New member, looking for a Airstream!

[jas242ti]

Hi all,

My wife and I have been shopping for a RV to fulltime in after I retire in about 5 years. We started with motorhomes then 5th wheels. We have settled on getting a travel trailer and pull it with a 1/2 ton pickup to try out RV'ing. Sorry to say but we keep coming up against the quality issue with both trucks and trailers and motorhomes.

Right now I am thinking a new Toyota Tundra and a gently used Airstream. The different model names that Airstream used/uses has me a bit confused.

I have moderate mechanical ability with big dose of laziness so fixing up a older trailer is not out of the question.

Jim, Donna & Calli the queen

[osolow]

how big and whats your budget will help on the suggestions of what to look for

[jas242ti]

Originally Posted by osolow

how big and whats your budget will help on the suggestions of what to look for

The Tundra is good to tow 10,000 lbs GVWR but I don't want to tow at the maximum. I figure 8,000 lbs GVWR is a good size. Should be 23' to 25' but I know very little about older Airstreams.

Budget is a moving target depending on how much I spend on the Tundra.

Jim, Donna & Calli the queen

[urbanfood]

since you're shopping for both a tow vehicle and a trailer, the general consensus would probably be to buy the trailer you want and then get a tow vehicle to match. you can search in the towing threads, ton of information there.

[jas242ti]

Originally Posted by urbanfood

since you're shopping for both a tow vehicle and a trailer, the general consensus would probably be to buy the trailer you want and then get a tow vehicle to match. you can search in the towing threads, ton of information there.

Yes but... The tow vehicle will also be our only vehicle. I know most 1/2 tons will only pull up to 10K. So I want a trailer less than that in weight. Airstreams seem to be the highest quality so I am looking at Airstreams that are less than 10K in weight. If I can't afford it right now I can wait, or buy a fixer-upper.

[n2916s]

My 1986 31' Sovereign weighs in at about 7800# with an average amount of stuff in it. Tows like a dream and has lots of closet space and decent tankage (both considerations for full-timing.

It is placarded for a gross weight of 8600# but I can't imagine how you would get it that heavy unless you collected floor safes or dumbells. I tow it with a Nissan Titan with a 9500# tow rating with no problems (some 25000+ miles so far).

Does it look pristine? No. Does it look pretty darn good? You betcha. All told I have about $20k in it but everything is new/refurbished and it is (knock on wood) solid as a rock.

31 footers of all ages are generally the most common models. I know it sounds like too much trailer but after traveling in it 12 of the past 24 months, I can't imagine doing it in anything much smaller.

Good Luck on your quest. Be patient and you'll find your Airstream.

mike