Newbie: 23 or 25?

[allplay]

Hello all,

I’m new to the forum and currently in the process of buying our first RV. After about six months of research, we’ve decided on an Airstream for its quality and design. We want to get this right the first time and plan to purchase within the next 3–9 months, once I feel confident in our decision.

Right now, we’re torn between the International 23CB and 25FB. We’ll be buying used, ideally around five years old. Towing isn’t a concern—I drive a 2023 GMC HD—but we do need to balance maneuverability with comfort.

How We Plan to Use It
• Travel Style: Mostly 3–5 day local boondocking trips rather than long stays.
• Terrain: We live in the Southwest mountains, so we’ll encounter tight roads and some off-the-beaten-path camping.
• Modifications: Planning to install a lift kit and Michelin 16s for extra clearance.
• Storage: Space is limited at home, so a smaller trailer would be easier to store.
• Other Uses: Occasionally, we’ll use it as a guest house or office.

Our Main Considerations
• Sleeping Space: We have a toddler and plan to expand our family, so we need enough room for everyone.
• Bed Size: My wife and I are tall (5’10” & 6’3”), so we want to be sure we’ll fit comfortably.
• Width & Maneuverability: The 23CB offers more sleeping space but might be tight for us. The 25FB is more spacious but wider (8.5’), which could make mountain driving and parking trickier.
• Parking: Ideally, we’d like to fit into a double grocery store spot, which is already tight for a 23CB and likely not possible with a 25FB.

Would love to hear from others—any feedback, opinions, or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[overlander64]

Greetings allplay!


Welcome to the Forums and the World of Airstreams!


While I cannot offer insight into the late model trailers as I have owned my Airstream for going on 30 years. I was 35 years old when I purchased my 1964 Overlander Land Yacht International (considered 26-feet) and it was an immaculate trailer with two previous owners who had maintained and used it regularly over the years.


What sold me on this trailer was it floor plan with twin beds that had real mattresses that could be left made-up as beds at all times. I was able to have custom mattresses made for it locally at a very reasonable price that were so comfortable that I went back for similar bed sets for my home. While the 26-foot seemed long at first, it is remarkably easy to tow, and I have never had any trouble fitting into any campground. I have only been turned away from one Caravan because my trailer was too long and that was in 1998.



I did purchase a smaller 6.0 Metre 1978 Argosy Minuet in 2002 as a quick getaway weekend type trailer. It is also remarkably easy to tow and its narrower width also makes it a little easier to maneuver in some older campgrounds. The downside of going this small is that both sleeping areas are convertible sofas, and even with the highest quality foam installed with the new upholstery in 2004, the convertible sofas are not as comfortable as the custom mattresses in the Airstream Overlander, and the beds must be made up each evening and un-made each morning if there is to be a place to sit and a place to dine.


Were I to be in a position where I could only keep one, it would be a difficult decision, but I would like keep the larger Overlander for its greater comfort for both sleeping, relaxing, and dining.


Good luck with your deliberations and decision!


Kevin

[allplay]

Thank you for the feedback Kevin,

Bigger is always better haha. Funny thing is I started looking at the 16, immediately shifted to the 19, then the 22. At that point realized carrying weight is necessary for dual axles (23+) but size was beginning to seriously concern me. Now I’m considering the 25 but we can’t get any bigger! I guess the question is will we fit in a 23cb somewhat comfortably as we want a camper that we can maneuver through the mountains but we would like to have it 10 years.

[jeffb831]

With a growing family, definitely go with the 25' trailer (or larger). Not only is it 2' longer but also 6" wider which is very noticeable.

For two tall people, I'd go with the twin bed option and possibly the bunk over the beds for a young child.

[jeffmc306]

allplay, there’s a saying on AirForums, “Buy your second trailer first!”

Your story sounds similar to ours. We began looking at SOB (non-Airstrem) trailers then found a dealer with a used 16’ Bambi because of price. One step inside and we asked “do you have anything a little larger?”

We looked at 19 and 22’ models before finding a 23’ FB. While it was a better fit for our VW Touareg tow vehicle, we felt the u-shaped dinette was uncomfortable and the east-west queen was difficult to get into the far side.

We found a 25’ Rear Bed Twin which was much more to our liking and checked all the boxes - except for the tongue weight. It was over the 770 lbs limit of our Touareg so we bought the 23’.

After one season we found the dinette and queen bed were bigger issues than we thought and went back to the dealer. Our sales person said this happens all the time and he’d help fix the problem - but this time, pick out the trailer we really wanted. We looked at both 25’ and 27’ models and decided on a 27’ Globetrotter Twin Bed. At the time it was only $4500 more that the 25’ but the additional space was well worth it.

In your case, since you plan to grow your family I would definitely go with a 25’ and consider twin beds. They are longer than the queen which at 6’3” will help and they’re wider than half a queen. Plus, you’ll gain space between the beds for dressing and easier to exit to the bathroom in the middle of the night without waking your spouse.

I’m sure you can find a gently used 25’ in the year range you’re looking for. You won’t regret having the trailer you really want (and need) going forward.

By the way, you’ll want your tow vehicle to have a payload of 1600 lbs minimum as a 25’ will have an actual tongue weight of 900-1000 lbs. That comes right off your two vehicle’s payload.

Good luck with your search!

[Aluminium Falcon]

I would also recommend the 25. In 2021, I switched my order from a 22 to a 25 and it is a decision I never regretted.

The 25 is the perfect size - not too big but not too small. The layout is great. It is easy to manoeuvre and will pretty much fit in any campsite. It is comfortable, even for extended stays (same tanks as larger trailers) I have rarely seen a 25 owner not happy with it.

While I am a big fan on the Queen bed, the Twin beds configuration probably makes more sense for a young family. You could put the children to bed early in the evening in the bedroom and still use the rest of the trailer without disturbing their sleep. However, you would need to sleep on the dinette bed in that scenario. Depending on the number of children you plan on having, the bunk bed is also something you may want to consider.

I really do not think the size of the 25 is an issue based on my experience navigating tight roads and parking lots.

Good luck!

[gypsydad]

Welcome! Your journey likely has taken you into some dealerships where you and wife have spent time inside both the 23' and the 25' models, I hope? If not, suggest you spend some time without the sales guy in each model, and discuss beds, kitchen, sleeping arrangements for the kids, storage inside and outside, etc. Twin beds will give you two the best sleeping arrangement plus extra storage inside and outside. Kid sleeping, the 25' offers more options. Also, the most important is tow vehicle consideration; the 23' is a lot easier to maneuver and tow than the 25'. Anything larger than the 25', it gets a bit trickier on maneuvering for sure, and requires a larger tow vehicle. (although some here on the Forum, will argue with that statement!)

We have owned 4 AS's now over last 20+ years; 3 of these were different year/model 25' AS's and now we have owned our 28' since new in 2017. As many here have said, the 25' is a favorite and actually is AS's most popular model TT. We went up to the 28' as wife wanted "more storage" and room inside. We did not want a 30' however, and the 28' gave us flexibility for lounging and dinette with sleeping areas for 2 more kids and 2 adults when needed on the couch. With young kid or kids, the 23' may be a great start. You should consider buying a used model also first. If you decide you want to move up to a different size later, you will likely recoup your investment. Good luck! Lots of experience here to confuse or enlighten your adventure!

[sfranklin]

I can tell you I had a 26er and it was still a bit tight, and if we had more than one child, even the 25 is gonna be hard. I have since moved to a 30' and it has room on tap. If pressed, I'd say 25', but know that you will prob go larger at some point in the next 5 years. As prices increase annually, as was pointed out, buy your second Airstream first is sage advise. Many of us here traded up 1 to 2x before landing where they eventually wound up.

Maybe as a happy medium, you get a 27' with the front bunk and twins?

Understand boondocking with a late model Airstream is a bit more of a task with the Girrard tankless water heater and 12v compressor fridges. Not insurmountable obstacles, but they can be obstacles.

[JeffKim]

Another vote for a 25'. We went from a 16' Bambi as our first camper which was great to learn and figure out RVing but then especially for longer trips we needed something larger. We thought the 22' Caravel would be perfect, but then figured out we didn't like the bathroom in the back as with the 23' and much prefer the panoramic views out the front and back. We opted for a 25' Globetrotter with front twins. Add another vote for twins, BTW.

When considering a used Airstream note that starting in 2021 all Airstreams have the new composite flooring. While it's unlikely the floor will rot, it's one less thing to worry about and a good resale point.

Also (however), any model after 2021 will have the 12V refrigerator which eats up a lot of battery, so that going longer than a few days unplugged will drain the lead acid batteries. So a lot of people with the 12V frig have installed lithium batteries with some solar; that might be a cost consideration.

Last, I don't know with the Flying Cloud or International, but the Globetrotter dinette and seating can be converted to a large bed area which might work out much better over the 23'.

[waninae39]

Another vote for a 25'

we have FC 25FB, we love it

[field & stream]

Fellow Coloradoan here, but I don’t know if our experience will be helpful or just confusing! We started with a 23’ corner bed and, contrary to the common wisdom, we downsized!

What might be helpful is this: We are about your sizes and found the 48” wide corner bed too tight, especially since someone is inches from a cold aluminum wall. I suggest you spend some time at a dealer in one of these corner beds. On the beds issue, we are fans of twin beds.

If you plan to spend time unplugged (as we do almost 100%) I second the suggestion to get one with a propane fridge. Those 12v fridges are battery hogs and even if you load up (I.e. $$$$) on lithium batteries and solar you will likely need a generator from time to time and many find their annoyances to be intolerable.

Now to confuse you: the above sort of argues for a larger trailer. BUT, smaller trailers are significantly easier to tow, maneuver, and definitely will fit in more campsites. Many larger trailer advocates say they have always been able to find “a place to park”. Don’t know about you, but we don’t go camping with the goal of finding a place to park — we are looking for spectacular campsites. The smaller the trailer the better your odds.

[kb0zke]

Welcome, allplay. Yes, you may as well buy the larger trailer now, and then when you get the next one in a few years the increase in length won't be as much. One of the Airstream "diseases" many people get is called 2-foot-itis. It simply means that buying a trailer two feet longer than what you have will solve a lot of problems.


One of our forum members is an avid off-grid camper. He owns two trailers, an Airstream and an Oliver, of differing lengths. Both are set up for serious boondocking, and he chooses the trailer to mach the trip. You may want to check with him. His name is Ray Eklund and he is a wealth of information and stories.

[Gene]

Airstreams are much easier to tow, but quality is not a strong point. A lot of RV's and RV equipment are poorly made, so consider that. Buying a used one is a good idea, because you not only capitalize on the depreciation, but the previous owner is likely to have fixed all the things that have broken. There are other brands (Northwood's Arctic Fox and Nash, for example) with a better reputation for quality and some have better floor plans. In many Airstreams the hall between the main cabin and bedroom in the 25 FB wastes a lot of space, but does provide a little more privacy.

Regardless, space is an issue in any RV because by necessity they are a small house. Given your height, the FB with the queen bed is too short, but there is a solution. You can stuff something behind the top end of the bed and put some plywood attached to the bed base to support the mattress and move the mattress out some (this makes it harder to walk around the foot end of the bed though). Queen RV beds are shorter than residential ones. I am 5'10' and my wife is only less than an inch shorter, so we appreciated the extra length. I don't think the twin beds will allow extending them. If you put the kids in the bedroom, then the dining table can be converted to a bed, but it can't be made longer and is kind of narrow, so sleeping for you two would be difficult.

You mentioned 16" wheels—check to see if they would fit in the cutout. Assuming nothing has changed in the cutouts on the 25 FB, 15's will, but I think 16's would be too tight. If you want to raise it, 16's will only give you an inch and lifts may be a better solution, but you decrease stability with a higher trailer. As noted, the all electric fridge in later models limits boondocking a lot.

Airstreams do not have a lot of storage and with a family that can be an issue. Food prep space is also limited. I found the shower in the 25 FB very cramped and that may be true for you too. Between the wider body and longer length, the 25' gives you about 28 more square feet more than the 23.

If you live in the older section of Telluride, parking would certainly be a challenge. Backing in or out on narrow side streets might be impossible, especially if tourists park close to your driveway. Fifth wheels are easier to park, but you need a pickup for that (not sure whether you have one or a SUV). Fifth wheels tend to have more sleeping and storage space, but that would be another brand as well.

So you have lots of challenges and wise of you to ask questions. Good luck!

[ScottnAZ]

What does your get tell you?

At first I was gonna say to go 25’, but as I thought about it, I’ve come to the conclusion either one will be perfect for your family, so it may just come down to the parking/storage/maneuverability as it relates to the situations you think you may find yourself in, and how big a deal you think that’ll be. (Tandem axle for sure though).

Last month we met a couple with 3 kids (3-7) traveling around in a basecamp, and they loved it.

For what it’s worth, I’m 6’3 and my boss is 5’4. We’re empty-nesters camping in a 23cb (still work, so not full time). At first thought, it’d be tight if a toddler jumped in bed with us, but you know, if I were, say, 35, then I’d absolutely love it.

You’re on a great path for some incredible family memories, enjoy every minute of it, and welcome

[LilBird]

Plus 1 for the 25, and definitely get twin beds if you want room enough for your feet Seriously, though, my husband is 6’3” and too tall for the queen (unless I slept elsewhere, which wasn’t too popular an option). I’m 5’10” and appreciate the extra 8” length.

We’ve towed both a 28 and a 30 through Arizona and California in mountains with tons of switchbacks. My husband is far better than I at traversing those roads, and he says they are quite manageable. You just have to pay attention and slow down.

Good luck with your decision. Either way you’re bound to love it!

[Deholden]

Another vote for the 25! Our first trailer was a FC 23CB. Loved the trailer but the corner bed was Very uncomfortable for two and having to utilize the side pullout meant making the bed as we started the day. After one year we upgraded to. GT25FBT and it’s amazing the difference the additional length and width makes. With the twins it allows us to sleep better and the additional isle space. Found that parking in parking lots and travel as well as towing and campgrounds no worries. Smart that you’re doing your research! Enjoy

[allplay]

If anything I really appreciate the support from everyone. The AS community is certainly a wealth of knowledge. Haven’t really considered the twin bed option. I assume there is a fairly easy conversion kit that will fill the middle void to make a giant bed? Or is there an easy way to put a bigger mattress into the FB? We would be fine climbing over each other as we have lived in small spaces for 15 years. The additional space would be utilized assuming we can have access to storage underneath. I would assume several people have attempted this and did it correctly.

[Mollysdad]

Since you asked, 25.
Not only a 25, but one with 50 amp service.
And I'd look for rear twin beds.

[Charlie M]

Twenty years ago, we started with a 22, two and a half years later upped to 25 and still there. Get the 25 you will be happy.

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by field & stream

Fellow Coloradoan here, but I don’t know if our experience will be helpful or just confusing! We started with a 23’ corner bed and, contrary to the common wisdom, we downsized!

What might be helpful is this: We are about your sizes and found the 48” wide corner bed too tight, especially since someone is inches from a cold aluminum wall. I suggest you spend some time at a dealer in one of these corner beds. On the beds issue, we are fans of twin beds.

If you plan to spend time unplugged (as we do almost 100%) I second the suggestion to get one with a propane fridge. Those 12v fridges are battery hogs and even if you load up (I.e. $$$$) on lithium batteries and solar you will likely need a generator from time to time and many find their annoyances to be intolerable.

Now to confuse you: the above sort of argues for a larger trailer. BUT, smaller trailers are significantly easier to tow, maneuver, and definitely will fit in more campsites. Many larger trailer advocates say they have always been able to find “a place to park”. Don’t know about you, but we don’t go camping with the goal of finding a place to park — we are looking for spectacular campsites. The smaller the trailer the better your odds.

Not a bad write up, however, the OP stated:

Our Main Considerations
• Sleeping Space: We have a toddler and plan to expand our family, so we need enough room for everyone.

No chance a 16, 19 or 20 is gonna be a comfortable rig in that situation unless one is a glutton for punishment.

Having had a much smaller trailer, the larger units do tow better and I have found them far easier to back in and maneuver. I have found that most places can fairly easily accommodate up to a 28' trailer. Once you get into the 30' range, it can get more difficult in some places. Unless you are going significantly off the beaten path, you will prob not have an issues with a 25er, but I will still caution you that having dedicated sleeping spaces also means having more storage which kids need a lot of. 27' with a bunk would be the smallest trailer I'd consider, unless you happened across a 23 or 25er that had the bunk bed. Having dedicated beds really makes a big difference and reduces the daily setup and tear down of getting the dinette and couch in and out of bed mode, which in turn also needs storage space for pillows, sheets, etc being taken on and out or service.