Survey ~ what are the best airstreams for fulltime living 2 people.

[Happydays]

In your own personnel opinions what are the best airstreams for fulltiming for
Two people and a large dog??

So far I think its the Excella or Classic model.
I can't seem to find any others that are roomy enough.

[Drathaar]

If you're going to full time in a cold part of Canada, there is no Airstream that I would choose. Personally, I would look for a trailer that was manufactured with a warranty that covered full timing. I think that NuWay did that.

I love my Airstream, but all that aluminum does an excellent job of conducting heat and cold into the trailer.

[TG Twinkie]

Are you planning on staying in Manitoba year round?
If so, I would look at an Arctic Fox or Nash trailer. They are better suited for year round living. Especially in colder weather.
I spent the winter in a 14'. Shasta trailer back in the early 90's. In Richmond, BC. Didn't have any problems. But it really doesn't get that cold in the lower mainland of BC.

[Happydays]

We are moving to BC so no, thanks.

Anyone have advice on the posted question?

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by Happydays

We are moving to BC so no, thanks.

Anyone have advice on the posted question?

Where in BC do you plan to spend most of your time?

[Farmer Dan]

We have an '02 30' Classic with a slide that we tow with our '10 F150 and 5.4L engine. The slide is just the dinette and moves out only 20". For our 3 months in FL it opens up the front adequately so as not to close in on us. The slides were on 28', 30' and 34' models and were made about 10 yrs. Ours has been trouble free!
Dan

[JimGolden]

I really like the 34 foot triple axles. I have a 34' triple axle Avion (silver sister) that is actually two feet longer than a 34' Airstream because they rate them differently...but even mine gets tight on rainy days with our family of four.

But at any rate, I highly recommend the 34 footers. Especially if you get one without the slide out. They are fairly roomy, and they tow like a dream. I've yet to hit a place I couldn't get mine into. And I have had some tight places!

Best of luck,

[cwf]

We don't full time, yet. But could easily make switch.

1999 34' Excella.

[beetlebob]

Think question should read. If you are going to buy NEW what AS would you buy to live in Fulltime. It has wheels to move so do not need people worring on where I will be at what season.

[jcanavera]

In my opinion I'd need a trailer with the double closet either in a 31' or 34' length. We have a single closet on the curb side in our Classic and hanging coats can take up a lot of space. The two closets in the bedroom on each side of our queen bed are pretty much useless for hanging due to their lack of height.

Slides are really nice, but with the center bath models, you don't get the double closet.

Jack

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Happydays

In your own personnel opinions what are the best airstreams for fulltiming for
Two people and a large dog??

So far I think its the Excella or Classic model.
I can't seem to find any others that are roomy enough.

They're all tiny 3-season campers. Look for a 5th wheel or park model.

doug

[switz]

In my opinion, in new equipment, the 27FB would be the smallest for two people and a dog and it has the bed in line with the frame.

We are going with twin beds in our on order 27FB Classic, which makes the bedroom capable of being a sitting area and dressing area as well.

The two longer Classics force one to accept the microwave/convection oven and have the drawers under the gas cooktop. There is no way to install the usual gas over below the gas cooktop and get a drawer stack in lieu of the microwave/convection oven. That was the deal breaker for us on the longer units. We want to remote camp and electricity will not be available from the surrounding trees, catus, desert or whatever.

The Classics come with two 40 pound bottles of propane versus the two 30 pound bottlers on all other models. All three Classics also have the largest fresh water tanks at 54 gallons. The 27FB Classic also has the same A/C and heater size as the 28 & 31 Flying Cloud and International models. Both 31' Classic models have 34,000 BTU heaters.

Good luck in your research. You may find that there might better choices for full timing in colder climates than the Airstream.

[ewbradshaw]

We have a 27FB International that we have been full timing for three years. We find it roomy enough. In my opinion , 25 footers and above are big enough for two people for full time living.

[andreasduess]

I read and follow a number of blogs written by full-timers. The consensus appears to be 27' and above.

We love our 34' International, but it is a bit of a beast. If it were just my wife and I, I'd go for a 27' model as well.

Having said that, I spent a night in the trailer by myself two weeks back and I remember sitting on the sofa with a cold beer, enjoying all the space and thinking how easy it would be to live in it. I like to cook, even when camping, and the galley on a 34' is awesome.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

I read and follow a number of blogs written by full-timers. The consensus appears to be 27' and above.

We love our 34' International, but it is a bit of a beast. If it were just my wife and I, I'd go for a 27' model as well.

Having said that, I spent a night in the trailer by myself two weeks back and I remember sitting on the sofa with a cold beer, enjoying all the space and thinking how easy it would be to live in it. I like to cook, even when camping, and the galley on a 34' is awesome.

34's rule. ;p

[masseyfarm]

For full time use, you might be better served with a motorhome that has more storage than most trailers. There are still some used motorhomes out there that are priced right and more suited for extended living in all seasons. Research these extensively as some do not really qualify as they are not on a HD chassis.

This is a list of some manufactures of RV units that should give you some ideas. Some of the Canadian units are built for 4 seasons.

Living 4 seasons in an RV requires some specific considerations and more research before purchase will ensure increased satisfaction with your final decision.

Dave

More manufacturers

Team Trillium Trailers Manufacturing Ltd.Calgary, AlbertaEndeavor Manufacturing Ltd.Errington, British ColumbiaAdventurer Manufacturing Ltd.Abbotsford, British ColumbiaAlphil CampersEnderby, British ColumbiaBigfoot Industries Inc.Armstrong, British ColumbiaGeneral CoachOliver, British ColumbiaHorizon FibreglassDelta, British ColumbiaKenCraft CampersVernon, British ColumbiaNorthern Lite Mfg. Ltd.Kelowna, British ColumbiaOkanagan CampersPenticton, British ColumbiaSimpson Innovations Inc.Penticton, British ColumbiaWestland RVPenticton, British ColumbiaGreat West Van ConversionsSt. Andrews, ManitobaLeisure Travel Vans (1999) Ltd.Morden, ManitobaTriple E RV Division of Triple E Canada Ltd.Winkler, ManitobaRoadtrekKitchener, OntarioCom Pac CampersGander, Newfoundland and LabradorCache CampersWasilla, AlaskaBudget CamperPhoenix, ArizonaBaja Campers Shutts FabricatorsLong Beach, CaliforniaCallen CampersEl Cajon, CaliforniaFleetwood Enterprises Inc.Riverside, CaliforniaFlip-Pac CampersRiverside, CaliforniaFour Wheel CampersWoodland, CaliforniaGlen-L Recreational VehiclesBellflower, CaliforniaLance Camper Manufacturing CorporationLancaster, CaliforniaSix-Pac CampersRiverside, CaliforniaEarthRoamer CampersBroomfield, ColoradoHallmark CampersBrighton, ColoradoOutfitter CampersLongmont, ColoradoPhoenix CampersBroomfield, ColoradoNorthland CampersNampa, IdahoApache CampersElkhart, IndianaCarriage, Inc.Millersburg, IndianaThor Motor CoachElkhart, IndianaDamon Motor CoachElkhart, IndianaForest River, Inc.Elkhart, IndianaHeartland RVElkhart, IndianaJayco, Inc.Middlebury, IndianaKZ Recreational VehiclesShipshewana, IndianaStarcraft RV, Inc.Topeka, IndianaSun-LiteElkhart, IndianaTravel Lite IncNew Paris, IndianaWoodland Park, Inc.Middlebury, IndianaNorthstar CampersCedar Falls, IowaWinnebago Industries, Inc.Forest City, IowaPalomino RVColon, MichiganTopUp CampersBrown City, MichiganS&S Campers Mfg Inc.Kalispell, MontanaM&M CampersBroken Arrow, OklahomaArctic Fox Campers Northwood MfgLa Grande, OregonChalet CampersAlbany, OregonEagle CapLa Grande, OregonHost Industries, Inc.Bend, OregonTag CampersGrants Pass, OregonColumbia NW IncorporatedMammoth, PennsylvaniaCapri CampersBluff Dale, TexasAlaskan Campers, Inc.Chehalis, WashingtonAlpenlite Campers Western Recreational VehiclesYakima, WashingtonBest Built CampersKalama, Washington

[Air Apparent]

It depends on the person.

When fulltiming, it is your home fulltime. It's not a camper for weekends or a 2 week vacation. You will be living in it 24/7/365. Some people can fulltime in a 20 footer whereas others need a 40 foot diesel pusher motorhome.

Only you can answer the question as you know what your space requirements are.

In our case we could fulltime in a FB 27 but prefer to have a 34 for the space.

[carl2591]

Went to local RV show this weekend in Raleigh and after seeing what seems like a thousand SOB we were about to head out when a couple we had been talking with at lunch said they had seen the AS;s and yes they were nice indeed..

so this couple we were sitting with at lunch was saying they has a trailer some year ago but had sold it due to non use.. They were looking for something smaller, i think he said they had a 31 with slides before, so we mentioned we were just looking and wanted to get an Airstream.. He was suprized to hear the name and ask " they still make them??" I told him they were most likely the only RV manufacture still in continues business since 1936 or so i told him..

So were coming out of another lookalike SOB and happened to see them at which the lady from lunch remarked about seeing the AS's. We asked where they were located and went straight there..

the area was packed with people some wided eyed and visions of alum in there future and other mumbling about the price and how you could buy 3 other brand for the same money..

We rambled around the area talking with the son of the owner i think who was there unable to keep up with questions from all the lookers.. it was great..

SO... now to my question...


one thing we noticed was the amount of front bedroom units and wondered which was better and why.. I would think a rear bed was quieter away from the road as it seem a lot of RV parks are back in.

so i guess my question is the pro's and cons.. one pro i hear for front was the power jack at hitch help reduce movement in bed..

we toured the 25FB international sterling model and loved it, just wanted that in a rear bed model with same set up..

oh well

[Aage]

Originally Posted by cwf

34's rule. ;p

Agreed!

[PhilipKS]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

...Having said that, I spent a night in the trailer by myself two weeks back and I remember sitting on the sofa with a cold beer, enjoying all the space and thinking how easy it would be to live in it. I like to cook, even when camping, and the galley on a 34' is awesome.

It is awesome, and it is easy to live in. I am contemplating removing the drawer stack and adding oven and new cooktop to complement the convection/microwave (does great frozen pizza, by the way). The storage lost isn't that great, IMO, and can be made up by other means. See the great mods Pahaska has done.

Happy Camping!