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Old 10-24-2010, 10:46 AM   #1
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2017 23' International
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Towing/Backing 31' 2010 Classic

We are in the hunt for a 31' Classic, (downsizing from a 34' fifth wheel) and are interested in AS owner's experiences with towing and parking the AS. We have a Ram 3500 Dually, so we certainly have enough truck. But maneuverability and agility are more critical for us than ever before. Thank you for your feed back.
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Old 10-24-2010, 10:53 AM   #2
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If you have done the 5th wheel thing, you shouldn't have any problem maneuvering a 31' Airstream. The backing behavior of a tag-along is slightly different tan a goose neck, but should be quickly learnable.

Good luck in your hunt for the perfect Airstream.

Brian
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Old 10-24-2010, 11:07 AM   #3
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Brian is right... you will pick it up right away. Remember though... a fifth wheel can get you out of trouble quick as the pin is right over the rear axle. You can make a 90* turn and plow those tandem wheels on the trailer.. the pull trailer will take a few more attempts in a tight spot but you will adjust your expectations and realize you need to swing a bit wider and re-evaluate those camping spots..
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Old 10-24-2010, 11:26 AM   #4
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31 Foot ASCL Tight Slip With X5

I back my 31 foot ASCL into a 10 foot wide "slip" between two wings of my house after making two tight left turns from the street through a gate (the two fence sections in the first photo with the diagonal bracing) into my back yard. With your Ram, which has a longer wheel base than my BMW X5, it would probably be more difficult, but then you probably won't encounter my extreme situation.

As to towing, I have a Hensley hitch which causes the whole assembly to act as if it was "one" vehicle; an ablsolute dream to tow with but a somewhat hellish price at approximately $3,000 new.

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Old 10-24-2010, 11:28 AM   #5
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Withidl - that is amazing!
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Old 10-24-2010, 12:32 PM   #6
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Hats off to you! u r 1 gr8 bac-er-upper
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Old 10-24-2010, 12:50 PM   #7
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1986 31' Sovereign
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The day you pick it up have a half dozen flattened cardboard boxes in your TV. Hook up the trailer, find a large semi-empty lot (Home Depot, Lowe's Wal-Mart...), set your assembled boxes out in a variety of patterns and practice "backward slalom", "lane changing", "right turns".

In 30 minutes you'll have it down pat.

mike
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Old 10-24-2010, 01:22 PM   #8
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Zig,
You got a lot of great advice already and I second n2916s's approach. It is less expensive and painful if you ask your partner nicely to watch your back all the time (even in an empty parking lot) till you get the whole bolt & nut under your belt. Get a pair of $50 walkie talkie and don't make same mistake I made at cursing, otherwise you end up naping in your car garrage for a long while ... Happy streamin
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