2005 34 Classic with slide out

[bob n]

We just bought this coach. We replaced the tires and wheels with XPS Ribs. The dealer installed a 14k equlizer hitch and the tongue is about 2 1/2 inches higher than the airstream recommend. We have the tire pressure at 75 PSI. Does anyone see any problems with this setup.
Thank for your help.
Bob

[kb0zke]

Yes. You want to tow as close to level as possible. Go back to the dealer and ask that they make it right.

You don't say what your tow vehicle is, but if it is so tall that it is impossible to set up the combination to tow level then the dealer shouldn't have sold you the hitch. They should have directed you to get a different tow vehicle.

When we were looking at our mpg, the dealer came out to the car (Mercury Mountaineer) to verify that we could actually tow that trailer. Did your dealer do that?

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

As to your question, yes, I also see a problem with the set-up that you are describing. When your Airstream is hooked-up to your tow vehicle, it should be as level as possible. If anything, it would be preferable to be slightly low at the front as opposed to high.

I would take the rig back to the dealer and get him to set it up properly. The 34SO is probably the heaviest Airstream ever made. You are going to want to have a proper set-up.

Brian

[Alphonse]

Are you towing it with a 4x4 truck and the dealer didn't have a weight distribution shank that was long enough? I have seen that happen when the dealer installed what they had and made a mess.

[sheriff1]

Originally Posted by bob n

We just bought this coach. We replaced the tires and wheels with XPS Ribs. The dealer installed a 14k equlizer hitch and the tongue is about 2 1/2 inches higher than the airstream recommend. We have the tire pressure at 75 PSI. Does anyone see any problems with this setup.
Thank for your help.
Bob

You don't say that it's not level, only that it's higher than Airstream recommends? Not sure where Airstream recommends hitch height. As others have said, LEVEL, front to rear when fully hitched and loaded is the key.
Welcome to the Airstream life!


2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

[bob n]

Our tow vehicle is a Ford F350 DRW 4x4.
I'm having a little trouble learning how to post. Hope you get the pic.
Thanks

[m.hony]

You just need a drop shank on your receiver to get it to level.
Tall/high truck.
Short/low trailer.

[guskmg]

What the dealer should have done was to place the TV & TT on level ground.
Use the tongue jack to level the trailer. Then measure the TT hitch height up to the top of the inside of the ball socket. Add one (1) inch for TT rear end sag. Then set the top of the TV ball at that height. If that is not level enough you can change the tilt of the hitch head and/or add a ball with a higher shank. Maybe on inch or so. It really is pretty simple , but very important to have everything level when you get done.
As for your TV, You may not have a long enough wheel base to handle a 35 foot trailer, especially with a slide out, because they are heavier. In other words the set up could develop sway. You can't go wrong using a trapezoid design hitch like Hensley or ProPride. They do not let sway develop. Also, be sure you have a Class V receiver on your TV to handle the tongue weight of a 35' slide. Those two hitches will require a 2" insert if the receiver has a 2 1/2" shank sleeve.
Air your tires up to 80 psi., as that is Airstream Service Center's recommendation for E rated tires.
I hope you have as much pleasure with you 35' slide out as we do ours.
guskmg

[NOAZRK2690]

Congratulations on finding a 34'S/O. Would love to see photos posted sometime.

I've towed my 34'S/O enough miles to make some set-up recommendations. With an F350, use 1000 lb. distribution bars. If anyone on this forum rebuts that advice don't pay any attention to them. The 1000 lb. bars will be a lot easier on your Airstream's structure and will keep your truck riding smoothly. They will provide plenty of distribution lift. During your towing set-up, level the Airstream with the tongue jack measure the ball height and rear bumper. Lower the front tongue jack until the ball measures 1 inch lower then the rear bumper. This will allow the rear axle to slide around sharp corners easier and will help to keep your entrance door from binding up when your bars are distributing the tongue weight. When you're hooked up, try to maintain that slightly lower front end. Also, when you are parked and unhooked, if your door binds up you have too much weight on the rear axle. Put another board under the front axle. Check my other posts about 34'S/O.