Well- I have a little info from Airstream Inc. that I will share with you. But first- I think this thread has "remained" civil, informative, and relatively factual due to the efforts of a vigilant moderator, as I saw several posts of a different nature before they were pulled.
Sales pitches and scare tactics aside, some information speaks for itself: according to an Airstream customer service rep, the current Airstream line-up includes a few tandem-axle models of nearly the same GVWR as a '60's or early '70's Overlander. They are: the 23' Flying Cloud, the 23' International, and the 23' Ocean Breeze. All 3 have a GVWR of 6,000#. NONE of these use Henschen axles with 12" brakes. They ALL (again, I am quoting the Airstream rep) use Dexter axles with 10" brakes. I hope this info is useful to axle-replacers, and AS dealers who would like to know more about the trailers they sell.
If I hear back from the rep about heavier trailers, I'll post again. It might be interesting to know what Airstream considers the cut-off point for the #10 axles, when the #11's with the 12" brakes are deemed necessary. After all, they build these things to last more than 5 years, ya know. Good luck all, see some of you in ABQ! -tim
Just heard back from Tim Maxwell, the AS rep. He states that Airstream starts using #11 Dexter axles with the 12" brakes on their 25' models, with the lightest ones (SS International, and SS Ocean Breeze) having a GVWR of 7,000 lbs. The FB Flying Cloud has a GVWR of 7,300 lbs. All these heavier models come with 15" wheels and tires, the 23-footers and smaller with 14". Again- hope this info right from AS helps all of you to make an informed, comfortable decision. When I replace mine, it will most likely be with #10 Dexters with 7,000 lbs of raw stopping power!
Another factor that no one thinks about is the difference in tires.
Take a typical 60s sedan with drum brakes all around. It also had 2 ply bias ply tires from the factory. By today's standard the brakes were pathetic, but even if you put disc brakes on would it stop any better on those crumby tires?
In today's traffic and today's driving speeds you want good brakes and tires.
Having said this, 10" brakes may be OK for the older trailers because they are a lot lighter than today's trailers of the same size. They should be adequate for most drivers, except under extreme stress as in mountain driving.
One other thing to keep in mind. It is a lot easier on your brakes to apply them rather sharply for a short period of time, than to apply them gently for a longer time. So don't be afraid to use your brakes.
The worst thing you can do is to drag the brakes for a long period of time. Especially when descending a hill. This is what burns out brakes and causes accidents. You are better off to slow right down then let off the brakes and let them cool off. Or even pull over for 20 minutes.
__________________
Living in the trailer park of sense, looking out the window at a tornado of stupidity.
...according to an Airstream customer service rep, the current Airstream line-up includes a few tandem-axle models of nearly the same GVWR as a '60's or early '70's Overlander....
Tim
Do you know if any of this changes when the AS is a single axle?
__________________ "I've got aluminum fever, and the only prescription, is more AIRSTREAM!!!"
ts8501- Not sure what you are asking, give Airstream a jingle and talk to a customer rep. @ 1-877-596-6505.
This thread has been dealing with duel axle trailers. I'll guess ts8501 wants to know how this all relates to a single axle replacement. Have the specs. changed? A 64 Safari weighs about 3500lbs. How does this compare to the new trailers with a single axle and comparable weight? What axle is Airstream using? If my guess is wrong I would like to know.
This thread has been dealing with duel axle trailers. I'll guess ts8501 wants to know how this all relates to a single axle replacement. Have the specs. changed? A 64 Safari weighs about 3500lbs. How does this compare to the new trailers with a single axle and comparable weight? What axle is Airstream using? If my guess is wrong I would like to know.
Lee:
Your are right on. Interested in knowing how today's single axle trailers match with axle and brakes to an early 60's model single axle..
-Tim
__________________ "I've got aluminum fever, and the only prescription, is more AIRSTREAM!!!"
Well.... I do believe the smaller Safari Sport 17 uses a #10 axle... 3500 gvwr. The bigger Sport 22 has a 4500# Gvwr... I bet it has a #11 (downgraded to 4500#'s) as it has 12" brakes per Colonialairstream's website.
The 16' Bambi's have 14" wheels, 3500 gvwr, and 10" brakes (so #10 axle). The 19' Bambi has 15" wheels, 12" brakes, 4500# gvwr, so again, I'm assuming a #11 axle.
I'd like to go under and look... as I also wonder if the 19ft Bambi and 22ft Sport use a #10 axle with larger brakes and hubs.... but I doubt it. I just wonder why the wimpy 4500 rating when they could have just put 5000# axles under there too. Not much carrying capacity, especially with the 19ft Bambi.
The larger 20ft Flying Cloud also uses a #11 axle with the bigger brakes.
That's all their single axle trailers.
Thanks Marc. It appears the closest match to the '64 Safari (22') is the new 20' FC. I have benn planning on bumping mine up to 4500#. 12" brakes also makes sense. This was very helpful and appreciated!
-Tim
__________________ "I've got aluminum fever, and the only prescription, is more AIRSTREAM!!!"
ts8501 wrote: "It appears the closest match to the '64 Safari (22') is the new 20' FC. I have benn planning on bumping mine up to 4500#. 12" brakes also makes sense."
I have a '65 Safari (22'), Dry Weight 3320 lbs [220 lbs more than the '64 Safari]
My axel looks original and is rated at 5,000 lbs. Not sure what is included in "dry weight" (are empty propane tanks part of dry weight?, does dry weight include the spare tire?)
The 2008 BAMBI 19' INT has a dry weight of 3575 lbs and 4300# Axle.
So my 5,000 lb axle seems high. ts8501 mentioned "bumping mine up to 4500#." what did yours start out at? Is mine not original?
BWH
ts8501 wrote: "It appears the closest match to the '64 Safari (22') is the new 20' FC. I have benn planning on bumping mine up to 4500#. 12" brakes also makes sense."
I have a '65 Safari (22'), Dry Weight 3320 lbs [220 lbs more than the '64 Safari]
My axel looks original and is rated at 5,000 lbs. Not sure what is included in "dry weight" (are empty propane tanks part of dry weight?, does dry weight include the spare tire?)
The 2008 BAMBI 19' INT has a dry weight of 3575 lbs and 4300# Axle.
So my 5,000 lb axle seems high. ts8501 mentioned "bumping mine up to 4500#." what did yours start out at? Is mine not original?
BWH
Airstream started the 22 foot trailers out with a 3600 pound axle.
That was changed to 4000 pounds, and then 4500 pounds and then 5000 pounds.
The year makes the difference.
The soft ride is a "must" but, since the torsion axle was new to Airstream, they did not always select the correct ratings.
But, depending on which year 22 foot you have, doesn't mean you necessarily jump to 5000 pounds.
I think 4500 should be about right.. for my 24ft TW, I was going back and forth between 4500 and 5000... I think I'll stick with a 4500 axle (12" brakes)... but, might even go whole hog and get discs for it as well.
Marc
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