Visit our Popular Forums

SMPLSGUY · 10-15-2015, 11:17 AM

I am very interested in the new 2016 Classic, any thoughts from folks who have purchased one? I'm interested in quality / defects, negotiability of the price, and a list of options available.

I visited the local dealership's showroom (Shorewood RV) and the only thing I'd change about the 2016 is the feeling of dead space between the sofa and dinette. Actually if I were to order one, I'd look into having the L-lounge sofa vs the recliner/sofa arrangement.

Thoughts?

Thanks
David

OTRA15 · 10-15-2015, 11:26 AM

Here is the link for anyone who is curious:

Classic Travel Trailer Floorplans | Airstream

Oh, for a recliner in my 20' !!!

Have you checked on the availability and price of the L option?

Msmoto · 10-15-2015, 11:31 AM

I suspect AS would delete the standard recliner lounge, then you would have to have a custom L- unit made. You may discover upon viewing the trailer with no lounge at all, there are cosmetic issues which the recliner unit hides.

As to defects, the Classic may be the one which has the least, but all AS will have issues of one sort or another. Most of these are easily fixed, some maybe more irritating then others.

If this is your first AS, hang around some owners, like a guest at one of the local clubs, get to see some and talk about the units, then decide on whether you want to join us. As one who has owned 3 AS and one large moho, the AS is a piece of cake, nothing like the hassle of a moho.

FreshAirStmr · 10-15-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmoto

I suspect AS would delete the standard recliner lounge, then you would have to have a custom L- unit made.

Things change of course, but in August the factory was rejecting all delete requests.

BAB · 10-15-2015, 05:40 PM

Suggest you go to the model specific section of AirForums and see what those of with the 15/16 Classics have to say about them. In terms of a major mod like an L seat, I had that config in my '12 28' Intl CCD and pulled it out for recliners. The L seat (as A/S makes it), is about as uncomfortable as anything imaginable. The upgraded ultra leather does nothing to diminish thin foam and a plywood surface. The height (to me) was uncomfortable without some kind of footrest. I'm VERY satisfied with the '15 Classic. Think the factory did a very good job with an all-new interior design. No significant issues with any of the major systems (electric, fridge, heat, furnace, A/C, etc.).

ghaynes755 · 10-15-2015, 07:11 PM

David, other than a sticking switch in the furnace (not Airstreams fault), a bit of misalignment on the screen door to main door latch I had no defects in mine. Everything works as designed.

Don't forget why the 'dead space' is there. Gotta be able to extend the recliners.

Seating is much better than anything else. I had a 2014 FC 25. No comparison. I work from my Classic and spend most of the day on the phone/computer. No complaints sitting at the the dining table for a long day.

TheDuke · 10-15-2015, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirstreamFan

I am very interested in the new 2016 Classic, any thoughts from folks who have purchased one? I'm interested in quality / defects, negotiability of the price, and a list of options available.

I visited the local dealership's showroom (Shorewood RV) and the only thing I'd change about the 2016 is the feeling of dead space between the sofa and dinette. Actually if I were to order one, I'd look into having the L-lounge sofa vs the recliner/sofa arrangement.

Thoughts?

Thanks
David

David; We just took delivery of a new 2016 Classic at the end of August and left the next week for a month long 5000 mile shakedown trip. We had no major problems. I do have some minor warranty issues, with the most aggravating being a poor fitting entry door. The only way to adjust a entry door on a Airstream is to bend or "tweak it." My Dealer worked on it some but it still isn't right. I am going to make a trip to JC to get that and a few other little problems fixed. Probably before I store it for the winter. As far as options there are only two. Power awning and solar package. There are no-cost changes such as bed layout, interior colors and oven delete. All in all we really like our new Classic so far.

graysailor · 10-15-2015, 10:03 PM

Have not taken delivery as yet but did sign the paper work for my 2016 Classic. I know the fellow who is doing the PDI and so far has found 7 items to fix. Pretty minor stuff but the dealer is picky and seems to be doing a good job with the PDI. Probably will not take delivery as I am having a fair amount of work done to the trailer. i.e. Sat TV, 260amp hour AGM battery, additional LED lights for the outside and a few other items. Also planning on putting a drop down table in front of the sofa.

SMPLSGUY · 10-16-2015, 12:08 PM

Thanks for the feedback! I've been the proud owner of a 1991 60th anniversary 34 ft Airstream for 10 years so this isn't my first Airstream...its just the first new Airstream that I like more than the one I own so am strongly considering making the leap. Over the years, I've heard of so many quality issues with the new trailers, in conjunction with design that didn't match my taste, that I wasn't very interested in new. That has changed with the 2016 Classic. Glad to hear that the quality issues so far seem to be "tweaks" rather than real issues.

How has the aluminum skin been lately, still issues with corrosion? Thickened up at all or still pretty thin relative to the older units?

Thanks again for the feedback - exciting prospect for me!

David

TheDuke · 10-16-2015, 01:57 PM

Still thin. I wish that they would make it a little thicker.

Remax gal · 10-16-2015, 02:41 PM

I agree with BAB, the L-shaped lounge would be miserable for seating. The dead space is where I keep my container of wine, liquor, etc. when we travel and even when I raise the feet on the recliner, it doesn't interfere with what is sitting there. We love, love, love our 2015 and although a few minor things (actually one a/c quit working - but that's not an Airstream problem), we couldn't be happier!

Laura & Tom

SMPLSGUY · 10-21-2015, 01:22 PM

So talk to me about what potential disadvantages come with the power awning, other than the price? Advantage seems obvious, I hate dealing with the awning

ghaynes755 · 10-21-2015, 03:55 PM

Disadvantage - needs 12v power to run. Not good if you don't have enough juice. Anecdotally it would stop part way out without power.

Another disadvantage. You really like wet clothes from standing in the rain pulling in your manual awning.

BAB · 10-21-2015, 04:07 PM

Agree with Gary. The 15-16 Classics really require a well-maintained 12V system as there are so many "heavy consumers" in these trailers. Awning, recliners, bed, table lift (16's), jack, etc. Think quite a few of us have recognized this. One of the reasons I did 600W of solar and a Magnum MSH 30 amp inverter, 4 6V AGM's, was so I could be assured of plenty of "juice" to run the electrical stuff. As I understand it, you really do need a pretty well charged battery to run the awning (it has 3 motors in it and they really spin at a high RPM). If you run low on battery power, you'll have to use the Zip Dee emergency kit and spin each motor with your cordless drill. There is NO WAY to manually retract this awning, you MUST use the special tool they provide and a drill. It takes a LOT of revolutions to close the awning if the motor(s) go inop. The good news is that Zip Dee seems to have conquered some of the early issues....many due to poor insulation going into the trailer, installation missteps and limit switches. I just had a new board installed (no cost) with a software upgrade. Hs a green dot instead of red.

Boogieshoes · 10-24-2015, 01:10 PM

This is why we special ordered one without the power awning. Don't mind doing it manually and really don't like the risk of it not working when weather turns bad. Plus, we could think of many, many things we thought were a better use of $3K.

Msmoto · 10-25-2015, 09:03 PM

Re: Power awning. While not on a Classic, the awning is the same. Eats power, would use only with solar, generator, or shore power.
On my Serenity, ZipDee set it up when I visited on Chicago. Has been out maybe a dozen times, already not working properly. Will contact ZipDee for advice and to get my "green tag" board.

Ms. Tommie Lauer
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums