The Airstream Interstate 24x is a top-of-the-line luxury Class B RV for those who want to travel off-road in comfort. Featuring a spacious interior, and premium features, this adventure van has many creature comforts while still letting you experience the great outdoors.
I have been searching for an adventure van for the last couple of years. COVID however has increased in people looking for RVs and adventure vans. After touring a Storyteller Overland MODE LT, I found out it didn’t have the space, a big guy like I needed. I think the vans are an incredible value for a mass-produced Class B RV.
Disadvantages of the 2022 Interstate
After passing on the Storyteller, I had the chance to purchase a 2022 Airstream Interstate 24x, but turned it down for a variety of reasons.
- Mixed fuel sources – The Airstream 24x has three ways to power the van – solar, propane, and diesel. Your van is powered by diesel, and your light electronic components are powered by solar and batteries. In order to operate the air conditioner, however, you would have to run the generator from the 9.8 gal (41.5 lbs) 80% propane tank onboard. I suppose it is helpful from a redundancy perspective, but I find it to be overly complex.
- Underpowered Batteries – The batteries are a modest pair of 100 Ah Deep Cycle Lithium Battle Born Batteries (LiFePO4), a 30 AMP energy management system, and a 2000 watt power inverter, and 300W of military-grade solar panels come standard.
- No Second Alternator – If the batteries have lower capacity then it’s critical to have a way to recharge them adequately. With a secondary high-output alternator you can recharge batteries more quickly. This eliminates the need for a generator run from a secondary fuel source.
I have been looking for an adventure van for the last couple of years. COVID increased demand for RVs and adventure vans. As far mass-produce vans go, I was very bullish on the Storyteller Overland MODE LT. After touring a Storyteller it was a bit small for a big guy like me. Though I do think the vans are an incredible value for a small run, massed produced vehicle.
The Airstream Interstate 24x is the top-of-the-line luxury Class B RV for those who want to go off-road and still travel in comfort. It’s got a decent design, spacious interior, and many top-of-the-line features; this adventure van has many creature comforts you might want but still allows you to access the great outdoors.
Notable Airstream Interstate 24x Features
You can read the complete specifications for the Airstream Interstate 24x on their website but there were a couple of things that I really liked about the 24x.
Interstate Attributes I like
Every van buyer has a specific wish list for their usage.
- Diesel – The Mercedes-Benz 3.0L V6 turbo diesel gives me a combination of both performance and fuel efficiency ( 16-18 MPG highway). Also the diesel engine typically has a longer life than a gas vehicle.
- A Big Bed – I really wanted a comfortable bed, The Airstream Interstate has the biggest bed I have seen in a Class B RV, an 80-inch by 68″ king-size bed (a regular king is 76″ x 80″). I expect that I will keep the bed made most of the time so I plan to just add a memory foam mattress topper and a bed cooler.
- Dedicated work area – I plan to work from the road and I need a dedicated workstation, you can swivel the captain’s chairs and behind the driver’s seat is a small workstation with a Lagun table where you can mount a monitor on the cabinet and keep a
- Air Ride Suspension – The Interstate includes the VB-Airsuspension. The fully automatic electronically-controlled air suspension system ensures that the vehicle maintains a level ride height regardless of the load. As each air spring moves up or down, the system quickly adjusts to road conditions by adding or removing air to sharpen handling and maintain comfort. When driving, the specially-designed air suspension system improves ride quality, maneuvering, and tire wear.
- Dually with AWD – One additional thing to help with the ride is the rear dual wheels that can help minimize rocking and provide more stability. I wanted AWD and a slightly higher clearance to make it to some of my favorite locations that are more comfortable.
If you are looking for an RV that will provide you with all the comforts of home while on the road, then look no further. Though admittedly it comes with a very hefty price tag.
Airstream Interstate 24x Tours
I really got interested in the 24x after watching tours on YouTube. I think the best van tour is from Patrick who does the but also works at Colonial Airstream in New Jersey.
I have also watched the video tour from Airstream VP of Sales Justin Humphreys with the official stats and tour and provided some professional glamour video.
New Features in 2023
I felt that the battery and propane generator in the 2022 Model were less than ideal. To work from my van and I need to be able to keep the noise down and can’t keep the windows open and still conduct a professional conference call. The 2023 model year could be just the ticket.
2023 E1 Package
In 2023, Airstream is adding the option of the E1 enhanced energy package. This new package is available on the 2023MY Atlas and Interstate Models.
- Volta 12,000 Watt-hour Lithium (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) Battery Pack with a built-in Battery Disconnect
- Timberline 2.0 Diesel-Fired Hydronic Heating & Hot Water System
- 1, 100-Watt Single Burner Induction Cook Top
- 3,200-Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter
- Two 30 AMP DC-DC Converters with 12V Continuous Power
- Secondary 51 Volt, 6,900W Alternator
- 2 External Solar Ports (for adding up to 600W extra solar power)
Volta’s electrical system is at the heart of the E1 Package. It features a high-capacity lithium battery pack with a capacity of 12,000 Watt-hours. Giving you what you need for boon docking no need for a generator or shore power.
The sine wave inverter provides 110 volt AC power to the outlets and appliances. This powerful battery system can provide air conditioning for approximately 8-10 hours.
A secondary alternator provides a big benefit. Owners can charge their house batteries while driving. Batteries recharge 30 percent recharge after 20 minutes. A full charge can be reached after 2 hours of driving.
Volta’s touch display monitors the battery pack temperature and the state of charge.
The Timberline 2.0 diesel-fired hydronic heating provides hot water to the sinks and shower and heats the adventure van.
Conclusion
The Airstream Interstate 24x is one of the most luxurious adventure vans on the market. It has a very hefty price tag, but if you are looking for all the comforts of home while on the road it’s got them in a small Class B RV package. The new E1 Package in 2023 provides an enhanced energy system and single hydronic heating and hot water system that makes this RV even more appealing. If you are in the market for a high-end RV, then put the Airstream Interstate 24x on your list.