27 ft vs 30 ft

[Klamb531]

My wife and I hope to buy an Airstream in the coming year... I’ve not camped in a trailer since I was a kid. I’ve got a 21 ft SeaRay boat I’ve pulled around various parts of the Southeast for the past 20 years using Chevy Tahoes. We’ll be starting the travel trailer episode of our lives with a new tow vehicle bought for the purpose of pulling a trailer. And we are leaning towards the Globetrotter series. So my question is this... I thought a 27 ft model was what we wanted... However, we saw a 30 and we really like the “feel” of the 30 ft interior. Is there much difference between towing / parking a 30 ft vs a 27 ft model?

Jaxon

[sheriff1]

We had a 27FB that was totaled, replaced with a 30RBQ, ended up selling 30RBQ and buying another 27FB.

[JonDNC]

IMHO the biggest factor will be where do you want to camp. If National, State Parks 27 seems to be the practical upper limit. If your going to do commercial campgrounds get whichever you want as the size won’t matter.

I don’t think towing will be much different if you have the right vehicle.

[DaveP]

We like our Classic 28 and we can camp most anywhere.

[mikeinca]

We had a 30' Classic. Loved the layout and interior amenities but after some very frustrating experiences getting into and out of the places we like to camp we downsized to a 25' Globetrotter. Absolutely no regrets.

Rather than being swayed by the look and feel of the interior (been there, done that) my suggestion is to carefully consider the kind of of camping you like to do and let that be the primary guide to your decision.

[jaybauman]

For all practical purposes, you wouldn't notice any differences between towing/parking a 30-footer compared to a 27-footer. Choose the model that works best for you; either length will behave the same.

[wulfraat]

I think it really comes down to which floorplan best works for you. For us - the 30’ offers the best floorplan for what we like - large lounge with storage underneath, nice dinette area, large bathroom and large storage in the hallway - which we converted in to panty. We also combined the lounge with the dinette to make for one big seating area. Works for us.


https://www.airforums.com/forums/f53...um-182406.html

Either way - recommend you install a 3” lift... these are long trailers that drag in and out of various parking lots..... [emoji4]

We moved up from a 25’. The length is a little annoying at times but generally speaking has not limited us. We often have a gangle of kids with us so the extra space inside is welcomed

[GMFL]

In my line of work I spend a lot of time in and under all kinds of Airstream.
As Wulf stated above it really boils down to what floor plan works for you.
We have a 30’ GT and love it.

[Philandsue]

We moved from a 27’ Pendleton with a rear hatch to a 30’ Classic...got it just before Covid hit...
We have found that it is just as easy to pull with our Mercedes ML, no difference at all. What is different is that we were led to believe there was only 3 feet difference....to us it feels like 10 feet! What an amazing difference!
Btw, we have had a few tight experiences, but the Pendleton would probably have been tight in the same situations...Walmart parking lots...no difference at all!

[drbrick]

IMHO it all depends on the type of "Glamping" you are going to do and the "size" of TV you want to own (especially if it will be a daily driver). They both tow the same, like an Airstream! However, if you're like us (Boondockers) in Forestry Campsite the you will struggle with the 30 - that extra 3 feet will put you outside the ability to fit in a large amount of campsites. - We have a 25' International + an F-150 supercrew making us over 50' and there are times we have to think about fitting into a campsite

[Mike0392]

We took a year to decide on a 33 Classic.
Decide what you want to do with it. Weekends or small vacations or extended staying. Sit on the couch or chairs , where is the TV ? Can I sit on the toilet without my knees in my face? Can I turn around in the shower? Can I walk around the bed to take a pee in the middle of the night?
We decided on ours as when we retire and drag the wheels off . Me, Becky and the dogs .

Look and try everything .

[B. Cole]

Old ex Semi driver + 31f oot old Landyacht owner, that hasn't move a inch in couple years.Im full time in it,over 3 years, and my days of yanking big trailers millions of miles are over lol
I've been on other Airstream sites,( pretty new here)and I'll have a little fun here with the new people and "experts", but I'll give it to you without candy coating it.
You will find out a lot of people on these sites book only "Pull Through " camp sites.Thats basically because they can't back up a trailer.It is what it is.
All these Airstreams are measured with 3 feet of hitch.So a 31 footer like mine, is a 28 foot shell.
So, in my opinion, bigger is better.But if you can't back up a 30 footer, same goes for a 27, or whatever.
If you're brand new to towing double axle trailers, you might want to start smaller.
One reason, is to see if you like the whole "Yanking/Glamping " thingy.The other thing is learning to tow safely, which is #1.
For one, most of these new to towing bigger trailer people, go way too fast, with low towing skills.Whatever you are yanking, stay as much as possible under 55 MPH, and stay as much as possible in far right lane.Those 2 things alone will keep you put of a lot of potential trouble, while learning.
So, say you're on Interstate, in far right lane, where you should be.About a mile before you approach a Interchange,move to next lane to left.After you pass the interchange, about a mile, move back over to far right lane.That keeps you away from a lot of rough situations.
I will add, and be agreed with here, I probably don't know what im talking about...LOL

[bryanjhill]

If you plan on visiting national parks and like to visit first service campgrounds, you will have more possibilities with the 27FB. I have a 27FB and absolutely love it for so many reasons, but with the rear dining room, every scenic spot where I back up is my picturesque view. The layout is extremely functional, I can't think of anything I'd change.

[Gigler]

Originally Posted by Klamb531

My wife and I hope to buy an Airstream in the coming year... I’ve not camped in a trailer since I was a kid. I’ve got a 21 ft SeaRay boat I’ve pulled around various parts of the Southeast for the past 20 years using Chevy Tahoes. We’ll be starting the travel trailer episode of our lives with a new tow vehicle bought for the purpose of pulling a trailer. And we are leaning towards the Globetrotter series. So my question is this... I thought a 27 ft model was what we wanted... However, we saw a 30 and we really like the “feel” of the 30 ft interior. Is there much difference between towing / parking a 30 ft vs a 27 ft model?

Jaxon

. There will be no noticeable difference. Just make sure your tow vehicle can safely tow and stop whatever you are pulling. I’m towing a 33’ Classic with an F-350 Super Duty Dually. I towed a 24’ with a F-250 Super Duty. The difference between my two trucks was one leaf spring and dual rear wheels. Just remember that even though you may have a vehicle to tow with you still must be careful NOT TO OVERLOAD WITH CRAP you won’t need or use.

[Revery]

We started with a 23' and after a cross country trip decided we need bigger and looked at 28' vs 30' (2015) Flying Cloud after a look at floor plans noticed the extra 2' was in toilet and closet. Since we don't spend much time in either we bought the 28' and absolute no regrets. Started towing with 2007 Infinity SUV (9000 lb towing capacity) but sluggish on inclines and decided it was too hard on the family hauler. Bought a Dodge Ram 2007 2500 with Cummings 5.9 and what a difference 70 mph tow without a sweat and not intimidated by 18 wheelers. Have made 3 cross country trips and average 16 mpg towing. As for parking and backing all principles the same just consider overall length of TV and trailer in tight spots, insignificant for 28' vs 30' Have been full timing for last 6 months in CA and works out great.

[John & Roberta]

Roberta and I pondered the same question, 27- (or 28-) vs. 30-footer. I’d already jumped in, replacing my truck with a new Tundra 5.7L with tow package. The Tundra was an acceptable match for the 28-foot Flying Cloud, but would it be acceptable with three more feet of trailer weight and stores?

Like you, we liked the “feel” of the extra three inside feet. (The Flying Cloud 30 is actually 30’-11.”) Newly married couple that we were, we were both privately worried about our ability to “live tight,” and it seemed the extra three feet couldn’t hurt.

8,000 miles later, no trouble living in tight quarters. We agreed we could give up three feet ON ONE SIDE—with careful clothes selection—but not BOTH sides. But we’ve discovered we’re not using the front L-shaped couch, except to store stuff, stuff that could just as well be dumped on the back seat of the truck. (A close friend did sleep on that couch, but that was three nights in three months of travel time.)

We went with the thirty-ONE footer and have only had towing trouble on steep grades, 10% stuff downhill. Drive slowly (35-45mph range) and work transmission along with brakes. Pull over once-in-a-while, let everything cool off.
We like our truck, we like our trailer . . . wish we had bigger breaks is all.

[Gibson3798]

Buy a smaller trailer than your tow vehicle can handle or a bigger tow vehicle than you need for the trailer.

Pulling over to “cool things down” simply means your TV isn’t big enough for the job.

Don’t press your luck trying to go big without the muscle to handle it in the mountains or on the high plains of KS.

[kritenour]

We've had our 32' since 2000 & have only had problem parking 3 times. Had a 25' & a 28' SOB before the AS & didn't pull any different length wise. We were looking for a 28 or 29 when we found the 32. We've been all across the US & Canada using Fed, state, private, & Cracker Barrel, Walmart. Go with what you like BUT be sure your TV is adequate & not just border line.

[guskmg]

I have not found a campground with sites I could not wiggle my 35 SOD into. I did not attempt several small state parks campgrounds that were obviously designed for small trailers and tents in Vermont. But overall length has not been a problem.
guskmg














sod

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

Buy a smaller trailer than your tow vehicle can handle or a bigger tow vehicle than you need for the trailer.

Pulling over to “cool things down” simply means your TV isn’t big enough for the job.

Don’t press your luck trying to go big without the muscle to handle it in the mountains or on the high plains of KS.

Exactly.At some point, that trailer will be driving that tow vehicle.
Probably just before it "Cools off". ...