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Old 10-24-2020, 09:29 AM   #1
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2021 25' Flying Cloud
Bentonville , AR
Join Date: Oct 2020
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How rough a road can a 25 flying cloud handle?

Hey all, new to pulling a trailer and airstreams in general. We just ordered a 25ft flying closed and wondering how crazy is it to take this thing off the beaten path? I want to be able to boondock on BLM etc. Would it be crazy to get the lift kit and take this on some less than perfect roads? Would a 20ft trailer handle better?
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Old 10-24-2020, 09:49 AM   #2
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2015 25' Flying Cloud
Redmond , Washington
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Welcome to the forum! Boondocking is a very common practice for Airstreamers. If possible, scout ahead before taking your trailer down an unknown road. There are many apps that can help you get a feel for an area and find out what size of rigs the road can handle. You never know what you might come across, especially as you get more remote. We boondock with our 25' and so far haven't had any issues with driving on dirt/bumpy/less than stellar roads. Slow and steady wins the race!
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Old 10-24-2020, 02:03 PM   #3
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2019 25' Flying Cloud
Hendersonville , North Carolina
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25' AS offroad

Install the lift kit. Better safe than sorry. We have a 2019 FC25' RBT and I installed the lift kit before trying to bring it up my steep driveway with a swale at the bottom. No change in towing. Still feels rock solid. I did readjust my Equalizer WD anti sway hitch to match the increased height.

Some dealers will not install lift kit. It is approved by AS and does not effect warranty. Dealer install should be around $1k. I did my own for just the cost of the lift kit from Dexter. Under $300.00. You should be pretty handy with a wrench and watch some instructional videos before attempting install. Took me all of a Saturday. I could install another one in a couple hours less.
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Old 10-24-2020, 02:24 PM   #4
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billings , Montana
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The rough roads will shorten the life...the body is the frame...rivets will become loose...
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Old 10-24-2020, 02:37 PM   #5
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2019 25' Flying Cloud
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McStreamy_ View Post
< Snip > ...We boondock with our 25' and so far haven't had any issues with driving on dirt/bumpy/less than stellar roads. Slow and steady wins the race!
Ditto. Good Advice.

I've been thinking about a lift kit for quite a while but I don't have an immediate need.

I wonder if J. C. would do the Lift-Kit install? I'll need to have a couple of items taken care of while still under warranty and will be there in early '21.
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Old 10-24-2020, 03:35 PM   #6
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2002 19' Bambi
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Try searching for Ray Ekland Boondocking (using the Air Forums search function) and you should find lots of good information about boondocking with an Airstream.

Tim
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Old 10-24-2020, 07:05 PM   #7
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2013 25' International
Boise , Idaho
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Yes, your 25 can go off road. The lift is a good idea, you might not NEED it but you'll be happy to have it when you are climbing and descending steeper stuff on the dirt. Of all the upgrades I've done, its the most essential for me.

The key is being smart and more often than not going slow. My trailer spends probably 50 nights a year on BLM land. Often 10+ miles down dirt roads, sometime with pretty bad washboards. You should expect to find some rivet heads on the floor, fix/refix/replace the hinges on the heavier cabinet doors with piano hinges, sweep up saw dust after long dirt roads, just know you aren't the first to do this. I think you'll find that after the lift, the real limitation is the electrical system. If you love the AS and you love to boondock, you might as well start saving for a good solar and lithium setup if you can. Many of us have done a whole host of upgrades that you can read about for months. This is why.

Keep reading and posting and dreaming. The airstream isn't the ideal boondocking trailer but you can get it to be pretty dang good with some patience, learning and some smart upgrades.
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Old 10-25-2020, 10:18 AM   #8
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One of the issues we have had is that the overhead cabinets are simple screwed into the alum sheet metal with no backing. We had the front cabinet let go from 4 of its 6 screws. We never carry anything heavy in the front upper cabinet and now really slow down on washboard, gravel, pothole forestry roads. I am talking 20MPH here.
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Old 10-25-2020, 10:37 AM   #9
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2014 28' Flying Cloud
Raleigh , North Carolina
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We took our 28" FC "off road" due to a navigation error. The road turned out to be 15 miles of washboard..... We thought we were fine until we noticed a gap
between the refrigerator and the top cabinet.

Turns out the refrigerator was shaken OFF the internal bracket, and dropped 2 inches in the front. NOT GOOD. We had to bridge it up with 2 x 4's and limp it to a dealer for repairs. We also developed a water leak from under the shower.
After a lot hunt and peck, we found a crack in the city water inlet valve from all the vibration.

Boondocking is great fun, but be prepared for "incidentals".
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Old 10-25-2020, 10:48 AM   #10
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Bandera , Texas
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As someone else said, scout the location before you drive it with the trailer. You’ll know whether or not it’s a wise trail to traverse, lift kit or not. Personally, on lift kits, someone noted on a similar prior discussion, “if Wally didn’t have it in Africa, do you need it now?”
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Old 10-25-2020, 11:16 PM   #11
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Lady Lake , Florida
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JC does install lift kits, Our neighbor in the Terra-port had his 30 lifted.
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Old 10-26-2020, 08:50 AM   #12
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Chappell Hill , Texas
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Lift kit for sure. Lower tire pressure to around 35-45 on rough roads to help absorb jars. Go SLOW. Air back up before you get on the highway. Have fun.
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Old 10-26-2020, 09:06 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by banderabob View Post
As someone else said, scout the location before you drive it with the trailer. You’ll know whether or not it’s a wise trail to traverse, lift kit or not. Personally, on lift kits, someone noted on a similar prior discussion, “if Wally didn’t have it in Africa, do you need it now?”

There is Boondocking and then there is Boondocking. Some say they boondock when the pull into a site that does not have full hookups. Some say driving down a gravel road is boondocking. I had a tent trailer that I would drag through a field to get to a lake, that is boondocking. I moved up(?) to a hybrid trailer and pulled it up logging roads to get to a DNR campground. The road in was steep, often rutted, always washboarded in places and narrow with tree limbs growing into the roadway. The Hybrid had a very low sewer outlet that concerned me. I never had trouble with it even in the worst conditions. I do not pull my 25FB up that road mainly because I don't want the sides all scratched by the trees. You really do need to know where you are going to be "boondocking".



Extreme boondocking with an Airstream to me is like taking a new Corvette, putting a lift kit on it, throwing on some oversized off road tires and driving it into the boonies. On the other hand, I would drive my Vette down a dirt road if it wasn't too severe.
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Old 10-26-2020, 12:56 PM   #14
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Park City , Utah
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How rough a road can a 25 flying cloud handle?

Get a lift kit. Through-bolt as many hinge bases as you can. Get heavier duty cabinet and drawer latches. Through-bolt the four microwave screws. Doesn't all need to be done first, but YMMV.

Then get out there and enjoy! BLM land rules, campgrounds drool (for me anyway.)
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Old 10-27-2020, 07:32 AM   #15
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2013 25' Flying Cloud
Middleton , Idaho
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We have a 2013 25FC that we boondocked with quite a bit, before and after installing a lift. The lift was the best upgrade we have made to date, not only to open up more campsites, but also to minimize scraping going in and out of fuel stops. I haven't noticed any downsides to this upgrade.
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Old 10-27-2020, 08:03 AM   #16
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I’ve been called out for not being a “real” camper in the past, because of my limited boondocking experience, but I would be more worried about being able to get turned around. As others have mentioned, you can always slow down to reduce the impacts. A three point turn in the wilderness can make a grown man cry...
Does anyone use a drone for scouting?
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Old 10-27-2020, 08:04 AM   #17
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Oops, duplicate post
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Old 10-27-2020, 10:34 AM   #18
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2019 27' International
Rogers , Arkansas
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Hey Neighbor,
As others have said; get a lift kit installed for sure. Heavier door latches. Our only one that has a problem is out bathroom mirror cabinet, so add another or get a heavier latch. Our upper cabinets all have the sliding glass type fronts and the drawers have never been open for us anyway. Our microwave is in a slide out drawer and has always stayed closed. For sure shake all your cabinets to make sure they are all sturdy. If not add more screws or better yet as PCSKIER mention, through bolt them or anything else that feels loose. Have fun and travel safe!
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Old 10-27-2020, 11:15 AM   #19
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Definitely doable. Clearance is a requirement particularly for longer trailers like a 25 where even minor dips can bottom out the ends of the trailer. Lift will bring up both ends, including hitch and tail

Some other modifications
1) Tow vehicle
- 4WD or 4x4
- Compliant spring rates - HD trucks or those with very high spring rates contribute to a harsh ride for the trailer.
- Airing down tires
- Relax WD bars
- Shorter wheelbase for maneuverability
2) Trailer
- 15" wheels with taller sidewall tires. Avoid 16" wheels that many have upgraded to
- Upsize tires for slightly more lift and sidewall/compliance, 235/75R15
- Air down tires
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Old 10-27-2020, 11:41 PM   #20
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Anchorage , Alaska
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What it looks like when your pantry door comes open somewhere on the hours of forest service road you drove down and everything is covered in salt and rosé
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