that would be the only reason to do so. but since we don't - we are fine as is.

[GettinAway]

Totally agree. We tried the corner bed and smaller bath. Not good for us. But I’m 6’5” though. Also we don’t go now for more than a few weeks. I’ll see how it goes “post retirement” with month long stays. Also we look for nice weather for trips. Really cold or really warm places would change things. When we’ve had folks over, it’s outside entertaining.

[Muriel 1]

I have to share a great 23 fb travel
experience.
I left Denver Saturday around 3 pm.
Drove to the east side of St Louis
by Sunday at 4 pm.
I found a huddle house with a nice cornfield view and decided enough.
I had a few ice cold beers in fridge and tried a nice hot shower. Sweet
Heated up a fajita from Denver on the propane range very slowly and thought?
This is Sunday with nfl!
Tried the magic inverter button,programmed the TV and thoroughly enjoyed my meal and a little nfl before I went to deep sleep.
Now that is what I call Airstream luxury!
I overslept and hit the road hard Monday at dawn. That is what makes our coaches almost perfect in my opinion.
Tom

[GettinAway]

Ha! Great recap. Thanks for posting it. I was a little concerned about your boondocking in East St Louis IL. It can be a little rough over there in places. [emoji15]

[Pinetarswife]

We initially replaced the table top with a wine barrel head. But realized we almost never eat inside and the seating is uncomfortable. What we've learned is a twin size mattress fits perfectly in this space and then put the existing dinette surround bolsters back in place. Makes a great seating area with Comfort. If we need to eat inside we can pull out the TV trays. Finishing up the renovation today.

[Roadtech]

IMO, A great addition to Airstream's floor plan lineup would be a 23FB with a twin bed option. I assume it would require a slight increase in length of the trailer (24FB?). I would also offer a sofa option with removeable floor mounted table in place of the U dinette. Maybe a 23FB Globetrotter?

Why offer this when you could go with a 25FB? I like the narrower length and lower tongue weight which makes the 23FB better to tow with a 1/2 ton truck. The 850 lb plus tongue weight of the 25FB makes it a challenge for the limited payload of a 1/2 ton.

Airstream, are you listening?

[Larkoab]

Pinetarswife,
Would you mind sending a picture of the twin mattress and then the cushions for your 23fb dinette?
Im interested
LOAB

[Pinetarswife]

I would be happy to but I can't figure out how to send images. I need to attach them to the response

[Pinetarswife]

Our Dream would be a 25 foot with the big bathroom and a front bedroom you can walk around... Just minimize the closet space. Get rid of the dinette and put in a jackknife sofa

[Pinetarswife]

In retirement we will likely pull out the dinette and have it customized with a jackknife sofa for more usable, comfortable seating.

[Rocket53]

We did just that to 2008 23FB. Lower bedroom drawers became the night stand.

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by Rocket53

We did just that to 2008 23FB. Lower bedroom drawers became the night stand.

What is the width and length of the twin beds?