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Rknobbe · 02-22-2021, 08:51 AM

Just put a deposit down on a 2021 Flying Cloud Front Bed Twin this weekend, and looking to learn as much from you all before we pick it up in May. This will be our second Airstream, traded in our 2019 Nest 16U as part of the transaction. Really looking forward to the significant upgrade in space. We've found a lot of really good videos on YouTube on Flying Clouds in general, but only a few on this particular configuration.

I'll share some of the links we've found here, and look forward to hearing from other 25FBT owners' insights and experiences as well.

First question for you all for starters: Are there any full-width storage compartments under the trailer? We've got some rugs and chairs we had previously been lugging in a Thule cargo box on top of our TV, and am wondering if I can keep those larger items permanently in the trailer.

Rknobbe · 02-22-2021, 08:53 AM

this is one video that's been helpful in the differences between the RB and FB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5jE9n2k-_Y

Rknobbe · 02-22-2021, 09:21 AM

Another question I have is regarding the standard Rear-Monitoring camera. Have folks had successes in mounting the monitor in a creative way inside your tow vehicles? I'll be towing with a 2021 Tundra

JunkYard · 02-22-2021, 09:59 AM

I have a ‘20 fbt globetrotter. The front compartment behind the propane tanks is just about full width. I keep the cables and tools that came with the airstream in there. As well as 2 adult chairs, 2 kids chairs and two dog beds and can still get the mat in there. But the mat is dirty so I stopped that.

My screen is only used to back up is certain situations. Remember headlights gotta be on.

DewTheDew · 02-22-2021, 10:18 AM

There is no true "full-width" storage like you see in large Class A motorhomes (garages or whatever they call them) but there is a fair amount of external storage.

I have not tried driving with the rear camera operating but there is a place on our F250 dash where it could sit. Fortunately the Fords have a blind spot monitor that is able to detect people in your blind spot even with a trailer (up to 30'). I've found that pretty good and if someone (cop!) is right super close behind me then there isn't much I can do about it anyway (I find that slight curves in the road or even a bit of minor weaving within the lane is sufficient to see anyone behind me so I can let them pass on a two-lane road, for instance). I worry that I would get distracted with the extra screen. You may be able to mount it in the center somewhat low (I see the Tundra also has a storage "dent" in the top center).

Rknobbe · 02-22-2021, 10:18 AM

Is that a front-facing door or a side door?

Rknobbe · 02-22-2021, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkYard

Remember headlights gotta be on.

Thanks! Yeah, we run daylight headlights anyway so it should be a problem.

mediaman · 02-22-2021, 01:52 PM

We tow our 2021 Flying Cloud FB Queen with a 2021 Tundra. We just took possession February 3, so the only place it has been towed is home from the dealership (485 miles). It tows nicely behind the Tundra. In terms of the rear mount camera, I thought about just standing it in the center tray on the dash but ended up using the suction cup to attach it to the windshield just above that tray on the dashboard. It did not seem to obstruct my view in that location. You will actually need to use the headlights or parking lights to activate the camera not the daytime running lights. One of the cool features of the system is that the camera has a microphone so I can hear my wife yell 'stop' when I am backing up and she is behind the trailer giving directions!

**moosetags** · 02-22-2021, 02:56 PM

You made a very good choice of floor plans. We have been Airstreaming since 2005, and have had two 25FB's, a 2005 queen and a 2015 twin. We have a total of 2,200 nights of Airstream camping over the past fifteen years. We have always been comfortable in our 25FB's. Many of our Airstream adventures have been over 90 days in length. In 2019 we towed Lucy to Alaska and were gone for 93 days.

The 25FB is the smallest floor plan that works for us.

Brian

Rknobbe · 02-22-2021, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mediaman

It tows nicely behind the Tundra.

Did you go with a anti-sway or a weight distribution hitch?

mediaman · 02-22-2021, 05:51 PM

We went with an Equal-i-zer hitch which has sway control and weight distribution.

Rknobbe · 02-23-2021, 08:50 PM

Today's question - with the kitchen sink in a bit of a peninsula, what routine have people worked out for dishwashing? It doesn't look like you can put a dish draining rack butt-up to the sink, so do you all use racks resting on a drying pad? Any other good ideas?

FishByFly · 02-23-2021, 08:56 PM

We close the cover to the stove top, put a toilet down, and drain/dry dishes there. Dirty dishes stack on the flip up counter. Work flow is linear - dirty to clean.

Rknobbe · 02-23-2021, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishByFly

put a toilet down

Perhaps a towel?

FishByFly · 02-24-2021, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rknobbe

Perhaps a towel?

Correct! “Towel”. Not sure how the toilet came into this reply.

lsbrodsky · 02-24-2021, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rknobbe

Today's question - with the kitchen sink in a bit of a peninsula, what routine have people worked out for dishwashing? It doesn't look like you can put a dish draining rack butt-up to the sink, so do you all use racks resting on a drying pad? Any other good ideas?

My wife does not like to dry dishes so we have exactly what you describe a drying pad under a small RV drying rack(probably Camco?). Seems to work for her. I cook, she washes so I do not pay a lot of attention to that detail. For the two of us, there are never many dishes.

Larry

GettinAway · 02-24-2021, 07:16 AM

We pull a 2020 GT 25FBT with our Tundra. It does very well. We put lithium batteries in the front storage compartment. Still have lots of room for hoses, tools, weight bars when not using, and other stuff. The 2021s have different water heaters (on demand) refrigerators (all electric) and the composite floor. I’ve heard good things about all three.
The 25 seems like the perfect size for us. Can really get it into some tight campsites, but still has lots of room inside. The twins help. Since retirement we’ve done a couple four week trips, the extra room is welcomed.
FYI, we did the 3” lift. It helps getting back into remote CGs.
We drop the stove cover down and put a drying pad on it for doing dishes. We team wash and dry and it goes faster.
We also added a Roadmaster Active Suspension to the Tundra. Really made a difference in how the Tundra rides when pulling the AS.

Rknobbe · 02-24-2021, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishByFly

Dirty dishes stack on the flip up counter.

As far as I can tell the 2021 no longer comes with a flip-up counter.

Rknobbe · 02-24-2021, 08:58 PM

I guess even more to the point, with the square shaped sink and no fold-out countertop, where do people stand when washing dishes in the 2021? Does the corner of the sink stab you in the midsection?

daleyocum · 02-24-2021, 11:57 PM

I’d suggest mounting the Lithium batteries anyplace but the battery battery box if you plan to charge them below 32 degrees. The idea of using precious energy to run heating pads for the batteries just seems sad.

In my FC25 FB Twin I put the batteries and upgraded power system under the passenger side twin.

If you miss a microwave but don’t need the pull out bed under the TV this is one way to get one and extra counter space.