New trailer

[charlieward]

Saw a gentleman here in S Fl purchase a 25ft AS. Took it to a boat trailer manufacturer. Lifted shell, placed on new trailer and rebuilt it. A forever AS, not interested in selling it down the line. He has been on the road for a year full time and boon docking. No problems. If money is not a problem, can the forum give their opinion? Thank you.

[cwf]

Around salt water? No. Around fresh water? A couple years longer.

[charlieward]

He did not want to bother fixing a 1972 Tradewind trailer. Did it all new. I do not understand your response.

[dwightdi]

Airstreams have torque axles with lower CG. Boat trailers are usually spring axles. Torque axles are better handling on the road. Spring axles have higher clearance for off road usage. I guess it depends on how you intend to use the trailer.

[CRH]

I wonder how they attached the body and if they used a leaf spring trailer.

[charlieward]

Just texted his son. It was built with torque axles and the trailer itself all aluminum.

[Jim & Susan]

Originally Posted by charlieward

..... If money is not a problem, can the forum give their opinion? Thank you.

Hummmmm. I guess I don't exactly understand what he did. Did he buy a NEW 25 footer or a 70's Tradewind? And then, once in hand, did he (essentially) rip the shell and all of the interior contents off and drop it on a new chassis (built by a boat trailer manufacturer)? Basically throwing away the Airstream chassis in favor of the boat trailer chassis?

If that's the case, why would he do that? What would be the point?

Sorry if I'm slow on the uptake tonight.

Jim

[cwf]

Mr. /Ms. Charlie..
I am Not trying to give you a silly answer. Did you mean the guy bought a new AS then pulled off the torsion axles and mounted the whole rig to a GOOD boat trailer?

[HiJoeSilver]

Might have been replacing a frame that was shot. Sounds like a good choice if you have the $. Sounds like he probably gave the mfg specs to match dimensions of the original frame. The aluminum won't rust like steel. It's lighter too. Starting from scratch you could specify frame rails a bit taller for a stiffer and stronger frame. I think AS should make their frame 1-2 inch taller for strength wouldn't add much weight.
Will the aluminum frame last longer? Not necessarily, you can't design aluminum for infinite fatigue life like you can with steel, so more potential for cracking down the road. Good welds and design and it should last for a very long time though.
If I had the time and money I'd have liked to spec my own frame a little bit.

[charlieward]

HiJoeSilver-yes it was a 72 as. He placed the shell on top of new trailer. Paid 4k for the trailer with brakes, etc. Spoke with son today.

[HiJoeSilver]

Sounds like he had some money to burn and didn't want to mess with what may have been a frame very corroded. Easy solution, build a new frame. It's been done by quite a few people when it was the only option after having to restore a trailer where the frame had significant issues and there was no other options. For a frame shop it's a pretty simple frame design to copy, even a good welder with the space and metal fab shop absilable to fabricate parts can crank one out. Hardest part would be getting the a frame, but you can order those too. Heck you can buy cross members and outriggers online. Frame rails standard c Chanel or rectangular tube. Most use steel since it's easier to weld.
Definitely don't see any negative to this approach.