Any SOBs with style and comfort to compare?

[Kyet]

Originally Posted by Rg416

I certainly wouldn’t put the Bowless Road Chief in the SOB category, but if you are, it’s certainly as nice as any Airstream inside and out. And if the Bowless is game as an SOB alternative to Airstream you’d have to look at the Living Vehicle. It’s a box, but the most beautiful box ever with the nicest architect designed interior I’ve seen in an RV.
Rich

I was able to spend some time in a Bowlus in Arizona at a teardrop rally this year. It was exquisite! Compact but with everything one needs. I have never been in a more well crafted and beautiful trailer. I didn't eant to leave.

[twolanehwy]

Originally Posted by PKI

The Internet lists the following as the 5 best ..... No Airstreams?

Grand Design Reflection Travel Trailer
Keystone Hideout Travel Trailer
Palomino Puma Travel Trailer
Heartland North Trail Travel Trailer
Jayco White Hawk Travel Trailer

The Oliver does come up in the search as a hit, but it really looks like a Clorox Bottle. Doubt it's what you want, but it's what a lot of people need.

Pat

wow, after looking at all of those trailers they are oogly!

The Oliver looks like a nice build. I especially like the aluminum frame, something AS should have done long ago. They are stuck in old ways of thinking and it shows in production the factory.
Also fiberglass is much better for insulation and less leaks.

[MickeyC]

Arctic Fox 22G or 25R, Lance 1995, or Oliver Elite II and not necessarily in that order!

[NY24]

Olivers can be VERY customized at the factory (unlike most RVs). Oliver is also legendary for the customer service and, after sale support. Some of the Canadian made brands also spank US builders for quality builds.

[moosetags]

You should definitely look at the Oliver Travel Trailers. They are built as well as an Airstream, and have some available features that are better than Airstream offers. Their largest model is a 23 footer. If they made a larger one, we might be Oliver owners today.

Oliver sells factory direct and offers a plant tour. They are located in Hohenwald, Tennessee, which is about 80 miles southwest of Nashville.

Brian

[HDsteel]

Living Vehicle----- Period. nicer than Airstream and built like a tank!

[Rzrbrn]

This is a great thread. I was hoping someone would come up with something with a modern, sleek, well lite by natural light bumper pull, or at the very least a 5th wheel. But nothing seem to be ringing my bell.

I find the dinette in the Airstream to be cheap looking and not fitting well into the overall decor and style of the rest of the trailer. Quite a bit better looking in the Classic, but then I don't like all the wood cabinetry, looks like it came out of a slab sided trailer. I find it disconcerning that the space between the cabinets and the walls in some Airstream's have a bit of plastic to cover up the rather crude gap, while other Airstreams just leave the seams open.

I like the fit and finish of the Winnebago trailers, but not the old fashioned wood cabinets and decor, and less than sturdy doors and general build.

I do like the white interiors of the molded fiberglass trailers because it makes the interiors right, but there is almost no elements of style in evidence, even in the high end Oliver and Big Foot trailers.

For all its failings, nothing matches the Airstream, on any level.

[ejami5]

I saw a Living Vehicle last month at the National Tiny House Jamboree. I loved it. It's way more than I need at this time but it will always be in the back of my mind if I ever need/want to step up. The quality and design exceeds AS. I will say I'm not crazy about the boxy shape but I can get over that.

https://www.livingvehicle.com/

[NCMEDIC]

https://luxefifthwheel.com/

Luxe fifth wheels are gorgeous.

[redhat200]

Airstream sophisticated luxury . Take a look at ultimate Airstream‘s website. Let them build your Airstream dream from the floor up. We bought a brand new 2018 25foot International serenity and had them take it a notch higher. It truly reflects our sophisticated penthouse taste. But beyond all of that and the greatest adventure that surely lies ahead is the wonderful people you will meet in the Airstream community. Kindest and caring folks on the planet.

[Bill M.]

Winnebago

[Rg416]

This just came via email. A new tour of the Living Vehicle. That thing is really nice. If I went full time, this would be on my list for sure. FYI, Hoffman got fame doing custom Airstream designs. If you’re asking for alternatives to Airstream that have nice design and quality interiors, this and Bowlus have it.
Rich

https://youtu.be/-cINXINOYGQ

[Billstream]

Thanks to all for the replies. That Living Vehicle looks very livable but I wonder how towable? And maybe my take on that is just the boxy visuals. For all of their Airstream experience, the Hoffman's don't seem to value aerodynamics very highly, but I suppose that maximum living space was the driving force here. And perhaps they were thinking "why build another Airstream"?
Of course I was hoping to discover a less expensive option, not more!

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by Billstream

Thanks to all for the replies. That Living Vehicle looks very livable but I wonder how towable? And maybe my take on that is just the boxy visuals. For all of their Airstream experience, the Hoffman's don't seem to value aerodynamics very highly, but I suppose that maximum living space was the driving force here. And perhaps they were thinking "why build another Airstream"?
Of course I was hoping to discover a less expensive option, not more!

I agree. I wouldn't touch that square box because I value the Airstream towing experience. I've towed SOBs for years, and there is no comparison, the AS tows better. I'm also suspicious of the integrity of the large sliding glass door as you bounce down the road. That looks like serious damage just waiting for a pothole. It's pretty, but no thanks.

Mike

[smithcreek]

Ever since I was a kid and saw Airstreams on the highway I thought they were as nice as it got and nothing in this thread changes that. The living box is ugly as sin. The inside looks more like a science lab than a trailer to live in and the outside looks like a mobile trailer home wrapped in tin foil. The Bowlus is beautiful, but if I wanted to spend that kind of money on a small trailer I would find an old Airstream, toss everything but the shell, pay someone to turn it into exactly what I wanted and have money left over to travel across the country a couple times.

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by ejami5

I saw a Living Vehicle last month at the National Tiny House Jamboree. I loved it. It's way more than I need at this time but it will always be in the back of my mind if I ever need/want to step up. The quality and design exceeds AS. I will say I'm not crazy about the boxy shape but I can get over that.

https://www.livingvehicle.com/

I think the Living Vehicle fits the OPs question. I searched for it last night but could not remember the name. Never seen it in person though.

[SteveSueMac]

I’d like to see one in person and get a chance to tow it. Much of the thought behind a 4-season full time home on wheels was very compelling. It’s square, yes, but not as disappointing to me as most SOBs. Very intriguing stuff and thoughtfully designed. Should I win the $1.6B tonight, I’ll place an order to see what I think. [emoji3]

Side note fun fact: your odds of winning the lottery are almost identical whether or not you buy a ticket....good luck to those who risked the $2. [emoji3]

[skyguyscott]

Originally Posted by Billstream

Of course I was hoping to discover a less expensive option, not more!

I can not recommend enough the option of finding a used AS and then making it your own. Consider the following advantages:

• Not only will you save tons of $$, but
• you will have a blast making it your very own, unique getaway. And,
• you can easily end up with a trailer that is better in almost every way than what comes fresh from the factory.
• And you will know your trailer inside and out.

The only downsides: I see two -- 1) it isn't "new" and 2)it will take time/money to get it where you really want it. (but wouldn't that be true even with new?)

[Albireo]

Originally Posted by smithcreek

Ever since I was a kid and saw Airstreams on the highway I thought they were as nice as it got and nothing in this thread changes that. The living box is ugly as sin. The inside looks more like a science lab than a trailer to live in and the outside looks like a mobile trailer home wrapped in tin foil. The Bowlus is beautiful, but if I wanted to spend that kind of money on a small trailer I would find an old Airstream, toss everything but the shell, pay someone to turn it into exactly what I wanted and have money left over to travel across the country a couple times.

I couldn't agree more except the Bowlus does absolutely nothing for me.

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Side note fun fact: your odds of winning the lottery are almost identical whether or not you buy a ticket....good luck to those who risked the $2. [emoji3]

One of our football players spent 20K on tickets