Tell Me Your Experience, Please

[Kota]

Interesting comments on handling as I've had the opposite experience. The 360 seems to handle quite well. I've never been blown or sucked out of my lane. I've followed big box MoHoes that were definitely fighting worst than I was. We do a lot of driving in CO WY NE N&SD where the wind blows. And never the right direction.

Gusty X-winds will definitely tire you out faster than a nice tailwind but I've fought winds towing a trailer too!

[masseyfarm]

I am not here to try to convince tailers owners that they are wrong? But, I would never have a trailer, after what I have seen on the road, over the years

As detailed above, each person will have their own requirements, whether it be slides, etc. but if you are going to travel, a quality Class A, DP, on a HD Chassis, is the only way to go.

The biggest thing to look for is carrying capacity. If the unit is going to be overloaded before you leave home, then that is not the one you want.

2000# carrying capacity is not much. Airstream did something good when they built the CLIPPER, that has almost 6000# CC. We run close to that when we leave home with full fuel and water for at least 3 days living comfortably on the road.

Between the west coast and NY State, we generally only made one service stop for sani and water in 7 days.

As mentioned, any Airstream Class A, will now be at least 10 years old.

Take your time and do your research.

Dave

[Gnorts]

I have no desire to own a class A, but if I did, I'd go for a late 80's Newell. No slides, but it just looks right, y'know? This '89 was for sale for $60K.

[masseyfarm]

That is a nice unit. Has the mid mount door also. Hard to find good units before they started adding all the bling?


[/QUOTE]

[Gnorts]

OK, since we're talkin' Class A, let's talk about some *real* class:

1955 Flxible



And with its car trailer

[m.hony]

Is that a FlXible? Looks like a GM PD 4109 or something.

This is a FlXible.


This is a GM PD 4109 or some number.


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[Gnorts]

Yep, it's a Flxible "VistaLiner" from '55. The ones with the wonderful rounded tail, like the one you posted, were about 1948-52.

[m.hony]

Both buses I actually saw in campgrounds.
I've always had a thing for the Bluebird Wanderlodge and the Foretravel Unihome, too.
If I ever get a Class A outside the realm of Airstream it will most likely be a Tiffin Allegro Bus. They hold up pretty well, the factory is close, and the company owner is a Christian.


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[Kota]

Now we're talkin! There was one of these sitting behind a warehouse in Denver. I tracked down the owner and tried to buy it. He wouldn't sell as his dream was to convert it someday. I settled for a 360 classic pusher. I've just purchased a second one! It's a sickness. Makes no sense but we are enjoying the hell out of it.

So if you want to do something that makes sense, buy a plane ticket and stay at a resort hotel.

[Kota]

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by SteveH

.....Guess what I'm most interested in is people's opinion of a M/H's ride, and overall convenience compared to a trailer. We seem to be spending more time in the trailer these days, and the extra space and storage space would really be nice.

I have a long history of owning Motorhomes and sold my 345 to buy 34 Airstream Trailer.
Yes, nice to have a late model TV, with no worries about the mechanics and to have a vehicle once you set up camp.
Pulling a 34' trailer is not really a lot of fun, actually its very tiring and nerve wrecking. When we traveled long distances, we rather went to a restaurant than trying to cool down a hot trailer to enjoy a nice roadside break.
Traveling in a Motorhome is a completely different experience. You ARE on your vacation as soon as you leave the house. You even get to watch your refer door fly open.
So I sold the 34' trailer and bought a another Classic Airstream 310 Motorhome WITH Fuel injection, all new fuel and brake lines and complete new brakes.
But, I real enjoy working on these Classics and respect people's opinion about outdated technology.
Now I am looking to buy a 25' mid 90's trailer to have for the long distance travel and keep the 310 for local fun and rallies.

[SteveH]

Thanks for everyone's input, and it has resulted in our purchasing this '05 396XL Airstream motorhome. Live everything else I've ever purchased used, it's not perfect, but in reasonable shape. So far, I've not found any problems that I won't eventually be able to take care of.

We've made an agreement with a friend to see him our truck, and the trailer is up for sale and advertised here as well as on Craigslist. Hope it sells soon.

[Mike1997]

Steve, Congratulations on the new Airstream purchase. Its a beautiful rig and will certainly get attention in any RV park you pull into. Do you plan to get a tow car? I already owed a 2007 Jeep GC with the 6cyl diesel (4x4) when I bought my Land Yacht last April. First advantage was the tow brackets were added to the Jeep without removal of the front bumper, second, saved on the light wiring by purchasing the new digital wireless tow lights. Both stuck on the Jeep with magnets on the rear hatch and controller plugged into the light socket at hitch.

On a trip from NC to Montana, via Denver, I averaged 10.5 to 11.5mpg towing the Jeep which was also loaded down. Usually cruised at about 65mph. It was a job transfer for me so actually both the Airstream and Jeep were loaded up more than usual for the 2500mile trip.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I like mine. Look forward to seeing more posts about it in the future.

[Mike1997]

97 Airstream and 2007 Jeep GC loaded up for the move!