New here; considering AS, have questions

[WillDennis]

Hi all!

Considering an AS as next (or possibly future) trailer; we've been towing a 27' Sunnybrook Solanta 2709 (2005) for 5 years now, and it's beginning to develop rear leaks. Not wanting to spend a lot more money on it, so thinking about what's next... We see AS' out and about, and they look like beautiful, well-crafted machines. So starting the investigation, but have so many questions...

1) TV is a 2010 Silverado 1500 with a 5.3L engine, I ran the numbers and determined that I can effectively tow ~5,000lbs loaded (like, go up big hills without blowing up my engine Current TT is rated 3,550lbs unladen; does any AS 25'+ get close to this weight?

2) We currently have & enjoy a bunkhouse/front-queen setup in our current TT (nice not to have to make up beds when we roll in late - haven't found the canonical AS floor plan archive, does anyone know of one?

3) We have a budget that doesn't come close to a new AS price (let's say lower 5-figure number) - used is quite alright, thinking AS' may wear well, but any suggestions on how to gauge a possible candidate if we locate one? (We are quite close to Colonial Airstream, so are planning a visit soon to actually walk into a few and see if it's all I imagine

OK, enough questions for this post Also, if this sort of a post has a better place here, let me know where to post future questions, and feel free to move it admins

Hope you are enjoying the North American summer out there!

Best,
Will

[HowieE]

Welcome to the Forum.

It took us 2 years to find our first Airstream. But then again going on 23 years it has been our only Airstream.

Use the classified section here on the Forum to begin to get an idea of what is out there.

You may have to learn to make the bed.

Close by if you have questions.

[Rich W]

Hi Will, welcome to the forums and greetings from Central Kentucky

Here's a link to AS specifications by years. Some are more complete than others:
https://www.airstream.com/service/document-archive/

Here's a link for the owner's manuals:
https://www.airstream.com/service/manuals/

Just as an FYI, my 2006 23' GVWR is 6,000 and I tow with a 2004 4Runner, 4.7L V8, rated at 7,000 lbs. I've gone through the mountains in Virginia and Tennessee, not fast, but I've gone through them .

I'm sure your pickup is rated high enough for at least a 25' probably more.

[Al and Missy]

My 2001 Safari 25 GVWR was 6300#. My 2006 F150 5.4 with 4 speed and 3.73 rear end towed it great on the flat or moderate inclines. It balked on mile 5 of a 6 mile 8% grade. I think the problem was old transmission fluid and filter, but I upgraded to a 3/4T diesel. Haven't had a problem since, even towing a 9100# 30' Classic.

The larger problem with 1/2T trucks, at least from a rating perspective, is payload. My truck was rated to tow 8600#, but only had 1240# of payload. When I subtracted off my tongue weight, myself, wife and dogs, there wasn't much left.

The newer trucks with 6 speeds and tow/haul modes seem to do better. The F-150 EcoBoosts are very popular and the turbo keeps the performance up at altitude.

My 25 was one of the lightest 25' Airstreams at 6300#. Newer trailers are 7300#.

https://www.airstream.com/service/document-archive/ is where you can find everything available about Airstreams.

Al

[Hans627]

Welcome aboard. You've come to the right place for getting your AS questions answered.

Relative to your question about weight. If you can only tow 5000# then a 25' AS may be too much. I have a 25FB and the weight as built was about 5600#. But it seems as though your Silverado should be able to tow more than 5000#. I'd do more research. I have a RAM 1500 with a 5.7cc Hemi and I can tow my 25' AS with no issues, at least in the Appalachian mountains (but I have not crossed the rockies with it).

Wishing you success in your search!

[lsbrodsky]

I have a 25 FB and tow it just fine with a 2012 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, 3.42 and factory towing package. The others suggest how to start looking used, we did buy ours slightly used.
Forget about the notion of quality build. These things are not well built and you will see many posts here about that. But if you buy used and if you buy from Colonial, they do an exceptional job of inspection and preparation, new or used. With a used model, you might get a trailer that has had factory issues resolved though service.
Larry

[WillDennis]

Thanks, everyone who responded here!

Went and saw AS' at Colonial last Sat. They had an "Open House" so we could look thru the new AS', and poke and prod at them without bothersome sales folk trailing along... The only thing that seemed like a good fit for us at the present time was the 30FB Bunk, which is (by the sticker on it) 6422# UBW. My current Sunnybrook is rated at 4618# UBW (not the 3550# I quoted earlier - that would be the "NCC" number in AS terms.) I weighed the laden TV + TT at a truck stop shortly after getting the Sunny, and the TT axle weight came in at ~5200# (and that's with some weight-dist load on it), so I'd think that the 30FB Bunk would be somewhere around 7,000# loaded for camping. If I ran my calculations right, I think that would put me over the max GWVR for the Silverado (not to mention adding the passengers and gear in the truck.) So I do think I'd also need a new (used) 3/4T truck to go with my new TT

I do like the styling, and the accoutrements, but oh the price! Let's just say we'd be buying used...

Once the kid isn't a full-time traveling companion, then there's many more possibilities in the line... So maybe it'll have to wait until we get (even) older...

Thanks again, and happy traveling!

[FCStreamer]

We also got our Flying Cloud 30 from Colonial. Spent more than we wanted but it was a 2014 and still had 6 months left on the Airstream warranty.

Good luck finding the one with your name on it.