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09-21-2020, 02:21 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2020 27' International
Brentwood
, California
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 43
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2020 versus 2021 International + Factory Solar
My first post here. Looking at buying our first Airstream. 2020 International 27 FBT. It has the solar. Is this option worth the $$$ or just invest in a decent generator. Most of the time we'll be on the CA coast with hookups. Also trying the to figure out if I should order one and wait till next spring for it to arrive....
One other question - are the Goodyear tires really that bad? I hear that some choose to upgrade to 16" and something like a Michelin.
Going to quit working next year - Got the new F250 paid off - next stop the Airstream for occasional runs.
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09-30-2020, 03:38 AM
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#2
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1 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
sparks
, Nevada
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 10
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I was looking at the factory installed solar until I realized for the same price I could get a much better system with a lot more output. There's some wiring on the roof already so you just need to add panels and a charge controller. That's the way I would go again.
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09-30-2020, 08:09 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
2012 25' FB International
Trent Woods
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,120
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hobbie1
My first post here. Looking at buying our first Airstream. 2020 International 27 FBT. It has the solar. Is this option worth the $$$ or just invest in a decent generator. Most of the time we'll be on the CA coast with hookups. Also trying the to figure out if I should order one and wait till next spring for it to arrive....
One other question - are the Goodyear tires really that bad? I hear that some choose to upgrade to 16" and something like a Michelin.
Going to quit working next year - Got the new F250 paid off - next stop the Airstream for occasional runs.
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A commonly overlooked positive about solar is that, assuming you store your trailer outside, it keeps the batteries charged and extends their life. If you are buying used and it has solar, it will also have AGM batteries so that is a good thing. I agree that if what you buy does not have solar, you are better off having someone install solar...more capability at a better price.
Larry
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09-30-2020, 10:02 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
2021 33FB Classic
2019 30' Flying Cloud
Katy
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 796
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsbrodsky
A commonly overlooked positive about solar is that, assuming you store your trailer outside, it keeps the batteries charged and extends their life. If you are buying used and it has solar, it will also have AGM batteries so that is a good thing. I agree that if what you buy does not have solar, you are better off having someone install solar...more capability at a better price.
Larry
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True story. This is valid even for mostly-enclosed storage. My storage location is closed on all sides, but open in the front. There is still enough ambient light to give me a modest charge, even though I'm not in direct sun.
This was really useful last winter, when the breaker for storage power tripped. My trailer went about a month with no charger on the batteries, but I found them in at 95% status when I finally checked in on things.
__________________
2024 Dynamax DX3
2021 Classic 33 (sold)
2019 FC 30Bunk (sold)
ProPride 3P (still for sale)
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10-04-2020, 01:26 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member 
2020 27' International
Brentwood
, California
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hobbie1
My first post here. Looking at buying our first Airstream. 2020 International 27 FBT. It has the solar. Is this option worth the $$$ or just invest in a decent generator. Most of the time we'll be on the CA coast with hookups. Also trying the to figure out if I should order one and wait till next spring for it to arrive....
One other question - are the Goodyear tires really that bad? I hear that some choose to upgrade to 16" and something like a Michelin.
Going to quit working next year - Got the new F250 paid off - next stop the Airstream for occasional runs.
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We pickup our new 2020 oct 15th - the solar is standard. We got it for roughly 20% off the window sticker. International Serenity FB27T with solar and dual air. Looking forward to this adventure. Seemed like a fair deal.
Dealer is Installing the Andersen sway control setup.
Looking for suggestions on a hitch lock product.
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10-10-2020, 08:17 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member 
2020 28' International
Wilmington
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 134
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Enjoy the new unit!
I also have the solar standard on our 28 International and really like it - it is just a no brainer integrated approach... We had it on our previous 25 Flying Cloud and found it to be bullet proof and very reliable.
In terms of tires, I find the Goodyears tires excellent, have had no issues. I would however suggest the purchase of a Tire Pressure Monitor System - I bought the TMS unit and am very happy with it. Like so many other things, most of the folks who spend the money and effort on changing to 16" tires talk profusely about how great they are, but I'm not convinced that is a worthwhile investment - just my opinion.
Be safe -
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10-10-2020, 08:26 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member 
2021 33FB Classic
City
, West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 372
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hobbie1
We pickup our new 2020 oct 15th - the solar is standard. We got it for roughly 20% off the window sticker. International Serenity FB27T with solar and dual air. Looking forward to this adventure. Seemed like a fair deal.
Dealer is Installing the Andersen sway control setup.
Looking for suggestions on a hitch lock product.
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Congrats on the AS purchase. Sounds like you got a decent deal too. I did some research and talked to some friends who have this lock. I just purchased it for my Classic 33.
https://www.provenlocks.com/products/model-2516-as
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01-11-2021, 02:59 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member 
2020 27' International
Brentwood
, California
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnaBelle33
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Got the Proven Lock you mentioned for a 2020 model. Works great.
__________________
2020 International Serenity 27FBT
2018 F F250 Lariat Ultimate
2017 Shelby GT 350
2023 Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe
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03-19-2021, 01:19 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member 
2020 27' International
Brentwood
, California
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by etojeo
Enjoy the new unit!
I also have the solar standard on our 28 International and really like it - it is just a no brainer integrated approach... We had it on our previous 25 Flying Cloud and found it to be bullet proof and very reliable.
In terms of tires, I find the Goodyears tires excellent, have had no issues. I would however suggest the purchase of a Tire Pressure Monitor System - I bought the TMS unit and am very happy with it. Like so many other things, most of the folks who spend the money and effort on changing to 16" tires talk profusely about how great they are, but I'm not convinced that is a worthwhile investment - just my opinion.
Be safe -
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Quick question - Which TMS unit did you purchase?
__________________
2020 International Serenity 27FBT
2018 F F250 Lariat Ultimate
2017 Shelby GT 350
2023 Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe
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03-27-2021, 09:50 PM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member 
2020 30' International
Ingleside
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 112
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One big difference between the 2020 and the 2021 is the composite flooring in the newer model. We have a 2020 and I wish it had the composite. However we're still glad we ordered when we did. 2020 was the last year for the Serenity which we really like (Went with the Salsa). Not the biggest fan of the redesigned theme.
Regarding Goodyear tires, the new Endurance seems to be a really good tire. It replaced the Goodyear Marathon which seemed to have been plagued with numerous problems.
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04-29-2021, 09:47 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Boise
, Idaho
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 78
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Late model 2020's have the composite flooring.
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