Full Time Streamer versus other full time RVs

[kb0zke]

"I don't believe that fulltimers select an Airstream to fulltime in; I believe that some Airstreamers decide to fulltime. (There is a difference.)" We're fulltimers who are considering an Airstream to replace our DP.

[BoldAdventure]

Much doubt, lol. I love these people that say this. HOT AIR. I can count off the top of my head 7 people with 2+ kids in an Airstream full timing.


PS: We selected an Airstream to full-time in. Cheers.

[nrgtrakr]

We decided full timing was the preferred lifestyle for the next few years, shopped around comparing various RV styles and sizes for both liveability and ease of towing, a 1975 AS Overlander 28' won.

I've fulltimed before. One aspect I appreciated was that the smallness of the living space contributes to getting out of the house, and at the same time that smallness is delightfully cozy when indoors.

If it doesn't work out, maybe it will show up in the classifieds some day.

[Air Apparent]

I stand corrected.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[khollister]

Most Airstream owners I know spend a lot of time outside (weather permitting). We have the awnings out, chairs deployed, etc. We socialize a lot (when in the company of other Airstreamers) and don't tend to sit in the trailer all day unless it's raining.

When we camp in state parks here in FL in the winter, most of the people I see in class A coaches or large fifth wheels rarely seem to spend much time outside or socializing with anybody.

I think if you intended to use an RV as a substitute for an apartment or home where you spend most of your time indoors, an Airstream would be a poor choice. I spend 4-5 months in mine every summer, but I'm usually outside doing something, talking to the neighbors, telling stories at happy hour under a tree, etc. I think Airstreamers who fulltime have a different lifestyle than the classic fulltimer in a 40' coach or fifth wheel.

[kb0zke]

As wanna-be fulltimers, we looked at coaches with an eye to what we would do if we were stuck inside for a couple of days. We decided that we needed some way for each of us to do our own thing without getting in the way of the other one. This spring "a couple of days" turned into weeks of rainy weather. We were very thankful we had plenty of space.

Don't get me wrong. We do spend time outside, but we treat our coach as an apartment on wheels. It is a home base to let us explore the area. For example, we're in Saint Croix Falls, WI for the next couple of weeks for a Care-A-Vanners build (thanks to this forum for giving us the tip). The build doesn't start until Sunday, but we arrived today. We spend this afternoon and evening getting set up and doing some shopping while checking out the area. Tomorrow we'll do some proper exploring. Having an RV makes this possible.

[chaseav]

Having just spent 7 weeks in our 25FB, I have to say I'm very surprised by how "roomy" it stayed. We were in one spot primarily and used it as a base of operations rather than a temporary home. Most shocking to me was how good we (wife and 6 yr old plus two dogs) got used to the smaller space and began to function "normally" in it. It takes a while to develop the situational awareness of where things are, how to drink from the tiny faucet, take "Navy showers," and most importantly when to get OUT of the AS and out of each other's way. For that 7 week setup, I could definitely stand to have some slide outs and more space but I would have literally never gotten a 5th wheel out of the place we parked it. (Long story about poor drainage)

The two mentalities are very different. AS's, while nearly twice the price, become part of the adventure and a member of the family. We literally miss ours when she is in storage.

[Floatingair]

Sorry, I am full of "Hot Air". I forgot how flexible, I was as a kid.Between the ages of 7 to 14, I spent my summer vacations with my uncle and my two older cousins in his AS in Florida. Those summers were the best time of my life.
Your kids are so lucky. I remember running around with camp kids; we played Cowboys & Indians, fished, catching frogs, hiking and had hotdogs or hamburgers for dinner. My uncle and his shiny Airstream in a camp full of SOBs stood out like a beacon in the moon light. Boy, that gleaming AS was a sight to remember at night!
My memories of my uncle's AS are one of the reasons why, I now own an AS.
I hope your family will create super memories as good or better as I had when I was between 7 and 14 in my uncle's AS.

[AWCHIEF]

I think a big point is if a person is going to full time with frequent moves or full time homesteading in a trailer or RV park. Hard to beat an Airstream for towing but if I was going to homestead for any length of time I would get a purpose built park model to call home and travel with the Airstream. I recently spent 4 days in a friends 380 sq ft park model and found it much more comfortable. Wider, higher and fully plumbed. No worries about dumping tanks or broken clogged valves. It had an AC sized correctly for the trailer and apartment sized appliances with full sized fridge. Full sized restroom and shower tub. Double decker with two separate bedrooms and real staircase to the upper deck. Equal to any stick built home with quality construction thruout.

[DreamStreamr]

Was talking to an AS neighbor yesterday in this NP campground. He said the littler trailers are simpler. I guess. I don't know. Funny the AS has so fewer mechanical things to concern about than your motor coach. I believe it, yet our AS is as complicated as our house was. At least it seems like it.

Two different ways to get our fresh water in
Four different ways to get DC power, (each requiring their own care)
Three water tanks levels to monitor,
Propane tanks that matter a lot in the winter and less so in summer,
Three manual awnings,
Three ways to get television signal in,
Thirty-six G-4 bipin and five 1141 interior lights,
Four sources of heat (aren't we lucky! Running two this a.m.),
Brakes, bearings, and tires to keep it all going and stopping,
A pretty amazing dual-fuel refrigerator,
Manual ventilation control very necessary to control condensation,
Miscellaneous parts that want to fall off going down the road (esp I-5 and I-10)

Ours came with someone to take care of it (me.) What if it didn't? Well, it's true I complicated this one some to suit me (and her) better. She's glad I have "projects" to keep me out of her hair, and I like doing it when we're on the road.

[khollister]

I think you have to come to grips with the answers to several questions ...

1. What is your expected full timing lifestyle - out and about most days (sightseeing, sports) or spending a good amount of time indoors?
2. Why are you fulltiming?
3. What is your fulltiming footprint - lots of hobby/recreation stuff or a minimalist footprint?
4. How active are you in the Airstream community? Are rallies, AS parks or caravans a significant part of your plans?
5. What is your financial comfort level? Large, high quality class A's are expensive, as is the maintenance and repair. And large class A's are very complex with reliability likely worse than most Airstreams.
6. Where do you see yourself camping - large sites with 50A service or smaller/older parks?

a large diesel pusher class A has a lot more interior room and storage space. That is traded off against purchase price, operating costs, potential problems requiring professional service, lack of the Airstream community and a more mobile home/apartment feel rather than the Airstream aircraft/yacht feel (this may be a bug or feature).

There is also the consideration that many large coaches have residential appliances that require running the on-board generator for boondocking - this might be a problem is sites are generator restricted or you just don't like the continuous noise (as well as resupplying fuel).

The crux of it is "full timing" means very different things to different people

[DreamStreamr]

Amen, khollister. As for most everything, people view things quite differently. They don't need to care if it suits me unless they're intentionally trying to sell something.


Dreamstreamr
2005 International CCD 25SS
http://Dreamstreamr.com