Stop me before I SOB!

[jnerges]

But this one is pretty close.

Seriously, what is an SOB?

Aside from the obvious.

John

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

Interesting developments Michelle. I had read about your humm-cycle and didn't know where that fit in. It doesn't. Michael's rig is cool -- and you can use the motorcycle as your commuter. I wouldn't want a gas hog U-Haul truck but those rollout ramps are hard to beat.

You gotta fit yer lifestyle...

My lifestyle is changing. Some not by choice some by choice.
Michael's rig is good for what he is doing. If I continue to live in a trailer this I am going to want more room. The toy hauler is perfect. A little place to store and work on the motorcycle that is heated and airconditioned!
This is my current favorite. Made across the street from where I am currently working.
Northwood Manufacturing

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by moosetags

What a dilemma!

How about the new AS Pan America Toy Hauler? That was supposed to be introduced this month.

Brian

I considered it but for around $100,000? I can get a lot of other trailer for that!

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by lewster

YA BEAT ME TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The new Sprinter 3500 dually has over 4000lb load capacity and an additional 7500 lb. tow capacity. Ride your bike right in!!!!!!!!!!! Hitch up and you're GONE!!!!!

I take my V-Strom (565lb) right inside my Sprinter, along with all of the tools, roll-a-ways and everything else I have when I'm on the road.

IT WORKS FOR ME!

Lew,
4000 in the sprinter would work. However my trailer current weighs 8900 lbs.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by safari62

1.Sprinter
2.box van
3. stake body cab over.
4. Also Airstream's prototype 34' toy hauler. I know they made at least one.
Sell the motorcycle, get a bicycle

I already have a bicycle. It does not go very fast.
I like izuzu truck idea!

[Fiamma]

Originally Posted by jnerges

But this one is pretty close.

Seriously, what is an SOB?

Aside from the obvious.

John

It means "Some Other Brand", other than Airstream.

I've heard a lot of good things about Northwoods trailers.

[2airishuman]

i like the sprinter option too, but...

even the 3500 isn't rated to tow a newer 31 ft 'stream, like 'cats has.

it partly depends on HOW often the trailer will be moved, and where...

1-3 moves a year the big fiver is way more livable.

but if traveling 15-20k miles hauling a trailer, keep the stream.

the big 5 tow hauler will lead to REALLY awful fuel economy, and have u ever pulled one?

it really isn't fun or easy driving, as is with a twink.

AND u might need a new truck for 5er/tow hauler (dually 350 or 450) anyway.

otoh a used box van with the older 7.3 l diesel can go anywhere, even mexico!

and the mpg is about the same as the new trucks, and the purchase price is MUCH less than a new anything.

unless you are a LONG TIME motorbike rider, ya might wanna pause b4 making expensive changes based on a bike.

many new bike riders go through a giddy up phase, then taper off.

motorbikes come and go and really are seasonal in places like montana.

florida or so cal, well the rules change.

it might be wise to wait until u know where the home base is located.

an rv village (like the north texas 'stream harbor) might offer a park model for living space, a place to store the stream and bike...

and serve as a hub for trailer towing travel too...

i would NOT want to LIVE in a toy hauler and give up interior space for gasoline powered stuff...

regardless of the brand.

terry's suggestion of a shed for stuff would be my preference is stationary

cheers
2air'

[SilverPal]

We sold our '06 Safari for an SOB with a little more room. It's nice, but it's not an Airstream! Within days we were searching for a vintage and succeeded! The SOB will be for those long trips; the Airstream for club activities and local rallies. I'm a Happy Camper once again!

ps - You WILL miss your Airstream and the great friendships that go along with it!

[easyride]

And Here I Thought Sob Was Square Old Box

[Mikethefixit]

I think the Box truck /Chevy or Ford Chasis /Desiel Crewcab(they make em ya know) and pull the Airstream would solve the problems and U would have the best of both worlds. Best of luck to U for what ever u decide. I think someone said it "U would miss your Airsteam and the friendships U have made".
Roger

[REDNAX]

This post is about the trade-off from "livability" versus roadability:


Michelle, as you know, I defected. While I still enjoy Airstreams as rolling art, there are some SOBs out there that offer things AS doesn't. My molded fiberglass shell Bigfoot 25' offers hail resistance, true four season ability with dual thermopane windows and heated tanks, and weighs about 1,500 lbs less than the a similar 25' AS, and has no seams. It also cost only half as much and is of similar quality, with the interior somewhere between the Safari and Classic. The penalty I pay is frontal air resistance as it's taller and more square.

(As well as: higher center of gravity, lesser ability to handle side or quartering winds; and, most importantly, the loss of independent suspension. A box on wheels is not ANYTHING like an aerodynamic, low-center-of-gravity, independently-suspended travel trailer. This is a significant decrease in road-ability. The fuel mileage penalty is minor by comparison.)

Toyhaulers that I see are likely the WORST balanced and loaded vehicles I see on the roadway. I made a return to home today in a 240-mile journey with minor steady winds for this region. No decrease in my fuel economy, but EVERY RV (boxes) were heeling in this wind. I doubt the drivers noticed after a while, but every one of them was pushing their luck more than they considered.

It would take very little to upset a toyhauler past the point of no return.

[lewster]

Hey Michell,

I would do the box truck thing considering the weight of your trailer, nice Isuzu model with a lift gate at the rear so you can get all of your stuff in/out easily.......including the bike! Nice aerodynamic front on the box and decent fuel mileage to boot!

Plus, I've seen a new version of the box with an entry door just aft of the cab that sits lower than the cab and contains a set of easy-entry steps into the box.........I almost opted for one of these myself, but decided to stay with the Sprinter and will be using a mobile workshop trailer that will match the colors of the van for the next FL snowbird season.....way cheaper!!!

The 5-ers do have a lot of space, but I work on these every day and the quality just isn't there with luan interior walls (even in the expensive ones), bonded walls, rubber roof, they seem to find just about every corner to cut when they make one of these.....wih perhaps the exception of the Newmar London Aire 5-er...........you'll hate yourself after a short while!!!

[AirsDream]

came first for me - an 1100 RT ... and sometimes I travel with it and a light set of luggage. And then the trailer. When trailer shopping, I went through the same thoughts you now have, but I have a house home base, where the toys can live when not in use. The bike tools plus a torque wrench all fit in a pretty small roll down in the bottom of one side case on the bike - outside of a complete engine removal or some such, BMW's got the tool thing narrowed down pretty well.

But, if you're full timing, the choices narrow a lot, and a toy hauler SOB can make a lot of sense. (Plus they've got HUGE tanks!) From all I've seen, however, those big SOBs just aren't as "roadable" as a "Stream." If you're not moving from place to place a lot, no big deal - just pick good weather and go. OTOH, if you go long distances or if you move a lot, I'd sure think twice.

And as someone mentioned, during cold (read: ice) season, the bike will sit a lot of the time. I've got good cold weather gear and the RT's got a good fairing and heated this and that, but I don't go out if there's any chance there's ice. So - what? The bike sits in the "back room" all winter? That's o.k. in my garage, buy you might get tired of it in a trailer about February. Can you leave the bike in a friendly place until warm weather and then go get it and bring it "home"?


Ryanh

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

I think the Box truck /Chevy or Ford Chasis /Desiel Crewcab(they make em ya know) and pull the Airstream would solve the problems and U would have the best of both worlds. Best of luck to U for what ever u decide. I think someone said it "U would miss your Airsteam and the friendships U have made".
Roger

I can convert the bed of my truck to haul the Motorcycle. It would cost me $2000 to put in different storage boxes and a ladder rack to hold the kayak.

One other factor is I have been in my trailer a year longer than I expected. It is starting to get small. I have no idea how much longer I will be in the trailer. If it looks like I will be in a trailer another year or more I expect to upgrade then at a later time buy a smaller 60s vintage model.