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Old 11-05-2019, 07:33 PM   #1
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2020 30' Classic
Niantic , Connecticut
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Upgrading to Classic 30 RBQ; 2018 VS 2020

My wife and I are looking to move up from our 23FB Interstate Serenity to a 30 Classic RBQ. We have a deposit on a very clean, lightly used 2018 which still has 6 months warranty. On the other hand, we could apply our deposit to a 2020 for an additional $35k. After reading about all the Alde, Firefly, C-Zone, among other issues, I have to ask the experts...Is the 2020 worth the extra money or is the 2018 the better value? Thanks in advance for your opinions on this.
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Old 11-05-2019, 08:23 PM   #2
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Box Elder , South Dakota
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Czone instead of Freefly (Freefly was only that model year and now a bit of an orphan), Airstream Connect system built in include first 12 months of AT&T Unlimited data free, TPMS system as part of the Czone with a remote for the tow vehicle (Truck Systems color remote), three years of warranty on the 2020.
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Old 11-05-2019, 09:14 PM   #3
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2020 30' Classic
Niantic , Connecticut
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Thanks for your input, all really good points. I am concerned about the short life span of Freefly and can appreciate the 2020 upgrades especially the piece of mind with the 3 yr warranty. The flip side I suppose is maybe the kinks have been worked out of the 2018 and I could always buy an extension on the existing warranty if that made sense.
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Old 11-06-2019, 12:10 AM   #4
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2016 30' Classic
Southeast , Michigan
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Firefly was actually used for both 2017 and 2018, but was continuously tweaked during those two years. Now it is an orphan.

Maybe the 2019+ Czone system will be an orphan in 2021. Maybe it will be stable and used for 10 years. Who knows.

We are so thankful to have a 2016 Classic without either of those systems. It is so much easier to maintain and troubleshoot myself if there are problems. We see no need for the ability to control our "camper" from a smart phone. And no single component failure can render almost everything in the trailer inoperative (yes, we've heard of those types of failures on 2017+ Classics). Not sure how often that happens, but it can happen, probably at the most inopertune time.

We are also happy to not have Alde in our 2016. Yes, the forced air furnace is louder, but it doesn't need a $600 fluid change every 2 years.

Good luck with your decision.
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Old 11-06-2019, 09:37 AM   #5
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Hillsboro , TX
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We love our 2018. I am concerned about the Firefly but they still use it in the Interstate models. I need to make a Best Friend at Firefly, to be safe. We added the Airstream Connect for about $1,400. We did our own TPMS (EezTire) for or TV and Airstream for about $150. The third year warranty would be nice in the 2020 but our problems have been minor.
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Old 11-06-2019, 10:00 AM   #6
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Brooklyn , New York
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I have the 30' Classic with RBQ with CZONE. I have no issues with it. Hopefully it won't be orphaned. While I do not do much from my cell phone other than montitor, use the OnBoard mode, and turn the heat pumps on a when we head back. We always close our delicate ZipDee awning at night, or when we are away from the trailer.
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Old 11-06-2019, 10:09 AM   #7
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2019 30' Classic
Belleville , Illinois
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I agree with gHaynes. 2020 has solar (don't know about 2018). Alde system is great-clean and quiet. Double beds gives more outdoor storage. We opted for the oven rather than extra drawers and that was correct decision for us. The dark countertops are prone to show scratched. The remote internet access is more than a gimmick. Temperatures can be changed, lights controlled. The location finder one the app does not work. Right now its showing the AS 300 miles away.
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Old 11-06-2019, 10:39 AM   #8
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2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
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Hi

Firefly came in 2017. They used it for 2 years. Support for >10 years is a pretty good bet.

An extended warranty is generally not worth your trouble. The factory 3 year warranty is a much better thing.

Lightly or heavily used, some things wear out with age. Tires and the caulk / seals are in this category. Both can be a bit expensive. Batteries in any used vehicle are an unknown. If they are the AGM’s that come with the solar package, they are $$$$.

In snow country, a trailer is headed into 3 to 5 months of storage about now. If you pay to store indoors (we do) there is a cost and some hassle there. A 2020 ordered in will get there before local camping season starts. 6 months of warranty may not be enough to find issues if it is sitting in storage over the winter.

For $35,000 you can fix a lot of stuff and still come out ahead. Just understand that part of the savings may get spent fixing / replacing things.

Bob
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Old 11-06-2019, 10:41 AM   #9
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2019 30' Classic
Rockwood , Maine
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I don’t believe you can go wrong either way.

If I remember correctly the 2018 had a mid year shift from the Alde 3010 up to the Alde 3020 with firefly controlling both. You might want to know which one your getting. The 3010 had more issues originally but all were correctable from what I have read and I highly suspect the one your looking at works fine. C zone came in the 2019 and continues.

Everyone that has a Classic seems to love theirs, regardless of the year, so the question really is do you want a new unit, that is two years newer with all the upgrades that have been done to date and new Warranty ect. or go with the slightly used.

If finances are not the issue, I would go new every time. If you are going to be financially uncomfortable with making the additional expenditure, you will be very happy with the 18 for sure. Coming from a similiar vintage 27, I suspect you will have absolutely no regrets either way! Happy camping!
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Old 11-06-2019, 01:08 PM   #10
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2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
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Hi

Yet another thing to consider:

Is this your "forever" trailer? Would you guess you will "trade up" at some point in the future? If this is just a step, save the money for the next trade.

For us, the expectation was (and still is) that the 2017 will still be with us at least 10 years from now. The real question is more about how long out health will allow us to keep doing this, not the suitability of the trailer.

Bob
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Old 11-06-2019, 03:43 PM   #11
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Mountain View , California
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We moved up from a 2014 FC to a 2018 Classic. While the FC was basically trouble free it took the full two years of warranty to straighten out the Alde and Firefly software issues. We were given a third year of coverage for our troubles, excluding vendor supplied items. An extended warranty will be more than $4,000. I would go with the new 2020 for the peace of mind.
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Old 11-07-2019, 10:31 AM   #12
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Niantic , Connecticut
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Thanks for all the great replies, I appreciate hearing your perspectives and opinions and your experiences. We do like the additional solar, TPMS, the smart control technology and 3 yr warranty the 2020 offers. When we bought the 23 I felt restricted since my TV at the time was a 1500 gasser. Now I have a 2500HD Duramax so I have that covered. We don’t see upgrading from the 30 in the future. The floor plan of the 33 isn’t ideal for us so I anticipate a long time horizon on this, especially if we go with the 2020. Also, I like the idea of getting it just the way we want it. So we seem to be leaning in the direction of a 2020 with the Macadamia seating, Mocha Cherry cabinetry and the light countertops, along with drawers and convection mw instead of the oven.

This is a great forum. Thanks again for your comments so far, all the replies have been helpful.
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Old 11-07-2019, 07:24 PM   #13
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Thousand Oaks , California
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We love our 2018 classic. Ordered it exactly how we wanted it and the warranty is incredible. We have looked at upgrading but feel that the 2020 upgrades still are not worth the extra shell out. I guess it helps too that the 2018 was listed at a lower MSRP anyways than the newer 20s.

I think you’ll be happy with the new one with three year warranty. We would no doubt order a new one all over again if we had to do it over again. Just wouldn’t upgrade what we already have for the price (if that makes sense)
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Old 11-07-2019, 10:25 PM   #14
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2020 30' Classic
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Thanks...something to be said for getting it the way you want. The ‘18 is a great AS, if I currently owned that I wouldn’t be looking to upgrade at this time either. Thanks again for your input.
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Old 11-09-2019, 07:52 AM   #15
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Carlisle , Pennsylvania
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Hi

If you got the 2018, there is always the chance that the 2020 would still be calling to you (or the 2021 ....). With the 2020, you probably are "safe" for at least a few years

Bob
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Old 11-09-2019, 11:26 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob View Post
Hi

If you got the 2018, there is always the chance that the 2020 would still be calling to you (or the 2021 ....). With the 2020, you probably are "safe" for at least a few years

Bob
Agreed!
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Old 11-09-2019, 12:47 PM   #17
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St Tammany , Louisiana
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob View Post
Hi

If you got the 2018, there is always the chance that the 2020 would still be calling to you (or the 2021 ....). With the 2020, you probably are "safe" for at least a few years

Bob
True statement- the 2020 called me. Actually my dealer called, but you know what I mean. So, I'm trading my 2018 Classic 33 for the 2020 Classic 33. It's on the line now at JC and I anticipate delivery in mid December before the plant turn-around.
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Old 11-13-2019, 09:21 PM   #18
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2018 33' Classic
Weldon Spring , Missouri
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I’ll make this brief. Had a 2018 Classic TB with firefly. Unmitigated disaster for me and the dealer. Ultimately worked out getting a 2019 Classic FB with CZone. Absolutely perfect. Projector screen and new projector vendor for 2019, great Alde 3020 with multi room sensors, WiFi router works great, solar to trickle charge, CZone is flawless. So I’m sure the 2020 will have all this and more. Fit and finish were impeccable. Could not believe both were made by the same manufacturer. God Bless others that have not had problems with ‘17 or ‘18’s and Firefly. Just my experience. I may be the only one.
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Old 11-15-2019, 10:37 AM   #19
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Everywhere , Minnesota
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Technology, it has, as someone else said somewhere, produced a product that no longer has long term value but short term use. Look no further than computers and cell phones to start with, let alone overyly high priced TV's with technology - how did we do it before this new age of sophistication?

Unless AS is willing to make a long term commitment to technology used in Classics I'm not sure we are willing, as buyers, to make a long term commitment to their product. Believe in what you sell, do your research and due diligence both as manufacturer and buyer. Caveat emptor, is a phrase we have become willing to accept in lieu of pride and quality of craftmanship that translates to value for dollar.
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Old 11-15-2019, 11:36 PM   #20
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2018 30' Classic
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Upgrading to Classic 30 RBQ

I appreciate the warning of caveat emptor. However the reputation of the seller, in this case Airstream, does play an important role in the decision to purchase a new unit with new technologies. The buyer, in reliance upon that reputation puts the money out without the capacity to pre test or otherwise research the reliability of the new offerings. Should Airstream continue to determine the suitability of these new technologies by having the customer conduct the field testing then the most knowledgeable buyer would be wise to await until we’ll after the second generation of production.
Most of us are of an age where we remember the old Cadillac advertisement regarding quality. Today Cadillac has fallen to the last place in quality as determined by new owners. It is Airstream that ought to beware lest a similar fate occur to the product that we love.
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