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srpuywa · 03-25-2013, 09:31 AM

My wife and I recently got our first airstream (FC19). It fits us OK but we plan on taking our yellow Lab Bailey with us on trips. Our first night of driveway camping to get the kinks out and learn about the trailer and see how the dog would do was not uneventful. The 3 of us do not fit on the corner bed very well together. Of course, it doesn't help that I'm 6-3 either and Bailey did not want to sleep alone on the front bed we made for her.

I see a twin bed 25 in our future

**jcanavera** · 03-25-2013, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

My wife and I recently got our first airstream (FC19). It fits us OK but we plan on taking our yellow Lab Bailey with us on trips. Our first night of driveway camping to get the kinks out and learn about the trailer and see how the dog would do was not uneventful. The 3 of us do not fit on the corner bed very well together. Of course, it doesn't help that I'm 6-3 either and Bailey did not want to sleep alone on the front bed we made for her.

I see a twin bed 25 in our future

My local Airstream dealer noted that most of his small Airstreams that he sells new are traded earlier than the larger ones. The #1 reason being space.

Jack

murreywalker · 03-25-2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

My wife and I recently got our first airstream (FC19). It fits us OK but we plan on taking our yellow Lab Bailey with us on trips. Our first night of driveway camping to get the kinks out and learn about the trailer and see how the dog would do was not uneventful. The 3 of us do not fit on the corner bed very well together. Of course, it doesn't help that I'm 6-3 either and Bailey did not want to sleep alone on the front bed we made for her.

I see a twin bed 25 in our future

Our 23 FB lasted about four months short of two years.

Been there. Done exactly what you're planning.

**blmitch5** · 03-25-2013, 10:43 AM

Going on three years with our 19' CCD and we have two labs! We used to tear down the dinette for one big bed but now we just take off the side cushions and cover the seat and they each have a cozy bed.

kscherzi · 03-25-2013, 11:00 AM

Does anybody find the regular Airstream mattress to be a little short? I noticed the queen bed is 60"x75". This is shorter than a normal queen bed which is 60"x80".

**jcanavera** · 03-25-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscherzi

Does anybody find the regular Airstream mattress to be a little short? I noticed the queen bed is 60"x75". This is shorter than a normal queen bed which is 60"x80".

That short queen seems to be pretty common in the RV world. I didn't realize this until I tried to replace my old uncomfortable queen in my SOB with the queen mattress that I had saved from a previous inside bed and found that the mattress overhung the base by about 5 inches.

Jack

Bruce B · 03-25-2013, 11:07 AM

Our dealer told us that any Airstream between 19' and 23', purchased by a first time buyer , is a likely candidate for trade in. I believe he used the word "majority".
He said that far fewer 16' Airstreams are traded in as people have a greater number of reasons to rationalize the 16 over other sizes.
I know that we will keep our little 16' Bambi as we just love it but when we play the "what if" game the 25' models look pretty appealing!
Maybe 10 years from now....
Bruce

idroba · 03-25-2013, 12:10 PM

It is the "two foot longer" syndrome. No matter what size you buy, You always dream of what it would be like if it were only "two foot longer". I started with a 21' 1969, and over the past 34 years have had units up to a 31' motorhome. I had two 25' one, one I loved, the other I hated, both due to the floor plan issues. My favorite for just me is my 20' Argosy, again because of it's floor plan and how it fits me. Now, the new 2013 FC 19's are terrible (for me) yet the 20' is almost perfect, and there is only one foot difference.

So, to me it is all in the floor plan. Imagine how you will use it, where things go (including the waste basket), how much counter space there is, how the bed makes up and how you fit in the bathroom. Is there space to be inside on a rainy day? How comfortable will you be if that happens? Do you cook? Look at counter space. Don't cook? Who needs counter space? I always want an oven, a convection/microwave won't do. A unit without an oven is immediately rejected for me. For me, you can never have too large a refrigerator, for some, the little ones do just fine. Do you use your own shower always? Be sure the one you buy has a usable shower which fits you. Always use campground facilities? Who cares about the bathroom. How about storage space? Look very carefully at now only how much, but how accessible it is. I love drawers for example, but have virtually no use for "hanging closet space". Are you a commercial campground user or a boondocker? Tank size does matter (or not). Can you see the TV? For me not an issue, I don't ever watch one. For some, it is critical.

All living space, even your house, is a compromise. It is unusual to find something that fits perfect, and the smaller the unit, the more you may have to compromise. Don't fall in love with "cute". Cute don't last.

Opinions on everything, expert on nothing... remember I have had over 15 AS products in the past 34 years. But, I am getting closer to perfection... for me only of course.

DanB · 03-25-2013, 12:12 PM

I went from a 23' 1970 Safari to a 30' classic wide body. I'm pretty sure you couldn't give me a smaller trailer for my everyday camping!

Bruce B · 03-25-2013, 12:47 PM

In the past year we spent 2 months in our 16' Airstream. We cook, shower and have spent rainy days there.
For us there is no other floorplan/size that would do what our Bambi does for us.
Yes we compromise. It is simply the best compromise for our use.
It is cute but that has next to no bearing on our position, it is simply a bonus!
Bruce

AlumFalcon · 03-25-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

I see a twin bed 25 in our future

That was us too. Bought a 19 with two 50 lb dogs and a lot of snow/winter camping. Just over a year and we finally stop fooling ourselves and got a 27 twin. Honestly the hit wasn't too bad and we I think we appreciate our trailer much more than if it had been our first. It works for many, but didn't work for us.

Silverbee · 03-25-2013, 05:13 PM

We thought our 2007 20' Safari SE was just the ticket for us. It seemed so much more roomy than the 19' Bambi we went to look at. After 5 years and thinking about retirement and the addition of a mini schnauzer who loves to camp, we decided to bite the bullet and move up to a 2012 25' Flying Cloud. The best decision we ever made. We are not a short couple (he is 6'3" and I am 5'9"'). We absolutely love the queen bed. We have had the new Airstream a year now and have never looked back.

dkottum · 03-25-2013, 05:26 PM

Our experience (20' and 25') is 16' to 23' Airstreams work beautifully for weekends and vacations, 25' or larger for long-term travel. With family or pets you may need more.

We need a trailer-for-two traveling at least 6 months a year, and the 25' is excellent, even with an occasional grandchild or two.

doug k

mutcth · 03-25-2013, 05:57 PM

I really think that, unless you buy your first RV and hate it, one should expect to use the first (and maybe second) trailer as a "learning experience."

Trailer #1 = T@B. 5 weeks cross-country. Learned we loved RVing, but really missed a bathroom
Trailer #2 = Argosy Minuet 20'. 2 years, lots of restoration. Lovely trailer, but learned that vintage wasn't our thing.
Trailer #3 = current 23' Airstream. Another lovely trailer. Other than having to make up the couch as a bed, is really quite delightful. Easy to tow, like the decor, modifications and improvements are making it our own.

But I am still learning lessons - it's not a good idea to mention to DW (who LOVES this paid-for and nearly-debugged trailer) that a 25' twin would be sweet...

Tom

robert claus · 03-25-2013, 06:58 PM

I like my 19'er, but my wife would like a couch. So, I'm making a short piece to fit where the table would drop (with a small cushion for the seat and a longer cushion along the wall) to convert the dinette to a U shaped couch. The table would go outside until needed. Our yellow lab was around for only the first two years after we got our trailer. He'd sleep on the bed while we were fussing around in the kitchen, and on the floor at night. The only problem was that he's set off the LP gas alarm near the floor with his "emissions". Or, maybe he was just bumping the test button. Now we travel with a cat - a different set of challenges, but, generally, a great companion.

srpuywa · 03-26-2013, 10:27 AM

I'm thinking - I would like a shorter table in our 19 about half the length, shoulnt be too hard to do

AlumFalcon · 03-26-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

I'm thinking - I would like a shorter table in our 19 about half the length, shoulnt be too hard to do

I like the idea, would be much easier to get into the sink-side bench.

I had thought about moving the leg to the middle and hinging the end the table. If i used something that looks good on both sides, i would flip it up and over the second half to eat, but could still flip it down to make a bed. Bamboo plywood looks great and matches the flying cloud.

srpuywa · 03-28-2013, 08:54 AM

I like the flip down idea - I have a friend who has a cabinent shop and will see what he can do

graysailor · 03-28-2013, 09:41 AM

Prior to purchasing my 25' Cloud I had read that the big mistake many make is going too short. I really liked the 23 footer but the price difference was not that much so I stepped up to the 25.

Reganzo · 03-28-2013, 02:07 PM

My wife and I only considered one size, the 34 triple axle home away from home. We lived full time for 2 years and appreciated the layout and space our limited gave us. For me towing the 34 is easier than when I towed a twenty footer.

Regards,

Reganzo