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kb0zke · 07-02-2024, 07:29 PM

Some time ago Jo Ann and I made the decision to sell the Foretravel MH for whatever we could get. It sold in January, 2023. The plan was to buy an Airstream. We found one in Florida that sounded good, pics looked good - until the last three. What's with the young ladies in small swimsuits??! We decided we didn't want to know any more, so we bought this Grand Design Reflection 315 RLTS. We were going to Alaska, so when we got back we could look for an Airstream.

Well, as the saying goes, "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape." Things happened, and we didn't go to Alaska this year. Next year! Now, she is suggesting that we take a cruise rather than take the truck and trailer. For various reasons, that seems to make more sense.

Long story short, we're checking rvtrader daily for an Airstream that would suit us. We're focusing on 30-34' Classics from 2005-2018 with the rear queen bed and NO slide, with the middle of that range the most likely. We're looking at trailers similar to this one: https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used-r...ic-30_rv-55360.

What, specifically, should we be looking at in these? I've seen some discussion of front end separation on some Airstreams. Is that an issue for the trailers we're considering? I know about checking the floor under doors and windows for soft spots, but what else?

Time frame? Whenever we find the right trailer. We are definitely going to buy from a dealer, rather than sell this trailer privately and then buy the replacement privately. We live full-time in our RV, so moving into a hotel for some period of time would get expensive.

I'd appreciate hearing from those of you who are familiar with these trailers. I check this forum at least once a day, and usually more often. You can also email me at protonmail dot com with my "handle" at the first part of the edress.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Ginophiles · 07-02-2024, 07:50 PM

I'd say I'm curious about the "last three" photos but might end up sounding like a creeper. Interestingly enough, our son and his wife moved to Sioux Falls last June and we took our AS back to visit them at the end of May. Why can't we get a HyVee out here?! Fun store.

We stumbled upon our AS just as COVID was ramping up. We had sold our 32' SOB with 3 slides and were looking for something better made. It was early summer 2020 and the RV market was just starting to really ramp up.

Turns out there was a guy named Vinnie, and not the Vinnie who is a whiz at fixing ASs outside of Sacramento, but another Vinnie who is also a bit outside of Sacramento that just buys and sells used ASs. He has a West Coast yard in Winters CA (in the middle of a walnut orchard) and an East Coast yard. He just does Airstreams and sources them from all over the country. Refurbishes as needed and then sells them. Might be worth a try: www.atozmotors.com And no, we have nothing to do with him, other than we bought our AS there.

kb0zke · 07-03-2024, 09:41 AM

Thanks. They actually have a 34' trailer that would have met our needs, but somewhere along the way the dinette was removed and some other stuff was put in there. I'm going to call them this afternoon and chat a bit.

kb0zke · 07-15-2024, 05:39 PM

Well, we're going on the cruise, so we will officially be in the market for an Airstream when we get back to The Ranch in November. Unofficially, I'm checking rvtrader most days, just in case "the one" happens to be where we are at the moment.

The trailer we buy will be a 30' or longer one with a rear queen bed and front couch. We're looking at Classics because of the walk-thru bath, but could accept one of the lower trim models as well.

I'm the dish washer, and I prefer having one water container for washing and another for rinsing. In the Foretravel that was two plastic tubs because one sink was larger than normal and the other was smaller than normal. In this Reflection I have two normal-sized sinks. Classics have the two sinks, while the others don't. I could live with the two plastic tubs (we still have them, just use them for other things these days).

The other "concern" is the air conditioning. We are frequently in warmer areas, so two a/c units are a requirement. I understand that power awnings started showing up around 2015, which is when the ducted a/c also started showing up. Ideally, what we buy will have the ducted a/c units and a manual awning.

Was such an Airstream available as a standard item? From the discussion on the Awning thread it sounds like the power awning can be replaced by a manual one at the time of order, or for a large cost later on. I'd rather not go that route.

Piggy Bank · 07-15-2024, 05:59 PM

So you can go to the Airstream Dot Com website, then Owners Hub, and then Documents and look up all the sales catalogs by model and year.

It appears that in 2016 the Classic was offered in 30 foot configuration and the power awning was "optional"
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...16-Classic.pdf

It appears ducted AC on the Classic began in 2014 from the brochures

kb0zke · 07-15-2024, 07:13 PM

Thanks, Piggy Bank! That's good to know. Unfortunately, not all of the sales brochures are there, but at least I can maybe narrow down certain years. Looks like a 2015 or 16 might be out top choices.

kb0zke · 08-31-2024, 07:12 PM

After a few months of dreaming, we got slapped up side of the head by reality. There was a 2018 30' Classic, RBQ, right on the way from where we were to where we are, so we took an hour to check it out. Dealer shot us a lowball trade-in price, so we said we'd keep looking. We're actually back closer to what we originally started looking for, but we've narrowed it down quite a bit. We're now focusing on 2010-2015 models. The Classic is still the preferred trim level, but others will e considered. The more I thought about the power awnings and the extra maintenance of the Alde system, the more I think I'd rather not have those. I'm also going to try to stay away from the electronic switches if I can. May not be successful there...

daleyocum · 08-31-2024, 09:49 PM

Personally I would put a premium on one with a ducted AC but that’s just me. That would mean, I think, 2016 or later. Depending on where you plan on going, 30’ is about the longest you can comfortably take into most national and state campgrounds. At 30’ or longer, a lift kit is highly recommended because there is such a long extension past the rear wheels causing it to drag easily.

majorairhead · 09-01-2024, 06:38 AM

I always thought the 2016 Classic to be the sweet spot, ducted air, and old school furnace, water heater, etc. Tried and true.

The thing I'd be most concerned about if buying used is floor rot. Sure, the other systems would need to be checked out, and good sheet metal is a plus, but that floor rot is a big surprise when not expected.

Lily&Me · 09-01-2024, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb0zke

The more I thought about the power awnings and the extra maintenance of the Alde system, the more I think I'd rather not have those. I'm also going to try to stay away from the electronic switches if I can. May not be successful there...

I think this is wise.

Simpler is better.

Maggie

kb0zke · 09-12-2024, 09:50 AM

Does anyone know this trailer?
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...983#sid=288439

I've been watching it for some time now, and the price is slowly coming down. PPL generally doesn't keep trailers for more than a few weeks, and this one has been there for a couple of months now.

AlbertF · 09-12-2024, 10:36 AM

Ducted air is a real benefit. I've experienced it in a rented unit; it's like being in air conditioned house. Telephone calls and normal conversations are possible.

The conventional A/C in our trailer is very loud, but this is not a big problem for us. We literally only used it once this year, because we almost always have cool nights where we travel. However, if we spent a lot of time in hot and humid locations, our viewpoint would change!

For the OP's benefit, I'm wondering if a large trailer with dual A/C is ok without ducting. I'm thinking that at night one could run the unit farthest from the bedroom to get effective cooling (and especially humidity control) without excessive noise. Does anyone have experience with that?

kb0zke · 09-12-2024, 01:40 PM

Yes, the ducted a/c would be nice. That starts in 2015. Unfortunately, other things that I'm not interested in also show up about the same time. Fortunately, time is on our side, so we can find the best trailer for us whenever and wherever it shows up.

kb0zke · 09-16-2024, 06:23 PM

I was really hoping someone here would recognize that 30' Classic at PPL. The big red numbers are clearly visible on a couple of pictures.

I talked to a gentleman who has a 2014 30' Flying Cloud that he bought used. He mentioned that one day he noticed some water coming in by one of the windows when the rain came from that direction. He fixed the leak, but, as he continued to see what had been damaged, he decided that he may well have to replace the front 6-8 feet of flooring. I wonder if that is the issue with this one?