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TinTin · 07-15-2014, 03:07 PM

In my opinion, a 30-footer would be too long for many of the campgrounds we prefer to stay in (local provincial, national, regional parks) and for some gas stations I frequent. Towing and general manoeuvring, probably not a big difference.

That said, I love the layouts, comfort, and room in the longer trailers!! Trailering (and life itself) is a trade-off.

Bill M. · 07-15-2014, 03:56 PM

Not comparing a 30 and a much shorter trailer. I say go for the 30 footer. Just a little difference in overhang. I can not think of a place we have ever camped that would hold a 28 but not a 30'. I have seen Park service sites that said they had a 25' limit but the had longer trailers in it.

Eheart · 07-16-2014, 06:52 AM

So many great insights into why a 30 foot trailer would not be a
problem in most commercial parks and how much more comfortable it is
as far as space is concerned. Thanks that is good information.
What we are still wondering is if we want to do a lot
of State parks,national parks and in Canada provincial parks, would we then
have to find a commercial park nearby as a 30 foot would not be accommodated?

dznf0g · 07-16-2014, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eheart

So many great insights into why a 30 foot trailer would not be a
problem in most commercial parks and how much more comfortable it is
as far as space is concerned. Thanks that is good information.
What we are still wondering is if we want to do a lot
of State parks,national parks and in Canada provincial parks, would we then
have to find a commercial park nearby as a 30 foot would not be accommodated?

Not a common problem, IMO, in the US. Yes, there are some places where members are frequently that are limited...and I think that gives them the impression that it is common. I have yet to not be able to get a spot where I want, but I usually get reservations in advance and check site length. The worst that has happened is to have to park the truck in a CG overflow lot when the site was cramped. But I've never had trouble backing in.

Eheart · 07-20-2014, 03:48 PM

Ho do we get some help viewing an airstream for ale in Geogia?

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Eheart · 07-20-2014, 05:19 PM

We heard that there are members who will help with checking an
Airstream that is for sale if you are too far away to do it yourself.
We need some help in Georgia, can you recommend someone?

A W Warn · 07-20-2014, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eheart

We heard that there are members who will help with checking an
Airstream that is for sale if you are too far away to do it yourself.
We need some help in Georgia, can you recommend someone?

Near the top of the page find the "Community" tab. Click on it then select "Member List". You will see a search member list tab. Under that will be an advance search. Click on advance search. Put in the location where the vehicle is, leaving everything else blank. Check the inspector type you want, trailer or motor home. Then click search at the bottom of the page. A list of volunteers will appear (expect to compensate them at least for their costs/expenses). You will have to judge for yourself which people really have the knowledge/qualifications to be an inspector.

Uzzah · 07-24-2014, 09:28 PM

I also have a 31 footer, and the only down side to it is that there are many campgrounds in the Cascades that are off of our list. I have found that the bigger campgrounds have bigger sites (duh, right?), but the smaller campgrounds often have a 20foot trailer restriction put on them, no matter how big the sites actually are. This was true for one of our favorite (it is gone now, as it was washed away by a river) campsites. But we decided to make the trade off, and go with the big boy. Now my wife will not even consider a smaller trailer. We now no longer camp, we RV... Apparently heated running water and ice cream in the freezer is the cut off. All my friends make sure to remind me regularly that I haven't been camping since I got the AS. I usually don't have much to say back, because I'm too busy watching TV and stuffing my face with ice cream.

JamuJoe · 07-27-2014, 09:43 AM

Each will defend their choice of trailer size, and claim that it doesn't inhibit their camping choices. No worries - it's all very personal. Where do you want to camp and how much does having a full sofa inside matter to you? When we moved up from a 17' Casita, we knew very well that the places that we prefer to camp would be too tight for anything over 25 ft. We chose the FC23FB for that reason, and are glad of that decision every time we back into a tight spot in a National Park. BLM or National Forest CG. Towing with our Jeep GC, I can also do a u turn in a 2 lane road with shoulders, which gives me confidence in exploring boondocking sites. I recently looked at a new 27 footer, and thought 'wouldn't that extra room be nice'. Then on several occasions on this trip my wife reminded me 'you wouldn't be able to do that with a 27 footer'. I'd suggest that you carefully consider your needs, your camping style and destinations, and get some experience before making the purchase decision.

dkrug · 07-27-2014, 10:17 AM

We have camped in quite a few State and National campgrounds. Once in a while a site will be too small for truck and trailer, but we have never had to go find a different campground. We went from a 31' to a 28' and back to a 30'. We spend most of our time out doors, but that extra room really comes in handy when it rains or snows.
Not to mention that 3 dogs and a parrot take up some room.

KJRitchie · 07-28-2014, 01:10 PM

We moved from a 17' Casita also and decided the 25' model was the sweet spot for us. We like NP, federal, and state park camping too. Out of all the campsites we have travel to with the Casita only one probably wouldn't accomodate or AS and most wouldn't accomodate anything much larger than our 25 (actually 25' 11"). Most SOB trailers and 5th wheels are much longer and wider when you take in consideration for slideouts. My AS in storage is parked next to a 5th wheel and bus like motorhome it is seems dwarfed.

rp709 · 08-05-2014, 08:50 PM

When were choosing our Safari 28 we were concerned about not accessing smaller camp sites, especially in California. It turns out it was never an issue. The reason? Smaller sites have campers much closer together than parks with larger sites. We prefer more space between sites and avoid the small CA parks for that reason. So, why not enjoy the larger trailer? If we are in the redwoods we prefer smaller RV parks to have the hookups and still be in the trees. Oregon has many great State parks that are better designed and handle the biggest Airstreams, and they provide power. In Canada the parks are generally much larger and have hookups (are you listening Uncle Sam).

HiHoAgRV · 08-05-2014, 09:12 PM

I know folks who have chosen a trailer based on the desire to camp in state xxx, campground yyy, and site 111 that will only fit a xx' long trailer.
Us? We have been in 1/2 of the US states and 100's of campgrounds in a29', a 34' and a vintage 26'. None of the campgrounds have limited us on size. Are there campgrounds that we wouldn't fit? Sure, so we stayed across the road in the other campground.

J. Morgan · 08-05-2014, 10:50 PM

My work involves getting 75 foot long moving trucks in front of houses, trailer parks, and apartment complexes....

When I see mention of a 31' Airstream being too big to get around in and park I laugh a little.

I know, the comparison isn't fair, but it is still kinda funny.

rp709 · 08-06-2014, 08:33 AM

J., your analogy is funny but pretty good too. In the last RV park I stopped at, looking around, I saw my 28' Safari was the smallest RV in the park. Time for a FC 30 with ducted AC!

switz · 08-06-2014, 10:33 PM

Think there would be an ordering stampede if the 34' tri-axle version was offered again?

J. Morgan · 08-07-2014, 10:24 AM

My guess is that the profit margin was better on 30' units than it was on 34' units so the 34s were dropped.

interstateflyer · 08-07-2014, 11:51 AM

We had a 2013 International 19.....the "Starbucks model". You could go anywhere.

We're in a 2014 International 23D and positioning ourselves in a parking lot takes a little more planning.

I can't imagine be as mobile in a 30. We'd need take a much different approach to shopping, touring and camping.

Msmoto · 08-07-2014, 08:29 PM

What size is a great question. Over the past four years I have been in a 44' motorhome and that does not fit in any state or federal park, with a few exceptions. Before this I was in an International 27 FB, very nice, but my current 30RB Serenity has nearly twice the clothes storage, more galley counter space, and about 8" longer toilet area which makes a lot of difference. At 31' overall, and familiar with dozens of parking areas around the country, I do not think I will have any issues with being too long. And the additional interior space is so nice.

Incidentally, I just spoke with a lady at Walmart who was in her beautiful 1948 Airstream, frame off restoration/modernization with shower, toilet, holding tank, maybe 14 or 16' long. Entirely adequate for her. So, is the size issue maybe a part of our ego or what? (Probably I gave myself away....big ego.... LOL)

Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB

Eheart · 08-08-2014, 08:59 AM

Every time someone posts their thoughts it helps us solidify or question our decision.
We are not into "bigger is better". But I do need my space. As we are new to this whole way of life and we plan to do quite a bit
of travelling with our trailer, we want to have as few regrets in our choice of trailer as possible. So again we take into account the experiences you share with us because YOU are the EXPERTS!