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Old 10-20-2014, 02:35 PM   #1
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2020 16' Basecamp
Kempner , Texas
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Possible first time Airstream owner

Hello,

We're seriously considering purchasing a 2014 International 27FB Onyx model. I'm wondering if anyone has one and if they've had positive experiences with it.

We've never owned a travel trailer at all but are really convinced of the durability and quality of the Airstreams overall.

Thanks in advance if you choose to share.
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Old 10-20-2014, 02:57 PM   #2
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Well, welcome to the forum, and hopefully an exciting new way of life.

Although I have not owned that particular model, I have owned Airstreams for many years. I'm sure you will enjoy the one you are thinking of buying.

Hope to "see" you around here quite often. This is a fun place to hang out.
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Old 10-22-2014, 01:17 PM   #3
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Bought a 23' Serenity, spent 80 nights in the first 16 months on the road...wish we could have spent more. Its a beautiful country and your trailer is the escape pod. Get the trailer, a top notch tow vehicle, and don't look back. Join KOA for quick highway on-off camping.
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Old 10-22-2014, 02:23 PM   #4
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We own a 2014 27 foot Eddie Bauer which is the same floor plan as the unit you are considering. We find that the 27 FB model is the perfect size and layout for two adults to travel in comfort. We like having the dinette in the back because 80% of the time that is the best view and we hardly ever even open the blinds on the front of the trailer (i.e., the bedroom) so if we had a rear bedroom model, we'd never get to see the view.

Between the Airstream and the truck, we can easily carry everything we need for very extended trips. This trailer also tows very easily once you get used to having a "Greyhound Bus" tailgating you all over the place.

If we had to do it again, we would buy the exact same unit.

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Old 10-22-2014, 02:39 PM   #5
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We looked at an Onyx 25FB on our way back from vacation. Wife loved it, perhaps a bit too fancy for me. I still like to think I'm camping, not in a hotel room on wheels lol. Fortunately sticker price will probably keep us out of that particular model
Dana


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Old 10-23-2014, 10:57 AM   #6
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2014 28' International
San Jose , California
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We just purchased the first travel trailer of our lives ... a 28 Int. We pulled it from Oregon to storage in Ariz and loved every minute. In 10 days, we will move into it for a minimum of a year. Can't wait! The front bedroom was very attractive to us for the view reason some mention. In the end, we decided that we liked having a separate dinettte and couch that is in the 28. Also, even though view is some less, there is storage on each side of the bed. We decided that would be important because we will be all the time.
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Old 10-27-2014, 05:45 PM   #7
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We had a 27FB and have just traded it in on a 28 International. We debated the floor plan, as we love the view out the back at the site we leave the trailer at most of the time (wife uses it as a "country house" in the foothills where she rides), but the separate dinette and lounge make it much more useable for us given how we are using it most of the time.

We'll miss the view out the back, but are looking forward to the change. I don't think you'll go too far wrong either way...
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Old 10-27-2014, 11:21 PM   #8
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I will chime in here a little. We looked real hard at the 27FB also, but in the end went with the 28' because of the dinnette and better storage in the 28

What every you decide on, I'm sure you will be more than happy! I know we are

Cheers
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Old 11-20-2014, 07:02 PM   #9
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Any Onyx owners have comments? Are the 2014 Onyx cabinets the same finish as the 2015 Signature?
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Old 11-20-2014, 09:00 PM   #10
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They are not. The Onyx has a high gloss laminate vs a matt laminate in the Int Signature.


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Old 11-20-2014, 09:47 PM   #11
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You are going to HATE HATE HATE it....... ......that you waited so long..... enjoy
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Old 11-22-2014, 08:44 AM   #12
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Welcome to the Airstream community. If you purchase, be prepared for curious visitors at the campground. Airstreams draw attention compared to all the big white boxes out there.

Some folks like the recliner option. Who needs a dinette if you have folding tables? I find dinettes take a lot of room and are not very comfortable. They are really beds that fold up into a dinette. Great for travelers with kids, but not so great for retired travelers. I'm ready for my recliner after 20 minutes sitting in the dinette. But I can spend hours lounging in the recliner with the laptop, good book and eating snacks.

David
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Old 11-22-2014, 09:48 AM   #13
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We have had our 25FB for 6 years and have spent a lot of time in it but we are not full timers by a long shot. I would love to have a 27FB for the added space. The bed situation is much better and the slide out cabinet is large enough for a microwave.

I personally love the FB configuration but the weakness is the lack of a comfortable couch or recliner. If we full timed I would look closely at the 28 but I really do like the dinette. You can't have family or friends over and expect them to eat on tv trays. And, how do you play board games without a table? JMHO, YMMV.
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Old 11-22-2014, 10:17 AM   #14
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Truly comfortable seating is only available in 30' - 31' models. (unless they still make the 23' front sofa version). The newer 25' rear bed is easily converted to recliner, console, and folding table so went that direction to get comfortable seating in a mid-size Airstream. In this size picnics are best handled outdoors under the awning.
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Old 12-08-2014, 03:13 PM   #15
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Bought number 98 in this series and had never owned a camper either. It has been awesome and many great nights already. Still learning, but like the unit.
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Old 12-08-2014, 03:21 PM   #16
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Could one install front couch with the side table in these newer models, like they did in the older 25s?

Kelvin
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Old 12-08-2014, 04:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnArborBob View Post
We own a 2014 27 foot Eddie Bauer which is the same floor plan as the unit you are considering. We find that the 27 FB model is the perfect size and layout for two adults to travel in comfort. We like having the dinette in the back because 80% of the time that is the best view and we hardly ever even open the blinds on the front of the trailer (i.e., the bedroom) so if we had a rear bedroom model, we'd never get to see the view.

Between the Airstream and the truck, we can easily carry everything we need for very extended trips. This trailer also tows very easily once you get used to having a "Greyhound Bus" tailgating you all over the place.

If we had to do it again, we would buy the exact same unit.

We feel the same about our 25 Eddie Bauer ... in fact, we did buy it again only with the 2015 ducted air ...
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Old 12-08-2014, 06:55 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by mefly2 View Post
We feel the same about our 25 Eddie Bauer ... in fact, we did buy it again only with the 2015 ducted air ...
How do you like the ducted air? I am in the market and deciding between 2014 and 2015, likely 25FB
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Old 12-08-2014, 09:36 PM   #19
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The ducted air on my 25 FB Safari is from the furnace which is pretty nice when needed. The heat pump and the ceiling AC unit are pretty loud. Having a thermostat control though is a plus.


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Old 12-17-2014, 09:01 PM   #20
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We just bought our 2015 25FB Int'l Signature last week and couldn't be happier. So far we've only gone "camping" in our driveway but this is our first RV of any sort so it's a great way to learn the systems. I'm very surprised by how easy everything is to operate. Literally the flick of a switch. We're winterized at the moment so no liquids on board and related systems off. I was very worried about towing. Ours weighs something like 5400lbs and I'm towing with a Chevy Avalanche which has a 7200lb capacity. I can definitely tell it's there but only because of slower acceleration; braking is just as effective because of trailer brakes. Very pleasantly surprised there.

We considered the 27fb heavily as well; the price difference was minimal and so was the weight increase. I have to say the 25 feels the "perfect" size but the extra closet space and two more feet might be nice.

A couple newbie mistakes I've learned the hard way so far. Unhitching with the WD hitch requires you lift the truck / trailer up first to remove the bars... Then you can put it back down. First time working with a WD hitch and it took some searching on the Internet to unlock that knowledge. The other: make sure your hot water heater switch is in the off position when you plug the trailer in. The dealer forgot to turn it off and it took a couple mins to figure out what was going on. Lastly, when you first ignite the furnace, the smoke detector going off is normal. No need to panic. Like I did. Twice.
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