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Old 05-13-2015, 01:27 PM   #61
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Old 05-13-2015, 01:28 PM   #62
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I really like my new Avion. I made it to Baltimore alive... and am now dreaming about a GMC 2500 Diesel... or for that matter even a 3500 for the Avion. The EcoBoost didn't do a bad job actually, but I wasn't taking any 7 degree grades either. There may be another Hensley or a Propride in my future too.


Wow - you CANNOT find very many GMC trucks in the used market. Any ideas on rocks to look under?


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Old 05-13-2015, 03:06 PM   #63
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I don't think my 1984 Avion has leaf springs. Steve, what years are you talking about? Jim
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Old 05-13-2015, 03:45 PM   #64
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Originally Posted by avionstream View Post
I don't think my 1984 Avion has leaf springs. Jim
From what I can tell, the MOR-Ryde suspension was used until maybe the 1980 model year??? Could have been 1979. Then they switched to the "cheap" Adjust-a-Ride suspension.
The 1988 Avion brochure shows the Adjust-a-Ride suspension. The 1989 Avion brochure shows the AL-KO suspension, as does the 1990 5th-wheel brochure.

Here's a picture of what my 1987's suspension looks like:

What does yours look like?
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Old 05-13-2015, 03:51 PM   #65
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Here's a good example of too much trailer for the truck

The equalizers link the springs. Wet bolt kits, new shocks and upgraded equalizers would be on my list. MOR/ryde 4000 vs the Dexter kit, if MR approves. Same for spring hanger crossmembers. To be thorough, at least one spare axle as those are special order only.
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Old 05-13-2015, 04:23 PM   #66
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The equalizers link the springs. Wet bolt kits, new shocks and upgraded equalizers would be on my list. MOR/ryde 4000 vs the Dexter kit, if MR approves. Same for spring hanger crossmembers. To be thorough, at least one spare axle as those are special order only.
Any idea where I would come up with the Dexter part numbers for the axles and the other parts shown on my trailer? That would be good stuff to replace, as you've suggested, as preventive maintenance. I know our trailer has been up and down the road a LOT by the original owner, especially.
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Old 05-13-2015, 04:53 PM   #67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again View Post
I really like my new Avion. I made it to Baltimore alive... and am now dreaming about a GMC 2500 Diesel... or for that matter even a 3500 for the Avion. The EcoBoost didn't do a bad job actually, but I wasn't taking any 7 degree grades either. There may be another Hensley or a Propride in my future too.


Wow - you CANNOT find very many GMC trucks in the used market. Any ideas on rocks to look under?


Paula
We have bought 25 or more used Duramax/Allison 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Of that number, 23 are Chevy Silverados and 2 are GMC's. I can't tell the difference between a Chevy or GMC except badging. A Silverado LTZ is the same thing interior wise as a Sierra SLE.
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Old 05-13-2015, 04:59 PM   #68
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I've been happy with my Adjust-A-Ryde...

I have an '87 Avion 34X with the Adjust-a-Ryde suspension. I guess I'm a bit confused by some of the bashing of it. It is truly a fully independent suspension; it works excellently, and it doesn't wear out like the cheaper disposable rubber axles. I've pulled mine about 25,000 miles over all manner of surfaces and it's ridden very smoothly. I run 60psi in the Load Range D tires and I've pulled 500 miles with a pencil on the kitchen table and it was still on the table at the end of the day. I don't know what more you could want?

If I were going to drag it through swamps in Africa or South America, then yes, the rubber axles are better as they are simpler, lower parts count, and a little more ground clearance. But Wally didn't plan on keeping one for 15 years either....take it on the trip, throw it out and get another one. I'd also want something a lot smaller than a 34 for that type of duty.

I can kind of see what the one gent was talking about with the center axle, but in many miles of towing, I've found just the opposite to be true. It works excellently.

If this setup does not qualify as an independent suspension, then neither does Ford's Twin I-Beam setup that they raved about for many years. It's basically the same setup. And it works as well for Avion as it does for Ford.

If you want an extra axle shaft, call Cayo. Dexter doesn't sell them (at least they didn't). But the Cayo family (who founded the company) still supplies new parts for them. I don't know how you would ever bust one short of running over a cinder block...but your car would probably suffer a lot too. But if you want one, Cayo are the guys to call.

As far as weight, my '87 grosses at 9600lbs. An '87 Airstream 34 grosses about 8900, so they're not worlds different. The newer 34's are quite a bit heavier than the Avion's.

I really liked my 31' Excella. It pulled nicely too. But in all honesty, the triple axle tracks better. I sold the Excella due to sag and separation I didn't want to deal with. After '85, Airstream beefed their frames up and the issues on the longer ones went away.

I like them all. Would love to have a little Airstream. My grandpa had an 18' Traveler (1958 California build) that I wanted to buy, but he sold it to a guy that gave him a lot more than I would have for it, so can't fault him. He bought it for $500. Had to use chainsaws to cut the pines away to get it out as it had sat in one spot since about 1963. Once he got the pitch washed off of it, the aluminum was perfect. It shined right up like a mirror. Inside was shot, but he rebuilt it. Anyway, I'd like to have a small one to go with the big one. Be it an Airstream, an Avion, a Silver Streak, a Streamline, or what I really like....a Spartan...though they didn't make little ones
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Old 05-13-2015, 05:06 PM   #69
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Thx, Jim. After I posted that, I thought, "Duh.... call Cayo!"

(You do realize that when I say "cheap" Adjust-a-Ryde suspension, I'm referring to a previous post where it was described as such. I really LOVE the suspension we have on our Avions. I agree with you...... it works VERY well.)
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Old 05-13-2015, 06:37 PM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulnGina View Post
Any idea where I would come up with the Dexter part numbers for the axles and the other parts shown on my trailer? That would be good stuff to replace, as you've suggested, as preventive maintenance. I know our trailer has been up and down the road a LOT by the original owner, especially.
Lots and lots of Dexter information here:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...ml#post1478060
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Old 05-13-2015, 07:11 PM   #71
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I owned a 1973 , 23' avion for a little over 26 years, it had a mor-ryde suspension which was actually a walking beam set up,it pulled like a dream, a very nice trailer , I believe it sold new for $9500, no air conditioning. I used it to live in on construction jobs right on site,a lot of zero degree nights,never had any freeze up problems with it....
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Old 05-17-2015, 03:55 PM   #72
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