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Shepstream · 07-23-2007, 12:12 PM

My family is really happy with our 2001 Safari 25. It's getting time for me to change the tires (on years, not miles); but otherwise it has been perfect. So I really can't explain, other than latest-and-greatest-itis, why my wife and I spent hours yesterday lusting over the 2008 Safari 27FB. I tried thinking about some of the pros and cons of acting on such behavior:

Pros:
+ Shiny SE interior
+ Some needed extra space
+ Big booth dinette
+ Slick floorplan in 27FB
+ Full Queen Bed (not the 54" one on our 25)
+ New tires (well, new everything)

Cons:
- $30K trade (just guessing)

Thought this would be a good place for others to endorse or ridicule such behavior. It doesn't help that there is this tempting "Colonial Airstream" link a few inches above this message box! Link to object of lust: 2008 27FB

Other related questions include:

q1: Have any changes been made to the air conditioner since 2001 that would make it quieter? Like a "hush kit"? I want a silent lower-than-low fan speed setting. I'd pay for that.

q2: Has anyone with a booth dinette FB model found a creative way of emulating the "vibe" of the non-FB L-sofa? There is something nice about the way the 28 L-sofa wraps around. In general what are the other less obvious 27FB v. 28 trades?

q3: Are there other values (or costs) in such a trade that I'm missing? So far the only thing I've needed to replace on my 2001 is the battery (which I smartly upsized on group, BTW)

q4: We love our Hensley hitch on our 2001 Safari 25. I'm guessing that generally stays with the trailer. Any reason why a new Hensley woudn't work just as great with a new 2008 Safari 27FB? (unlikely)

Thanks in advance for the group's constructive opinions on this specific potential trade; and the A/S trade-in bug in general. -Shep

cosmotini · 07-23-2007, 01:02 PM

Just drink the kool-aid and do it.

We just traded a 28' 2004 CCD for a 27' FB International Signature Series CCD.

q1. We upgraded to the 15K air conditioner with heat pump. It has a digital thermostat that you set the temp with and the fan/compressor cycles like a home unit.

q2. we prefer the dinette location in our FB than in our RB. The best view in most of the places we've stayed is towards the rear of the trailer.

q3. checkout the rear and roadside awning package.

q4. why couldn't you move the hensley? Is it welded to the trailer? We have an Equal-I-Zer and it transferred over - no problem.

Goin camping · 07-23-2007, 01:17 PM

Trade in the trailer and keep your hitch.

**moosetags** · 07-23-2007, 01:40 PM

The FB floorplan is great. Take the Hensley with you.

craftsman · 07-23-2007, 02:32 PM

It's a no brainer... make the trade!

Foiled Again · 07-23-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shepstream

My family is really happy with our 2001 Safari 25.....

- $30K trade (just guessing)....

q1: Have any changes been made to the air conditioner since 2001 that would make it quieter? Like a "hush kit"? I want a silent lower-than-low fan speed setting. I'd pay for that.

q2: Has anyone with a booth dinette FB model found a creative way of emulating the "vibe" of the non-FB L-sofa? There is something nice about the way the 28 L-sofa wraps around. In general what are the other less obvious 27FB v. 28 trades?

-Shep

Well, I WON'T go to 3 new Airstreams in three years... I won't.... I won't
But WOW the 27FB is as near to perfect as you're gonna get! (Lead a snot into temptation...)

Okay, the bad news... you'll be a helluva negotiater if you do get 30K for your 2001 unit (unless it's a Classic, and even then?). You'll get in the neighborhood, though.

Yes, the 15,000 BTU A/C with heat pump and wall controls is MUCH better and somewhat quieter. The front to back queen is a bed you can actually MAKE without being an olympic gymnast AND it's got very good privacy.

And the front dinette... as a wrap around couch? EASY! I saw a family of three women + 2 dogs who have extensively upgraded their 25 FB, and the simplest part was their wrap around couch. Put the table down, put the back cushions on the table, grab lots of big cushy pillows and sling them around the back and sides of the "bed" and you've got a wrap around couch. I think they may have also put one long foam cushion similar to what is under the side windows - to keep the pillows away from the bottom curtain rod. Buy a few folding tray tables or get lap trays and recline Roman style while eating. Liked it so much I finally took the original (too heavy to use) bedspread and cut it up and made big cushy pillow cases for the big cushy pillows I just bought. Nicest thing about this sofa - it's big enough for two people to lounge on, feet up watching tv or reading, AND if you want the dinette back, pitch the pillows and set up the table. If you go this route you might want to do leather upholstery /leather look alike.

They also had added an "end table" right under the TV - it was actually a CD storage drawer - though you could put a fold down table under the TV on the wall. That last six to 12 inches under the TV is kinda waste space. I think they actually had shortened the cushions to put in the CD storage. I don't know if their storage unit was removable, but I'd bet it could be AND it could be made just high enough to add support under the slide out for the bed when it's in use. Hmmmm..... brain is working....

As a side note, a Classic 25 FB owner told me that her unit had a ZipDee chair storage cabinet behind the door side seat in the dinette - she wished it had the thick cushion the Safari and CCD have, and that the zip dee storage cabinet had been nestled under the TV since no one sat directly under it.

Between you me and the wall, my first was a CCD 22 - and boy the laminates on the table tops, counters and even the walls were a lot heavier weight than the Safari's. I really like the blend of the Safari woods, the midnight sun upholstery and the CCD bare interior, but IF I fall for the 27 it will probably be one of the CCD versions..... can you say ocean breeze?

Paula

fastrob · 07-23-2007, 02:55 PM

New toys are great.
The one who dies with the most toys wins.
My junk is paid for.

R

ScottW · 07-23-2007, 03:14 PM

As my daughter always tells me when I'm looking at toys...it's not what you need, but what you want that counts.
Just do it. We traded a 2006 25' Safari for a 2007 30' Classic. It's contagious!

Heirstreamer · 07-23-2007, 03:40 PM

So you might as well enjoy it while you are here. Take the Plunge. If it were not for my spur of the moment decisions, "and lack of sound judgement," I might have still been camping in the Shasta that I began with. (No slam to Shasta trailers intended)

starflyte1 · 07-23-2007, 04:39 PM

Love this thread!

pmclemore · 07-23-2007, 05:18 PM

Yes - this thread gives you permission to feed your vices. We waved good-bye to our 25' Safari today.

nilesrob · 07-23-2007, 06:42 PM

We just ordered a 2008 27FB International Ocean Breeze - and we can't wait. We traded in a 2005 34' Classic Limited w/Slide out - it was absolutely gorgeous. You're not really looking for logic here, right? I mean, this isn't like you're looking for some ROI or cost justification, right? Like I've said before, the first step is to admit you have a problem.

Shepstream · 07-24-2007, 05:26 AM

Thanks. This was good. Looking for the feedback like Cosmotini and Foiled Again provided. I was surprised nobody expressed the other view about how we are happy with our 2001. Certiantly will post here if we act. Thanks again!

craftsman · 07-24-2007, 06:17 AM

Brad, you went from a 34' w/slide to a 27'FB? It usually happens the other way. Why the downsizing??

Valhalla2Go · 07-25-2007, 01:54 PM

Do the trade pronto and switch the hitch over to your new slick rig. We have put 2000 miles on our Memorial Day weekend delivered 08' 27FB with 2 kids and experience with our 68' baby - it has performed gloriously. message me directly if you want to talk through the options we added and some things we changed at assembly - little sticker difference but big usage benefits!

The value of your trade seems to be the item of discussion as many AIR friends have talked about horror stories when they brought in almost new trailers to talk trade - AS hold their value very well out 15-50 years but that is after the first years of severe left the lot depreciation.

Erikson

Shepstream · 08-14-2007, 10:25 AM

Well this was an effective thread, for me anyhow: We traded up to the 2008 Safari 27FB! Colonial was terrific, they did everything right for us. They were all about the getting us what we wanted and making everything right. That was two weekend's ago. Last weekend took the A/S to a 3-day festival. I liked the comment "dude, you have the pimpinest ride here", even though that was not our intent. We had perhaps a dozen questions/issues, a few of which we are still through (I'll post them someday). We went with "kiwi" BTW. -Shep

starflyte1 · 08-14-2007, 12:38 PM

Colonial was very nice to us too! We are trading our 2007 23' for a 2007 25' FB, leaving tomorrow for NJ! They are moving our Hensley for us.

I am sure that you will enjoy your 27' FB! I know a couple that traded their new 2007 FB 25' for a brand new 27' 2007 FB. Were on a trip, stopped at a dealer and traded.

Pat

Bambi_Bandit · 08-14-2007, 01:29 PM

If you can afford it and it won't impact the finacials, then why not?

My wife and I just traded our 2006 28' Safair LS for a 2008 27FB Int Sig Series Custom. There was nothing "wrong" with the unit, just had some things that we thought could be better. We found it inthe 27FB International. Took almost 5 months from the time I talked to the dealer on options and custom work to delivery date.

In fact, we just picked it up from the dealer this past weekend. Love it. This will be the 3rd airstream in a little over 3 years, but hopefully the last. It took 2 other airstreams for us to figure out what we liked or wanted, which we then tried to get on this unit.

Also to think about is the custom stuff that the factory can do for you. We did a pretty large list of custom items we had them do, not to mention the work that we had David Tidmore do at Roger Williams.

We haven't had a chance to break her in on a campout yet, but plan to this weekend...

So, my vote is do it while you can! Life is short.

Kevin

cosmotini · 08-14-2007, 01:35 PM

Kevin,

What customization did you have done? Enquiring minds want to know!

CanoeStream · 08-14-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

If you can afford it and it won't impact the finacials, then why not?
.
.
.
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So, my vote is do it while you can! Life is short.

And the financing is deductible as mortgage interest if you itemize deductions -- same as a 2nd home since it has a galley & bathroom (cruising sailboats too).