Looking at a 25' Flying Cloud: advantage of FB vs rear twin bed?

[Readgriff]

Thank you for any information
Readgriff


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[switz]

Our first ever RV was a 2013 25FB International Serenity ordered in October of 2012 while I was out of the country by looking at the Airstream catalog. It illustrated a walk around area of the cross frame queen bed (that was oddly shaped due to the curve at the front of the trailer) between the front wall of the trailer and the edge of the bed.

The reality was a non stand up 4" wide space for your foot which made making the bed a real challenge for this older person.

The first night, I sat up in bed and hit my head on the overhead storage locker. I had to try and crab walk down the bed for the nightly bathroom trip without waking my wife which did not work. We both agreed we needed to change trailers.

We ordered a 27FB Classic in May 2013 for a January 2014 build time frame. Then we chatted about the back 15 feet of that trailer being identical to the back 15 feet of the prior trailer. The lack of comfort for us with this design made the decision to change the order for only a $3,012 up charge a no brainer and we now have the 31' Classic model 30 with twin beds.

The twin bed option was not available in the 2014 model year in the International series. The Flying Cloud series and Classics offered that option for 25' and longer trailers. The advantage is real standing room between the beds to dress without bending over and much more storage both inside and out. Under each twin bed, the space is divided long length wise in half with outside and inside access. The night stand between the bed as outside access storage under it. There are roof locker(s) above the twin bed window(s) and a hanging above the foot of the bed. The number of roof lockers and hanging closets are determined by the trim level.

We are both very pleased with this bedroom arrangement. It also allows the bedroom to be a sitting room for one or the other for some private time when needed.

The photos below are of a 31' Classic twin bed installation (not ours).

[KJRitchie]

The queen bed is cramped for walk around space. My 2008 Classic 25FB has reading lights handing down from the front cabinet. Why did they put those lights there as they serve no useful purpose. Better would've have been recessed courtesy lights. The person sleeping closest to the little night stand has to exit the bed by the foot of the bed to keep from disturbing the person next to you. I think twin beds would be better now that I've had my AS for a year but they are few and far between on the used market unless you can travel all over the country to find them.

I don't really like the living arrangement of the 23d, 25fb and 27fb either. The dinette is not comfortable to relax on for non-meal periods and neither is the side gaucho/couch.

Now that I've used it for a year I guess I don't really like my 2008 Classic 25fb floor plan anymore.

[murreywalker]

First of all (if you are really looking at a 25 rear bedroom vs. a 25 front bedroom), make sure you're aware of the living space difference. The 25 rear bedroom has less lounge and one less side window over the lounge).

The 25 front bedroom has a smaller toilet/sink, and doesn't have an oven. The 25 rear has a larger toilet/sink. It has an oven in addition to the microwave. If you like a larger toilet/sink area and the oven, the 25 rear bedroom is your cup of tea.

The opening direction of the door in the rear bedroom is such that some go to extraordinary efforts to make sure the door doesn't open while in motion (as it hinges to the rear when the trailer is in motion). This means if it should come open when you're moving, damage could occur.

Now, with regard to the queen bed vs. the twin arrangement. If you sleep near the back/front of the trailer and can duckwalk (and need to be close to your partner), the queen is for you.

BUT, in my opinion, the twin bed setup is the best of all worlds. Both have easy access to the toilet in the case of those frequent pee'ers (like me) and visually the entire trailer looks much longer.

Of course this is my (and my wife's) opinion, and I'm sure someone will tell you that I'm all wrong!

[Wayne&Sam]

We recently bought our 25 Rear Twin and the deciding factors for us were:

The rear outside storage is huge and unimpeded by the LP tanks. Sam can store all her fishing gear there along with the BBQ and a Honda 1000i. We felt it would be much more difficult accessing the stuff in there with the LP tanks in the way.

Yes the sofa is a bit shorter but we felt it was unnecessary and preferred the room in the bathroom. In use this has proven to work for us.

What I've realized since using the twin (where the beds run lengthwise to the trailer) is that being perfectly level side to side is not important as it was with the bed going the with of the trailer. It's much easier to get the bed level with the jack than it is by shimming the wheels.

[Edistobob]

Another vote for the twin bed arrangement, having gotten that in our 25' FC. On rear vs front I second the comments about the generous outside storage and the larger toilet area. and the oven is a handy bonus. Some mention the advantages of a front bedroom as it places the dining area in the rear where the views are usually better. We have found that to be a non-issue for us, as it seems that it's a 50/50 crap shoot as to whether the front or rear will have a better view. So, altogether we think the rear twin bed arrangement is the best all around for livability and efficiency.

[Wayne&Sam]

We mostly find the rear views better and we like to see them when we wake up. Last week it was a spectacular view over Lake Ontario.

[Readgriff]

Thanks for the replies our dealer in the area does not have any 25 footers.

[silverlabs]

We debated all of the configurations that have been discussed. In the end we went with the rear twin and have been very happy with our choice. The bed is longer for the tall husband. There is room for the large dogs to sleep in between us and NOT on the bed. He has found the extra space in the bathroom and the storage area helpful as well. We had to drive 3 hours to find a dealer that had the configuration we wanted but it was worth it.

[TWA640316]

Would it make any sense to have a regular double bed instead of a queen, to give more walk around room. We had a slide in pickup camper for years and the regular double bed worked just fine for us. Just a thought.

We are finially getting serious about looking for a Airstream, 25 ft of course.

[ratfarker]

You can have my 25FB when you pry it from my...wait, I'm single so the bed is perfect for me! I try not to use the toilet when I'm traveling (trust me) so the bathroom smaller with a larger sofa was bonus/bonus. I looked hard at both models, and couldn't see myself in the RB, but to each his/her/its own.

[rodsterinfl]

the bathroom smaller with a larger sofa was bonus/bonus. I looked hard at both models, and couldn't see myself in the RB, but to each his/her/its own.

Your post made me look at the AS website floor plan for the 25FB twin and the 25 Twin. Note the space at the foot of the beds in the 25FB. How much space is that?

[ratfarker]

It's really not a lot of space. I can comfortably stand ther to lift the bed up for storage underneath but I can't do sit-ups without hitting my elbows! I'd say it's just the right amount for my dirty clothes hamper.


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