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10-03-2011, 11:57 AM
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#1
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New Member
lander
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
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Towing a 34' triple axle airstream
Hello; i just acquired a 1977...34'.....triple axle airstream which was delivered to my home. Question: I have a 1991....4x4 ford van with a 351 engine..........will this be adequate to tow the trailer safely from point a to point b (1200 miles)? I do not plan to tow the trailer on vacations etc., just tow it to a warmer climate in the winter and leave it there. It is possible that i will only tow the trailer once.......and worst case would be towing it once every few years! Thanks
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10-03-2011, 12:07 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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If it IS a '77 then it's a conversion 34'. I've seen photos of 1 triple that was an extended 2 axle. The production 34's started in the early 80's. If your's is a custome build it will be hard to make broad statements because we don't really know the weights and details.
Towing...it's gonna need a higher ratio (low geared) rear end in the van. Ya' know what ratio you have?
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10-03-2011, 12:36 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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I believe the first year of the 34' production models was 1982.
You will find many opinions on tow vehicle setups here. I would look at mfg ratings, gear setup, and wd hitch numbers to help make that decision.
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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10-03-2011, 12:40 PM
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#4
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New Member
lander
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
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34' towing
Yes, it is a conversion trailer.....the front end was wrecked. All the pieces and parts used in the extension were purchased from airstream and it is a very good job......not a hatchet piece by any means. I do believe my van is geared 3:51. I do not care about getting anywhere fast......just safely. Thanks for your reply!
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10-03-2011, 12:43 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Classic FB
1959 22' Flying Cloud
fairview
, New Mexico
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 575
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Do you have any pictures?
__________________
Avion C11
1959 Flying Cloud 1969 Tradewind
1973 Safari
1983 34 ft Limited
2004 F250 superduty ext cab
2014 F350 longbed superduty crewcab
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10-03-2011, 01:01 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Classic
Montreal
, Quebec
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 211
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A Taurus SHO
I know you guys will think this is nuts, but last weekend while I was at my dealer, CanAm in London, ON; Andy let me drive one of their setups, a Taurus SHO with the 3.5l Ecoboost (similar but not the same as used in the F150) pulling a 34' tri-axle.
I would only recommend that before commenting ; realize one thing , I drove it; and you didn't.
You wouldn't believe how awesome the combo was. I have no words to fully explain how great it felt. BTW, he used a Hensley connected to one of their custom reinforced receivers.
I should have taken pics!!
__________________
Ron
Montreal, QC
2017 Classic
4 Flexible 100w Solar Panels
3000w Magnum Hybrid Inverter
1000 Amp Hours Lithium Battery
Honda EU3000
Drain Master Sewer Connection
2017 GMC Denali 2500 Duramax
Hensley
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10-03-2011, 01:01 PM
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#7
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New Member
lander
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
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Hope this comes through!
1977 airstream.
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10-03-2011, 05:27 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1972 29' Ambassador
grants pass
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 262
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34 ?
Are you sure that's only 34' ? It looks longer than that.
Neat trailer,
more pics please.
__________________
1987 Avion 34X
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10-03-2011, 05:49 PM
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#9
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Complete maint ck on the van, focus on brakes,trans and cooling systems.
Make sure you have an adequate WD hitch with working sway control.
Same on the AS, brakes, tires, working break-a-way switch, wheel bearings, lights and 7-way.
Drive careful and enjoy your new STREAM!!
Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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10-03-2011, 06:05 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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Here is a top 10 thread for you, specially since you have a non-standard situation...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...-in-17984.html
Tongue weight is the big question
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10-03-2011, 06:31 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
1985 34' Limited
1960 24' Tradewind
Summerville
, South Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 382
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I blew up the picture and printed it off so I could compare measurements with my own 88 34.' I used the distance from the back of the back tire to the front of the front tire to establish a known length and worked out the rest.
Mine Floidoip
tires 7'8" 7'8"
rear overhang 10'0" 8'8"
front overhang 17'2" 20'0"
total length 34'10" 36'4"
If this thing is for real, that tongue weight has got to be very high. Mine is 700# and the distance from the wheels to the front of the tongue on Floidoip's is nearly 3 feet longer. Whew.
I would love to see more pictures.
__________________
Bill Cantrell
AIR 24338
TAC SC-1
__________________________________________________
Easily distracted by shiny objects.
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10-03-2011, 07:00 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master In Training
1965 22' Safari
Mount Airy
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
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That is a LOT of Aluminum !!!!
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10-03-2011, 07:19 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rawn77
I know you guys will think this is nuts, but last weekend while I was at my dealer, CanAm in London, ON; Andy let me drive one of their setups, a Taurus SHO with the 3.5l Ecoboost (similar but not the same as used in the F150) pulling a 34' tri-axle.
I would only recommend that before commenting ; realize one thing , I drove it; and you didn't.
You wouldn't believe how awesome the combo was. I have no words to fully explain how great it felt. BTW, he used a Hensley connected to one of their custom reinforced receivers.
I should have taken pics!!
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We've seen one of Andy's jobs in Ajo, Arizona, a 34 footer towed by a little dweeb ( no offense) suv. Client was overjoyed!
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10-03-2011, 08:17 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2002 34' Classic
Windsor
, Ontario
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 88
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10-03-2011, 09:10 PM
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#15
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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Wow thats cool. Just when you think you've seen everything someone comes up with another 1000 hour job. Love it.
Vinnie
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02-17-2013, 02:43 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
Commercial Member
1970 31' Sovereign
1978 31' Sovereign
1978 31' Sovereign
pinkenba
, QLD
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cantrell
I blew up the picture and printed it off so I could compare measurements with my own 88 34.' I used the distance from the back of the back tire to the front of the front tire to establish a known length and worked out the rest.
Mine Floidoip
tires 7'8" 7'8"
rear overhang 10'0" 8'8"
front overhang 17'2" 20'0"
total length 34'10" 36'4"
If this thing is for real, that tongue weight has got to be very high. Mine is 700# and the distance from the wheels to the front of the tongue on Floidoip's is nearly 3 feet longer. Whew.
I would love to see more pictures.
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Hello .... I am after the rear overhang, measured from the centre of the middle axle to the end of the bumper bar of a 34 ft .... would you be able to measure it for me? Thanks. Erik
__________________
Regards.
Erik
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02-17-2013, 04:13 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Kingston
, Washington
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 692
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floidoip
I do believe my van is geared 3:51. I do not care about getting anywhere fast......just safely. Thanks for your reply!
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I wouldn't try with that gear ratio, you'll cook your transmission. If you can have it changed to a 4.10:1 or so. Even with these gears you will not be going fast up the hills. I would also add an additional transmission cooler and maybe an engine oil cooler. Also, I would install a transmission temperature gauge so you will know what is going on. Then you should be fine.
I just noticed your van is a 4X4. That makes changing the gear ratio more difficult. Still, I think you will have an overloaded Van with the 3.51 gears.
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02-22-2013, 10:32 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
1999 34' Excella
Cinnaminson
, New Jersey
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 158
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wow awsome airstream thats a ton of aluminum you have there! I agree with the rest the 3.50 gears are going to make it a very tough haul. It wont be a spped demon and wil be very slow going up hills but it will probably pull it. Safely? well thats a judgement call, I wouldnt be comfortable with that set up.
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12-22-2019, 06:54 PM
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#19
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New Member
Cleveland
, Tennessee
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floidoip
1977 airstream.
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Floidoip, do you still have this one?
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12-22-2019, 07:52 PM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
2005 34' Classic
tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 160
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A one time deal to get it home? There are services out there that will bid to drag it home for you. Before I spent any $$$ on that van I'd just hire it done. 1200 miles shouldn't cost you much, a few hundred maybe. Along the way you can have the service get it weighed, then you will know what you need long term to haul it.
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