Airstream vs Lance

[ewoksmommy]

I am in the market for a travel trailer. What has been your experience with both? I am looking at the Lance 2285 vs the Airstream 25-27' Flying Cloud. I have not been able to walk in either since there are no dealers within a 3 hour drive. Finding that time has been crazy at the moment. I have heard wonderful things about both, but I wanted to get YOUR opinion, good/bad/ugly. Any help would be wonderful! Thanks!

[westend]

hvac wrote:
Yea I think our 2017 ATC 28 front bedroom is becoming one of the few all metal currently on the market.

That is one slick trailer! Congrats on owning it!

[hvac]

Yea I think our 2017 ATC 28 front bedroom is becoming one of the few all metal currently on the market.

[westend]

gmw photos wrote:
While it may be true that A/S tows well on windy days, I feel it's a myth that other trailers do not tow well. I live on one side of Kansas and often tow to western Kansas to the family farm. I also go to colorado a couple times a year. I've lost track of how many times I've towed across windy Kansas with my white box trailer. It tows fine. The secret is a correctly designed trailer ( mostly axle placement ) and good hitching with a well designed WD hitch and sway control.

Likin it! My thoughts, too. My Starcraft is almost like an extension of the truck.

The Airstream excels at aerodynamics, though. The shape of the "hull" and it's ride height make it a clear winner compared to a box.

[westend]

gmw photos wrote:

hvac wrote:
I would submit if it has wood in the floor then run. But that's just me, we had 2004 28 safari. By 2008 it had soft spots. All metal top to bottom for us.

That's almost everything out there. Even those with a "laminate sandwich floor" ( like Lance ) uses wood as part of the sandwich.
Airstream uses plywood for the floor ( and has, at times used OSB, which did not work out well ).

My trailer has exterior grade 5/8" plywood for the floor. It's fine still, but then I make sure the trailer stays sealed up. A moisture meter is a good investment in preventative maint tools.

Yeah, even Livinlite (or whatever they call themselves today) has gone from an aluminum deck to a composite floor.

My 46 yr old Starcraft has 5/8" plywood and an aluminum skin on the belly side. When I tore into it to repair water heater damage and frame leakage, there were only two spots that needed replacing. I screwed down most of the original decking and all has been good. I expect the floor to last another 50 years, at least.

[gmw_photos]

hvac wrote:
I would submit if it has wood in the floor then run. But that's just me, we had 2004 28 safari. By 2008 it had soft spots. All metal top to bottom for us.

That's almost everything out there. Even those with a "laminate sandwich floor" ( like Lance ) uses wood as part of the sandwich.
Airstream uses plywood for the floor ( and has, at times used OSB, which did not work out well ).

My trailer has exterior grade 5/8" plywood for the floor. It's fine still, but then I make sure the trailer stays sealed up. A moisture meter is a good investment in preventative maint tools.

[aftermath]

It is really hard to compare the two. They are entirely different and each appeals to folks in different ways. There have been a lot of very good statements made. I have a 2006 Airstream that we purchased used in 2009. Buying new was out of the question for us and we were able to get a pretty good deal on the used one. It is now 12 years old and we would be able to get very close to what we paid for it 9 years ago.

Airstreams are small and that is a huge drawback for many. Mine has almost NO exterior storage. The inside is fine and the curved upper cabinets are not problematic as some would say. There are no slides and the cost is hugely discouraging. But, after 12 years the original home quality plumbing fixtures still work perfctly, all the doors close and the drawers are still functioning like new. My Starcraft white box that we bought new didn't last a year before stuff like this started to break or cause problems.

I would second the suggestion about the Arctic Fox family of trailers. I have been impressed with the build quality in these. Don't have any experience with the Lance.

[hvac]

I would submit if it has wood in the floor then run. But that's just me, we had 2004 28 safari. By 2008 it had soft spots. All metal top to bottom for us.

[snowedin]

It comes down to what a person is comfortable with and can afford. Look at the floorplans, storage space, towability, cost, features and items that are most important to you. I have had travel trailers made by KZ, Keystone Passport, and now Lance and to tell the truth have not had any major issues or complaints with any of them. I would say that the suspension on the Lance seems more durable, more maintenance free than either of the other two trailers as the shackle bushings did wear out, needed replacing.

[Lwiddis]

"You will most likely be the only one who can stay in your lane or continue driving."

Not correct. Winds around Lone Pine coming off the Sierras on US Hwy 395 are as strong as I've seen, and flatsided TTs going reasonable speed are just fine.

[rbpru]

Lance and Air Stream are niche market TTs. Like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, there are those who enjoy and are will to pay for their unique features.

The tube like construction and low profile do add to towability but it comes at the price of living space per length.

My budget for TTs falls into the hobby category. Some folk's hobbies are more expensive than others.

[gmw_photos]

While it may be true that A/S tows well on windy days, I feel it's a myth that other trailers do not tow well. I live on one side of Kansas and often tow to western Kansas to the family farm. I also go to colorado a couple times a year. I've lost track of how many times I've towed across windy Kansas with my white box trailer. It tows fine. The secret is a correctly designed trailer ( mostly axle placement ) and good hitching with a well designed WD hitch and sway control.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

🙂 Hi, obviously an Airstream is not for everyone, but on windy days, You will most likely be the only one who can stay in your lane or continue driving. Now if you are not a traveler like me, any brand trailer could work just fine. (referring to those who only camp locally)

[NWnative]

I an very happy with the Airstream. Well built and solid dynamics as it relates to towability (aerodynamic and low center of gravity).

[IdaD]

I think Airstreams are great if the size constraints aren't a problem and you are okay with a TT versus a fifth wheel. If either of those are an issue and you're willing to spend for a better than mainstream model, I'd go Northwood all the way.

[gmw_photos]

My take on it is they are both niche products. Both cost more than other trailer brands. You have to decide if the cost difference between these two brands, and the others is worth it to "you".

Neither provide a great bang for the buck compared to others.

Spend some time on both the Lance and Airforum. Read about the good bad and problems areas of both these, and you may conclude they have more in common with other brands than you might otherwise assume.

I considered and looked at both when I was shopping. I declined on both for a variety of reasons. Your reasons may ( and probably will ) vary.