2019 Airstream Flying Cloud Overview
Growing up, there was this weird camper trailer that my mom owned, but she kept it over at my grandparents’ farm. It was long, silver and kind of weird looking. I wasn’t allowed to play in it and we didn’t have it for long before my mom sold it off in favor of a motorhome. She regretted doing that because the motorhome was nothing but headaches, but she said several times that we just didn’t have a way to tow the trailer anymore, so it made sense. Now that I’m older, I really regret her doing that. I would have loved to still have that vintage Airstream Travel Trailer.
Today, Airstream has enjoyed a revival as a premium brand of luxury travel trailers and specialized motorhomes. The latest models still have the classic look, with the aluminum outer skin and rounded corners. Inside the trailers are modern, well-appointed and extremely comfortable. One model in particular caught my eye and if I were buying one today, I’d take a serious look at the 2019 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB.
Not My Mother’s Airstream
I asked my mom about her Airstream the other day and what she liked about it. Her camper was bought used in the 1960s and saw a lot of use in its day. It was very sparse and simple, she said. The modern Airstream Flying Cloud is loaded with current technology to make life easier. Just from the entertainment side alone, there is plenty to get excited about. It has a Clarion stereo system that is Bluetooth compatible and there are USB outlets through for charging your phones and tablets. They use Samsung LED TV with surround sound speaker systems and include Blu-Ray players.
There is an optional solar panel kit and each Flying Cloud comes with two deep-cycle marine batteries and a power inverter to run appliances. There is a fridge and a three-burner stove top. An oven is standard equipment, and you can choose between a microwave or a convection microwave. This particular model has a two-tub stainless-steel sink with a Moen faucet. And of course there is a furnace and air conditioner.
Sleepy Time
There are a lot of different variations of the Airstream Flying Cloud trailers, and you can select different sizes and different bed configurations. The 23FB that I like has a full-size bed on the hitch end and a convertible eating nook that sleeps an additional two people. There are other optional floorplans with bunk beds, and bigger fold-out beds. For me, I like the 23FB.
Another big plus in my opinion, is the bathroom setup. It’s at the far end of the RV away from the sleeping areas. And it gives you a little more room to maneuver in there. If you’ve ever spent any amount of time in an RV bathroom area, having enough room to maneuver is important. Plus, the shower is not part of the toilet area. Another plus in my mind.
Towing
The Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB looks like it’d be a good one for those of us who are looking for a lot of capability and capacity but don’t want the huge towing weight. Loaded, the Airstream has an average weight of just 4,806 pounds. That is well within the limits for most mid-size trucks and SUVs, although fuel economy isn’t going to be spectacular with a smaller vehicle. The tongue weight is only 467 pounds, too. Not bad for a twin-axle travel trailer.
It’s that fuel economy that might make some of you take notice. I say it won’t be great with a smaller vehicle, but with a full-size truck, SUV or similar vehicle, you won’t notice much difference at all. That is a claim-to-fame for Airstream and the rounded, sleek design it has carried forth for decades. It carries that sleek, curvy look into the interior too, making this a seriously nice-looking RV.
The biggest downfall I see with the Airstream Flying Cloud trailers is that they aren’t cheap. The one I really like starts out with an MSRP of $75,400. There’s no way my wife is letting me buy one right now. Maybe if I tell her it’s for her, like a present? That might work. I’ll let you know.
