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The Boot · 09-12-2023, 11:18 AM

https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/trade-wind/

Say it can run AC on batteries / 3000 watt inverter
Compost toilet

propchef · 09-12-2023, 11:20 AM

I just finished watching this video and looking at the features. Now I’m thinking about trading! Lol I really like the direction AS is taking this trailer. My biggest gripe is that we currently have a 27 FBQ and it fits us well. The Tradewind is only available as a 25.

DCPAS · 09-12-2023, 12:35 PM

They solved the water heater problem with a recirculation system. Seems like a Truma would have been simpler. External storage is heavily compromised. Front locker is gone. Why does a trailer need aggressive tread tires?

Some good ideas; some confusing ones.

LNBright · 09-12-2023, 12:35 PM

I don't need a new trailer. I don't need a new trailer. I don't.....

We really love our 20FB. But, I really like the 'idea' of a rear hatch: but I want to keep something shorter than the 27', so the 20FB w/ a rear hatch has been my 'alternate dream' floorplan.

So for this to come out with big solar, big lithium, a lift kit (which we've added to ours), it's, intriguing.

No, I'm not planning a swap; but, if anything ever happened to ours and I need to replace it, I think this would be the one I'd aim for...

LNBright · 09-12-2023, 06:08 PM

Quick question for the admins:

I suppose there should be a new “Trade Wind” subforum?

The older models were named Tradewind, this new model breaks it into two words: a separate subforum would keep the new ones separate from the older ones.

MMCMRET · 09-12-2023, 06:14 PM

During Alumapalooza 2023 Bob Wheeler (during the talk with the attendees) said the new product would incorporate many ideas. The Trade Wind does just that. Good for Airstream.

DarthBrader · 09-12-2023, 06:26 PM

Interesting they used a Rivian in the marketing pictures, and Rivian uses an Airstream in its “towing mode” screen.

Just friendly marketing reciprocity? Or think there’s some kind of arrangement? I know folks have been eyeing Rivian’s delivery vans for camper conversions…

jeffmc306 · 09-12-2023, 06:29 PM

I’m glad to see Airstream take cues from what many of us have done to our trailers (with a lot of extra work).

The presenter in the video was careful not to mention “Victron” when it’s obvious that’s the hardware behind the inverter system. They show the menu screen on the Touch 50 and you can see a MultiPlus II in the list. They never mention Battle Born either but the 810Ah would be three GC3’s. I’m glad they’re using both.

I’d like to see the interior in person. Not sure about the wood and cushion colors. Almost feels like ‘70’s earth tones.

Finally a factory installed 3” lift and 16” tires too. Wish that was an option on any trailer. The lift is a cheap part but expensive to install once the trailer is built.

Overall, glad to see it!

Hittenstiehl · 09-12-2023, 06:29 PM

LNBright, that's how we felt when the Globetrotter came out, (again).

gretch6364 · 09-12-2023, 10:36 PM

Looks like the Trade Wind is back for 2024 as a 25ft geared toward off grid. Perfect timing for me personally...first thoughts:

What is the cushion cover material? Hopefully it is not more pores and less durable/harder to clean. Would be silly in camper designed to be off grid and likey dirty.

I am not sold on the wood coloring of the interior. Feels a bit much.

Composting toilet is a nice option.

Lastly...I know these end up higher, but with the batteries away from the front, stock tongue weight is listed as 725, so a slight improvement.

The price...$20K more then a flying cloud. Seems steep for something with one AC unit and no 50w option.

DaHealey · 09-13-2023, 12:03 AM

I just watched the Airstream overview of the 2024 Trade Wind model. Noticed a few key differences from the 2023 Flying Cloud model (which seems like the closest competitor).

Obviously it has a 3 inch lift from the factory and 'off road tires'.
The door lock/latch is updated. Wonder if they got enough complaints about self locking doors.
The battery box in the front no longer holds the batteries and its storage. I actually did this to my 2023 and it's a great outdoor box.
The water heater is different. Says recirculating hot water system - this has to be the Truma unit that everybody is upgrading to?
600W of solar with 810AH of LiFePO4 batteries. Full Victron system, but it didn't say which one.

I guess it's highly dependent on how much this option adds to the price. I must be the intended buyer because I've done, or plan on doing, almost all of these upgrades to my 2023 Flying Cloud. Did the full lithium conversion, with a Victron setup. Doing a lift. Adding solar. Plan on switching out the water heater. Seems nice that Airstream is doing all of those changes themselves as swapping out myself was alot of work.

The only upgrade on the Trade Wind that is basically impossible to do yourself is the recirculating water heater. That's awfully nice. The WH used in the 2023's is not nice for off-grid / limited water use.

sfranklin · 09-13-2023, 07:36 AM

One of the driving factors in purchasing a pre-owned unit was that it didn't have the 12v fridge (even though I know it is far more efficient) and all the electronic stuff, but mostly the 12v fridge.

I do enjoy both going to places with full hookups and I also very much also enjoy going off grid, to state forest type rustic campgrounds too. My prior Airstreams this was not a problem for up to 5-6 days without any intervention, but as I looked at the new units, I just could not justify spending $100k+ on an RV that only could serve 1/2 of it's designed purpose without either significant upgrades or compromises post sale. In all honestly, it would seem that Airstream put the cart before the horse in this regard and with the Trade Wind, seems to have acknowledge the fact that there are/were some shortcomings in terms of electrical consumption vs supply.

It seems only logical that this more off-grid type gear would be made available as an option package. For me, today, 30' is where I need to be. Maybe when we're empty nesters we can drop back down to a 25 or 23, but for now, as great as this is, and a positive step in the right direction, they've sort of made it a niche. Hopefully, they'll build on these steps.

Spartanfam · 09-13-2023, 07:49 AM

The HW heater is a Suburban with recirc per a walk thru by Colonial Airstream.
The video on you tube also shows the battery location under the couch, and likely a/c move to front to offset weight of batteries behind axles… thus the lighter tongue weight.

Spartanfam · 09-13-2023, 07:51 AM

Guessing Dometic and Airstream procurement had a falling out… in addition to an GE A/C… even the Fantastic Fan was changed to MaxxAir it appears.

Silver Shell · 09-13-2023, 08:15 AM

Thinking about this as my entry into the world of Airstream and looking forward to seeing it in person at the Hershey RV show this weekend.

Thiss · 09-13-2023, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfranklin

It seems only logical that this more off-grid type gear would be made available as an option package. For me, today, 30' is where I need to be. Maybe when we're empty nesters we can drop back down to a 25 or 23, but for now, as great as this is, and a positive step in the right direction, they've sort of made it a niche. Hopefully, they'll build on these steps.

Exactly what my wife and I both said.

I am glad that listened and are hearing us boondockers. Since we bought less than a year ago and we need a 28, we will need to make these upgrades on our own.

I like the packaging idea. “Overlander” you’re 28 and “Sovereign” you’re 30 whether they be FC or Internationals.

PWCroft · 09-13-2023, 08:41 AM

We are looking to buy our first AS in 1-2 years and in the major research stage. We were looking at the 25FBT Flying cloud with the solar and battery upgrades, hatch and awning package but now I think we are leaning to this new Trade Wind (also with hatch and awning) since I plan to do more dry camping then hookups. My biggest concern with this is the solar - looks like soft panels and not hard ones. What are the issues with maintenance and lifespan with soft panels? Also a newbie question but would there be any issues using the Anderson balancers with the bigger tires? Other things we may want to take into consideration?

os1r1s · 09-13-2023, 08:54 AM

I would tend to agree with the sentiment. My wife and I have been shopping for an 25ft airstream and I've been figuring out how to upgrade the solar/batteries/etc and also plan to lift with offroad tires. They did exactly what I wanted, but the interior is a significant disappointment. My wife has her heart set on the GlobeTrotter interior and this is quite the step down. The laminate woodgrain, the couch colors, etc is just ... not what we want when spending 100k+ on a trailer.

sfranklin · 09-13-2023, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartanfam

Guessing Dometic and Airstream procurement had a falling out… in addition to an GE A/C… even the Fantastic Fan was changed to MaxxAir it appears.

I had on 01 with Duo Therm AC, Dometic fridge and Fantastic vent.

I needed a gasket about 4-5 years later called Fantastic, sent it to me N/C.

Fridge, A/C and Fantastic vents (both vents) worked flawlessly until the day I traded it some 15 years later.

Dometic came along bought DuoTherm, Fantasitc and a bunch of others.

My new to me 21, one of the A/Cs won't cool (Dometic- formerly Duo Therm), 1 Fantastic vent works then doesn't, the other is also not so Fantastic (another Dometic buy out) and the Fridge doesn't cool anywhere near as good as my Dometic 02 fridge....progress, right?

I can see why they had a falling out. They are building 80-100 a week from that massive new trailer factory. If they put out 4000 trailers a year and many problems with AC, fridge, power vents, in a few years 12,000 problematic trailers and unhappy customers and of course, try to get any of these covered under the warranty=even less happy customers......

FredWilma · 09-13-2023, 10:50 AM

It seems only logical that this more off-grid type gear would be made available as an option package. For me, today, 30' is where I need to be. Maybe when we're empty nesters we can drop back down to a 25 or 23, but for now, as great as this is, and a positive step in the right direction, they've sort of made it a niche. Hopefully, they'll build on these steps.[/QUOTE]

Agree. It would be nice to have these upgrade options across the range, as many of us are completing similar upgrades ourselves post delivery and on a variety of different trailers.