That silly horseshoe shaped dinette.

[CanadianMike]

Hello, Bambiests.
I wonder if I could ask you about a concern of mine about the floor plan of the 2019 22ft fb sport model?
It's the horseshoe shape of the eating area.
I have been bouncing about looking at three models and the 22 ft is the most manageable for towing, size, brightness and price. (I was also looking at a 19-foot CCD model but it's so damn dark).
The one thing I'm not sure I can abide is the floor plan. Unlike the 20 foot models, there is a big space on both ends of the dinette table. If you both sit in the middle your view is of the stove. If you occupy both ends, there's all that space.
It seems like a silly thing, but have you folks encountered the same sticking point?

[GetawA-S]

Most houses have a "junk" shelf by the entry for mail, keys, grocery bags, as you fumble to take your shoes off.
That space is our trailer junk shelf for medium size objects. It is usually full.
Plus, unless your butler travels with you, you'll be jumping up often enough at mealtime that you won't bother slipping around the corner to the seats by the wall.

[Vagabond62]

After having a 22' Bambi Sport, I agree with you about the dining booth. I would rather it just be a straight bench as it's too tight for a booth.

I also think that with just a 4" reduction in the width of the closet, and a 2" reduction in the width of the counter, two "Sport Sized" twin beds would fit. If I had unlimited funds, I would renovate mine to be something like this image I drew up:

[CanadianMike]

Vagabond. That would so much more sense and provide a runway in the middle of the trailer.
Great thought and also nice to know I am not alone in this analysis.

[CanadianMike]

Thanks GW. Nice to know I am not the only person who wrestles with this.

[dlkershaw]

Traveled in a 22Fb Bambi for 9 years, currently a 23fb Caravel with the same floor plan as the Bambi, just slightly more space. As GetawA stated we all have items we need to reach everyday, but not intheway!
You will discover everything in Travel trailers ( Airstreams) is a trade off. you like the floor plan and the light. The Bambi is a great unit for so many reasons, you will find you adjust. We use the dinette space under the window for the items that can be placed out of reach, but not too far out of reach.
Enjoy the ride and the travels. The wife and I ( 49 years) enjoy the times sitting at the dinette, talking and board games a time to reconnect ! Hope you do as well!
Safe travels !

[Redbarron55]

I did what you suggest with twin beds in a 16'Scamp. One addition was a night table between the beds that has a fold down table in the front to close off the storage area with a hinge so that it would swing up to make a table, converting the area into a dining area.
I am attaching some pictures (I think) of the setup.

[amm3824]

Originally Posted by CanadianMike

Hello, Bambiests.
I wonder if I could ask you about a concern of mine about the floor plan of the 2019 22ft fb sport model?
It's the horseshoe shape of the eating area.
[...]
The one thing I'm not sure I can abide is the floor plan. Unlike the 20 foot models, there is a big space on both ends of the dinette table. If you both sit in the middle your view is of the stove. If you occupy both ends, there's all that space.
It seems like a silly thing, but have you folks encountered the same sticking point?

Thought much about the same thing before going with a different floor plan. My gripes with the horseshoe eating area:

- if you sit with your backs to the windows, you don't see the outdoors and you're looking at the galley
- if you sit opposite each other, it's far away
- the corners are not very usable as you have a corner of the table poking out at you

I prefer the smaller, simpler dinette where two people can sit across from each other while still having a view of the outdoors. However, if you're parked right up against another trailer, there are privacy concerns.

My favorite layout is the dinette at the front: Lots of window space, little wasted space, and seated close to one another.

As usual, everything's a tradeoff.

[CanadianMike]

Folks.
Thanks so much for the ideas.
Amm, I get the idea of the dinette in the front but that brings me back to the 19cb...a whole other storey.
It is a tradeoff.
One question...does the stem for the table/bed come out?
CM

[JeffKim]

We had a 16' Bambi and when we decided to go larger, we started looking at 19' then 22'. Both looked palatial compared to our Bambi. However, we did not like the rear bath that only has a view from the toilet and also the seating as you mention.

So we took a leap to a 25' model with dual axle and a view out the front and back with the bench seating. It's more of a commitment with price and towing, but no regrets what so ever. It also has ducted A/C which is much quieter.

Regardless, I'd also point out if you can get into any 2021 model or newer, they have the composite flooring which I consider to be a big deal if just fo peace of mind about water damage.

[CanadianMike]

JK
Thanks for your kind note.
So get what you are saying. One of the things I hear often is that if you start off small you will always want to go bigger. There is a 2009 25 foot here that would make you weep. How is the ride with the double axle?. It makes sense on one level because of the threat of tire blowout but I understand the size can be an encumbrance because it’s a little harder to park and won’t fit in some park campsites.

[PB_NB]

Our 2019 22FB has been great and we have moved to our 3rd tow vehicle now. This size format is great for towing.

There is some head scratching as to why the dinette is the way it is and the window placement.

I have been debating doing something with the window like swapping it with a Caravelle window. And maybe even adding aside light fixed window beside it to open up the view. The 23FB has a similar floorplan but I think they have 2 windows next to the dinette.

The 22FB is a bit shorter in that area so I think that would be a nice upgrade.

I would also pull the dinette off the wall as the connection isn't the best and the fasteners move too much with the trailer movement especially near the main door.

Just some ideas rolling around in the old noddle!

[JeffKim]

Originally Posted by CanadianMike

JK
Thanks for your kind note.
So get what you are saying. One of the things I hear often is that if you start off small you will always want to go bigger. There is a 2009 25 foot here that would make you weep. How is the ride with the double axle?. It makes sense on one level because of the threat of tire blowout but I understand the size can be an encumbrance because it’s a little harder to park and won’t fit in some park campsites.

It's also wider than the single axle by 6", which we haven't noticed much when towing, but is roomier inside. I'd say the double axle might be easier to maneuver when backing in also. It tracks better. We haven't had any issues with the size for almost all campgrounds. It might eliminate a few sites, but we camp in a lot of National Forest and smaller campgrounds and it hasn't been an issue.

I don't know what you have for a TV, that might be a limiting factor. We have our Audi Q7 SUV which was set up by CanAm and it's been great, but it needs WD and antisway which I'd guess is mandatory for most TVs going to a larger trailer.

Ours was a financial stretch and payments are a bit painful on something we don't use much of the year. But we consider it the "forever camper" and haven't had any inklings to go larger. For the two of us and a very large dog it feels about right.

With a 2009, I don't know much about how it's appointed and if you'll need to upgrade to LED, etc. But if it's in good shape there's not a ton of things that can go wrong, but I'd have it inspected considering the brakes, etc.

[CanadianMike]

So nice to hear I am not alone on the question of the 22 footer seating.
Can am says converting the horseshoe into a dinette is not a big fix.
As usual, torn.
Thanks for all the tips from everyone.

[jmickow]

It's always great to hear from others about their concerns and creative ideas and solutions, which really illustrates how each person has different priorities and different levels of tolerance for the idiosyncrasies of each trailer. What works for some may not work for others, you just have to figure out what will work best for you.

We have had our 2016 Bambi Sport for about 8 years now and overall, we love the trailer, especially as we have modified it to address some of the perceived deficiencies. The primary advantage and what led us to this trailer is the overall size and weight and the single axle configuration which to us is critical for boondocking access and for towing with our diesel SUV (VW Touareg), with no need for a large pickup truck, extended side mirrors, Pro-Pride hitches, etc. There is also the great bathroom layout, which is important to my spouse.

We actually like the dinette for the storage and seating space. We sit at the ends of the table, and the spacing provides some important legroom. We can also accommodate four people in a pinch for eating inside, which is often necessary when our adult daughters join us on a camping trip. They typically sleep in a separate vehicle or a tent outside because sleeping space can't accommodate more than 2 adults, which is fine with them. One important modification is that we changed out the horrible pedestal sliding table for a modified Lagun table support, which allows us more flexibility and foot room. The table is normally stored tight to the back cushion which effectively makes the kitchen aisle wider.

Going against the grain here, but we also like the plastic bedroom partition now that I modified it so it doesn't fall out on every trip, and the super comfortable bed which has a mattress topper. If you don't get up during the night then the back position works fine, although it is certainly a major pain to make the bed.

The key for us with the 22' Bambi is to appreciate the relatively small size and light weight, fix what you can, and learn to live with the compromises necessary to live in such a small space.

[ghostshawn]

I have 2016 24fb Sport/Bambi. I took out the dinette. Found it uncomfortable and unnecessary and therefore unusable for my purposes. In it's place I put in an RV recliner and lined the wall with a shelf (about 3 feet high) and then a closed chest (of sorts) over the wheel well which serves as an additional storage place and has a lid where i can sit stuff or when I have someone over a place for them to place their drinks etc. I do not regret it.

[Piggy Bank]

We previously owned a 2015 22 sport. We never had any issues with the dinette being uncomfortable. The table is on a pedestal and it also had a locking mechanism so you could rotate and slide it into the position you wanted and then lock into place.

When it was just the 2 of us we sat facing each other and rotated the table so we each had the long side in front of us. If we had our adult kids with us, 4 adults could squeeze onto the dinette for meals or playing games.

Of all the single axel airstreams (except maybe the 20 foot basecamp), the 22 has the best layout. Why? Because it's the only one that actually has a bed large enough for 2 adults to sleep in. And the bed is long enough as well. We used regular queen sheets and comforter on the bed and felt it was very easy to make the bed.

The bathroom is fantastic-it has lots of room to towel off and dress, and plenty of knee room on the stool. On this model you also have great cross-ventilation with the operable window in the bathroom which was great for sleeping with the windows open.

Only real issue is that you cannot sleep 4 people--we confirmed this with field testing! We would probably still have this unit, but it was in an accident.

[JeffKim]

[QUOTE=Piggy Bank;2762433]
The bathroom is fantastic-it has lots of room to towel off and dress, and plenty of knee room on the stool. /QUOTE]
This is *not* the case with the 25' (particularly knee room), so advantage to rear bath.

[GlobeGX]

Hello fellow smaller Airstream travelers, We have a 2020 23' Globetrotter front bed twin. Like pulling and the ride of the dual axles. Also disliked the U shaped dinette. It kinda shook apart lo a Key Largo trip and needed repair. So removed the table and pedestal, then customized the seats, (removing the center section), had about 3" removed from the end of the cushions (auto upholstery shop). Added small foot stools and folding dinner trays. It added about an extra foot of floor space making the trailer a whole lot more user friendly with the larger passageway in the kitchen/dining area especially while cooking or two ships passing in the night. With a couple small folding chairs we can still dine with friends during inclement weather. By the way it is for sale.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by CanadianMike

Hello, Bambiests.
I wonder if I could ask you about a concern of mine about the floor plan of the 2019 22ft fb sport model?
It's the horseshoe shape of the eating area.
I have been bouncing about looking at three models and the 22 ft is the most manageable for towing, size, brightness and price. (I was also looking at a 19-foot CCD model but it's so damn dark).
The one thing I'm not sure I can abide is the floor plan. Unlike the 20 foot models, there is a big space on both ends of the dinette table. If you both sit in the middle your view is of the stove. If you occupy both ends, there's all that space.
It seems like a silly thing, but have you folks encountered the same sticking point?

The 2019 22’ trailer you are looking at will be a 7’3” width unit.

As you read through these comments, keep in mind that in 2020 the 22’ trailer was widened to a full 8’. This added bed length, corridor space, and may have altered some of the dimensions in the dinette. So the impressions you are reading about here may in some cases be for a significantly larger trailer.