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07-08-2007, 01:31 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic
Field and Stream
, PA & MT
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 819
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If you're thinking about doing it...
don't!
A guy stopped by our trailer earlier this morning when he saw our Airstream and my drift boat parked together on our site here at Yellowstone's Edge RV Park, south of Livingston, MT.
He wanted to know whether I ever towed my Airstream (30' Classic) with my drift boat (16' Clackacraft) hitched behind it.
I told him I didn't do that, and in fact for various reasons would never even consider doing it.
He said he was driving to Montana from Texas 2 weeks ago with his Ford Excursion, towing a 32' Excella, and with his raft on a trailer behind it. He said he'd had a welding shop weld a receiver on the rear of his Airstream frame so he could tow his raft behind it.
While driving across Colorado, his Airstream and raft trailer started swaying uncontrollably, and it ended by him totalling his Excursion, Airstream and raft. Luckily, no one was injured.
Now, he's driving a rental car and staying in a motel - a tough way to spend a vacation. He said he still feels terrible about it, and I'm sure he does.
I know there's plenty of advice on this forum about not hitching things on the back of Airstreams. This fellow said he had sometimes read this forum, but never read that specific advice.
So, one more time: If you're thinking of doing something like that, maybe you should think again what might happen.
John
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Flyfisher
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07-08-2007, 01:51 PM
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#2
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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You just gotta wonder sometimes what people are thinking.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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07-08-2007, 02:06 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Classic
Oro Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 835
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I'd be afraid the Airstream would sink. What kind of hitch, sway control, for that matter electrical connection on that drift boat?
Kistler
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07-08-2007, 03:43 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic
Field and Stream
, PA & MT
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 819
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kistler
I'd be afraid the Airstream would sink. What kind of hitch, sway control, for that matter electrical connection on that drift boat?
Kistler
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You know, I asked him that question too, and I don't think he was even sure what type of hitch and sway control he had.
John
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Flyfisher
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07-08-2007, 03:54 PM
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#5
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,617
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I've seen this setup with SOBs before, never a good idea. I wonder how many miles someone would run with a flat tire on the rear trailer before they noticed? A few years ago a MO pulling a toad started a forest fire (Colorado I think) when the toad had a flat tire and they pulled it on the rim throwing sparks and melted wheel into the trees. The MO driver did not have a clue that something was wrong. I think the forest service was going after them to pay for the cost of fighting the fire.
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Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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07-08-2007, 03:55 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited
Lebanon
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 100
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Drift Boat
We are considering buying a Clackacraft ourselves (nice drift boat ). How do you transport both it and the Airstream at the same time.
Thanks for posting and allowing us to learn from this unfortunate incident.
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Sherry
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07-08-2007, 04:52 PM
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#7
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadschooler
We are considering buying a Clackacraft ourselves (nice drift boat ). How do you transport both it and the Airstream at the same time.
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A large rack on top of the F250, and get a couple of he-men to remove it?
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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07-08-2007, 05:10 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic
Field and Stream
, PA & MT
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 819
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadschooler
We are considering buying a Clackacraft ourselves (nice drift boat ). How do you transport both it and the Airstream at the same time.
Thanks for posting and allowing us to learn from this unfortunate incident.
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The drift boat stays permanently in Montana. Although we have been towing our Airstream back to PA, and putting it in storage there during the winter, we're going to leave it here with the drift boat when we go home to PA in October if we are able to find an inside storage here that is large enough.
There are several places in the Bozeman area that rent 50' storage units that we're on the waiting list for and hopefully one will become available by then.
I do have a ladder rack for the back of my truck and put my 85 pound cataraft on it, but the 280 pound drift boat is a few more pounds than I'm presently able to lift over my head.
John
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Flyfisher
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07-08-2007, 05:32 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited
Lebanon
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 100
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Heavy
That drift boat is heavy. Just what I figured, too heavy for on top of the truck cap. Oh well, we'll stick to kayaks. Thanks for the info.
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Sherry
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07-08-2007, 05:35 PM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited
Lebanon
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 100
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He-Men
Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
A large rack on top of the F250, and get a couple of he-men to remove it?
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I've only got one of those, I'd need at least another to lift that drift boat on and off the top of the truck. I'd be NO help.
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Sherry
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07-08-2007, 05:43 PM
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#11
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Great story John. We've all talked about not doing this for years and this is but one example of why not, let alone the obvious we all know, it'll damage your Airstream trailer no question about it, even if you are lucky and don't put the shiney side down like this guy did.....
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08-07-2007, 10:57 PM
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#12
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Streamline Imperial
Currently Looking...
Bellflower
, California
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 110
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That person was crazy, all right, but not the craziest; I read of some guy trying to move a long distance in one trip getting pulled over with a contrived train of five vehicles!
I think that some states allow 3-trailer big rigs (or are considering it), but I know that in California, passenger vehicles may tow only ONE trailer!
__________________
It seems I love the mountains and deserts more than my friends do. I sure miss them!
1971 Streamline Imperial project "Silver Snausage", 1985 Coleman tent trailer, 1964 Little Dipper, 1975 Northwest "Proto Toyhauler", 2004 Harbor Freight folding, still seeking my Airstream.
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08-08-2007, 05:21 AM
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#13
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Anybody know if they still allow "Michigan Gravel Trains?" One semi tractor pulling several trailers. I know they still do this in Australia, where it's a thousand miles between towns, and nothing between.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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12-28-2007, 05:31 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
1965 22' Safari
Currently Looking...
Orinda
, California
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilvrSausage
but I know that in California, passenger vehicles may tow only ONE trailer!
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Unless they changed the law in last 3 years this is incorrect.
I was ready to get double trailer permit, while driving my SUV with travel trailer and PWC to the lake, but later on found $20/month storage at the lake, so dropped the idea. All it took at the time is drive the set to DMV and pass driving exam.
Here is signature picture from other forum
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12-28-2007, 06:08 PM
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#15
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
Anybody know if they still allow "Michigan Gravel Trains?" One semi tractor pulling several trailers. I know they still do this in Australia, where it's a thousand miles between towns, and nothing between.
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They are allowed in Idaho and Oregon. You will regularly see 3 trailers behind one tractor.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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12-28-2007, 06:39 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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I've only seen one instance of a truck with box loaded with gear, then a 25' SOB and behind it a boat on trailer loaded to the hilt with "stuff". They were on the side of the road with a State Trooper, lights flashing, having a "discussion" with the driver who appeared quite animated.
On our return later that afternoon the boat was sitting, emptied of it's gear, quite a ways off the road.
Barry
__________________
Barry & Donna
Life is short - so is the door on a '51 Flying Cloud (ouch)
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12-28-2007, 06:49 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Quote:
I think that some states allow 3-trailer big rigs (or are considering it), but I know that in California, passenger vehicles may tow only ONE trailer!
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You can tow 2 trailers in California. You need a class "A" license to do so.
Dave
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12-30-2007, 08:20 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
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It might work with a Hensley hitch on back of the Airstream
just kidding
__________________
Greg
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
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