speed limit for semis is 90kph all over Europe now, in the UK they will let you pull your trailer at 96kph (60 mph...we still have the mile). Ive never been stopped for towing a van and twin axle trailer in Spain and France at 130kph (80mph)
No trailers in the outside lane of a more than two lane motorway and quite low limits for roads that are not motorways
I know what you mean, Steve! ST (Special Truck) tires outfitted on many Airstreams are max rated at 65mph. Give me some concrete seams in the road and I don't even want to go that fast...
like the small bolted on rear outriggers for the fenders...
'bicycle rack worthy?' i don' think so....
also notice the cables running from each hub/wheel to the center/front of the axle...
and then forward as a single cable.
this is (i think) the cable actuated hand/parking brake....
just like a typical bicycle brake design only the cable is just a tad larger...
and here is a view of the hand lever on the tongue for this brake...
and another handle for the coupler mechanism...
cool.
cheers
2air'
2Air,
thanks for this thread, it is really great!
The Cables running from the hubs to the center are not only for the hand/parking brakes, they are also for the surgebrakes.
The levers on pic two are... The black one is for the anti-sway friction coupler which is a sort of two in one lever from Westfalia (FYI there is an other system on the european market with two levers - one for the anti-sway pads, second one for the coupling to the ball - that system is from Al-Ko). The hand-lever for the hand/parking brake is not very good to see on the pic, but it is the one with the yellow wrap on it - this is also automatically pulled by a second wire, that is connected to the car hitch, in case of emergency e.g. when the coupler jumps of the ball. This happends not very often, but it is mandatory over here and happend to me once in my time pulling trailers (16 years now), when a guy connected the trailer and I didn´t check it!! So, yes - my foult!!!!
Keep on posting in this thread...
BJoern
__________________ Björn H. Adam
Wolfenbuettel, Germany
AirstreamForumsMember No. AIR 5535
Proud Owner of a 1971 Ambassador 29' called "Dave"
-A stranger is a friend you just haven´t met before!-
unknown irish
Hey, any new news on the EU trailers? Looks like there's three types. Are they still being finished in the EU? Any more pics of them from the home base of OH?
I'd really like to know how much those frames weigh. Now with the gas continuing to rise, I think we need these trailers. I imagine that pulling these with a big sedan (think Dodge 300/Charger) would be kinda cool and do-able with the lower tongue weight.
Very interesting thread. Last time I was at Jackson Center last July they had a couple of these in the outside lot and I looked them over carefully - al least as much as you can from outside the fence. I thought the triangular reflectors looked neat and wondered if you could buy these from Airstream. The answer is you can - but like everything else Airstream they ain't cheap - for a pair $175.00 plus shipping. They have them available in both red and amber. Haven't ordered any yet due to the very high price but may end up doing so eventually.
I've never been a fan of "bolt" together manufacturing. Maybe it's my misunderstanding of how it is done, but in my mind I've always found that after a piece has been welded (properly) it is far superior to any bolt together option. Maybe I've missed something over the years.
I do like the overall look of the European trailers. At times a bit almost clinical for my tastes but I could get used to it very quickly. I could certainly see a light weight option that was sold in North America to accommodate those who want to tow with something smaller than a truck.
I know when the time comes to pick up a new or newer unit weight will be a big component of the decision for us. Functionality first of course and how well it can be lived in.
Am I correct in thinking that "we" would typically tow a lot further on many of our trips than most folks in Europe? I just have it in my head that with so much open space here we tend to take towing and vacationing over long distances for granted. I know we think (okay, not me today, but in the past and soon again) nothing of driving several thousands of miles to participate in an event or view a piece of the country, then do it again a couple of months later. Other than the slight delay at the CAN/US border it's nothing to just pick up and go.
Either way, I'm enjoying the thread Joe. Thank you, it's fun to see what the rest of the world gets their hands on.
Barry
__________________ You never hear of people dieing in their Airstream, only at home and in hospitals. So, live long by getting out and enjoying your Airstream.
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch)
AS wouldn't have to do much for the U.S. - hey, just put wraps on the new Safari Sport, and I'd bet they'd sell like hotcakes! I'd also like to see a narrowbody 25 ft CCD - say just like my Argosy (8ft width instead of 8'6") with lightweight construction? It should come in right under 5000#'s. Use the stamped steel frame, foam core floor and it would probably be around 4000#'s.
In the process of modifying my Sprinter cab and chassis tow vehicle I’ve learned that good truck body builders won’t weld anything to the frame. Truck manufacturers insist that they drill and BOLT anything to be attached.
Al-K4:
Do you know if those triangular lights at the rear of the Airstream were backlit or merely reflectors?
Simple reflectors are easily found in the UK but the only backlit type I’ve found so far are the 5 function European type.
2air, others:
I can’t tell from the photos how the axles attach to the frame. Does a bolted-on section of frame run out from each side of the axle plate?
The frames look to be very well engineered. I hope some of the better European ideas like the frame, the floor and the breakaway switch, to mention just a few, infiltrate Airstream USA thinking.
See what happens when one is trapped in the 50's to 70's stuff?
Merry Christmas,
Barry
__________________ You never hear of people dieing in their Airstream, only at home and in hospitals. So, live long by getting out and enjoying your Airstream.
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch)
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