Newbie Advice Needed

[prairieschooner]

Curious what size your '54 is. I looked at the archives and it just made me curious.

[Kimpossible]

It is 22' but with trailer hitch and bike rack 26'

[Kimpossible]

What archives?

[prairieschooner]

Try these links;
1954 Crusier 25'/26' - Vintage Airstream
and look under '54 here;
Document Archive - Airstream

[Kimpossible]

Thank you, the archives were very helpful. I believe mine to be a Cruiser. It doesn't say which model it is, but just says Custom. O-4060

[prairieschooner]

I am no expert on the serial numbers but it would appear that yours was built in Ohio. Someone who knows may be able to tell more from those numbers.
What a special heirloom to keep!

[Msmoto]

Having towed, driven, and ridden solo across the U.S. multiple times I can suggest several items. First, once you have the correct hitch installed on your TV, and arrive at the location of your AS, it is critical to have a competent shop set up the anti-sway, weight distribution hitch.

Cross country driving is quite fatiguing and needs to be done with care. It is a full time job and requires careful planning, stopping to rest, and proper eating.

As you have never towed or driven cross before, this will be a significant challenge. If possible, I would seek the advice of some folks locally regarding how this is all done. And the time required.... Probably based upon an average speed overall of 45 mph at best, maximum of 12 hours per day.

Maybe having it shipped is the best idea....?


Ms. Tommie Lauer
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[paiceman]

kimpossible: Having been cross country many times and having driven long distances my whole adult life I might humbly suggest you consider having it shipped or allot more time. You should not exceed 60-65MPH with the tires I am sure your brother put on. If the trailer has been sitting, you mentioned mice, lots of things could malfunction or simply not work at all. If you calculate your drive to VT and then a return with trailer, motels one way, campgrounds the next etc compared to a quick flight out and back your cost difference might not be that great. With ship.com you might even find a flatbed hauler ready to take a load West, so the trailer would not be towed at all.

Our Best, sorry to hear about your Mom.

Bud

[Kimpossible]

Well, I know for certain that my airstream is a 25' 1954 Custom Cruiser! I got to pull it and it did wonderfully with the new tires and bearings. Hooked it up to electricity and everything works! We will be picking her up in October for the cross country journey!

[Air Cruiser]

So great to hear this, and I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother.

I was thinking, there are so many, many wonderful people on this forum, and if, during your return trip to California you should run into a situation which you need some advice or help, I think if you would post it on here, someone will come to your aid. Thinking, someone in the area which you will be in may just pop over to where you are and give some advise or whatever. It is worth the try.

Best of luck during your trip, I envy you! We have a son, who is 30 yrs. now, who has disabilities. We take him camping with us when we can, but extreme heat is one of the things which brings on more grand mal seizures (for him), so we really watch the weather and the location of where we are going (need a good hospital close by just in case).

We have a 1999, 25' which I still have not towed yet -- I had hoped to do so during our trip out West last year, but it just didn't happen.

I hope you post to this thread while on your journey as I am certain many others here, as well as I, will be looking forward to "traveling along" with you.

Deb

[cwf]

Great! 1954 was a good year...

[Gearheart]

October = stay south. Things can get dicey in the rockies in October.