16 vs 19 for family weekend trips ?

[Dennis C]

That certainly makes it tough to compare and tough to decide. They always look bigger in the brochures and online photos than they do in person!

A few more things come to mind for me as I read this thread. The one that stands out is the storage space available with each trailer. My 23FB doesn’t have what I would call a large amount of storage space. We make it work and we know what we need and don’t need, but we camp light. We tend to bring fly fishing gear along with the typical camp chairs, camp tables, BBQ grill, etc. Much of that stuff ends up in the bed of my truck when we are towing. If you buy a smaller trailer and tow it with a small tow vehicle, you’ll have to be very careful about what you bring and how you pack. It’s something you should consider.

[BrendaKB]

We having been camping with our teenagers the last five years. We started off with a three week surf trip down highway 101 (Seattle to Eureka, CA) We have done Glacier, Crater Lake, Yellowstone, Mount Rainier. We also do long weekend local trips. My daughter is off to college in the fall and I’m happy to report that she wants to continue our trips when she comes home in the summer. Our plan was to sell the Airstream when our kids went to college. But, we have had so much fun we can’t imagine doing that now. When we first started looking we thought we wanted the Flying Cloud 25FB. We ended up buying the 27FB because it is easier to get around the bed. We have never regretted that one minute. Because we live in the Pacific Northwest, we wanted something that all four of us could be comfortable in rainy weather. After five years I can say we are still amazed how comfortable the trailer is with all of us. The 25 FB has the same living room layout as the 27FB so it would work. What we particularly like is the large wrap around window at the dinette. We camp at beach sites a lot and there is nothing like being warm and cozy in your trailer looking at the view, sipping your coffee and waiting for the surf to come up!

[WhereStream]

We had a 16 Sport and loved it, but after a couple of years we switched to a 19 Bambi.

The 16 is delightful, and the bed in the back can't be beat (if someone doesn't mind climbing over).

The 19, though, just has more elbow room. We consider it three feet longer, twice as big.

Surprisingly, it tows better than the 16 — it is better behaved back there, doesn't hop around like the 16 would do — and it is easier to park.

The tanks are bigger, a plus (but not "big"). The bed is easier for the other person (the one sleeping against the wall; that would be me) to get in, but still requires a bit of artful dodging, just not climbing.

Our 16 did not have the vented air conditioning; our 19 does have vented, and while not quiet, this AC is not the roar machine of the 16.

We did not look at a 20-footer, but on paper, the interior of the 20 looks to be a good and interesting layout.

[urnmor]

IMO it is easier to grow into something than to grow out of something. I honestly think you will grow out of the 16 quickly

[JCWDCW]

19 with more tank capacity
If you are not on sewers that combined tank becomes a big limiting factor. We did 5 weeks in a 16 Bambi on Caravan always with sewers or at least dump stations in overnights
The combined tank is very limiting on Rally long weekends where there is only a dump station
JCW

[Shiny16]

I think that if the combo tank won’t work for you the increased capacity of the 19 will only be a Band Aid. The 16 is a 30g combo. The 19 has 30g grey and 18 black. It’s the grey water that fills up quickly. You will have to dump well before you benefit from the extra 18 gallon capacity unless you plan to unethically dump the grey.
I could see it being a slight advantage for 1 or two people but not for 4. For 4 you will need to plan on using campground facilities or the outdoor shower when boondocking.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

We had a 16 Sport and loved it, but after a couple of years we switched to a 19 Bambi.

The 16 is delightful, and the bed in the back can't be beat (if someone doesn't mind climbing over).

The 19, though, just has more elbow room. We consider it three feet longer, twice as big.

Surprisingly, it tows better than the 16 — it is better behaved back there, doesn't hop around like the 16 would do — and it is easier to park.

The tanks are bigger, a plus (but not "big"). The bed is easier for the other person (the one sleeping against the wall; that would be me) to get in, but still requires a bit of artful dodging, just not climbing.

Our 16 did not have the vented air conditioning; our 19 does have vented, and while not quiet, this AC is not the roar machine of the 16.

We did not look at a 20-footer, but on paper, the interior of the 20 looks to be a good and interesting layout.

Just to make it clear to the OP. Vented or ducted air is available on the newer 16s.

On a side note. How did your 16 “hop around” ? I’ve never experienced anything like that.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

I think that if the combo tank won’t work for you the increased capacity of the 19 will only be a Band Aid. The 16 is a 30g combo. The 19 has 30g grey and 18 black. It’s the grey water that fills up quickly. You will have to dump well before you benefit from the extra 18 gallon capacity unless you plan to unethically dump the grey.
I could see it being a slight advantage for 1 or two people but not for 4. For 4 you will need to plan on using campground facilities or the outdoor shower when boondocking.

At least with separate tanks, you could use a blue-boy tote to dispose of the grey "ethically". I wouldn't want to use a blue-boy with a combined tank...

Shari

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

At least with separate tanks, you could use a blue-boy tote to dispose of the grey "ethically". I wouldn't want to use a blue-boy with a combined tank...

Shari

Why? They are made for that. I do it all the time. I rinse with a Clorox solution. I do get that it would be an easier job if it was just grey. The main point that I was trying to make is that for 4 either is going to be inadequate if you don’t rely on the campground facilities when boondocking.

[Yonis]

Hello, my name Yonatan, and i own a Bambi 19.
I wouldn’t recommend going with a 16. It’s a bit small for two people, and for sure for 4...and also the wet bath is not the most comfortable thing.

The Bambi 19 has a beautiful layout, can sleep 4 people easily (two in the bed and two in the dinet), and it also has a dry bath which is amazing!!

Regarding the towing capacity. I tow my Bambi 19 with an Infiniti QX60 - towing capacity of 5000lbs. And it feels good. Not the best, but good enough. so with your 6600 towing capacity you’ll be perfect.

The 19 has separate gray and blank tanks, very easy to deal with.
Regarding Bambi or caravel...if money is not an issue...go with the Caravel. The main difference is the ducted AC...the regular AC on the Bambi is too loud for us to fall asleep with. That was the only reason why i would prefer the Caravel...if i had the extra 18,000

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Why? They are made for that. I do it all the time.

Different strokes for different folks.

I just would rather not be that "up close & personal" to the black tank contents. Although I DO "deal with" the dumping of my tanks all the time - I prefer the direct dump at a dump station to the intermediate transfer to a blue-boy, then to the dumping location. More transfers = more chances for an embarrassing accident. I find a full boy-boy (even a small one) a bit unwieldily - with "grey only" I don't have to worry as much about having an "Uncle Eddie" or "RV-the movie" moment.

Shari

[Shiny16]

The 16 also sleeps 4 with the same bed dimensions as the 19. Just decide which direction you like your feet. The 3 of us have spent up to 2 weeks in the 16. It requires compromises. None of which would be rectified without going much larger then a 19.
There are many benefits to going larger. I’m just not interested in a having a truck and having to find storage for a larger trailer. I like that the 16 fits in my yard. It gets lots of use because of that. Sometimes the idea of a larger unit is appealing but we are not that committed to a camping lifestyle and the 16 makes a perfect compromise.
With that said this thread is about a choice between the 19 and 16. Both will require a compromise for 4 people. That doesn’t make it a bad thing.

I think the last thread that ran like this ended with OP buying a 25

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Different strokes for different folks.

I just would rather not be that "up close & personal" to the black tank contents. Although I DO "deal with" the dumping of my tanks all the time - I prefer the direct dump at a dump station to the intermediate transfer to a blue-boy, then to the dumping location. More transfers = more chances for an embarrassing accident. I find a full boy-boy (even a small one) a bit unwieldily - with "grey only" I don't have to worry as much about having an "Uncle Eddie" or "RV-the movie" moment.

Shari

Just pointing out that it’s not that big of a deal and I haven’t had an uncle Eddy moment yet. As for the OPs position of 4 people camping even if you were just using the portable to dump grey it would be a highly time consuming process if all 4 were using the trailer facilities only. So again having separate tanks has its advantages I just don’t think it would be that much of a benefit for the OPs situation. Which is what this thread is about.

[mefly2]

If your budget will allow, strongly suggest you consider the FC20 for not only capacity, but also floor plan -galley for a family!

[jdm-mn]

My wife and I have a 16' Bambi. We were formerly tent campers and are our grown sons are tent campers as well. We often travel with two other couples, one uses a tent (like our boys) and the other has a 13' Scamp. Our 16' Bambi Sport is where breakfast happens and seating four works, no matter who has joined us. Lunch and dinner are generally outside or on an expedition. The Bambi is plenty big for us whether we are by ourselves or with our friends. We are both willing to use campground latreens, toilets and showers. My wife will occasionally use our wet bath. I tend to use a lake in the same setting. We go for 3 - 15 days at a time and tent to move every 5 days or so.

[Goin camping]

A 19 foot with a corner bed and bath was a miserable and horrible mistake when we bought one as a first trailer.

Two adults (Normal size) did not fit on the bed comfortably and the bathroom was cramped. Was very uncomfortable to close the door while on the throne.

We traded that one in within a month. (didn't lose a dime either.) for a 25 footer.

So please sit and lay down in whatever you are considering. If you are not comfy or can't sleep. You won't go camping.

Consider an older Airstream. They are lighter than newer ones. You can get more room for less money at the same weight. Cooler looking too.

[Crandell5]

So we hit up the local airstream dealer and were able to actually look at several models they did have some in stock somewhere preowned but we’re new-ish and give us a good idea.

We were able to go inside of a 25’ flying cloud, a 23’ corner bed flying cloud, a 23’ front bed flying cloud, a 22’ Bambi, and a 19’ caravel.

We did not have any 16 footers for us to go into they had one on the lot there was a customers car so we couldn’t go inside of it but we could see it from the outside and it did look small!

After walking around all of the trailers and considering all the factors I think we like to the 23 foot flying cloud and the 22 foot the best.. how are you definitely noticed the difference in trim levels between a Bambi 22 and a 23 inch flying cloud!!

The things like the oven is a huge difference as well as bathroom doors cabinetry etc.

One thing I have to figure out is tongue weight the sales guy was trying to tell me that I could use some kind of weight distribution hitch but if what I read is correctly on the BMW websites I don’t believe my car will accept that type of a hitch.. so I’m pretty sure I’m stuck with 600 pound max tongue weight and I have to figure out if that weight comes out of my total payload and I’ve got stuff stacked up in the trailer do I basically lose all cargo capacity in my car what about putting things in my rooftop box etc. I’d have to figure all that out before I spend 85 grand on a trailer!!!

Here’s a good question maybe appropriate for a different topic but what are these things actually selling for I know there’s a several month wait but are people actually paying full MSRP for these things or are people actually getting discounts???

If I wanna buy an 85,023 foot flying cloud am I going to get stuck paying full MSRP or other dealers out there who will knock off 15 or 20%!??

What’s the warranty like on an AS? I’d have to finance something that expensive out over at least 15 years so undoubtedly there’s gonna be something going wrong at some point do most if you take it back to the airstream dealer for service or are there third-party RV repair shops where you can save money on upgrades and repairs??

Thx!!

[silver.villa]

Wow. Lots of opinions.
Look at the 20 ft Caravel
We have a 20 ft Flying Cloud with 80K on her
Alaska, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Colorado Mountains many times
Never disappointed with the size for two and a dog.
Our forever trailer.

[gcapiel]

20’ Caravel hands down. Great floor plan, storage, kitchen, features well worth the money and easy to tow with our X5. We previously rented both 16' and 22’ Bambi’s, so we have a frame of reference. In fact, the person we rented the 22’ from saw ours and is getting one for himself :-)

[Crandell5]

I like the idea of separate tanks for gray and black water - there could be some trips where have two or three kids with me. We could have a tent with us for them to sleep In - but if the want to come in to shower - on a 16 footer the tank would fill up fast and that could be a nuisance.

If I had something bigger with larger separate tanks I would think we could at least make it a whole weekend or even three or four days before we filled up am I correct or incorrect on those estimates assuming you conserve water??

Our camping will be a mix of going to campsites with it or full hook ups but also doing Boondocking at some sites would have to rely on solar panels and no dumping / water .

One thing I need to continue to research is what kind of actual towing capacity I have with my X5. When we visited the airstream dealer today he was telling me that I could get a weight distribution hitch and pull something even bigger like a 25 footer... I’ve been doing some research on the BMW forums and it sounds like with my particular year of X5 the typical hitches that I can have installed do not work with weight distribution.

If that is the case I would be limited to a Caravel or the 23 foot versions of the flying cloud or international.

It looks like the size of the tanks is not much different if I compare a 20 foot Caravel a 22 foot Caravelle or a 23 foot flying cloud. It seems at that point you’re paying for the difference in having a dual axle and the trim inside. The actual size difference between all of these is not significant. Although I did notice when we looked at the 25 foot flying cloud it felt much much bigger I believe it’s actually wider which probably added a lot of extra space to it.

The 25’ was really nice. It was also just over $100k!

I think 20’-23’ is enough - have any of you been camping with four or five people and used one that size and will be doable for a weekend?