Newbie as new as could be!

[emmabowles]

Hello!
I love this site!
I am probably asking the stupidest question ever, but how hard is it to go round corners with a 30ft Sovereign (Double.)????
I have driven a HUGE r.v. before but I know enough to know that towing a trailer is a different beast.
There is one I am going to look at tomorrow, but if i like it and buy it i have to drive 140 miles back home with it and i feel frightened!
Any advice?
Thanks so much.
Emma

[m.hony]

It isn't bad at all.
If anything it goes around the corner easier than a motorhome because it bends in the middle.
Just pass the intersection a little before turning so the trailer tires stay on the pavement.

[emmabowles]

Thank you so much!
I was planning on driving a U-haul truck up there - do you think that is ok to tow it with?

[m.hony]

I'm not sure a U-haul has the electric brake controller or the 7-way RV trailer plug...

[SteveSueMac]

Welcome and congrats.


Advice? You'll get plenty of opinions here :-)

For starers, have a look at this: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...ile-towing.htm

You have lots of options including, but not limited to:

- buying but not driving the 140 miles until you've had enough practice (minimally in a parking lot) to feel comfortable. If you need to spend the night in the trailer and start the next day, you should be able to do that.

- go with a friend you know is comfortable driving a 30' trailer

- take lessons at a CDL center before making the trip

If you've driven a huge RV (assuming motorhome?) you already have some skills. But you really should get comfortable with the feel of things before taking that trip.

And I don't know the weights of the trailer or U-Haul truck you're talking about, but I would strongly recommend against just dropping the trailer on a ball without a weight distributing hitch with some form of sway control. Do you know if there's any equipment like that included in the sale?

Good luck - stay safe!!

[aceflys]

I think you will be fine with a dual wheel box tk from U-haul. Just don't tail gate if you don't get the brakes working. I towed my 1st AS a 31 footer home the same way.

Ace in PA

[moosetags]

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

I think that you will find that a travel trailer and tow vehicle is easier to handle than a large motor home.

As far as pulling your new Airstream with a U-Haul truck, that may not be a good option. U-Haul trucks are usually wire with a four contact trailer wire as the car trailers that U-Haul rents have surge brakes and do not need a seven pin connector. If you tow your Airstream with this system, you will not have any trailer brakes.

Brian

[emmabowles]

Thanks so much for your advice. If I buy it tomorrow I will be asking for alot more of it.
I am already sweating thinking about it. I am going to try and find someone to come with me just incase. This is the kind of time I wish I had a boyfriend they are good for some things!!

[dkrug]

Welcome! Congrats on your new Airstream. I can't speak to the Uhaul, but our first was 31 ft Sovereign and it didn't tow any different than the stock trailer or equipment trailer.

[Sbb]

You go girl..just get ur information and check ur truck has proper setup, above all be safe then live ur stream dream.

[willyjay]

As you go around the corners glance out of your side mirrors to see where your trailer tires are tracking. This gets to be second nature after awhile. As a plus Airstreams track very well!

[Protagonist]

I've posted this image on other threads, but it seems appropriate here, too. This is a page from the Park Road Standards, a publication of the Federal Highway Administration and National Park Service for designing roads that see a lot of trailer traffic. While the numbers are for a generic average "project vehicle" and won't be entirely accurate for your particular tow vehicle and trailer combination, they still give you a fair idea of how much room you'll need in a turn.

[aftermath]

You will do just fine. How do I know? You are thinking about it and asking questions. You have received some great advice so far. I had my daughter drive my trailer home from a fishing trip we were on and I just told her to slow down and swing wide on the turns.

Basically, when in town, just stay right when turning left and stay left when turning right. Piece 'O cake. We made it home just fine on that trip. The trailer was still in one piece and she came away with some enhanced self confidence.

[emmabowles]

Thank you everyone SO SO much for your advice and encouragement.
I decided NOT to get the Sovereign. After reading and researching extensively through this wonderful website, I realized I was biting off more than I can chew. I just don't know enough about Airstreams yet and I need to learn more and also hopefully get one of you experts to come and take a look.
I have a tendency to jump in head-first and go with my heart not my head. Which as I have discovered on here, is not the way to go unless I want to be throwing thousands of dollars at it right off the bat.
Y'all rock my socks off - thank you!!

[m.hony]

So...
You may still buy a trailer in the future, just one that needs less work?

[emmabowles]

I WANT ONE SO BADLY!!! I am obsessively looking but nothing in my price range ($5,000) Well there are, but if i am going to have to start replacing axles and stuff I can't afford it.

[m.hony]

Keep looking and saving.
Maybe you will find a good trailer.
Maybe by the time you find one you will have more money saved up.
Don't give up.

[emmabowles]

This is the one I am looking at tomorrow.
He will do it for $4,000. It has new tires. Any thoughts?
1966 Airstream project.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by emmabowles

This is the one I am looking at tomorrow.
He will do it for $4,000. It has new tires. Any thoughts?
1966 Airstream project.

Hi. Well, yes. I have some thoughts and will share because you asked. I would quote the wise person who said:

"I am obsessively looking but nothing in my price range ($5,000) Well there are, but if i am going to have to start replacing axles and stuff I can't afford it."

The person who wrote that understood something important. :-)

The seller even calls it a "project". I don't think you can look at this as a $4000 trailer - more like a $14,000 trailer and even that might be on the shy side.

As always, you have many options, all of which have pros and cons, including but not limited to:

- buy a different brand trailer in your price range which may be roadworthy now so you can enjoy camping. At any site I've been to, 99% of the campers aren't Airstreams - they still love camping!

- take on debt (I personally wouldn't recommend this)

- keep searching for that diamond in the rough, it's possible one's out there...

- talk with a local vocational high school or community college to see if they have a program that would lend itself to significant travel trailer repairs and either a) enroll and learn what you'll need to take on a project like this and/or b) see if they (and you) would be willing to take on your trailer as a student project for a significantly reduced fee

- sell unneeded items and/or wait and save more money (I know - no one likes this option...). If you're passionate about camping, you can gear up for that in any number of ways very nicely with a $5k budget. If you absolutely must have an Airstream but can't afford a "project", then honestly, you can't afford it. Best not to drive yourself nuts over it :-)

I hope any of that is useful. Be well!

[emmabowles]

Very helpful!!!
Well I have a basic mechanical knowledge as I was an automotive journalist for ten years and I wrote for car mags in the UK like Top Gear magazine - I am English. And I am quite handy.
I do have a monthly income aswell as what I earn as a freelance journalist. I am going to be renting some land here in Ojai so I am not necessarily going anywhere yet!!! So I can take on a project, I want a project, but nothing I have to throw thousands at right off the bat.