Differences Between Models

[jgerardi]

Originally Posted by jsmith032

Im new here (hence the 1st post) and looking to get a TT. I've been inside a bunch and other than some exterior things, I cant see any differences between the different models.

I understand the 2013's and 2014's are slightly different, but what about say a 28 Flying Cloud and a 28 International, or a 30'.

When you are new to any activity, many things look the same. To a new golfer or tennis player, all racquets or clubs look alike. Play golf for a year and you will develop a feel for a 9 degree loft, draw biased, 460cc headed driver vs 11degree neutral.

I love my international. Only after about 6 months did I realize I would now pick something slightly bigger, perhaps twin bed, and a bigger bathroom. Discriminating taste comes with experience.

[Rocinante]

If you're certain you want a particular feature and are willing to wait, you can custom order your dream trailer. We didn't want to do that for our first-ever TT with no prior experience, but if you really know what you want and your dealer says it's possible, you can get it that way.

[Landrum]

Originally Posted by jsmith032

28 is actually 27'11 and the 27 is 28'. Weird I know.

Im leaning towards the 28' now, I like the separate dining area, but really want it with nightstands. Havent found a 28' with those yet.

I believe the newer 28''s have night stands. They are built into the sides of the cabinets that flank the queen. I really like those cabinets, but my wife really likes the pano windows on the FB models.

[Jack46]

We moved from a 28 International to a 30' Flying Cloud for a number of reasons regarding space and comfort, as well outlined by others here. A key issue for us however was that the "L" shaped bench seating in the 28' was very uncomfortable. Any effort (and expensive) to improve the foam, add cushions never worked. I mention it because a number of the 27'/28' models have this seating configuration.

[Rocinante]

Hang on, our 2014 International 27FB has night stands on either side of the queen bed...

[jsmith032]

I thought the 28 sofa was as comfortable as the 30's. The only noticeable difference was the cabinet space and price.

I know the 27's have the nightstands, but I couldn't find a 28 with the nightstands.

[Landrum]

Maybe they aren't night stands technically, but there are two shelves on each side of the bed. Perhaps they are not on all trim levels?

[jsmith032]

Those are called wardrobe or something. I'm looking for these in a 28'.

[Rocinante]

Yep, we have those in our 27FB. Low stands on either side of the bed. Not wardrobes.

[Landrum]

Ok. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but I just wanted to make sure you looked closely at the photo. Built into the sides of the wardrobes on the 28 are shelves facing the bed that functions as a nightstand.....someplace for glasses, a drink, book, etc.

[jsmith032]

I know exactly what you're talking about. But what I want is the openness of the nightstands. The wardrobes/closets seem to box in the room a lot.

[Landrum]

Ok. Sorry. I just realized I wasn't clear in describing the "nightstands" in my earlier posts. I'll shut up now.

[switz]

The twin bed option in the Classic model 30 puts a center night stand between the beds, a short hanging closet above the foot of each bed and a roof locker above each side window above the bed. There are also 120Vac outlets behind each bed and below the drawer in the night stand. Space feels really roomy and one can stand straight up to dress and make the beds.

[jsmith032]

I looked at that option but don't think I can convince the wife we're sleeping on separate beds. The twin beds are longer than the one queen and me being 6'4 it makes sense to me, but not her

[Florida 55]

When we started looking at Airstreams a few years ago, we took advantage of the Airstream/KOA program. Several KOA's around the country have 25FB models parked on site where they can be rented. We spent two nights in one of the KOA Airstreams at Bar Harbour, Maine. My wife had never spent a night in an RV of any kind. My parents had trailers and a motorhome when I was growing up so I was familiar with RV camping. In fact it had taken 18 years, and many trips to RV shows, for me to convince my wife to seriously consider purchasing an RV.

Our two nights in the Airstream at the Bar Harbour KOA give us the following data points:
1) We enjoyed our stay and both agreed the camping lifestyle would be for us.
2) We agreed to focus on Airstream travel trailers. Up to then we had been looking at several brands and had not eliminated motorhomes from consideration.
3) We did not like the sideways queen bed in the 25FB due to the limited space on one side. Therefore we decided to focus on 27FB and 28' models.
4) We liked the light color of the Flying Cloud interior.

After that experience we spent a year looking at new and used Airstreams and reading Airforums to educate ourselves. We spent several hours at a large Airstream dealer in the northeast going from one floor plan to another as well as studying the trim levels (Flying Cloud, Classic, and International).

At a point in time, when we were about to buy a new Airstream, our at the time 3 year old 2008 27FB Safari (same interior trim as Flying Cloud) found us. It was advertised on eBay and in great condition. We inspected it before bidding and ended up the winner. The price was right, even after paying the factory to fix the leaks and floor rot we later found. We like the 27FB floor plan and the lift up overhead cabinets of the model (versus the sliding cabinets of the International). We like the north/south queen bed, the slide out pantry with microwave, and the larger closet versus the 25FB. From a size perspective we've found we can get into almost any campground, including state parks.

As far as the 27 versus the 28, we like both floor plans. From our perspective the major advantage of the 27 front bedroom is having the panoramic window at the dinette in the back. We often park backed into a view such as a mountain vista, lake or seashore. It is nice sitting at the dinette enjoying the view out the rear. We also like sleeping at the front of the trailer so when we are overnighting in a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot we can hear if someone is messing around our truck.

With respect to the 28' we would like to have the sofa and separate dinette. In the 27' plan you are sitting at the dinette when in the trailer lounging and watching television.

After spending 160 nights in the trailer, since the purchase date, we've come to the conclusion the ideal Airstream floor plan would be a 30'FB with a separate dinette and two recliners at the rear of the trailer. This plan would allow us to enjoy the view through a panoramic window from our recliners, while having a separate dinette on the side across from the kitchen galley. The dinette would provide extra food prep space and a separate eating location. Since this floor plan doesn't exist, we'll continue enjoying our 2008 27FB. We are considering modifying the dinette area to replace the seat by the entrance door with a recliner and replace the existing dinette table with a table that folds against the wall of the trailer. There are several threads on the forums illustrating this modification.

One advantage of buying a 2-4 year old used Airstream is the ability to recoup most or all of your investment if you don't like the model once you start camping in it. Like an automobile the initial depreciation on an RV is steep so if you buy new and don't like it you'll take a financial hit when you trade or sell it after a year or two. Negotiate a sharp buy on a 2-4 year old Airstream from someone who wants to get rid of it and you'll have something you can sell for as much or more than you paid. We've owned ours since 2011 and still find comparable units (age, model, floor plan) listed on AirForums and Craigslist classifieds for more than we paid for ours. One nice thing about the popularity of the Airstream brand, there is a vibrant market for well maintained late model trailers.

I wish you well in the discovery process. Hopefully the perfect Airstream will find you. Consider visiting one of the KOA's with the rental Airstreams. There is nothing like actually sleeping, eating and cooking in one to give you the feel for how suitable the floor plan is for your needs.

[m.hony]

I will stick with my Classic.
It is basically a choice between light cabinets, dark cabinets, or natural wood.
I chose the Classic by walking around on Colonial's lot back in 2006.
I chose the floor plan based on looking at the floor plans on line and my experience with a similar floor plan in an SOB.
I wish I would have gotten solar, dark Ultraleather, no skylights, and 16" wheels on this trailer...

[jsmith032]

Very good info. The salesman told us that most of the areas around here are back in only so that gives us another reason to potentially go the 28 Rear Bedroom. The salesman also told me that they would loan us a comparable one, with a deposit down of course, to see if we like it.

[BAB]

I have a '12 28' Intl Signature CCD. It IS a great floor plan, at least for me. What is NOT OK is the abominably uncomfortable L seat sofa. It looks VERY nice but trust me, you cannot get comfortable sitting on it. It is too wide, too high, and the foam in the cushions is so thin that you can feel the plywood underneath (and NO, I am not huge, I weigh 165). I solved the problem, as you'll see in the photo below. I pulled out the L seat sofa and installed recliners. I did build a storage cabinet as well (this hides some of the equipment under there as well as provides a place for adult beverages). Now that I have rid myself of that L seat, this floor plan rocks!

[dkrug]

There is just a lot of personal choice about it. I didn't want anything "fussy". I didn't want fabric , carpeting or mouse fur on the walls.
In our Safari we had cloth, carpet and mouse fur. It just wasn't working. We camp with dogs . We usually boondock or camp in places that aren't your average KAO. An easy to clean Airstream was high on our list.

[Rocinante]

Definitely personal taste. We chose the International Signature in part because it has a plain "wood" floor - smooth and easy to sweep clean. No carpets, no textured flooring, and definitely no mouse fur. Oh, and the cushions are ultraleather for easy cleaning. Unlike some folks on the forum, we also loved the "lobster pot" sink on the 27 FB. Without it, where would we put the lobsters?