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AirstreamGypsy · 06-04-2007, 06:01 PM

Okay some of you may have seen the photo below in the May Photo Contest. Not the right place I admit.

Here is the deal short and fast. A friend of mine bought this 1996 28' AS in pristine condition. Rolled it on the way home. Did not insure it. State Farm say they will not cover anything. It was his very first. He is just going to call the towing yard and have them "get rid of it". He has absolutely no interest in trying to do anything with it himself. (I don't want to be mean here but... he is not an "Airstream Person".)

Anyway I was figuring someone needs something from it. I am sure the axles are fine... I am guessing if you would pay the tow yard, I think around a $700 and maybe $1500 to him you could probably have it.

Trailer is in Essex, CA on I-40.

PM me if you think you are interested.

AirstreamGypsy · 06-04-2007, 06:03 PM

Okay, sorry. I think it is in better condition than I thought, so the price is probably higher. Pretty sure it can be towed.

CanoeStream · 06-04-2007, 06:51 PM

Okay, here is your first post on this accident: http://www.airforums.com/forums/395252-post120.html

Was there ever any idea of the towing setup, WD/antisway, time of day, how many hours on the road, on a curve or an an intersection, other vehicles involved?

AirstreamGypsy · 06-04-2007, 07:01 PM

Thanks Canoe.

No other vehicle. Yes he had a Reese on it from the PO, an excellent setup it seemed. AnitiSway not sure about the WD. Just 1/2 an hour after having breakfast. Medium incline, on 1-40 out of Ludlow, wind gust took it. My GUESS is he over corrected when he hit the shoulder. Never towed anything but a motorcycle trailer before.

And it looks the the get out of jail card is around $1300 plus $35
every day from now on. I'd say if that was paid and he is offered what the buyer thinks it is worth that would be fine.

Apparently the pink slip goes to the tow yard in the next couple of days.

**azflycaster** · 06-04-2007, 09:10 PM

I can see the ebay add now:

1996 28 ' piece of Americana.
Great shape for it's age.
Everything worked the last trip out.
The refrigerator was recently burped

.
It has a few dents that I have been told could easily be pulled out with a plunger.
Low reserve, don't let this one slip by!

Oh, I forgot;
Tows like a dream

CanoeStream · 06-04-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I can see the ebay add now:

Richard, how about: Don't know about the A/C but it worked the last time.

Even the cabinetry had to have been badly wrenched. It's not even sure that this is a fair Airstream frame. Listen to the insurance agent -- more trouble than it's worth...

Lumatic · 06-04-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirstreamGypsy

Yes he had a Reese on it from the PO, an excellent setup it seemed. AnitiSway not sure about the WD. Just 1/2 an hour after having breakfast. Medium incline, on 1-40 out of Ludlow, wind gust took it.

I stopped using a weight distributing hitch and sway bar when I got my F250. Little squat, tows straight and easy with no fishtailing. Am I making a mistake? Would the weight distributing hitch or sway bar be a good idea to avoid a similar catastrophe?

nickcrowhurst · 06-05-2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall

Would the weight distributing hitch or sway bar be a good idea to avoid a similar catastrophe?

This is an engineering question, not a matter of opinion. If you wish to know how much your front wheels are lifted when attached to the trailer, and how much chain tension is required to return the front TV wheels to their original loading, you could try punching your numbers in here:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...sis-19236.html?

However, if you want an unsubstantiated and valueless opinion, then yes, of course you should have weight distribution and weight control.

Nick.

Phil and/or Sue · 06-05-2007, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall

I stopped using a weight distributing hitch and sway bar when I got my F250. Little squat, tows straight and easy with no fishtailing. Am I making a mistake? Would the weight distributing hitch or sway bar be a good idea to avoid a similar catastrophe?

Just my opinion, but both would be good to have and use. With my former tow vehicle, I had to use the WD to minimize porpoising; it also helped keep it straight on the road and minimize the effects of trucks passing us. With my currect TV (Dodge 3/4 diesel; weighs just over 7,000 lbs), I haven't used them and have never felt any issues, except braking. Added the Prodigy to help that.

The picture shows a "Titan" tow vehicle. I don't know what it weighs, or what it's rated tow capacity is, but I would bet lunch that your 250 is substantially heavier.

From reading the posts and recalling pics and such, it seems to me that many accidents could be classified as "the tail wagging the dog". I do not recall a single post describing an accident with a 3/4 ton truck being used as the tow vehicle.

Not that an accident cannot happen with any combination. I am strongly in the camp of getting a larger "margin of error" by eliminating marginal tow vehicle setups. The ability to make emergency manuevers (swerving, stopping, accelerating, etc), or absorb a wind gust (natural or from passing trucks, etc), depends on lots of variables. I feel that it's best if the capability of the tow vehicle is not in question.

**azflycaster** · 06-05-2007, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil and/or Sue

I do not recall a single post describing an accident with a 3/4 ton truck being used as the tow vehicle.

The larger the TV, the larger the fudge factor. That being said, if you have a 3/4 ton TV, don't think that it can't happen. In this thread http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...one-27195.html the F-250 ended up on it's back with the trailer in a ditch. Ice on the road was the cause of this accident and even a F-250 will come in second when up against mother nature.

nickcrowhurst · 06-05-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil and/or Sue

With my former tow vehicle, I had to use the WD to minimize porpoising; With my currect TV (Dodge 3/4 diesel; weighs just over 7,000 lbs), I haven't used them and have never felt any issues, except braking. Added the Prodigy to help that.

Would your insurance company refuse cover if you had an accident without WD and sway control? Have you checked your owner's manual? I also have the Dodge 3/4 ton diesel.

From the "1998 Dodge Ram Pickup Owner's Manual Cummins Turbo Diesel", Second Edition, Chrysler Corporation reference 81-326-9822, page 146 :-

"Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for tongue weights over 350 lbs. (159 kg)"

You will note the word "required", rather than "recommended". Tongue weight for my Excella 25 foot is 800 pounds. Even if I were not convinced of the need for the distribution (equalizing) hitch on the grounds of safety, I would use it to protect my legal position in the event of an accident.

Your model may have a different requirement, of course.
Nick.

ScottW · 06-05-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickcrowhurst

However, if you want an unsubstantiated and valueless opinion, then yes, of course you should have weight distribution and weight control.

Nick.

One more. Our TV is a 2007 Ford F350, crew cab, diesel, long bed, 4WD. Like a rock! I use WD and anti-sway. Both cheap insurance. FWIW.

AirstreamGypsy · 06-05-2007, 08:14 AM

Nick,

Thanks for that little link. I am goin to check it out myself. I am actually worried about the opposite for myself.

for example can you have too much truck for the trailer, is an F150 too big for a Bambi.

AirstreamGypsy · 06-05-2007, 08:24 AM

Oh and Richard,

I am laughing like crazy!

Sorry that the owner isn't

I hear you guys aren't going to make the Lizard Head Rally? We'll miss you.

nickcrowhurst · 06-05-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirstreamGypsy

Nick,I am actually worried about the opposite for myself. for example can you have too much truck for the trailer, is an F150 too big for a Bambi.

I wouldn't be concerned about "too much truck", provided the WD bars were soft enough so that shock loadings were not transferred from a hard suspension. The WD calculator would give the chain tension required. You would then need the lowest rating bars that would supply that tension. I would also make sure that the TV's rear tire pressures were adjusted according to the actual load measured on a scale with the trailer hitched up, so the tires are not too hard.
Nick.

thecatsandi · 06-05-2007, 09:32 AM

That was hidden black ice. I was making it as I drove and cic not know it.

thecatsandi · 06-05-2007, 09:35 AM

It may be a mistake. Read your towing manual that came with your truck. mine states that over a certain wieght you must have a WD hitch. I would have to look at mine to find out exactly what weight that is.

AYRSTRM2 · 06-05-2007, 11:01 AM

This is odd. If it is attached to the vehicle, the comprehensive auto should cover that wreck. I don't understand why they aren't. RV insurance is for when you are unhooked. If it's hitched then your auto ins covers it. Or is this just peculiar to my insurance?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirstreamGypsy

Okay some of you may have seen the photo below in the May Photo Contest. Not the right place I admit.

Here is the deal short and fast. A friend of mine bought this 1996 28' AS in pristine condition. Rolled it on the way home. Did not insure it. State Farm say they will not cover anything. It was his very first. He is just going to call the towing yard and have them "get rid of it". He has absolutely no interest in trying to do anything with it himself. (I don't want to be mean here but... he is not an "Airstream Person".)

PM me if you think you are interested.

pmclemore · 06-05-2007, 06:07 PM

I'm pretty sure that my auto would cover liab but if I did not include value of the trailer in my comp then I don't think I would have replacement coverage.

Bur I've been wrong lots.

Pat

overlander63 · 06-05-2007, 06:41 PM

I have trailer liability as well as comp on the trailer. The extra liability is for if a towing-specific problem occurs, like the trailer electrocuting a bystander if the campground wiring polarity is wrong, a propane tank exploding, etc. The comp has to be for the trailer, the truck's comp will only cover the truck.