2011 Airstream Avenue 20 Review
If you’re planning on seeing just about everything the country has to offer this summer, the 2011 Airstream Avenue 20 just might be the travel buddy you’ve been looking for.
“We designed every detail of the 2011 Airstream Avenue to bring our customers a touring coach that combines value, performance and comfort,” says Airstream President and CEO Bob Wheeler. “Our latest motorhome offering delivers remarkable horsepower and towing capabilities –all with budget and safety in mind. With the Avenue, travelers can enjoy the drivability of an automobile yet have a true home on wheels.”
This class B motorhome comes in one floorplan, the Avenue 20, but features two choices of layout – the convertible lounge and the convertible lounge with wardrobe option. It measures in with an overall length of 21′ 1″, an overall height of 9′ 1″, an overall width of 6′ 7.4″, an interior height of 6′ and an interior width of 6′.
Built on the powerful Chevrolet 3500 Series Express chassis with a L96 V8 engine and 6L90 transmission, the Avenue comes with the largest of GM’s rear-wheel drive, six-speed automatic transmission variants. When you combine the L96 V8 engine and 6L90 transmission, you get exceptional horsepower and torque for hauling (the Avenue has a towing capacity of nearly 8,000 pounds). Another important note is that the Airstream Avenue is the only class B motorhome equipped with side impact air bags. “For families gearing up for their first road trip or retirees taking a cross-country drive, both will appreciate the Avenue’s power and safety features,” says Wheeler.
Keeping you comfortable no matter what the weather is like outside, the Avenue 20 features R-15 ceiling insulation and R-7 wall insulation, as well as a 13,500 BTU air conditioner with wall thermostat and a 16,000 BTU furnace that allows for easy in-cabin temperature regulation. In the way of plumbing, it gets you flush with water thanks to its 6-gallon hot water heater with electronic ignition (with 110V heating element) and heated fresh, grey and black tanks. In terms of power, it comes equipped with a 2.8 kW Onan gasoline generator and is pre-wired for a roof-mounted solar panel. Other features include hot water heater by-pass valves and 2.9 gallon per minute 50 psi variable speed water pump with pre-pump filter.
Other exterior features include a power patio awning, tinted glass, a patio light, an exterior shower with hot and cold water, a pressure-regulated LP gas accessory hook-up with 6 ft. attachment hose, a 110 volt GFI protected patio power receptacle, a 12 volt patio power receptacle, an exterior patio TV hook-up and a continental spare tire kit.
Able to seat seven and sleep two, the Avenue makes living on the go easy. Featuring ultraleather seating and stainless steel appliances, traveling has never been so stylish. It’s available in two interior decors – Onyx and Light Camel – and it comes with a vinyl padded ceiling and uni-suede padded interior walls. Other amenities include side and rear window curtains and flush high-pressure laminated cabinetry with radius roof locker doors and recessed hardware.
Making the drive cushy, the Avenue is outfitted with swivelling front captain chairs that are designed so that meals can be enjoyed at a central table for four. The table can also be removed for extra comfort and convenience. Giving you a clear view of what’s behind you is a rear view mirror with integrated back-up monitor.
When you’ve finally made it to your destination, relax in the lounge area, complete with a sofa that conveniently turns into a bed for two. This class B motorhome also includes a 19” flat panel HD LCD TV and DVD that’s pre-wired to accept a satellite dish.
For that true home-on-the-road feel, Airstream has equipped the Avenue with a fully functional kitchen. Meals on the go are made simple, thanks to a Corian solid surface countertop with flip-up galley extension, a stainless steel European two-burner high output gas range top with glass cover, a stainless steel microwave oven and a 3.1 cubic foot energy-efficient compressor-style refrigerator with freezer compartment and aluminum door insert. You’ll even find a pull-out galley faucet spout, a stainless steel single bowl sink with Corian cover and a slide-out waste basket.
Making your RV experience complete is the Avenue’s bathroom that comes with a fiberglass wet bath with shower curtain and a marine toilet. Other bathroom features include a single entry door to the wet bath, a toilet paper holder, a mirror inside bath door, a retractable clothes line/hanger, a towel bar and a shower head with individual hot and cold water adjusters.
The 2011 Airstream Avenue Class B Motorhome base model has a suggested retail price of $95,544. For more information, visit http://www.airstream.com/.
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