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slowmover · 11-12-2016, 11:47 AM

Reports on the Airstream website AIR by those who've seen it and bought it are that the fit and finish are outstanding (the trailer itself, not comments on Lithium package, per se).

But let's make the price irrelevant, and focus on utility. It won't get significantly better fuel mileage (the same to vehicle would be able to pull a far larger trailer by interior volume alone); it's no cutting edge thing to add an even larger LiON system to a larger trailer AND

- the larger trailer can carry more of everything in every category.

I was looking through the website of the largest Airstream dealer yesterday and reviewing video made by their famous salesman, Patrick Botticelli (?) on the Flying Cloud lineup. Specifically, the 2017 30' FB (front bedroom). With rear bunks and convertible seating, can sleep up to eight. Potentially heavy, but not outside what a high MPG turbodiesel SUV can handle.

The Bowles only carries 20-gls fresh water. The 30'FB carries 54. My 35' vintage kin Silver Streak carries 95. Etcetera.

One must run the list of capacities on fuel (propane), and water. Electricity is a distant concern for off grid camping. Huge penalties for it as well as a huge cost with tiny capacity. Not very useful. Sure as hell not needed.

As best as I can tell, all-aluminum travel trailers peaked in utility, reliability and longevity in the early 1970s. Streamline brand is my favorite example due to foamed in insulation, double hull bottom, aluminum cabinetry, tremendous storage and easy appliance accessibility. Change the subfloor to aircraft aluminum honeycomb and torsion axles (independent suspension) with anti lock disc brakes and you'd pretty much have something superior to what is on offer today.

Wood cabinetry is unacceptable. Period.

20-gls fresh water is unacceptable. Period

Etcetera.

If I pulled a Bowlus with my CTD Dodge I doubt I'd exceed what I got on two trips of 700-miles with a 6x6x12 U-Haul. 18-MPG loaded at about 3500-lbs. With my 9000-lb 9x9x35 travel trailer I average 15-mpg over the same terrain and under the same conditions. And still haven't fully sorted it for best MPG.

In my sig is a link to a previous Silver Streak I owned. Same MPG as with present. A bit shorter and lighter than the present one. Have a look at the pics, consider updating with a high zoot solar pkg, and compare the MPG again. Both of mine would sleep six easily.
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11-12-2016, 11:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
slowmover Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 2,442 2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT Team Cummins 90 day: 19.36 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,422 Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts	Reports on the Airstream website AIR by those who've seen it and bought it are that the fit and finish are outstanding (the trailer itself, not comments on Lithium package, per se). But let's make the price irrelevant, and focus on utility. It won't get significantly better fuel mileage (the same to vehicle would be able to pull a far larger trailer by interior volume alone); it's no cutting edge thing to add an even larger LiON system to a larger trailer AND - the larger trailer can carry more of everything in every category. I was looking through the website of the largest Airstream dealer yesterday and reviewing video made by their famous salesman, Patrick Botticelli (?) on the Flying Cloud lineup. Specifically, the 2017 30' FB (front bedroom). With rear bunks and convertible seating, can sleep up to eight. Potentially heavy, but not outside what a high MPG turbodiesel SUV can handle. The Bowles only carries 20-gls fresh water. The 30'FB carries 54. My 35' vintage kin Silver Streak carries 95. Etcetera. One must run the list of capacities on fuel (propane), and water. Electricity is a distant concern for off grid camping. Huge penalties for it as well as a huge cost with tiny capacity. Not very useful. Sure as hell not needed. As best as I can tell, all-aluminum travel trailers peaked in utility, reliability and longevity in the early 1970s. Streamline brand is my favorite example due to foamed in insulation, double hull bottom, aluminum cabinetry, tremendous storage and easy appliance accessibility. Change the subfloor to aircraft aluminum honeycomb and torsion axles (independent suspension) with anti lock disc brakes and you'd pretty much have something superior to what is on offer today. Wood cabinetry is unacceptable. Period. 20-gls fresh water is unacceptable. Period Etcetera. If I pulled a Bowlus with my CTD Dodge I doubt I'd exceed what I got on two trips of 700-miles with a 6x6x12 U-Haul. 18-MPG loaded at about 3500-lbs. With my 9000-lb 9x9x35 travel trailer I average 15-mpg over the same terrain and under the same conditions. And still haven't fully sorted it for best MPG. In my sig is a link to a previous Silver Streak I owned. Same MPG as with present. A bit shorter and lighter than the present one. Have a look at the pics, consider updating with a high zoot solar pkg, and compare the MPG again. Both of mine would sleep six easily. .