Airstream Bambi 20FB vs Lance 1685

Airstream · Travel Trailer

The difference that matters

At almost the same length, the Lance 1685 carries a lot more. Its GVWR is 6,300 lb against the Bambi's 5,000, cargo capacity is 2,075 lb against 1,100, and the tanks hold 45 gallons of fresh water to the Airstream's 23, with 40-gallon gray and black tanks against 30 and 18. A dinette slide opens up the floor, dual axles carry the load, and a 10.7 cu ft refrigerator dwarfs the Bambi's 4.1 cu ft unit.

The Bambi 20FB answers with what comes already installed: 200 W of solar, a 2.5 kWh heated lithium bank, a heat-pump air conditioner and an enclosed, heated underbelly. The Lance has solar pre-wiring and an insulated battery compartment rather than panels. The Bambi is also the lighter tow at 3,900 lb dry versus 4,225, though its 600 lb hitch weight is a little higher than the Lance's 550.

For longer trips with fewer hookups, the Lance's tank and cargo margins count most. For a lighter rig that arrives ready to camp off grid, the Bambi.

Airstream Bambi 20FB: Anyone wanting a compact trailer for two with solar, lithium and a heat pump installed at the factory.
Lance 1685: A small family of up to five who want a slide, a dry bath and big tanks for longer stays between dump stations.

Weights

2027 maker figures

Dry weight (UVW): 3,900 lb
GVWR: 5,000 lb
Hitch weight, dry: 600 lb
Cargo capacity (CCC): 1,100 lb

1,100 lb between brochure dry weight and GVWR. Water (8.3 lb a gallon), food, gear, propane and dealer-added options all come out of it.

Weights

2027 maker figures

Dry weight (UVW): 4,225 lb
GVWR: 6,300 lb
Hitch weight, dry: 550 lb
Cargo capacity (CCC): 2,075 lb

2,075 lb between brochure dry weight and GVWR. Water (8.3 lb a gallon), food, gear, propane and dealer-added options all come out of it.

Spec for spec

	Airstream Bambi 20FB	Lance 1685
Dry weight (UVW)	3,900 lb	4,225 lb
GVWR	5,000 lb	6,300 lb
Hitch / pin weight, dry	600 lb	550 lb
Cargo capacity (CCC / OCCC)	1,100 lb	2,075 lb
GVWR minus dry weight	1,100 lb	2,075 lb
Exterior length	20.6 ft	21.4 ft
Exterior height	9.4 ft	10.2 ft
Sleeps	4	5
Slide-outs	0	1
Fresh water	23 gal	45 gal
Gray water	30 gal	40 gal
Black water	18 gal	40 gal
Factory solar	200 W	None
House battery	2.5 kWh Heated Lithium Batteries with Remote Monitoring	—

Bold is the lighter or larger figure. A dash means the maker does not publish it.

To scale

051015202530354045 ft

Airstream Bambi 20FB · 20.6 ft long · 9′5″ tall
Lance 1685 · 21.4 ft long · 10′2″ tall

Drawn to one scale from each camper's listed length and, where the maker publishes it, its exterior height. Outlines are typical for the camper type, not traced from this model. The figure is a 6 ft person. The dashed blue line is 25 ft, the length about 93% of national park campgrounds accept.

Airstream Bambi 20FB

Full spec sheet, sources and what owners report →

Lance 1685

Full spec sheet, sources and what owners report →