 |
|
10-03-2011, 11:57 AM
|
#1
|
|
New Member
lander
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
|
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
__________________
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 12:07 PM
|
#2
|
|
moderator
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
Brandon
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,749
|
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?
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 12:36 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master 
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 634
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 12:40 PM
|
#4
|
|
New Member
lander
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
|
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!
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 12:43 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1959 22' Flying Cloud
1969 25' Tradewind
1983 34' Limited
fairview
, New Mexico
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 507
|
Do you have any pictures?
__________________
1959 Flying Cloud
1969 Tradewind
1973 Safari
1983 34 ft Limited
2004 F250 superduty ext cab
2006 F250 superduty crewcab
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 01:01 PM
|
#6
|
2 Rivet Member 
Montreal
, Quebec
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 56
|
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
2010 Flying Cloud 30'
Dual Solar Panels, 1500w Inverter
4 Lifeline Group 27's
KVM R4LS HD Satellite
Honda EU3000
2012 ML350 BlueTec Diesel
2012 RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn 3.92
Hensley
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 01:01 PM
|
#7
|
|
New Member
lander
, Wyoming
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
|
Hope this comes through!
1977 airstream.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 05:27 PM
|
#8
|
|
'87 Avion 32S
Vintage Kin Owner
grants pass
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 81
|
34 ?
Are you sure that's only 34' ? It looks longer than that.
Neat trailer,
more pics please.
__________________
1987 Avion 32S
Front Kitchen-Rear Bedroom
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 05:49 PM
|
#9
|
|
"CLOUDSPLITTER" (tahawus)
2003 25' Classic
Hoover Beach
, "Niagara Frontier" NY
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,625
|
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
__________________
 LOST IN THE SIXTIES
" I'll know where I am when I get there"
Bob,Sandra & "Fado"
2006 3/4 Burb 8.1
Hensley
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 06:05 PM
|
#10
|
|
moderator
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
Brandon
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,749
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 06:31 PM
|
#11
|
4 Rivet Member 
1988 34' Limited
1960 24' Tradewind
Mt. Pleasant
, South Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 365
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 07:00 PM
|
#12
|
|
Rivet Master In Training
1965 22' Safari
Mount Airy
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
|
That is a LOT of Aluminum !!!! 
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 07:19 PM
|
#13
|
|
"Bess" Full Timers
1983 31' Airstream310
Suquamish
, WA
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,228
|
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!! |
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!
__________________
"A settled wisdom, plus the itch to be elsewhere"
|
|
|
|
|
10-03-2011, 08:17 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member
2002 34' Classic
Windsor
, Ontario
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 41
|
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chevy Camaro Forum
Ford Mustang Forum
Jeep Wrangler Forum
Volkswagen Touareg Forum
Land Rover Defender Forum
