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Silver Palace · 07-30-2007, 08:40 PM

I am not sure this is the place to ask my question. I am interested in anyone's evaluation of the 20 ft. Safari. I understand the first year the model came out was 2006. Am I right?

Thanks.

Silver Palace

Silvertwinkie · 07-30-2007, 08:46 PM

I think the 20 is a 19 done in an FB format. The main difference between the 22 and the 20, besides number of axles is that it has a dry bath vs a wet bath. IMHO for those needing a smaller trailer the 20 and 23 foot units are one of the best ones out there.

Kevbo10 · 07-30-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

I think the 20 is a 19 done in an FB format. The main difference between the 22 and the 20, besides number of axles is that it has a dry bath vs a wet bath. IMHO for those needing a smaller trailer the 20 and 23 foot units are one of the best ones out there.

mr winkie,

i haven't seen you around, i was becoming concerned that perhaps you had locked yourself outa your 'stream.

of course i think the 25' is just perfect.

kevin

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-30-2007, 09:53 PM

Hi, I have to agree with Kevbo10; A 25'er is the best size. It is considered the largest of the small trailers, and the smallest of the large trailers.

SilverCabin · 07-31-2007, 07:30 AM

Hi Silver Palace and welcome to the forums.

I loved the layout of the 20', but wanted two axles. I don't think that's what you are looking for.

Folks, Silver Palace wants an owners review of the 20' not what we think is best, even though I just participated in that.

I replied here to pop this back to the portal. Will somebody that owns a 20' please reply.

Randy

Silvertwinkie · 07-31-2007, 08:50 AM

Yes, the 25' is really the most comfortable entry size IMHO as well, however, at between 6300 and 7300lbs GVWR (depending on model year), it's well out of a number of tow vehicles ability. If I were in the middle, wanting a 25' but in that position of not enough TV, the 23 foot seems to be a good in between. Dual axles, lower GVWR and can be towed with most 1/2 or equiv to vehicles. It's not much more in weight than the 20', yet provides a bit more room and slightly more comfortable layout IMHO.

One additional thing to consider whenever upgrading is that interior space is about 3 feet less than the overall length. 19 feet has about 16 feet of useable interior space. 25 feet about 22 feet...and so on..... Although 3 feet doesn't sound like much, in some cases it just enough to not overcrowed the interior.

Of course personal needs and taste come into play, but that just my .02.

One last thing to mention is the Safari Sport line. Although still a single axle, they are less weight and you can get one up to a 22 foot unit with similar touches from the Argosy line. Info on them can be found here:

Safari Sport

craftsman · 07-31-2007, 09:42 AM

Twenty-five is that magic size between a small and large Airstream. That,s why they are so popular and hold their value so well.You have pretty much all the ammenties of the larger Airstreams and none of the short comings of the smaller Airstreams.

Silvertwinkie · 07-31-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftsman

Twenty-five is that magic size between a small and large Airstream. That,s why they are so popular and hold their value so well.You have pretty much all the ammenties of the larger Airstreams and none of the short comings of the smaller Airstreams.

I like mine too...even if I get white knuckles in construction zones due to it being a widebody.

CanoeStream · 07-31-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

I like mine too...even if I get white knuckles in construction zones due to it being a widebody.

Yes, construction zone signs have sharp edges -- something I thankfully don't know from experience. They're usually far enough apart although might require some swerving (shoulda got da Cayenne...). I went through one in my Subaru Outback on a major Minneapolis street yesterday (about 54th & Penn) that would have given trouble to a Minuet.

I'd never seen one so narrow!

billberk · 07-31-2007, 11:46 AM

We just purchased the 20' Safari a month ago after thinking for a long time the 19' Bambi was what we wanted.

Don't know your situation, but we're a couple with no kids to tote along and can't escape the office for any long trips. We wanted something we could keep at the house, hook up and go for weekend float trips or bike rides in places where your only option was a tent or a bad bed & breakfast. If I could go out for weeks at a time, I probably would have looked at something bigger.

A couple of things made us decide on the 20. First, kitchen counter space. The 20 has a ton compared to other models smaller and larger. It's comfortable meal prep space and we like to cook. Second, the sleeping configuration. The beds in these babys ain't like the king at home. We'll each take a bed rather than beat each other up in one. With one person in the front bed and one on the dinette, we can both comfortably see the TV if we want to plug in a movie and watch from bed.

Lots of storage that's easy to get to under the front bed as well.

mojo · 07-31-2007, 11:49 AM

Well to answer your question, regarding the 20, I would have to say that it is the perfect 19. It has more counter space than the 19 which makes it a little more usable. If I were buying new I would give the 20 or the new sport 22 a serious look. However, at half the price, I setteled for a used 19.

And bigger is not always better. It's all in how you use it that provides the best satisfaction!

craftsman · 07-31-2007, 01:13 PM

16', 19' 20', 22', 25' 28' 30' and 34' Thats what's wonderful about Airstreams. There's a size and layout as well as trim level to fit most everyone.

Wayne&Sam · 07-31-2007, 02:39 PM

We love our 20'. We find the bed just fine- although it's not our king at home. And we particularly like not having to set up the bed every night. The dinette works for the occasional guest. The kitchen is a good layout. But what really sold it was the bathroom. It feels much bigger than the ones with the angled wall.

mffjm8509 · 07-31-2007, 05:16 PM

We've had our 20' Safari for just over a month now and have only been in it 3 nights but here's a quick run down of my preferences...

First off we decided to go with the 20' because of its weight and in relation to our tow vehicle it offered us the most usable space. The 19 seemed too tight for us, and the 23 was a bit too heavy towing in Colorado.

Sleeping configuration is large enough for us and located AWAY from the head. We normally sleep on a queen size bed at home and this is comparable to a twin.

Plenty of storage under the bed as well. I havent filled all of the storage compartments up yet and theres still plenty of room.

Kitchen has more counter space for prep AND the double sink is nice. Really the kitchen area is enough to have sold us on the 20' model.

I'm sure I'll have more input as we spend more time in it.

Mike

DugsLife · 11-14-2008, 09:15 AM

I am looking at 20's and wanted to find out what the changes were between the 2006 first edition and the 2007 when they added the wrap windows around the bed?

Do the 2007 units have metal walls instead of the carpet walls on the 2006 or were these just options in both years? Any other details would be appreciated.

mutcth · 11-14-2008, 09:51 AM

From what I've seen, the difference is that the 2006 model came only in "regular" Safari trim, while the 2007 model came in both Safari and Safari SE trim.

That changed all of the windows (the side windows open fully rather than the smaller operating area of the standard Safari windows) as well as interior trim.

Here is a 2006: Colonial Airstream " Of New Jersey " Airstream New Inventory Updated Weekly

and here is the 2007 SE: Colonial Airstream " Of New Jersey " Airstream New Inventory Updated Weekly

That website (a great resource) also has pics of the 07 "base" Safari.

Colonial Airstream · 11-14-2008, 02:53 PM

Also the SE was an option upgrade package for a safari in 2007 VS. in 2008 being an actual model in the Airstream product lineup. This really makes a difference when you consider the resale in the future. NADA does not recognize the SE option package for 2007 they only list the Safari, which has a much lower value. In NADA for the 2008 model year they show the base Safari models and the Safari SE models, with two drastically different values.

smeltersmoke · 11-14-2008, 05:05 PM

We love our 2008 Safari SE 20 purchased July 24th 2008. We were originally looking at the 22 Sport @ George Sutton's RV in Eugene, OR and our salesman showed us the Safari SE 20. We immediately realized that there was no comparison (especially in price) but Sutton's was willing to deal. We have about 4500 miles and 21 days camping in the 20 and we have been very comfortable. The galley area is very spacious. The bathroom and sleeping arrangement has been most comfortable (and we are not little people, though we have a smallish dog). The Specs on the 20 indicate that it is actually 20' 10". Also it is no longer being manufactured as the Safari SE 20. The 2009 model is the Flying Cloud 20. I don't think there are any major differences other than the name plate.

DugsLife · 11-14-2008, 07:45 PM

Thanks for the quick responses...that is all very helpful and the difference are becoming clear. I like some aspects of the base and some features of the upgraded SE.

I'm not sure it is necessary to have full wrap around windows in the bed area but the shiny walls in the main area and halogen lights make the rather small space appear larger.

Seems the new port style designer windows are very cool on the upgrade but at what cost and they are not as functional as the big square ones that open at the bottom. Most of the mechanics seem the same otherwise.

Wayne&Sam · 11-15-2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DugsLife

I'm not sure it is necessary to have full wrap around windows in the bed area but the shiny walls in the main area and halogen lights make the rather small space appear larger.

Having lived in our 20' for a while now, we still think it's the best layout for us. I do agree that the front wrap around window look great, but in reality they are covered by the curtains most of the time. So I'm not sure of their real value. But they were part of the package that gave other things we wanted- the aluminum walls, the other windows are better, etc.