Towing with an Airstream Classic?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

Brad,
My guess for a rubber flap, I'm going to need to readjust the grill intake to look more like yours, since the 'dump' area for excess air is pointed downward......just my thought.
Thanks, Derek

Derek,

There is nothing that says my intake is mounted properly. When we got the motorhome it was just hanging down in the grille area. I'm the one that tie wrapped it into place. I noticed on yours you have some sort of fastening system for it. Was that original with the Banks system or did you make it?

I have no idea if it should be sitting side to side or up and down.

If you could get better pictures of how yours mounts that would be great!

Thanks,

Brad

[Keyair]

The Banks manual has some good diagrams on page 7 for the mounting and fitting of the scoop...

Link to Manual...
http://assets.bankspower.com/manuals...340-v3-web.pdf

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Keyair

The Banks manual has some good diagrams on page 7 for the mounting and fitting of the scoop...

Link to Manual...
http://assets.bankspower.com/manuals...340-v3-web.pdf

Google is my best friend so you would have thought that I would have searched for information on the Banks systems prior to your post, nope, I sure didn't

Thanks for the link, had some good information. I hadn't realized that the Banks package actually provided springs for the transmission governor.

Brad

[Keyair]

You are so welcome Brad....
About time I was able to return the favor!
Yes, I spotted that about the trans shift springs too... Interesting!

[SteSpot]

Now that we are getting closer to being able to use our 24' 1982 mh, I am beginning to wonder if we are going to want a toad......our owners manual says we can tow a 2000 pound trailer with a loaded trailer weight of 200 pounds....does this mean we need to find a car that weighs 2000 pounds? We have a 454 7.4 liter engine on a P30 chassis......

I called Airstream and they have no information that they even ever built a 1982 24' MH let alone the towing capacity of such an anomaly. They told me to call GM. GM doesn't keep information about the P30/454 7.4 towing capacities longer than 10 years. Also, they sent me back to Airstream saying that towing capacity depends upon what Airstream put on top of the P 30.....

I googled the Chevrolet Motorhome Chasis Service Guide and I found a GCWR guide....I am thinking I now need to know the engine & axle Ratio, right? Where would I find that info? paula

[jm2]

hi Paula,
hi Ed,

your 24' Airstream has essentially the same running gear as a 24' Argosy, and we have the GM and Argosy books for the 1977 24' Argosy.

I'll dig them out to see what they say?

best,

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by jm2

hi Paula,
hi Ed,

your 24' Airstream has essentially the same running gear as a 24' Argosy, and we have the GM and Argosy books for the 1977 24' Argosy.

I'll dig them out to see what they say?

best,

Hi Joseph, that would be great to see what they had to say in 1977. I have the service manual for the 78 but it is at the MH.
Pretty sure our maximum towing is 2000 pounds....not many cars in that neighborhood.....but it appears that it depends on my engine & axle ratio...I planned to not have a toad but am reconsidering that.

did you hear that my driver area is all rotted/rusted out? Went to get new carpeting and oh, my....have new curtains sitting in a box ready to install.....a delay now....

How is your little MH doing? Hope you have gotten more use than we have our of ours.....sure glad we have a trailer.

Best, paula

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

Hi Joseph, that would be great to see what they had to say in 1977. I have the service manual for the 78 but it is at the MH.
Pretty sure our maximum towing is 2000 pounds....not many cars in that neighborhood.....but it appears that it depends on my engine & axle ratio...I planned to not have a toad but am reconsidering that.

did you hear that my driver area is all rotted/rusted out? Went to get new carpeting and oh, my....have new curtains sitting in a box ready to install.....a delay now....

How is your little MH doing? Hope you have gotten more use than we have our of ours.....sure glad we have a trailer.

Best, paula

Paula the manual is in the sticky thread of the classic moho forum. Here is a link.

Chevy control forward P30 Motorhome Chassis Manual.
http://www.bdub.net/manuals/P30/P30.pdf

The towing info is in section 1, page 3. Your coach will not have a problem towing power wise but the receiver hitch needs to be strengthened. The factory hitch is marginal at best. If you do want a car under 2000 lbs. look at a smart. They are about 1600 lbs., tow very well and are fun to drive.

[SteSpot]

Hi Joseph, it appears that the towing capacity depends upon the axle ratio.....hope to find that out soon.

Do you have a Smart car? I have researched on line and it appears that the Smart car is no longer recommended to be a toad.....I read that you need to bungee cord the steering wheel.....say what?

I am thinking of a Fiat but I would really like a 4 wheel drive vehicle (with air and automatic transmission) and they are heavier.....thanks again for the info. paula

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

Hi Joseph, it appears that the towing capacity depends upon the axle ratio.....hope to find that out soon.

Do you have a Smart car? I have researched on line and it appears that the Smart car is no longer recommended to be a toad.....I read that you need to bungee cord the steering wheel.....say what?

I am thinking of a Fiat but I would really like a 4 wheel drive vehicle (with air and automatic transmission) and they are heavier.....thanks again for the info. paula

I have two smarts. My avatar is a picture of one of them pushing my moho. Actually Mercedes has always resisted saying they could be towed but many do. Mohos with long rear overhangs can be a problem in driveways causing the wheels to oscillate which a bungee cord will fix but I have never had a problem and I never use a bungee. If you understand the cause you can learn how to drive to prevent it. By the way the smart does have an auto shifting transmission and a/c is standard equipment on the Passion model.

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

I have two smarts. My avatar is a picture of one of them pushing my moho. Actually Mercedes has always resisted saying they could be towed but many do. Mohos with long rear overhangs can be a problem in driveways causing the wheels to oscillate which a bungee cord will fix but I have never had a problem and I never use a bungee. If you understand the cause you can learn how to drive to prevent it. By the way the smart does have an auto shifting transmission and a/c is standard equipment on the Passion model.

Ok, I can't help but ask....2 Smarts? The idea of a Smart car intrigues me.....do you tow it with your motorhome? p

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

Ok, I can't help but ask....2 Smarts? The idea of a Smart car intrigues me.....do you tow it with your motorhome? p

Yes Paula I have two of them. By the way smart is spelled with a lower case "s". It stands for "Swatch Mercedes ART. It was originally designed by Nicolas G. Hayek of Swatch and built by Mercedes Benz. I bought my first one, a 2005 new in April 2006, imported from Germany and converted to U.S. standards by G&K in Santa Ana. I liked it so much I bought a second one, a used 2006 a year later. The first "officially imported" smarts arrived in 2008.

Yes I do tow one with my moho, that is my avatar picture, when I do take a "toad" however many times I just take the moho where ever we go and leave the toad at home.

[tony6373]

What are you using for a tow bar and brake controller? I just bought a 2012 smart to tow behind my '85 270 A/S MH (Isuzu diesel / Allison drive train) and need information on base plate, tow bar, brake controller etc. Do you use the car's lights or a light bar? How did you tap into or disconnect the car's electrical system?

I'm new to motorhomes but have towed A/S trailers for many years.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by tony6373

What are you using for a tow bar and brake controller? I just bought a 2012 smart to tow behind my '85 270 A/S MH (Isuzu diesel / Allison drive train) and need information on base plate, tow bar, brake controller etc. Do you use the car's lights or a light bar? How did you tap into or disconnect the car's electrical system?

I'm new to motorhomes but have towed A/S trailers for many years.

Hi Tony, Welcome to the world of smarts. I fabricated my own tow bar and mounts. My smarts are pre U.S. imports so they are not supported by U.S. manufacturers. Try DFW Smart Club - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum
They are a forum dedicated to smarts. Lots of good info there.

I believe Blue Ox and Roadmaster both have towing set ups for smarts. I don't use a brake controller because the car is so light. I believe only two or three states require brakes for a tow vehicle under 2000 lbs. and I don't tow there so not an issue.

I use independent lights mounted to the tow eye sockets in the tailgate. The wiring is independent of the car wiring but there are kits available to use the car lights. I believe on the U.S. smarts you have to pull a fuse to tow and leave the key on to release the transmission. My older smarts can be shut off in neutral and remove the key.

Some recommend a bungee cord from the steering wheel to the seat base. If you hit a steep driveway just right the front wheels can set up an oscillation. I just take those situations very slowly and have not had a problem.

Good luck and if you have other questions feel free to ask.

[cesalie2]

Tony,

Welcome aboard!

We had the Blue Ox base plates and wiring installed when we purchased our 2012 smart (we call her Buoy).

We do not use a brake controller at this time and find towing Buoy to be a breeze.

When towing, we put the transmission in neutral, disconnect the battery, remove the key fob and bungee the steering wheel.

I wish you good luck with your toad selection!

[Isuzusweet]

1) What is the definition of perfect pitch?

Throwing a Smart Car in the toilet and not hitting the rim.

2) What’s the difference between an onion and a Smart Car?

No one cries when you chop up a Smart Car.

3) What is the definition of a man?

He can drive a Smart Car, but chooses not to.

4) What’s the difference between a Smart Car and a lawn mower?

If you put both of them on E-Bay, you would definitely sell the lawn mower.

5) What’s the best way to drive a Smart Car?

With a chain saw.

6) How can you tell if a Smart Car driver is at your front door?

He’s the one with the Domino’s Pizza hat.

7) How many Smart Car drivers does it take to change a light bulb?

Seven- one to hold the bulb and six to drink until the room spins.

What do you call a Smart Car driver without a girl friend?

Homeless.

9) What do you call a Smart Car owner with half a brain?

Gifted.

10) How many Smart Car drivers does it take to change a light bulb?

One- as long as a Lamborghini driver gets the ladder, sets it up and puts the bulb in the socket.
Logged


I'm thinking ya'all should get one of those long boards kids ride and put the Smart car on it.


Cheers
Tony

PS I do like number three, but if you're a guy, just explain to everyone....."It's my wife's car; it gets lonely and cries if we leave it behind"

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

1) What is the definition of perfect pitch?

Throwing a Smart Car in the toilet and not hitting the rim.

2) What’s the difference between an onion and a Smart Car?

No one cries when you chop up a Smart Car.

3) What is the definition of a man?

He can drive a Smart Car, but chooses not to.

4) What’s the difference between a Smart Car and a lawn mower?

If you put both of them on E-Bay, you would definitely sell the lawn mower.

5) What’s the best way to drive a Smart Car?

With a chain saw.

6) How can you tell if a Smart Car driver is at your front door?

He’s the one with the Domino’s Pizza hat.

7) How many Smart Car drivers does it take to change a light bulb?

Seven- one to hold the bulb and six to drink until the room spins.

What do you call a Smart Car driver without a girl friend?

Homeless.

9) What do you call a Smart Car owner with half a brain?

Gifted.

10) How many Smart Car drivers does it take to change a light bulb?

One- as long as a Lamborghini driver gets the ladder, sets it up and puts the bulb in the socket.
Logged


I'm thinking ya'all should get one of those long boards kids ride and put the Smart car on it.


Cheers
Tony

PS I do like number three, but if you're a guy, just explain to everyone....."It's my wife's car; it gets lonely and cries if we leave it behind"

Somehow I get the idea you don't like smarts Tony.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Somehow I get the idea you don't like smarts Tony.

Sorry Dan I was just being a and yanking your wanker. I really don't have anything against the smart but much prefer an old Mini Cooper or better yet a Superfastmini. You know, the ones with the Acura VTEC motors. They even made a dual motor AWD version.

http://superfastminis.com/

Having a bit of fun. Come on, some of them must have made you chuckle.

Cheers
Tony

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Sorry Dan I was just being a and yanking your wanker. I really don't have anything against the smart but much prefer an old Mini Cooper or better yet a Superfastmini. You know, the ones with the Acura VTEC motors. They even made a dual motor AWD version.

Mini Tec Home

Having a bit of fun. Come on, some of them must have made you chuckle.

Cheers
Tony

I understand Tony. The one we smart owners use is that we drive a smart under doctor,s orders. My psychiatrist says it's to compensate for my unusually large .... man parts.

Actually I really like the old Minis but the A/C really is nice, besides I already have a Mk I MG Midget. If I can't have A/C at least I can take the top off.

[tony6373]

Thanks for the information, Dan, Cesalie2 and Tony. I would sure like to see pictures of the bungee cord lash-up and light bar mounting. The thought of towing without brakes is a little unsettling to me.

I have had a long string of very small cars like a Crosley, 3 VWs, Austin Healy Sprit and BMW Z3. So small is fine with me, don't feel a need to compensate for anything.