|
02-20-2012, 10:08 AM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
Aptos
, California
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 82
|
Is a wide body actually wider?
How much wider is a wide body? Or is it just some marketing ploy? Is everything since they called them wide bodies a wide body or are they narrower again?
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 10:11 AM
|
#2
|
Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
|
Yes
The wide body is 8 1/2' wide, the maximum permitted on most highways without permits. Prior to the wide body, the widest Airstream was 8' wide. Many shorter Airstreams are still 8' wide.
It doesn't seem much, but it is amazing what difference a half-foot makes in the livability of a trailer.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 12:13 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
And that 6" makes a world of difference down the center Isle. And psychologically, you just feel like you're in a room instead of a tunnel. (My prior SOB was 8' wide on the exterior.)
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 12:43 PM
|
#4
|
2 Rivet Member
Aptos
, California
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 82
|
An extra 6 inches would be key for my family. Thanks for the info
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 12:53 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1998 31' Excella 1000
1979 23' Safari
Mooresville
, Indiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 598
|
Not only is the trailer 6" wider but the side walls and roof are squarer. Instead of a round walls and ceiling, the walls are straighter, so you do get more space inside.
Damon
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 01:54 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2011 31' Classic
Nellysford
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,067
|
All above are correct, of course. And, the difference for a taller guy like me is a shower on the side in which I can stand without crouching. The WB makes it possible for us to have the walk-around Queen bed as well. We love ours.
__________________
Greg Heuer, Spirit of Virginia Airstream Club
2011 31' Classic Ltd. - The Silver Otter III
2013 GMC Denali 2500HD 6.6 DuraMax - Sierra Blanca
TAC VA-18 | Life Mbr ACI 1927 - Spirit of Virginia Club | AIR 53869
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 05:48 PM
|
#7
|
Country Comfort Farm
1996 34' Excella
Andersonville
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 8
|
We have the wide body with the front kitchen layout. Many comments we receive say this feels as big as the newer units with a slide. You will enjoy the additional space and reduced traffic congestion.
Dick
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 07:45 PM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member
Aptos
, California
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 82
|
So are the slide units narrow bodies?
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 07:52 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
Nope....EXTRA wide. but heavy....verrrry heavy.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 08:06 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
|
Look at the center segment
If you go to Colonialairstream.com and check the pictures, you'll see that the difference is the width of the center segment on the endcap, and the center of the ceiling strips.
It's very noticable if you look at the sport (7' 6") then
look at any units less than 25' which are (8' 0") then
look at the 25' and up units - widebody which are (8' 6")
From a manufacturing standpoint it simplifies the process of making three widths. The jig for the sidewalls remains the same, all of the compound curved end segments come off of one mold, and the center segment which is a simple curve is just cut 6" wider for each progressively wider model.
Now - just to be confusing - the widebody is 8' 6" at the middle of the walls. The sides curve in below the midband and if you look at the specs, they say the floor is 8' 1".... frankly that's got to be wrong because you simply don't get plywood for the floor in 8' 1" length. Someone who's repaired a floor in a widebody chime in - does a standard sheet of plywood do the whole floor side to side?
The slideouts are all widebodies - remember 8' 6" is the ROAD limit. You don't go down the road with a slide out open ever! (not intentionally at any rate!)
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 08:10 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
Paula, ya gotta count the aliminum skin and the rub rail (lower belt moulding)...that makes 8' 1".
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 10:46 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
|
I have a wide body and can reate to those concerns about walking the center aisle ... but I am trying to lose some fat! gotcha
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|