From Basecamp to Bambi: First Time Out

Lake Darling State Park, Iowa

Even though it was time consuming, packing our brand new 2024 Airstream Bambi 16 with our stuff from our 2021 Airstream Basecamp 16 was an illuminating experience--thoughtfully fun, I would say. Loading up the Bambi was concrete proof that the two rigs, even though both sixteen feet in length, aren't the same in their configuration. That's the reason that we traded in the Basecamp for the Bambi--to have a permanent bed in the back and a dinette up front. Both units have about the same storage space, but how the storage is accessed is different, neither better or worse, just different. Packing and camping for the first time was the fun challenge of asking ourselves, "Now where did we put that . . . or did we even bring it?"

Our first trip out with the Bambi was to Lake Darling State Park in southeast Iowa, the first place we had also taken out the Basecamp in January 2022. This time with the Bambi, the September weather was much warmer, of course! (Basecamp first trip link.) Also, rather than camping alone, this time we were camping with my wife's daughter, partner, our two grandchildren, and their three dogs, so the experience was pretty lively. The little Bambi provided us with our sanctuary, though, and was our happy little camper. 

All the essentials worked just fine: heater, air conditioner, sink and toilet, stove, and awning. The trailer pulled easily, although I'm still getting used to the wider Bambi (8 feet to the Basecamp's 6.5) and also to the back-up camera that has a rearview mirror function. Although I've heard the descriptor "cozy" so many times regarding tiny trailers that I almost cringe when I hear it, I have to admit that the Bambi is cozy in the truest sense of the word; the Bambi provides a comfortable, secure, relaxing experience.

Comparing the Bambi and Basecamp camping experience, I would say that the Bambi with its separate bed, dinette set-up, and cupboards is more settled in its floorplan, whereas the Basecamp with its rear bench, table, bed floorplan, and with its netting storage and rear door is more fluid in design, more ready to engage in different activities. Actually, I think that's pretty much how Airstream markets the two trailers; the Bambi is the farmhouse, and the Basecamp is the hunting lodge.

Our weekend out with family was, therefore, a chance to adjust to the new trailer. We found the bed none too big, but still manageable, "cozy" in less sweet definition of the word. The front dinette that provides a permanent table (yet can convert to a bed) was a significant game changer. We are still adjusting to the smaller kitchen space--and where to put our toaster oven and Instant Pot, which fit into a cabinet in the Basecamp. We're still learning how to use the cupboards for food storage; the Basecamp really has a huge kitchen area. However, packing for the weekend, we hardly touched the under-the-bed storage area of the Bambi. Thinking into the future, I think perhaps next year we might have Airstream incorporate an axle lift kit to raise the Bambi up around 3.5 inches to provide better clearance and to also raise our Ford Ranger's hitch height.

As I write this article, my wife and I are camping again locally. Last night's rain is drying, the clouds are burning off, and the maple trees are starting to turn to their fall colors. Our Starlink wifi is working well as I work outside and my wife uses the dinette for her consulting business. If I get tired, I can go lie down, fall asleep, and not have to worry about interrupting my wife's work with snores. The Bambi floorplan fits our needs better than the Basecamp, even though the Basecamp has many positive qualities. The Bambi may very well be the last travel trailer we ever buy . . . unless, of course, someday I decide to buy a micro trailer just for the ever-loving fun of it!

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