Towing Concerns May Point Me Toward a Motorhome

thecatsandi · 02-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myoung

We've towed a 25FB for two years and 20,000 miles with a Dodge Durango Hemi with no problem except rear brakes that seem to warp a bit too easily.

You do not have the boost/gain high enough. This should not happen.

myoung · 02-02-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

You do not have the boost/gain high enough. This should not happen.

I agree that it should not happen. However, I believe that the boost/gain is correctly adjusted. If I set it one notch higher, the trailer brakes lock up well before the TV.

Isn't it odd that the rear brake rotors are the problem rather than the front ones that actually bear the greatest braking burden?

thecatsandi · 02-02-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myoung

I agree that it should not happen. However, I believe that the boost/gain is correctly adjusted. If I set it one notch higher, the trailer brakes lock up well before the TV.

Isn't it odd that the rear brake rotors are the problem rather than the front ones that actually bear the greatest braking burden?

Maybe you need a different controller. What do you have?

safari 28 · 02-02-2008, 10:46 PM

I will add only what is the main reason we have an Airstream. When the kids were young we traveled the country in 3 different motorhomes. Cass c to class a and all were a hoot and built by Itasca. Decent build quality for the price, and they roll them over at the factory, possibly the only one for the money who does. Same as Winnebago. They all handle horrible and noisy.

BUT, if you are the type of person who HATES RATTLES IN YOUR CAR, then my friend any trailer will do. Our kids used to call them the rattle rattle motorhome. I even wanted to write a kid book about the damn things.Trust me, it sounds like total self destruction, and only gets worse as the unit ages.Add that to the road conditions we all experience and it is a nightmare.

Also, if you buy a recent A/S, say 2-4 years old, buy it at or around NADA, and decide to sell in say another 2 years your deprecition will be much less than a motorhome. I bought our 04 BELOW NADA in october, plan to tow 15k/year and dump it in 3 years for a newer model/ my guess is we will do well as we purchased for 48% less than his purchase price. The owner had to write a check for 9k to get out from under the rig. Now to be fair that was in Michigan and tons of good deals. Anyway, you have way more than you need to know, go with your gut and enjoy the kids while you can.

pauly g · 02-03-2008, 09:09 AM

I see way too much worry here. just drive sensibly, keep the equipment maintained and have a good time. Life is short, so I would just get the vehicle I liked and get camping. My gut feeling is that there probably is not much safety difference between a trailer and a motorhome. Don't worry about it.

Cracker · 02-04-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauly g

I see way too much worry here. just drive sensibly, keep the equipment maintained and have a good time. Life is short, so I would just get the vehicle I liked and get camping. My gut feeling is that there probably is not much safety difference between a trailer and a motorhome. Don't worry about it.

pauly g:

Late model tow vehicle = steel enclosure, seat belts, air bags and proven crash protection ----- Class "A" motorhome, unless steel body similar to normal passenger bus (i.e. - as in "Bluebird" and other high-end units) = lightweight steel or aluminum tubing body with composite walls having little structural value, no air bags for passengers, no proven crash protection (--not required for licensing of vehicle) and a whole box full of loose objects or poorly attached furnishings ready to become deadly projectiles. The Class "C" - as I pointed out earlier, fares a little bit better due to the steel cab - but only for the driver and the passenger to his right.

I had a lot of fun with my Class "A" motorhome until I started to study the safety issues. This was prompted by a near loss of control, on route 1 in Canada, on an otherwise beautiful day with little traffic. I sold it when I returned home - ultimately becoming an Airstream enthusiast.

I certainly don't want to start an argument - but I believe the facts are self evident. Anyone who chooses to travel in a motorhome (---and, again, motorhomes are a lot of fun!) should be fully aware of the safety issues and make their choice with due consideration thereof. The average motorhome does not compare with a commercial truck.

pauly g · 02-05-2008, 10:54 AM

Very good points, Cracker.

Jaxon · 04-01-2008, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

I know lots of people that would not even consider towing a trailer, and I know lots of people that feel the same way about driving a huge truck. It's just like suspenders and belts, a personal decision thing.

I love it! Suspenders & belts... cracked me up!

arm4 · 04-01-2008, 08:02 AM

Welcome Bonzai
Great times await you. As a child I was able to go through Europe with Wally. My father and mother did an article for National Geographic in '56 of that trip. My brothers and I grew up with Airstreams. We traveled all over the States, Mexico, and Canada. I now part time(6 months) and now see why people choose to full time. Just talked this morning with a fellow that owns a 39' MH. Remember that a number of campgrounds will not allow these large MH's. Enjoy the insight and humor Airfourms offers....a number of people buy Airstreams just because of the people involved. Happy trails and my vote would be the TT. Randy

REDNAX · 04-01-2008, 08:28 PM

I based my decision on what I had grown up with. My grandparents had a lovely STREAMLINE with which the traversed the U.S., Canada and parts of Mexico after retiring in the mid-1960's. My parents had several small trailers, then a 29' Class A. That thing ate money, was noisy, etc, etc. Then, they switched to a SILVER STREAK in 1976 and only just sold it a few years ago.

Here is the way I ordered my thinking on it (with a wife for whom this was new):

First, a motorhome means I have to tow another vehicle to get around after parking. That now means two vehicles to maintain which have drivetrains. I can't afford to restore a mid-1980's BLUEBIRD (time or money), so any motorhome would be a compromise in design, build and reliability. Throwing away a LOT of money in depreciation. Not to mention the towed vehicle wouldn't likely be the car my wife or I drove for business when home. From two, now I'm up to four vehicles to maintain, insure, store and -- worst of all -- try to keep track of.

Second, they don't drive worth a hoot until you get waaay on up there in money. They're okay, but not that great. They're basically a converted furniture delivery truck. Proven systems, but, still, truck service shops are more expensive than even a car dealership. Okay to rent, but not buy, IMO.

Third, by comparison a well-built all-aluminum aerodynamic trailer is light, long-lasting and a heckuva lot cheaper to own. You can park them off the road for years and then spend the money to get them back into roadworthy condition for only a fraction of what a motorhome would cost. IMO, a motorhome that sat for five years is a great parts source. That's it. My folks parked their trailer at a nearby lake when things were tight for a few years (both my sisters in college, etc). Took a good-sized John Deere to get it out of the dirt, but took little past new tires, a brake job, etc, to return it to function.

With a nice tow vehicle that doubles as the family hauler a trailer can be a long-time faithful servant. In buying ours I knew that living on the Gulf Coast meant we could lose our home to Nature's vagaries. I'm not willing to live in rental housing anymore. The trailer is not only our escape from town to new or familiar places, but an instantaneous movement of our lives if need be. With next-to-no interruption.

When we get around to remodelling this mid-century house we just bought, the trailer also serves as temporary home during the worst of the work. Despite its length it is much easier to hide than a motorhome of equivalent living space, keeping my neighbors happier (which is only fair).

We will see improved vehicles to tow our trailers in the next half-decade, and can upgrade our "tractor" as desired. I cannot do this with a motorhome.

Ahab · 04-02-2008, 08:41 AM

Well said, REDNAX!

safari 28 · 04-03-2008, 07:57 AM

You know the other big issue is those damn rivets. Looking outside at the 28 and something about how it shines in the sun and those little dimples. I always wanted one and now even when a million dollar motor home pulls up in the park I have no wish for the complicated beast. Something about simplicity that grows on you.

str8strm · 04-03-2008, 08:28 AM

I just read this thread from end to end, and had to laugh. We have a motorhome and guess what? It has rivets and shiny aluminum and all the comfort and quality of an Airstream. We get to hang out with the same great people too. As an added bonus it says Airstream all over it. Go figure. I guess we are the forgotten few. Ron

safari 28 · 04-03-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8strm

I just read this thread from end to end, and had to laugh. We have a motorhome and guess what? It has rivets and shiny aluminum and all the comfort and quality of an Airstream. We get to hang out with the same great people too. As an added bonus it says Airstream all over it. Go figure. I guess we are the forgotten few. Ron

I stand corrected and totally ashamed.