What advice to first time TT buyers? Airstream 27 footer...

[Danattherock]

Wife and I have been neck deep in tow vehicle pursuit this past month. We plan to buy a 27' Airstream FB Twin (6k lbs dry) for ourselves and our two small children, and German shepherd, Chena. We are so excited we can't sleep. Literally.

We heard many folks buy too small a camper, and adversely, have heard some folks buy too big. Our hope is the 27 footer will split the goal post and give us decent space and still fit in the majority of campgrounds. Mainly state and NP.

Our plan is to buy a 2-4 year old Airstream Flying Cloud which should knock $20-35k off retail pricing. Buying a $50-55k truck and camper at the same time is steep for us working folk. We are planning to buy a 2016 Dodge 2500 mega cab with 6.4 Hemi.

The main usage will be weekend trips 4-5 hours away in the Smoky Mountains of NC and Tenn. Also, a 2-3 week national parks type trip out west each summer. That's about as far as we have got, but I'm sure as we learn more we will have other trips lined up.

Being that this is such a substantial financial obligation for us, I thought it wise to seek council from you more seasoned campers. Is there any particular advice you might give someone in our situation? Any must have factory (or otherwise) accessories or options we should get? Anything to look for when buying a used camper?

Anyone familiar with the Smoky Mountains, we would love any campground or more remote suggestions. We fly fish a lot, mountain bike, raft rivers with our rafts, etc.. We have always tent camped and have limited insights into where we might take our Airstream. Ideas anywhere in the Southeast would be equally valued.

PM any camping suggestions you don't want to share publicly.;)

Thanks for any insights you may share.


Dan
NC

[Danattherock]

Thanks for the ideas guys and gals. We appreciate it.


Dan

[Go_Dogs]

Hey, if money was no object to the OP-get whatever you want. However, It's no fun going camping when you got a big $$ headache to worry about. The fishing will be as good, and the smores will taste as good in something more affordable.

[tbred]

Passin Thru wrote:
I have a 31 ft and I've never been turned down at a CG National or otherwise. I'd buy the Airstream. Easy to pull and then you can get the acclaimed 15 MPG everyone brags about! You can have fun in a pickup camper or a tent so I don't know why anyone would try to talk you out of it. My Dad took us camping in 2 small tents with 5 boys in 1 and he, my Mom and sister in the other and we had a blast. We cooked outside rain or shine. I'll always remember this old guy telling him about huge Timber Rattlers big as your leg and we were wanting to catch one and eat it.

Not trying to talk him out of it, just giving another viewpoint.

We were tent campers prior to our tt and had loads of fun, just got "rained out" one too many times! When we started looking at trailers, ANYTHING would have been an improvement over our leaky tent. Just saying, sometimes you need to look a little deeper to realize what really is needed. Better to get it right the first time.

Airstreams are lovely, would love to own one WITH slides.

[Passin_Thru]

I have a 31 ft and I've never been turned down at a CG National or otherwise. I'd buy the Airstream. Easy to pull and then you can get the acclaimed 15 MPG everyone brags about! You can have fun in a pickup camper or a tent so I don't know why anyone would try to talk you out of it. My Dad took us camping in 2 small tents with 5 boys in 1 and he, my Mom and sister in the other and we had a blast. We cooked outside rain or shine. I'll always remember this old guy telling him about huge Timber Rattlers big as your leg and we were wanting to catch one and eat it.

[LG61820]

I understand the allure of the Airstream. I have no experience with them. However, I have followed a blog where a couple, three children & a cat(?) long time in an Airstream. You may want to check out their site http://malimish.com/ They likely have links to other Airstream families. Best wishes to you. LG

[Monster9903]

I agree with double checking that the Airstream will have enough room. There are many options available to you especially with the 3/4 ton truck. Airstream is a quality trailer but there are others out there with floor plans more conducive to kids.

[tbred]

My best advice would be to be certain the Airstream will be enough room for you. That's a lot of money to spend to feel cramped after a couple trips. If you haven't done so already, check out a couple comparable length trailers WITH slides, it can make a huge difference. A large breed dog (I have a Golden Ret.) takes up lots of floor space!

As stated above, if you are looking to do some remote camping you'll need a good generator. Budget a couple thousand for a good brand that can run your a/c ect...

Good luck, have fun !!!!!!

[pira114]

I won't disagree with the Airstream being very nice. I also can't disagree that it's not the only option and for the money and weight, you may find a better Floorplan much cheaper and lighter in a different brand.

No matter what, I'd stick with the 3/4 ton truck. It just gives you so many more options. Many people start with a particular trailer and find themselves upgrading or "sidegrading" in just a year or so.

[Go_Dogs]

Well, IMHO. Why not look at a folding/PUP trailer. You'll get nice big sleeping areas. More storage options. It will be more cost effective as you won't have to buy such a big TV.
I know from owning 3 RVs. It's a pain to have to move stuff every night to turn something into a bed. It's also tough to have a big dog, (or two) taking up all of the floor space.
Also, throw in the cost of insurance, maintenance and storage. You can get a brand new PUP(with warranty) for the cost of a used Airstream.

[scbwr]

Buying a 3/4 ton truck is a wise choice and will give you options if you ever decide to go with a larger trailer.

I used a Hensley with our 29' Sunline, and they are a great hitch. But, I think an Equalizer or Reese Dual Cam will work fine with a 27' Airstream and cost a lot less.

As to trailer options, AC should be a must. Aside from that, I would think most Airstreams will be well equipped with microwave, stove, fridge, etc.

I understand the appeal of a Airstream trailer and they are really nice, but when I look at the floorplan of the 27 footer you are considering, I don't see where it is the best plan for camping with two kids. Having camped with two kids, it's much easier to have beds for everyone and not having to set up/break down beds each day. Have you looked at other possibilities either in the Airstream line or considered buying a different brand? Just make sure you've really thought about how you will camp and what will make it an enjoyable experience. There are a lot of trailers out there that would give you bunks for the kids and a bed for you and your spouse. Just a suggestion.....

Good luck in your search and I hope you're out camping real soon!

[bgum]

You have listed a very good package. We have owned 3 Airstreams (19, 23, and 25 feet) The 25 was perfect for the two of us pulled by 1/2 ton. The only thing I would suggest is a good hitch (Hensley Arrow) and a good generator if you plan to dry camp. Good luck and enjoy.

[pconroy328]

We're in a class C but our good neighbors had a smaller Airstream. You won't be disappointed. 🙂

[kknowlton]

27 feet is at the upper limit of RVs fitting into state & national parks; some of those CGs will still have sites too small. That said, the size is a good compromise between interior space you'll need and fitting into campsites where you want to go.

Options: air conditioning, absolutely! You may find you want an awning, but could start without it. Microwave can sure be handy, and TV, since you have young children. (Not to encourage them to spend time inside instead of enjoying the outdoors, but there will probably be times - in bad weather, for instance - when a TV could come in handy, especially with a DVD player that works with it.) Extra/large batteries (we have 2 6-volts instead of the standard single 12-volt) can be very handy for "dry camping" (i.e. without hookups), which is what you find in most national parks and a lot of state parks.

No experience with Airstreams, but when we visited their factory, we were sure impressed with how they are built. Hope this one works out really well for you! If not, resale value should - I would guess - be better for an Airstream than for virtually any other brand.

[Mr__Camper]

Four people and a large dog. Make sure the layout works for you, especially on cold and/or rainy days. Also, know that the longer you stay in them the smaller they get. We don't fly fish so I can't point you to goods small/large rivers for trout.