Hard decision!

[ReySFaust]

We owned this 2005 19' Bambi in Stratus & Blonde Tropical Oak for few years.... loved it, tried to use it for short trips once a year, used it with pride and joy. As an Architect, I think I know Good Design, that's why we own an Airstream. The 19' Bambi is perfect for the two of us. Had no plans of parting with it, in fact I even got a decent used Ford F250 to replace my Hummer H2 SUT for TV. I just finished installing a decent Solar Controller, about ready to go up to mount 2-150w flexible PV panels after securing enough confidence mounting without drilling a single hole on the smooth curved roof. I am not meticulous by any means, I only want to have peace of mind whenever we decide to go out. So most recently, I replaced the Carlisle tires, a pair of Group 24 batteries, all LED bulbs for inside & outside lights, new roof vent lid and new A/C shroud painted in aluminum color.

My Nurse wife still works, with retirement in two more years, short trips are all we can afford and these trips are almost spur of the moment trips. Being a Designer/Retired Architect, I had plans on turning my Diesel F250 SD into Alaska Bound Camping Truck. For some unknown reasons, my wife said something about the High Roofed MB Sprinter. That's how it started, my curiosity got the best of me.... I searched & read everything I need to know about the Sprinter, just like the Bambi & Ford F250 SD TV.

To make the story short, we now own a Passenger High Roof MB Sprinter ready for Upfitting (which I plan to do myself). Two weeks ago, we flew one way to New Orleans, got picked up by the dealership, driven to Mississippi, signed some documents and drove the Spinter for 6-days back to Las Vegas Nevada while enjoying the scenic routes through Colorado.

The Sprinter is here to stay, I could not say anything bad about it. With it's towing capacity, I could just part ways with the F250 SD TV and keep the Bambi, but my dear wife says, "No, we should just keep the Sprinter, sell the Bambi as well". My wife is very practical and financially savvy, although every vehicle is paid for. I love my wife for those attributes, I guess it's the man in me that's creating the dilemma. I love the "perfect for the two of us" 19' Bambi, people stop by to praise whenever I work on it on our driveway.... you could imagine how proud it made me!

Folks, that's my dilemma! I think.... I'm doing what she wants. A hard decision, or not?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

In life, nothing is ever simple. Keeping the whole group happy *is* a pretty major priority. What I (.... errrr ... we ... ) did is not quite what I (as opposed to we ...) thought would be the master plan. That's fine.

I notice boats and boat trailers in a couple of the pictures. Tacking a trailer full of boats on the back of the Sprinter *without* the Bambi is way easier than *with* the Bambi. It all depends on the full range of things you want to do.

I completely agree that letting loose of the F-250 and Bambi is tough. Talk it through. Think it through. Go over the options and limitations. Don't do it on an impulse. If it still makes sense, then of course, dump them. The trailer may sell for a little more in the spring, maybe not. Insurance and storage will cost you something. Get it done !!

Bob

[ReySFaust]

Thanks for the manly advice & moral support uncle_bob. I must admit, sharing my dilemma to other people is therapeutic, but sharing trip photos of or beloved Aistream feels a lot better.
I agree spring is good time to sell. However, it's always sunny in my part of town. I'd probably entertain reasonable offers for the combo. I promise to screen the offerors to make sure they love her as much as I do. 😆
We must all love the Web (we just have to be careful) for providing the information we need to make informed decisions. Hence the seemingly hasty decision in flying to New Orleans and driving back with the Sprinter.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

You only need to watch the "for sale" postings popping up more and more each day to realize that it's "selling time" for RV's. I'm sure that's more true in snow country than in the more rational places to live

My *guess* is that selling the TV and AS separately will be better than selling them as a pair. Both trucks and trailers have their fans. The "I love Ford & AS" crowd is smaller than the "I love AS" or the "I love Ford" crowd. The truck crowd is pretty big so they seem to move pretty quickly. Trailers can sit around for a while. More so if they are past 7 years old and the banks will not give you a loan on them.

Now is the time to sit back and do some math. If the Bambi sits until next July, what are your costs? If you run through the sales process with two people a month until July, what does that matter to you? You may not factor all that into your listing price (I would not). You do want to factor it into your "what would I take" price. Work that out *before* emotion gets into the process. You still will have emotions involved and still may do something based on them. At least you will have a baseline ....

Have fun !!

Bob

[ReySFaust]

Wise words! Thanks again.

[WhereStream]

Keep the Bambi.

Perhaps you came to the wrong forum for good, objective advice.

[ReySFaust]

I just realized that. I love this forum, but I love my wife more 😘.

[rmkrum]

Yup. And nobody is happy unless wife is happy....[emoji3]

Best bet is to go for peace at home, the rest of the world can wait their turn.

[ReySFaust]

looks like we are all into having peace by making wife happy 😃

[ReySFaust]

Update: Sprinter is almost road-ready, F250 is gone..... Airstream is not going anywhere, yet.

[WhereStream]

Nice work!

[Johnnyooo]

Up to a point ....You also have to be happy...One happy camper is not fun for the other if it's all one sided...LOL

[ReySFaust]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

Nice work!

Thanks! How I spend my otherwise boring retirement. Spend time to figure out cost effective projects, that job is done to make both wife & me happy. I used RTA metal cabinets from Sam's Club, Ikea bed foam & covers, left over metal from my construction projects & recycled parts, like used boat sink. Staying away from overpriced Van Conversions gives me more satisfaction & sense of accomplishment.

[ReySFaust]

Originally Posted by Johnnyooo

Up to a point ....You also have to be happy...One happy camper is not fun for the other if it's all one sided...LOL

Indeed, we have a very nice ending. The Sprinter is capable of towing the 5,000# 19' Bambi for when grandkids travel or camp with us (row of original bench with buckles purposely kept). We love the ambiance of either, the AS sitting in the high door shed made for it or on one corner of the lot for family guests wanting to experience it. Selling the F250 serves me well, I did have the tendency to take on small projects after retirement because of its presence. Friends also borrowed it a lot, which I didn't mind so much if returned with fuel tank filled up.

[ReySFaust]

Originally Posted by ReySFaust

Indeed, we have a very nice ending. The Sprinter is capable of towing the 5,000# 19' Bambi for when grandkids travel or camp with us (row of original bench with buckles purposely kept). We love the ambiance of either, the AS sitting in the high door shed made for it or on one corner of the lot for family guests wanting to experience it. Selling the F250 serves me well, I did have the tendency to take on small projects after retirement because of its presence. Friends also borrowed it a lot, which I didn't mind so much if returned with fuel tank filled up.

Finally, after much contemplating.... not having used for over 1 1/2 years and two Springs of "Sell or Not Sell", we finally did. Our cute little 19' Bambi is sold two days ago. A little sad, but awesome selling price. The Converted Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van prevails. Onto my new project, "DIY Off-road, Can Am hauler Base Camp Trailer". This is probably my last post, since I'm not an Airstream owner anymore. Let me indulge by sending pictures of my new 4Runner TRD Off Road series & the new project sketch.

[ReySFaust]

For some reasons, I could not get rid of this Forum. I love the feeling & nostalgia... "that we used to own an AS & used to communicate with people who value good designs, not the crappy throw away RVs & trailers." Update: few weeks after I sold the Bambi to s young woman who flew in from Santa Rosa, CA for the same money we paid approximately 10 years before, I found a slightly used Can Am Spyder. What an awesome ride for weekends with other Las Vegas Spyder owners.

Originally Posted by ReySFaust

Finally, after much contemplating.... not having used for over 1 1/2 years and two Springs of "Sell or Not Sell", we finally did. Our cute little 19' Bambi is sold two days ago. A little sad, but awesome selling price. The Converted Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van prevails. Onto my new project, "DIY Off-road, Can Am hauler Base Camp Trailer". This is probably my last post, since I'm not an Airstream owner anymore. Let me indulge by sending pictures of my new 4Runner TRD Off Road series & the new project sketch.Attachment 341486Attachment 341487Attachment 341488Attachment 341489Attachment 341490

[GOUSC]

Glad you are having fun and found something the 2 of you enjoy doing. That’s the main thing.