2025 International or ???

[j54mark]

It has been a long time since we had our Sovereign '25. Even longer since we actually used it. Now I find a renewed interest in getting another.

First, we want another 25', but a twin this time. For reasons. We are favoring the International. I like the Globetrotter in many ways, but they tend to have low cargo capacity and the small refrigerator is a no go.

A real issue with is the "instant" water heater - a solution in search of a problem. I think I heard that the factory is now putting in a Showermiser, or something very like in some models - which would help. Is there any way to determine if a given unit has this, or even if it is being done at all?

I also remember back in the day more than a few complaints with the sliding overhead cabinet doors opening during travel. Is this still an issue? DW has never really liked top hinge upper cabinet doors, and this is a fairly big consideration.

If we make this purchase it will certainly be the last RV we ever have. For the first time in our lives we are willing to consider buying new.

Any thoughts or information would be welcome.

[Bearstream01]

Hi j54mark

I have a 2023 International. I dont have a problem with the sliders opening during travel. I hadnt even thought about it until now. My favorite part about them is they are translucent! I love the light that comes out of them, so much so that I find I dont even use the overhead lights that much. (I also love fairy lights and they make it easy to store the battery pack and not crimp the wire.) So, what Im trying to say is, I agree with the wife unit on the sliders!

If you go to Airstream.com and look at the Specs, do a Ctrl+F and search for "recirc" or look under Interior, there will be listed Tankless On-Demand Recirculating LP Water Heater if it has one. I dont see it listed for the 2025 Intl, but the new model year changes should be announced soon, so ?????

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[j54mark]

Thank you!

I was able to search the Airstream.com site about the water heaters. It appears the Classics still use the old tank based heaters, the Globetrotter, Trade Wind, and Frank Lloyd Wright get recirculating plumbing. Interestingly, the Basecamp Xe has the actual Showermiser .

The old Atwood/Dometic six gallon water heaters worked really, really well for for us for five decades. Recovery is so fast that we have never been without hot water.

[JeffKim]

We are 2023 Globetrotter 25FBT owners. When we were shopping we didn't like the International somewhat because of the sliding cabinet doors. It just seemed more of a hassle getting into, and for us the Globetrotter aesthetic and better quality appointments (upholstery, floor, etc.) appealed more to us. I also don't think there's much difference in refrigerator or capacity with the GT. We also like the wrap around seating in the GT, but if I got the International I'd get the hatch. It's like having a screened in porch. We love the twin beds - good choice.

A lot of people don't like the on-demand water heater. I think it's a lot to do with the size and layout of the trailer. But with the 25' we don't experience much delay in hot water since the unit is close to the kitchen and the shower. With the 2025 GT it's the recirculating. I don't know if it's in the International, but if you prefer the International over the GT, I wouldn't make recirculating a deal breaker. It's also not that difficult to add.

Be advised with 12V refrigerator if you plan to do much boondocking you will need lithium batteries. The factory option is pretty expensive but if you want to DIY and save it's not that difficult.

Last, factor in that you should expect to get 20-25% off list these days.

[Happenstance]

The Internationals are very nice and I love the colour palette they have. I don’t love the idea of the sliding cabinets though; the bathroom sliding doors were annoying enough that I cut dowels down to lock them in place during transit. Experiencing the same thing with the overhead lockers just doesn’t sound appealing to me.

Originally Posted by JeffKim

A lot of people don't like the on-demand water heater. I think it's a lot to do with the size and layout of the trailer. But with the 25' we don't experience much delay in hot water since the unit is close to the kitchen and the shower. With the 2025 GT it's the recirculating. I don't know if it's in the International, but if you prefer the International over the GT, I wouldn't make recirculating a deal breaker. It's also not that difficult to add.

Be advised with 12V refrigerator if you plan to do much boondocking you will need lithium batteries. The factory option is pretty expensive but if you want to DIY and save it's not that difficult.

I’ve read so many complains about the Girard water heaters over the years, but we’ve been using ours for 3 years now (and boondocked plenty), and like you, it really hasn’t been a problem for me in a 25FB. That cold blast is barely long enough for me to rinse my loofah out.

Likewise on the lithium batteries. The swap is straightforward, and pricing on lithium iron phosphate is so low these days that there’s no way I could justify paying a premium for Battleborn and the dealership tax for plopping them in.

[j54mark]

We were dead set on another 25', and equally certain we wanted an International. So as you might expect we purchased a 2025 Globetrotter 27' earlier today.

DW gave many excellent reasons for this choice and I understood them clearly at the time, although I cannot recall most of them now. I do remember something about "OR ELSE" that was a deciding factor.

So I will be spending much of Monday at the dealership going through all the systems. It is my understanding that the fun comes later.

[Bearstream01]

Hahahahah thats fantastic j54mark! Yes, you are going to have tons of fun with it. Congratulations!

[JeffKim]

Congratulations! As stated we're happy with our 25' GT but the 27' is much more future proof. The fun comes with adding lithium batteries and all sorts of stuff. Camping is secondary (ha, ha).

[j54mark]

Originally Posted by JeffKim

The fun comes with adding lithium batteries and all sorts of stuff. Camping is secondary (ha, ha).

We do not actually camp; I just like to go to a nice place to work on the trailer.

[GOUSC]

Originally Posted by j54mark

We do not actually camp; I just like to go to a nice place to work on the trailer.

Now, that’s funny. Good one!

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by j54mark

We do not actually camp; I just like to go to a nice place to work on the trailer.

I can relate!