Changes for Model Year 2023? Bambi 16RB?

[RobynE]

Hi does anyone have a list or info on what changes were made for the 2023 model year for the Bambi 16RB?

Thanks

[KCurtis]

I have a 2023 Classic on order. It will be later in the year before we know anything.

[NoBanjoBurns]

I am curious about this as well. So does Airstream not announce the new features in advance of their new models? I am about to put an order in for a new 16' Bambi, and I was told by the dealer that any order made in July 2022 would be for a 2023 model. I asked if there was any difference and they told me there was no difference between the 2022 and the 2023 models. Can that really be true? No upgrades or differences at all?

[Dennis C]

Airstream has been making trailers long enough that they have generally optimized the layout and design. Most of the changes from year to year for the same model are cosmetic, such as different interior colors. The upgrade to composite sub flooring and to tankless water heaters was fairly significant a couple of years ago. They seem to tinker with things like USB ports and solar pre-wiring, etc. My point is that even if there are some upgrades or improvements for 2023, I think they will be minor incremental changes, not significant changes. I wouldn’t delay an order waiting to find out what changes are coming.

[NoBanjoBurns]

That makes sense. And at this stage, any new orders are going to be 2023 models, so there's no reason to delay anything. It just seems weird to me that you can effectively place an order and pay for your trailer, but not know what the interior fabrics are going to look like or know if there have been any changes to the trailer at all.

If the models have minimal changes over time, surely they announce what those changes are on a regular schedule year-to-year?

[wulfraat]

They are now offering Volta 1000ah lithium battery pack with integrated inverter-chargers as an option for interstates.

It will be interesting to see if they offer this as an option for trailers as well.

https://www.airstream.com/blog/new-o...motorized-rvs/

[NoBanjoBurns]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

They are now offering Volta 1000ah lithium battery pack with integrated inverter-chargers as an option for interstates.

It will be interesting to see if they offer this as an option for trailers as well.

https://www.airstream.com/blog/new-o...motorized-rvs/

Yeah, actually the batteries/solar is something I was really hoping to see upgraded. There are now more powerful solar panels out there than what AS currently offers. I believe the Bambi 16's solar package comes with a single 90 watt panel, and I'm pretty sure you can now find 130-150 watt panels that are the same size as AS's current offering. That and an option to upgrade to lithium would be great.

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by NoBanjoBurns

If the models have minimal changes over time, surely they announce what those changes are on a regular schedule year-to-year?

I reached out to Airstream and they said that the website will include the 2023 model updates in early July.

[RobynE]

Good to know!

[NoBanjoBurns]

Originally Posted by jeffb831

I reached out to Airstream and they said that the website will include the 2023 model updates in early July.

Great! Thanks!

[NoBanjoBurns]

I just got a message from the sales department at Airstream about the updates for the Bambi for 2023. Here's what he said:

"The Bambi will have a new radio model- Clarion and new refrigerator brand- Vitrofrigo. Both do the same thing and offer the same features as last year's models, we just switched due to supply chain shortages. We will also not include batteries any more so you can pick which type of battery that best suits your needs with your selling dealer. I hope that helps."

[richard5933]

From my experience the Vitrifrigo is an improvement. We had one in our coach - nice refrigerators. I miss it now in my trailer.

[BlueVelvet]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

Airstream has been making trailers long enough that they have generally optimized the layout and design. Most of the changes from year to year for the same model are cosmetic, such as different interior colors. The upgrade to composite sub flooring and to tankless water heaters was fairly significant a couple of years ago. They seem to tinker with things like USB ports and solar pre-wiring, etc. My point is that even if there are some upgrades or improvements for 2023, I think they will be minor incremental changes, not significant changes. I wouldn’t delay an order waiting to find out what changes are coming.

I think a multi-stage auto-detecting power converter letting you drop in whichever battery you want is a HUGE change and one that will save me a lot of money. I hope the changes take effect asap