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Choosing The Right Size Airstream
- By Janet H
- Published 06/1/2008
- Getting Started Articles
Janet H
Janet lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and one neurotic Border Collie.
View all articles by Janet HWhat length is right for you?
For the first time RV shopper, deciding what size will be just perfect is a substantial dilemma. Many first time towers are inclined to buy the smallest trailer possible to ease into towing, only to discover that they need more space and after that initial learning period, towing is not the challenge originally anticipated.
Airstream measurements are generally stated to include the full length of the trailer, bumper to ball, and so the actual living space of the trailer can be on average 4 - 5 feet less than the stated length.
Some things to consider when choosing trailer length:
A trailer is a long term purchase. Chances are good that you will own your trailer for many years. Choose your trailer based on projected use, not the current capacity of your tow vehicle. Vehicles come and go, Airstreams last a looong time.
New vs. Used. Over the years the shape and width of Airstreams has changed. Older Airstreams are narrower and have a more rounded shape, thus reducing interior volume. In 1981 Airstream began to produce wider bodied trailers, increasing widths from 96" to 102" wide. In general, older Airstreams are also lighter weight, although beginning in 2008 the new Sport Editions are designed with an eye towards weight reduction.
How many axles? Most Airstreams under 22 feet have a single axle. Many believe that single axle trailers are slightly less stable to tow because there is less contact area (tire to pavement) and are a little more difficult to back. When being backed, a single axle trailer reacts more aggressively to small changes in vehicle direction. This said, the towing stability to a single axle Airstream still exceeds the tow feel of a double axle box-style trailer. Airstreams between 22 and 31 feet have 2 axles and 34' trailers have three axles.
Where will you take your Airstream? Almost all modern campgrounds can accommodate very long trailers, but some national forest camp grounds have length restrictions that will exclude all but the smallest (under 22 feet) trailers. These campgrounds were originally built with tent campers in mind and larger trailers simply don’t fit on narrow access roads or into short campsites.
How much time will you spend in your Airstream? The leap from tent camping to luxury camping in an Airstream is an eye opening change. For those used to packing only the bare necessities, the prospect of packing even the smallest Airstream is astonishing. “Look at all that storage space" is a common reaction for campers leaving behind sawed off toothbrushes and one pot meals. But for those planning for longer stays in an aluminum beauty, storage space is a substantial consideration. Think about what you want to take with you and where you will pack it.
Look before you buy. Visit with other Airstreamers at an Airstream rally and ask about their experiences. It’s not uncommon to see first time purchasers rethink their decisions after a year of use and be on the market again for the ‘new’ perfect length. Choosing a trailer that’s too small or too large is easy to do in the absence of trailering experience.
As a general guideline, trailers under 25 feet are best for an individual or a couple taking occasional short duration trips. Many with families opt for a trailer in the 24 - 28 foot range and couples camping for longer periods of time also often prefer this length range. For those spending extended periods of time on the road or ‘fulltiming’ the 28+ lengths many be a good option. No matter the length you choose, you should expect years of camping pleasure in your Airstream.
See you down the road.
Airstream measurements are generally stated to include the full length of the trailer, bumper to ball, and so the actual living space of the trailer can be on average 4 - 5 feet less than the stated length.
Some things to consider when choosing trailer length:
A trailer is a long term purchase. Chances are good that you will own your trailer for many years. Choose your trailer based on projected use, not the current capacity of your tow vehicle. Vehicles come and go, Airstreams last a looong time.
New vs. Used. Over the years the shape and width of Airstreams has changed. Older Airstreams are narrower and have a more rounded shape, thus reducing interior volume. In 1981 Airstream began to produce wider bodied trailers, increasing widths from 96" to 102" wide. In general, older Airstreams are also lighter weight, although beginning in 2008 the new Sport Editions are designed with an eye towards weight reduction.
How many axles? Most Airstreams under 22 feet have a single axle. Many believe that single axle trailers are slightly less stable to tow because there is less contact area (tire to pavement) and are a little more difficult to back. When being backed, a single axle trailer reacts more aggressively to small changes in vehicle direction. This said, the towing stability to a single axle Airstream still exceeds the tow feel of a double axle box-style trailer. Airstreams between 22 and 31 feet have 2 axles and 34' trailers have three axles.
Where will you take your Airstream? Almost all modern campgrounds can accommodate very long trailers, but some national forest camp grounds have length restrictions that will exclude all but the smallest (under 22 feet) trailers. These campgrounds were originally built with tent campers in mind and larger trailers simply don’t fit on narrow access roads or into short campsites.
How much time will you spend in your Airstream? The leap from tent camping to luxury camping in an Airstream is an eye opening change. For those used to packing only the bare necessities, the prospect of packing even the smallest Airstream is astonishing. “Look at all that storage space" is a common reaction for campers leaving behind sawed off toothbrushes and one pot meals. But for those planning for longer stays in an aluminum beauty, storage space is a substantial consideration. Think about what you want to take with you and where you will pack it.
Look before you buy. Visit with other Airstreamers at an Airstream rally and ask about their experiences. It’s not uncommon to see first time purchasers rethink their decisions after a year of use and be on the market again for the ‘new’ perfect length. Choosing a trailer that’s too small or too large is easy to do in the absence of trailering experience.
As a general guideline, trailers under 25 feet are best for an individual or a couple taking occasional short duration trips. Many with families opt for a trailer in the 24 - 28 foot range and couples camping for longer periods of time also often prefer this length range. For those spending extended periods of time on the road or ‘fulltiming’ the 28+ lengths many be a good option. No matter the length you choose, you should expect years of camping pleasure in your Airstream.
See you down the road.
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8 Responses to "Choosing The Right Size Airstream"
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said this on 01 Jun 2008 10:45:10 PM EDT
We were a lucky couple who found an 18ft Caravel in very good condition. We have owned it 18 years and love it. The longest trip we have taken was 550 miles one way and stayed a week. We have refurbished it and it looks nearly new, except where a back hoe backed into us and left a rather large dent. I was furious but short of a law suit it still has the dent. We pull it with a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4 door pickup. It is great for an old retired couple. We have been married 44 years and it is 43 years old.
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said this on 12 Jun 2008 5:26:15 PM EDT
Good article Janet
Which size trailer? New or used….
For years we have had a 31 foot AS Excella and found it was quite nice to take on extended trips. Today that is not the case as fuel cost have gone up and social events have decreased.
We decided that we would give the 31 ft AS to the kids’ family so that they could use it more efficiently than we. Within 2 years after we decided that we wanted to get back into camping and traveling without taking a MH or staying in low class expensive motels.
(There is just something about having your own trailer even with the family camping… better known as the escape clause when the kids are having a bad day)
So the search was on for a new trailer that would suit our needs. Having had the 31 footer, we looked at 31 foot AS again that were older and more common due to low prices. Most of the people selling them were getting out of the RV lifestyle and were retiring to the rocking chair on the porch. (One was parked back in the jungle and you needed a guide to find it in their back yard. I later found it sold and always wondered how the guy got it out of their without cutting a new road, removing the junk out of the way, into where it was)
Upon inspections we found that Most are JUNK as they sat in storage for years and not very well taken care of. Plastic parts are brittle and fragile to the point of where you touch them they break. This leads to parts search and cost of items that may not be made anymore. We also noted that almost ¾ of the ones we looked at had wood rot damage in and around the bath area and over by the refrig flooring. The expense of repair for dents, broken riveted in window, axel replacement, etc.. basically make the cost or repairs exceed the value of the trailers.
After weeks of looking at just about everything for 100 miles around, it was decided that maybe new was better. After all we didn’t need a big trailer and thus we went looking for the ideal trailer to suit our needs.
I looked at several of the new ones that the dealer has locally. I was not impressed with the new either. They appeared as cheaply made. Most of the outside skin was wrinkled where they overdrove the rivets or didn’t match the skins correctly. When I looked at the running lights and where they are thrown on, I just shook my head looking at the price tag. Wider or not the craftsmanship of the new ones just isn’t what it used to be for an Airstream.
But, which one.
We decided that somewhere around 25 foot would be quite comfortable. Then we had to decide front or rear bedroom. If you back into a spot that has a view the front bedroom would be nice but conventional otherwise would be better to keep people that are walking by from hearing you snore or looking into the bedroom. Rear or front door was also a question. Then where should the bathroom be? Rear or center? (I was not too thrilled about sleeping next to the bathroom wall.. and the privacy it gives while in use)
What options should we buy with the trailer from the manufacture or have put on after market. (We went with a lot of aftermarket items not only because they were cheaper but also better construction we felt)
We were not alone so it seems. While at the RV shows that AS bothered to show up at we ran into a lot of people who were turned off by the shabby work. Most told us that they were old time AS people. A lot opted to buy a toy hauler instead to accommodate the grandkids toys when they went out camping. After long discussions on which was better it was very hard to make points, other than towing, for the AS.
One thing for sure, your going to be taking it back to the dealer several times to get things fixed that the factory ignored to get it out the door. It’s a fact of life these days even with the tow vehicle.
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said this on 21 Jul 2008 11:40:37 AM EDT
Going on 10k with our 22' SS and fortunate not to have the problems some have. The single axle is a blessing for us as we mostly boondock and the quick action backing is a must. We have not experienced any towing difficulties and find the MPG is a lot better than similar weighted two axle rigs. Low temperatures have not been a problem but we are minimalists and used to sleeping bags. Since there is just the two of us and two standard poodles we have more than enough room and the grand kids would rather stay in a tent anyway.
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said this on 17 Jun 2008 5:25:46 PM EDT
We, my husband and I, opted for a 2-yr old, 23 ft., 2-axle Safari and took it on a 4 months long road trip. After 11,500 miles I have to say, the towing was no problem. In hindsight, I wish we had a walk-around bed and more kitchen work space. Otherwise - awesome! Just the right size to fit on every state park campsite and in friend's driveways. We encountered all kinds of weather. With temperatures below 30' F, I found the heater to be insufficient. Once we stayed in an above 30' climate, we were good. Also we had to put insulation underneath our bed mattress to avoid mold. We greatly enjoyed our Airstream and are planning another adventure for next winter!
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said this on 17 Aug 2008 1:46:01 PM EDT
i'm thinking of buying the same length and model and wonder if i can tow it with my v6 tundra 4.0 liter, the dealer swears i can but i thought i'd ask around. i think the towing capacity is 5500, what do you use to tow yours?
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said this on 16 Aug 2008 7:17:11 PM EDT
We traded a 2-year-old 16' Safari Bambi for a new 25' Safari and so far have been very pleased with the extra room, bigger fridge/freezer, separate shower, and twin beds. With the Bambi, 5 days was a long trip. Now we talk about "only going for 5 days," and did one 11-day trip (boondocking, at that) in comfort (except for the heat.) If we had bought a 19' bunk bed Bambi in the first place, however, we'd probably still be happy with that, and would still be able to get into the National Park & Forest Service campgrounds that we prefer.
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said this on 19 Aug 2008 1:02:33 AM EDT
Well written Janet,
All your points are valid and hope everyone considering a purchase reads them. I started shopping for a used AS as a reaction to surviving a bout with cancer and the intent to show my three kids their country. After investigating a small late '40's trailer which had a well documented life of many crossings of the US but yet was still very solid I knew what I wanted. Eventually a 26' Argosy began appearing in various spots with the for sale sign listing a price twice what I could afford. After two years of this the owner had it painted a very ugly liver color on the bottom half and tan on the top. No takers resulted from the new color scheme. I bought it for my price and hauled it home. I immediately painted it fleet white with black frame and bottom roll under. I purchased some rusty chrome hotrod wheels which I sandblasted and painted white too. The following spring we built bunks in the middle area for the kids and we slept in the front bedroom/living room. I bought a used Suburban and a high performance engine with RV cam to tow. We left the week after school was out in '92 and spent the entire summer touring most of the states and 48 national parks with emphasis on historic sites. We stumbled onto many wonderful surprises unlisted in tourist info and made friends who still keep in touch. The kids came home with a new focus, improved grades in school and plans for their own futures. They all became fiercely patriotic and informed regarding their world. The Argosy stayed home except for a few weekend trips but became the "guest cabin" and play house until the kids all left the nest. Last year it hit the highway again to visit the AS dealer near Pittsburgh for a new front side window. I now has new LED lights, rock guards for the front, bigger new LP tanks and regulator, brakes and a new home office in the place of the bunk beds. It is set up with extra batteries, solar panels and a full ham radio shack onboard. The flooring is torn out to receive new vinyl and rugs. It has been primed and painted but want another coat before heading out for the big trip and a couple years full timing. I love my 26 footer, it was perfect for a family of 5 and it is still perfect for an old retired guy to enjoy the freedom still available to us in this country. After looking at the new AS trailers I'm glad I've stuck with what I have. It is worth every dime spent on keeping it alive and well. Those upgrades done one at a time fit the budget better too like satelite TV and internet and a brand new sound system. I honestly believe my "Great White Whale" will serve another generation after I am long gone.
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said this on 24 Aug 2008 1:26:23 AM EDT
Hey we were out this last weekend and came across a group which not only had old airstreams and trailers but the cars to match. Seems that its becoming the in thing now to have a matching vehicle for the year trailer that your pulling. That being said on the way back home the other half said... why don't you try and see if you can sell the old 77 3/4 t PU that we used to pull the 31 ft AS with. Its got the 460 engine and you set it up to pull with. Its a shame that your going to give it to the good will only to be crushed. They felt sure that someone might be interested in matching up their AS to it like this group did.
Ok so I went to the web and nada... no listing for PU trucks or pull vehicles. I wonder if they might open a section to accomidate the groups which are trying to find vheicles of they years that their trailers are. It looked like they were having fun showing off both.
Which brings me to the same point of which trailer... and what vehicle
Depending on the year of the AS you might find that you need more hp of a pull vehicle. Of course the new trend it to go diesel but ever park next to one... they stink... and don't expect to sneak out using one.. they rattle... vibration is the biggest objection to one when they are idling.
One thing we have also found in compairing diesels to gas. The fuel is more costly, the maintenance is more costly and the purchase cost if way out their. You can buy a lot of gas even today for the price difference between a gas power or diesel power. While most think they are better off with diesel actually gas power is cleaner (less carbon footprint) and better when the wx outside gets cold. We watched some people try to start their PU in 10 below weather. The famous words.. nice try came to mine. Yet we went out to leave and our gas PU started right up and no problems.
At the other end of the spectrum is the heat... here again diesel does not like high altitudes (unless turboed) or hot temps. When your engine depends on compression pre ignition to make it run you may find its not puttting out the power you thought you had.
As to going to big engines... fords 460, dodges 440 of yester year, were the better engines to pull with.. most would go all day long no problems. Todays engines we think just are not made to haul contenously with. Chevys 454.. well they still can't keep one cool.
Pulling trailers....
todays AS are much more pull vehicle frendly unless your go for the big ones (with slide) and all the fancy wood work. Checking the scales... the newer ones seem to have gone on a diet compaired to the 70-80's ones. For those you need a big hauler. For the smaller lighter AS you can get away with smaller engined vehicles. Check the vehicles ability to tow in the manufactures owners manuals or ask the dealer to read off what your vheicle will tow. Most are surprised that its less than what they thought... Of course most new vheicles standards are rated on the ability to stop the towed item. Jackknifing is not a good idea when the trailer brakes fail to work. Thus a nice heavy vheicle with matched fraimwork is idea.
One other issue that should also be mentioned is tires. Here most people never think about the tire weight and its ability to tow. If you have too much weight and enough hp going up a hill you can litterly pull the tires apart. Check ratings to match the item towed. Heavier trailers need more robust tires and axels to match the job. A lot of pasenger vehicles today are not up to the job. Again check the vheicles owners manual and see what the manufacture states.
So selecting a trailer needs to be more than just, what are we going to sleep in... you need to look hard at the tow vehicle also.. as the old saying goes... be kind and don't abuse your horse for it pulls your waggon down the roadway. If it dies your on your own. (not to mention the frustration of a ruined vacation)
gmas@inreach.com
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