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T4HALO · 03-01-2013, 08:55 AM

The wife and I are treating ourselves to a new Airstream for our 25th anniversary. It's just us and a couple Labs and the TV is a 2010 F150 with 3.73 gears. Tell me the differences in these models and why you chose the one you have. We have been in both and love them. Is the Flying Cloud worth the additional money?

Thanks, Tony

Airtandem · 03-01-2013, 09:23 AM

Bigger is better; except, one buys the smaller, than sees a larger , than a larger etc. Finally one gets the largest and finds that they could have gotten by with the smaller . Now the process starts over; which smaller is the one for us.
I went through this with some SOB's than got a 30 ft AS. I have since traded for a 25 FB and like it; just wish I had got the twin bed version.
mike

Bruce B · 03-01-2013, 09:57 AM

We have found that there are many differences in the various models that are not apparent at first. For example our 16 International is just an entirely different trailer than the Sport 16. Different suspension, tires, windows cabinets heater is different, we have a rear bumper, there are too many differences to list!
I would suggest that you try to figure out exactly what the differences are and then decide what you desire in the trailer. We like the rear bumper for example as it allows us a way to mount the bike rack. Sports are very nice but are rather stripped down to save weight and to allow them to occupy their own price slot in the Airstream world.

One other thing.... we have no desire to get a bigger trailer than our 16'. We are very happy with its size! I love looking at all Airstreams but we really think ours is just fine.

Bruce

mutcth · 03-01-2013, 10:55 AM

Probably the biggest difference is width: the 19' trailer is a foot wider than the 22' Sport. Other distinctions (which you probably know):

- 22' has a nicer bathroom
- 19' has a rear bumper and an available oven (IIRC)

My pick between the two would probably be neither - I'd get a 20' with the big wrap-around galley and good-sized bathroom.

Bk Yd Safari · 03-01-2013, 12:44 PM

We looked at used 19' and 20' Safaris (now Flying Cloud) and new 22'Sport. Due to price (used vs new) and kitchen layout we chose the 20' Safari.
Just all depends on personal preferences.
Good luck with your decision!!!

Sbb · 03-01-2013, 01:21 PM

I like a wider trailer and I like the bed separated from the dining area. I like the bathroom on the side so I can see out front to back. We all have different reasons for liking something, except we all like Airstreams.

morgandc · 03-01-2013, 03:47 PM

The bed size is significantly different between those two options. The narrower one would be nicer to tow.

M. Smith · 03-01-2013, 04:32 PM

It really is a matter of personal preferences. I loved our 19' Flying Cloud, except for the lack of knee room in the bathroom. The trade off with the 22' (or the 23' FB) is the hump under the dinette (for the axle), and an obstructed view from the dinette with the door open. It's hard to know what you're going to like or dislike until you do some actual camping. I agree with Sbb, we all have different reasons . . . and we all like Airstreams.

mutcth · 03-01-2013, 05:17 PM

We've actually owned both a narrow body trailer (our Argosy was the same width as the 22') and a wider trailer; our 23' is the same width as a 19'.

The narrow trailer might give a touch more confidence in fitting through narrow spaces, but it really wasn't as big of a deal as I would have thought. Same with any added drag - I get the same fuel economy towing either trailer.

I think the U-shape dinette in the 22' avoids problems with the wheel arch hump.

I say this half in jest: just get a 25' because your truck can pull it, and everyone winds up there anyway.

Tom

dkottum · 03-01-2013, 05:24 PM

We started with a 20' Airstream before we decided to spend 6 months a year on the road. So now we have a 25' and after 12 months travel are as happy as can be.

If we wanted a small trailer for weekends and vacations, it would not be the 20' even though it has a great kitchen and great storage. We would choose the 19' Flying Cloud because we didn't like the lounge in the middle of the trailer. Love the sitting and eating under the pano windows.

For longer term travel we would surely stay with the 25' front dinette/rear bed we have now. It works for everything anywhere the road goes.

doug k

Oops, just noticed two labs along, that looks like 25' minimum.

Bruce B · 03-01-2013, 05:38 PM

All this talk about different trailers got under my skin finally and as today was a rather cold day here in Ft DeSoto FL we (I) decided to visit the local Airstream dealer to "refresh" my memory about the various units.
After looking at Internationals, Sports, Classics, Flying Clouds and even Interstates we decided that you would be happiest if you just purchased a 16' Airstream. It is the best one after all!

If you must have a larger trailer my second favorite is the International Serenity 25 rear bedroom.

See what happens when you try making decisions by committee?

They are all nice!
Bruce

**blmitch5** · 03-01-2013, 05:52 PM

We love our 19' 06 Bambi CCD! It has the black wenge, which we like better than the brown and it has enough space for long weekends and a 10 day trip for two. We spend most of our time outside anyway and if we ever move up it would be a 25' but after two years were still happy with our little Bambi

Even with two Labs.

Bruce B · 03-01-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blmitch5

We love our 19' 06 Bambi CCD! It has the black wenge, which we like better than the brown and it has enough space for long weekends and a 10 day trip for two. We spend most of our time outside anyway and if we ever move up it would be a 25' but after two years were still happy with our little Bambi

Even with two Labs.

We are just finishing week three with two more to go with our 16!
And they said it couldn't be done.....
My only gripe so far has been about the shoes but that is another post!!

I like the CCDS interior too and the 19 seems just palatial to us. Of course we have Scottish terriers not labs and ours are home now with a "sitter"....

Bruce

T4HALO · 03-01-2013, 06:06 PM

Now I'm really confused. Just kidding. Thanks for all the help. The wife likes the larger bed and if we go with the 22 Sport I'll add the stone guards and rear bumper.
I never imagined she would be so excited. We have owned pop-ups, an A frame, a couple travel trailers and a bed trailer but she has never been so excited. It will all work out, I'm sure.

Tony

**blmitch5** · 03-01-2013, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce B

We are just finishing week three with two more to go with our 16!
And they said it couldn't be done.....
My only gripe so far has been about the shoes but that is another post!!

I like the CCDS interior too and the 19 seems just palatial to us. Of course we have Scottish terriers not labs and ours are home now with a "sitter"....

Bruce

For 3 weeks our labs would be at home with a sitter! We love our little 19' Bambi and its still about camping, when were on extended trips we will go bigger but for now our 19' works great for us. Enjoy your trip! Very jealous since ours is in storage and we have about 12" of snow on the ground.

Sbb · 03-01-2013, 06:23 PM

Blmitch5, I am totally new to Airstreams, and we have the same model AND I know I am in wrong forum, sorry, but do you leave your awning out all the time at a campsite? Love the nice platform. sub

Bruce B · 03-01-2013, 06:29 PM

Hi,
I will jump in here! Leave your awning up at your own peril!
Suggested reading.....http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ing-78413.html
Bruce

**blmitch5** · 03-01-2013, 06:52 PM

Never leave it out at night! Or when your away but we have it out most of the time.

**blmitch5** · 03-01-2013, 06:57 PM

I forgot but the platform was at a campsite in Branson MO. It is a great CG!

Whizzo · 03-01-2013, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4HALO

The wife likes the larger bed and if we go with the 22 Sport I'll add the stone guards and rear bumper.

We compared the same models, though several models years ago. That was the distinction for us, the bed. Some folks may not find a six inch width difference to be that significant, but it was a lot for us. Actually, we have an even slightly wider bed than the current model, as our Sport 22 is the older non-FB plan, with the front dinette usually made up for sleeping.

In practice, the narrow body doesn't seem less roomy to us, and both models you're considering feel pretty open for small trailers. Both are easy to maneuver.

As you're also looking across model lines, the 'cheaper' or missing features of the Sport tend to be pretty obvious: no bumper, plastic propane cover, cheaper windows, and so on. But as you note, these can be fitted later, or upgraded over the years. And both series get the same admiring looks!

Enjoy the rest of your search.