2019 Flying Cloud 23CB Airstream Modifications & Tour -- Part 1 of 3
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- čas přidán 17. 08. 2024
- Take a walk through the 2019 Flying Cloud 23CB Airstream which I've modified to improve the livability and aesthetics. Learn ways to add significantly more storage and natural light, live off the grid with solar and lithium batteries, and travel full time in style.
Vendors and products referenced in the video:
1. Custom upholstery, window installation, appliances, carpentry/storage solutions, and dog hooks -- Ultimate Airstream (www.ultimateairstream.com)
2. Bed spring system -- Froli Systems (www.nickleatlantic.com/products/froli-star-sleep-system),
3. Custom Airstream-fitting bed sheet sets -- AB Lifestyles (www.ablifestyles.net/airstream-essentials)
4. Linens and throw pillows -- Pendleton Wool Mills (www.pendleton-usa.com)
5. Cookware -- Magma Products (www.magmaproducts.com)
6. Zamp Solar, Lithium batteries, DishTV, WeBoost, and backup camera installation -- Airstream Adventures NW
7. 2200i Generator -- Honda (www.powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu2200i-companion)
8. Hitch Lock -- MegaHitch Lock Coupler Vault Pro (www.megahitchlock.com/product/one-size-fits-2-2-516-trailer-hitch-lock)
If you have any questions about my setup, or Airstream 101 questions, let me know!
Go to Part 2: • 2019 Flying Cloud 23' ...
Go to Part 3: • 2019 Flying Cloud 23CB...
Camera standard on our 2022 23CB bunk, surprised u didn’t go with the awning package.
Hi! The camera is standard on mine, too. I feel like the awnings are destined to break and cause problems. I rarely use my main side one. I’m pretty minimalist in my footprint and set up… no frills or patio furniture… get in and out fast is more my style.
That lock is very easy to pick. Best option is the Proven Industries 2516-AS with the stainless Medeco keyed core. Even an experienced picker will find the Medeco core almost impossible to pick.
I've enjoyed this 3 part series. I have a 2012 International with the same floor plan and I'm looking at changes to make it more livable for 2 guys who want to point it West and go see America when we retire in a couple of years. Do you know the width of the cabinet beside the refrigerator? I also need something like this and hoping Ultimate Airstreams can add some lithium batteries under it on the floor. And did I understand you to say you had them do new cushions as well as cushion covers? I'm contemplating the same cabinet with dimensions that will allow for a sofa in the exact dimensions of a standard Airstream twin mattress. That way I can put custom Airstream twin sheets on it with a foam mattress topper and easily have another comfortable bed when 2 are traveling together.
Hi, and thanks for asking about the modifications I made. I hope my video helps inspire ideas for you. The folks at Ultimate Airstream are great at running through options with you, too, and can create some custom ideas outside of the ones they advertise. Or at least they did for me.
Seating:
I did not change the cushion material, just the fabric around them. They do offer cushion upgrades, and I would recommend that. If you intend to have people sleep on them without additional support (like a memory foam mattress), it's not the best body support. I say that because I have a friend that stays over now and then, and she's not picky or complan-y at all, but she said it was slightly uncomfortable to sleep on. I got her an additional 2" foam mattress and she slept great. I then used the foam mattress on my bed (better than throwing it away after only one use), and it's *wonderful* compared to just the standard bed mattress. For what it's worth, I work out of the Airstream and I sit on the standard bench cushions much of the day and I don't have any butt pain complaints. For what that's worth. The cushions are starting to fold down and around the lip of the bench where my legs are, over time, so another reason to consider a cushion upgrade from the stock option. You didn't ask this, but I want to make a strong suggestion to not get the pleather-y fabrics over woven kind... there's just too much rough-and-tumble in RV life, water from condensation, and all kinds of things. I often think about how happy I am that picked the dark colored and sturdy woven fabric that I did.
Bed Sheeting:
Okay, I try to be an Airstream purest, and all my mods use Airstream parts, but not when it comes to sheets! I used to only buy the AS sheets that fit the funny corners of the Airstream bed, but a) the sheets shrunk a lot in the dryer and where hard to put on, and b) the top sheet when tucked was just really impractical for these small beds... too tight/snug of a fit (and I'm only 5'5". A larger top sheet with a looser it is best. So, I just buy regular bed sheets and deal with the slightly imperfect fit. Adding the foam mattress (see above) helps regular sheets fit depth-wise just fine. And it's so much cheaper... and you can find them anywhere on the road as you're traveling. (And you don't have to customize your Airstream around sheets!)
Your Second Bed:
Are you thinking of the bench as a second bed? I assume you know the kitchen table can drop down be a good sized bed, yah? That's extra work and I think the bench is fine as a bed, but not if you're really tall. Here's some specs:
The pantry (cabinets) is 33.6" wide, which leaves the bench at about 74" long. The bench is about 34" deep when you remove the back support cushion.
...or you can put down the kitchen table and have a good size bed.
Does that make sense or am I misunderstanding you?
Under the bench by the front of the AS, there is room for 2 lithium batteries in my model (independent of any mods I did). Hopefully you have that same space.
I'd love to get 2 more lithium batteries... for 6 total (for winter time)... not sure where I'd tuck them yet...
Feel free to reach out anytime! I love this sh!t!
Excellent video I have the exact model without the modifications👀❤️
Hooks are an awesome idea.
THE BEST
I like it. I'm thinking about getting a 23fb to live in. I've never had a travel trailer and it just seems like so much stuff to learn though.
If I can do it, you can do it. And there’s plenty of people online, like me, that are happy to help beginners. I consider the discovery part of the fun!
I really like the cb model... love your upgrades... what do you pull it with?
Ford F150… does great!
Are your solar panels glued on or screwed on? I have the same model
Hi, they are screwed on, mounted to some brackets (so there's a little gap underneath them).
Nice presentation, I like your modifications and how you set up your rig. Nice.i would like to so largely the same.
We're considering this very model and we like many of your modifications. Obviously this was a special order...how long did it take them to build it? Great series of videos, by the way...
Hi there. I made this video for people exactly like you (me), so I'm glad you found it helpful. The Airstream was not a custom order. I got it off the lot at Portland Airstream. There, they added the solar and lithium batteries, which took about a week from purchase to pick up. The customizations to the cabinets, seating, removing the 2nd sink, etc. were all done by Ultimate Airstreams in the Portland area. It took them a week, but longest wait is just getting into their schedule for the work to be done. Ian is the contact there -- you can mention my Airstream and he'll know the customizations.
I should add, both Portland Airstream and Ultimate Airstream are the same owners, so if you were out of the area but wanted to work with them, they probably can coordinate the jobs so you don't have to be there.
@@jodycolley6035 Perfect! Thanks, Jody. We have a similar large dealer here on the east coast that should be able to handle the mods we want. I will reference your video. Thanks again!
@@jodycolley6035 This is fantastic information! Great video and terrific ideas. Thank you so much!
@@hamradiojim6788 How did it go?!
Let me know if u remove that push bar thing from the main door
I did and no regrets!
Hi Jody, thanks for the video and adding all of the information. We have a 23FB and live in Portland, so Ultimate Airstreams is a good option for us, I've talked to Ian about upholstery. two questions:
1. Are you happy with the upholstery?
2. How do you attach the generator so it's secure for towing (also do you run it there or move it away?)
Thanks,
-Kyle
Hi Kyle!
So, honestly... I LOVE the design/look/hardy-ness of the new cushions, but the fabric gets a lot dirtier than the standard fabric. I'll probably have to get it professionally cleaned twice a year. If you have pets up on the couch, that's an issue. This fabric is so clingy. It collects everything, including dust. And I do vacuum it regularly, but still don't get it all somehow. There are other fabrics to choose from -- I picked the most true to mid-century modern. I don't really have regrets, just wishes. One hack that I think I want to figure out... with whatever fabric/foam you go with, the design is such that it sticks out a few inches from the base board below it. This is, I understand, to get the right shapes for making a bed when you lay it all flat. However, I find that after 9 months or so of regular use, the cushion starts to warp over that lip and doesn't hold its square-ness at all. I think they cushions should be the size of the wood they are sitting on... no larger... and some other solution for making the bed fit perfectly should be figured out. This is especially true if you're full time and sitting on the cushions as much as I am.
I actually just sold the generator because I never used it. But, it was securely attached with just a thick cord like a wire bike lock -- used a Master Lock to secure the cord. It never budged. I definitely did not run it there. I set it on the ground to run it. I kind of liked having it right on that spot. It fit perfectly. Plus, I felt like my Lithium batteries (in the compartment underneath) were also secure from theft, too. I didn't notice any issue with tongue weight. My setup looks the same with it on the tongue as off the tongue in terms of how much dip I have on the back of my tow vehicle. I think the generator was like 50lbs or so.
@@jodycolley6035 Thanks Jody, that's super helpful feedback! especially on the cushions/fabric, given that we have two dogs (one especially hairy Australian Shepard). and though we're not ini it full time, we're planing on taking an extended trip this spring/summer. I'm super jealous of our additional windows and may have to steal that idea.
Thanks again for your response and great videos. Happy and safe travels to you!
-Kyle
Love your home. How long did you have to leave your airstream with ultimate to get all this work done!
Just a week!
@@jodycolley6035 wow!!!! That's amazing!!
When you had the cabinets by the couch do you still have a bed there for guest?
the kitchen table collapses down to make a double bed. Otherwise the seat is long enough for one person with the table in place.
Do you have the contact information to have work done?
Hi, check my video notes. Ultimate Airstreams in the Portland area did most of the work.
Too many 'uhms' to want to listen to the video. Practise better speaking habits before making more videos.
You can stick your advice up where the sun... uhm... don't shine.