Towing a 30' 2006 Classic with Slide

[DJW]

Hello all,
I am a prospective AS owner, and a total newbie. Hope this question isn't too stupid or been covered elsewhere. I searched, but found nothing.

one of the trailers we are looking at is a 30' classic with a slide-out. I'm wondering if the extra weight and complication of a slide will be a problem. Towing? Prone to maintenance issues?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Don
NorCal

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

A 30 foot with slide is a heavy trailer, especially in the tongue weight department. The Airstream slide is not particularly problematic, but it only adds 12 inches to the living area. Unfortunately, it adds about 1,000# to the trailer weight. Because the slide is in the front of the trailer, it also adds to the tongue weight significantly.

Brian

[Aage]

Brian is absolutley right, but an extra 12" in width in an Airstream would be n-i-c-e...

And if you get the right tow vehicle (TV), the weight will not be a problem.

ps: welcome to airforums.com!

[hickory]

If your at the upper limit of what your TV can handle you will need to weight the purchase carefully. We love our 30 ft. S/O, it allows us to have a dinette and a front couch. We have plenty of towing power so that is not a issue. I would have to measure but I believe that it slides out more than 12 inches. We have never had any slide problems.
Hickory

[Airslide]

Hello Don and Welcome to the forums.

Your pretty close by to where I live. If you would like to come by and chat about S/O's and ask questions before you pull the trigger your very welcome. I think you will love it as we do..

Regards Vinnie

[DJW]

Hello all,

A quick update here, and I will post a note in a more general forum announcing our new AS. YES! Yesterday we bought a '04 25' Safari about 50 miles from home. I don't have my own pics yet, but here's a posting from eBay-
2004 airstream safari ls travel trailer rv rvs camping - eBay (item 230562158356 end time Dec-17-10 21:43:19 PST)

Still have to get it home (no TV yet) and sort out many details, but we're really excited!

Don

[Airslide]

Congrats Don!

Thats a beauty! You will definately have to join us on a rally or two..

Vinnie

[Larry C]

Originally Posted by Airslide

Hello Don and Welcome to the forums.

Your pretty close by to where I live. If you would like to come by and chat about S/O's and ask questions before you pull the trigger your very welcome. I think you will love it as we do..

Regards Vinnie

Hey Vinnie,
I haven't been on here for awhile, how's the AirSafe doing?
Larry

[Airslide]

Larry..

Hey there..

I will send you an private message..

Vin

[Action]

Won't have to dwell on the s/o question.

And if you have a new set of questions Don, just ask away!


>>>>>>>>>Action

[Airslide]

Congrats on your new (to you) airstream! She towed like a dream and is nearly ready for whatever adventures lie ahead. Thanks for letting me play along!

ps.. maybe the moderators can rename this thread so it reflects your new purchase.

Vinnie

[Airslide]

BTW Don.. we were talking on the way over to the storage lot about airstream fever..
I told you that folks will drive by slow as your cruising down the roadway and passby with a big thumbs up .. yep.. it happened twice for me (with your trailer!) so there you go. Your not just going to park it, your going to have to get that tow vehicle and go airstreaming!

Happy New Year!

Vinnie

[lrw]

Hi There,
We are newbies also and have only driven about 50 miles with our 2007 30' Classic S/O. It towed just find but we discovered the trailer system on our new truck is not compatible with the electric-hydraulic brake system on our trailer and it was suggested we purchase an additional controller for $$$$. I suggest you know that your truck brake system is compatible with your trailer's brake system.

We purchased a 2012 Silverado 2500 diesel with trailer package and thought we were all set; our trailer will be sitting until this gets resolved. Ughh.

lrw
Ann Arbor

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by lrw

Hi There,
We are newbies also and have only driven about 50 miles with our 2007 30' Classic S/O. It towed just find but we discovered the trailer system on our new truck is not compatible with the electric-hydraulic brake system on our trailer and it was suggested we purchase an additional controller for $$$$. I suggest you know that your truck brake system is compatible with your trailer's brake system.

We purchased a 2012 Silverado 2500 diesel with trailer package and thought we were all set; our trailer will be sitting until this gets resolved. Ughh.

lrw
Ann Arbor

First of all a good new controller will cost you less than $150 and generally will plug right into the truck's wiring. It Will probably give you much more versatility.

Here is one that a lot of people use.

P3 Electronic Brake Control TK-90195 | Brake Controllers | Trailer Parts | TrailerPartsUSA.com

Ken

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by lrw

Hi There,
We are newbies also and have only driven about 50 miles with our 2007 30' Classic S/O. It towed just find but we discovered the trailer system on our new truck is not compatible with the electric-hydraulic brake system on our trailer and it was suggested we purchase an additional controller for $$$$. I suggest you know that your truck brake system is compatible with your trailer's brake system.

We purchased a 2012 Silverado 2500 diesel with trailer package and thought we were all set; our trailer will be sitting until this gets resolved. Ughh.

lrw
Ann Arbor

Sorry for the trouble, but start another thread on this topic over in the sub-forum which includes brake controllers. There are reports on the net in re this "problem" (unknown extent and factors), and a thread on this subject is sure to garner more attention to those specifics of how the trailer is equipped versus the TV specifics.

DIRECLINK appears to be the current state of the art in aftermarket brake controllers, and the Prodigy P3 is the least expensive controller one should consider, IMO.

Whether one actually needs one would be the genuine question (some vehicle dealers are less savvy than others). I would also ask on Chevrolet truck specific forums (www.TheDieselPlace.com, for starters).

Why you have been told "this is so" is apparently based on how the trailer is equipped. Thus, in the above, the recommendation for a new thread on AIR in that other sub-forum. There are some quite savvy folks around here. Between the two sites (and the dealer) a best solution will be found.

.