New and need a lightweight one!

[Bexxer@mac.c]

My husband and I are due to be posted (USAF) to the USA in Feb 2009. This gives us a year to plan and research a suitable travel trailer to our Land Rover LR2. We don't want o go large due to the weight and cost. Also there is only the two of us and two dogs (Lurchers).

We love the contemporary and clean lines inside and out of most Airstream models, and were thinking the Safari Sport might fit the bill.

Is there any way of fixing mountain bikes to the trailers or can they fit inside?

Also whats the difference with the Bambi and Safari Sport and why can't I find Bambi's on the Airstream website? Have they been withdrawn or renamed?

One day I am sure when he rites from the Air Force we wil get abig one that has a garage for our motorcyles too but in the meantime the Safari Sport may be a good compromise.

Thanks in advance for all your help! Bex

[CombatMedic]

Bambis are the smaller sized safaris. the safari sport 22 is a nice unit and is light. A 19 foot bambi might be too small for your family. We had a 19' with 2 adults a 3 year old boy and a boston terrier. it got a bit cramped. You could always go vintage. There are some nice older units out there and they tend to be lighter.

Good luck and Happy hunting.

Amy

US Army.

[bobkelly]

Welcome Bex to the forums. Nice to have a full year to do some planning.

For the 2008 model year, it looks like Airstream is giving the Bambi name a rest, but the trailers are still being produced and you can see them at the Airstream website under the Int'l CCD line up. The Bambi was the name given to the 16 ft and 19 ft models, which are single axle and 8 ft wide. The 25 ft and up are 8 1/2 ft wide. The Safari sport is 7 1/2 ft wide, european model width, in two lengths, 17 ft & 22 ft and a new floorplan.

The sport is light wt compared to the others and a very nice choice for your tow vehicle. I don't have any experience on carrying bicycles but they do fit physically inside. Others will chime in on how to secure them.

[Fyrzowt]

It is not generally recommended to put bikes on the rear of the trailer. Some have placed them up front in the hitch area, many of us either place them inside, or in the tow vehicle.

The sport does not have a rear bumber at all, FWIW.

Welcome to the forums!

Dave

[Goin camping]

Welcome to the forums.

You can put the bikes on the LR for travel either on the roof with a rack or on the front bumper.

The sports are really neat. Light wieght and very affordable and best of all a roomy bathroom. They also seem roomier to me than the Bambi's.

Of course a vintage trailer will be bigger and wiegh in the same nighborhood as a Sport. Cost you less too. With a vintage you can usually sell for the same or more than you paid for it.

There are guys like Fyrzowt who are hiding beautifully done vintage trailers that they can be talked out of.

Good luck.

[CanoeStream]

Welcome to AIR Forums! You're the 2nd member we have registered to Bury St. Edmunds. I recognize it for very good reason. My father-in-law was a B-17 crew member based there. They were shot down on 8 March 1944 and he was a POW for 14 months. He did feel slighted that he was never able to pick up a bicycle he had ordered just off Picadilly Circus in London. He survives today as an elderly gentleman and I am sure he would extend his thanks to one of many cities that hosted American airmen in WW II.

I had a bit of fun researching your lurchers. Interesting. We walked through both a 17' and 22' Safari Sport at an RV show in Minneapolis last Saturday. I felt that the 17' had a more appealing use of space. The 22' was mighty bare and open -- just one opinion.

Keep us filled in on how your interests evolve!

[Bexxer@mac.c]

Thanks to everyone for a delightfully warm and informative welcome! I feel I have come to the right place! Nice advice Amy, will look into that option, I had one question which i think you have answered - are vintages same weight roughly speaking? Nice to know we won't be the only millitary airstreamers (is that the right nickname?), come to think of it I bet there are a few out there with that strong appreciation for quality workmanship etc!

Thanks all for the cycle advise also. We were contemplating a roof rack but are worried about scratching the roof of the car being so high up and being so knackered after a good ride!! Lol!

I think we'll go for the 17 foot as its lighter, I will have to see one in the flesh which is difficult due to being here (european models are not the same and numbered -whats up with that!!).

Bob, I love your story of your father-in-law. There is some great history with the USAF bases in the UK. There is a whole section at Duxford Air Museum which I have yet to visit (lazy I know). Lee, my husband calls himself a blank (half bloke half yank!) his father met an english girl whilst stationed here in the 60's and the rest is history! He's been here half his life what with millitary posting and childhood spent here. He calls Yuba City his US home but we havent got the foggiest where we will be posted (hoping for either NorCal, Seattle of Alaska).
Perhaps I can look that bike of his up, it'll be worth a bit now if untouched! Lol!
Lurchers are designed for hunting on the gentries land in the early part of last century when the british law banned the common folk from hunting on private land. Gypsies still use Lurchers especially in Ireland. They make great family pets as they are a good mix of several breeds almost always employing greyhound as they are a sight hound and obviously seriously quick! We love them as they have strong characters and are very hardy health wise! Neither have caught us dinner by way of a fresh rabbit yet but then they are only 18 months and 4 months.

I highly appreciate the comments about the 17 foot feeling more appealing in terms of use of space. I am pretty excited about the whole thing and will be chomping at the bit to get into one by the time I get Stateside. I hope it doesn't disappoint. If it does there is always the vintage option. Can anyone recommend a specific one? Is it just the bambi's that will come under 3500 weight?

Cheers everyone!

[CanoeStream]

Airstream's FAQ section has a list of trailer weights. You can get an idea of appearance & interior finishings at R.J. Dial's Vintage Airstream archives.

The vintage lightweight trailers are among the most in-demand Airstreams right now. They often go for premium prices and are snapped up quickly. It would take a patient search. Many are not ready to roll and need significant restoration -- up to two years if a personal project or can run from half to most of the price of a new Airstream if farmed out to a professional renovator. No rules. 'As discovered' condition varies wildly. See http://www.airforums.com/forums/f353...ale-39559.html

[CombatMedic]

[quote=Bexxer@mac.c]Thanks to everyone for a delightfully warm and informative welcome! I feel I have come to the right place! Nice advice Amy, will look into that option, I had one question which i think you have answered - are vintages same weight roughly speaking? Nice to know we won't be the only millitary airstreamers (is that the right nickname?), come to think of it I bet there are a few out there with that strong appreciation for quality workmanship etc!



The vintage units can be lighter for their larger size. The 17' Sport is nice has only one seating area that converts to a bed and a large bathroom, fridge, stove, ect I like the modle but it is too small for our needs. If your dogs are large you might not have alot of breathing room. Otherwise they are very nice in my opinion.I have seen them at out local dealer and at the RV show.

[airbassador]

>> Is there any way of fixing mountain bikes to the trailers or can they fit inside?<<

You could go the airstream basecamp method and attach a Thule/Yakima rail to the floor to secure your mounting attachments. Recessing it or finding a place to put it where you won't trip on it would be the key. Then just throw the bikes in the LR2 when you stop for the night.

If you're Mountain Bikers, then I assume you're headed to out of the way places. I suggest the smallest double axle trailer you can find. It's safer because it won't pull you into the bar ditch as easily if you pop a tire on a rock or tweak a rim, and you can pull the busted wheel off and limp back to town on one axle if you've run out of spares.

I agree with the above posts, that you can get an older trailer (even bigger) that's lighter than the new ones. I think my old 29 foot Ambassador for example weighs less than some of the new 24 foot layouts. The current trends of granite countertops and such don't help much in the weight department. On the other hand... going new you won't have to deal with 20 year old plumbing issues when you're out in the sticks.