Newb! - Some Questions - 22' Sport

[big_john]

Been lurking and researching for quite a while. Thanks to the forum for all of the great info and sharing! What a great resource regariding an awesome piece of Americana!

My wife and I and our 2 kids are just about ready to make the AS plunge! We have been solid tent campers and are looking to get up off the ground in style. After much research, I *think* we are down to the 22 Sport FB. I'll list the top 5 reasons why and invite the forum to make recommendations for something that may be better suited? Past models that might work that we can find used?

0. 25' or less...would prefer a double axle, but the weight (and price) is getting up there on the models that have 2x axles.

1. I tow with a 2002 Tahoe V-8, so I'd like to keep the GVWR at 6,000 lbs or less. I know I could do more, but the family weighs in at 250+130+50+40 = 470lbs plus gear, etc.

2. We really, really like the front panoramic windows...unfortunately the Sport has the larger bed in the front which is a bummer...I guess the ideal config would be the bed in the back with the sitting area in front by the large windows...this makes the 23C look favorable but no Night Stand in the larger bed area in the back (see below for reasoning)...ugh!

3. The bed MUST have a side table or somewhere to put stuff (like a CPAP). This only seems available in the Sport or the 25'+ Flying Cloud, but still for the extra $$ I'd prefer to have the config I want (bed in rear + N/S), but this doesn't appear to be available.

4. Full size bed + gaucho or whatever convertible for the kids. Sleeps 4.

I would really, really like to keep it under $40k new MSRP and negotiate from there. That really locks me into the Sport seems like.

I know I am just starting this process and this seems like the best starting point for a search just based on my criteria...

There are SOOO many models and it seems they just changed their naming...ie the SAFARI become the FLYING CLOUD?

Is there a late model SAFARI that would meet my needs?

Thanks for the help!!!

Big_John

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

I know that it's a tough choice, but here are some considerations.

We have a 2005 25FB, named Lucy, in which we have spent almost 500 nights. We have towed Lucy over 50,000 miles, and she has been in all 48 lower states. This floor plan has worked great for us. The separate bedroom make a super adult retreat. The other sleeping accommodations are in a pull-out couch and convertible dinette.

25FB might be a little too much for your Tahoe as Lucy weighs 7400# ready to camp. We tow Lucy with a 2500 Suburban, but we formerly had a 2004 Tahoe. We had towed Lucy with the Tahoe on several occasions. The Tahoe did OK on the flats, but struggled slightly on any appreciable upgrade. I would not want to pull Lucy on a 10,000 mile cross country with the Tahoe.

You might want to take a hard look at the 23FB. It has a similar layout as the 25FB minus two feet and a thousand plus pounds. This would be a better match for the Tahoe.

If your plan is to camp fairly near home, a 25FB could also work.

Brian

[redstart]

does the 23 FB comes with twin beds? that would solve the bedside table issue as there is usually one between the twins.

i know twins is annoying when you like to snuggle, but it's actually quite flexible especially if you are travelling with someone other than your spouse...hmm...that didn't sound the way i meant it ...i *meant* e.g. if you are travelling with your brother or a parent!

we like to tuck the kid away in the back bedroom while hanging out up front, close to the bar haha. Also, if you get a Limited (maybe a few years old to reduce price) the couch will even be comfy enough for two adults to sleep in.

[moosetags]

I have not seen a 23FB floor plan on the Airstream Company Website with twin beds.

Brian

[big_john]

THanks guys!! Good stuff to consider...I DO like to snuggle with the spouse so it would be cool to have one bed! However in a trailer that small with two other humans in there I doubt my proximity to the ravishing Mrs Big_John would lead to anything fun so maybe the "twin bed" idea is a good one.

Also, we DO love to hang out at the bar so having the younguns in the "back" so to speak while us grown ups can hang out up front MIGHT be something very serious to consider.

So maybe the idea of the older limited with the larger sofabed is worth consideration...?

Good stuff! Thanks.

[big_john]

Hold the phone....according to the pictures of the 23FB Flying Cloud ca. 2009 it would appear that the floorplan drawing from the Colonial RV folks up in Jersy shows a N/S on the outside wall?

Can anyone confirm?

[DEITZ645]

big_john,
If this is the one you are speaking of at Colonial...

Colonial Airstream NJ - 2009 Airstream Flying Cloud 23' FB

The picture of the bedroom shows a very small nightd stand, I'm not sure how big a CPAP machine is, but it may work.

[moosetags]

I have seen a couple of 23FB's in the flesh. These had the front queen bed in a side-to-side configuration with the head of the bed on the curb side (right side) of the trailer.

Brian

[big_john]

Yes that would work...it does now appear that the older model Safari's and the 09 and beyond FlyingCloud 23 footers would work for us.

This also means that I *might* be able to find a used one...there is a 2 yr old "new" one at a dealer in Carlonia that I may go look at.

[moosetags]

Our Lucy is an '05 that we bought new in June of '06. She had been on the dealers lot for 16 months. We, accordingly, got a really good deal.

Brian

[mutcth]

I'm wondering if a used 22' CCD (link as example) floorplan might get close to your desires as well. Front bed, what looks like a nightstand, some seperation between that and the dinette, tandem axles, short length, panaromic window up front.

I know there were some issues in these because some lacked a bellypan and the OSB floors rotted quickly, but I wonder if that was rectified in later years...

Tom

[big_john]

Wow...that CCD *does* look like it may work...I think it has a wet bath though, but so what?

See - this is why I asked...be interesting to see if there are any other ideas out there...?