|
05-03-2014, 12:38 PM
|
#1
|
4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
|
Removing the Awning on a 2004 16' Bambi to Save Weight
I'm considering removing the CS awning on my AS trailer to increase cargo carrying capacity.
1) Is this a do-it-yourself project, or should I have the dealer do it?
2) The awning seems so small that I can't imagine that it actually is very useful. Am I wrong? Would you miss it if you took it off?
3) Most importantly - Does anyone have an idea of how much the entire system weighs including the awning, the support arms, etc.?
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 01:19 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,244
|
It's always nice to have the awning when there is rain. I agree that yours is not very large though.
Al
__________________
Al and Jean
TAC ON-3
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 02:59 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
|
What is a cs awning?
Our 16' Bambi has a Awning that can't weigh more than 40 pounds....
I can think of lots of ways to better save weight...Why exactly do you want to save weight?
Bruce
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:05 PM
|
#4
|
Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
|
Curb side...
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:08 PM
|
#5
|
Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
|
Awnings really help keep things cool. I think every little bit helps. Personally I would get a season of experience under your belt to determine their usefulness to you! I think you'll opt to keep them! For your little Airstream there can't be 100 pounds of weight.
If you get into removing usefull things, the law of diminishing returns comes into play.
I would remove the television before the awnings.
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:15 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
|
Assuming it is a "Zip-Dee" brand, and that CS means curb-side, I don't believe Zip Dee lists weights of any of their awnings on their website.. You'd probably need to call them to see how much it weighs.. Their website is awningsbyzipdee.com
I am also inclined to think the benefits on a hot or rainy day outweigh the potential weight savings, but at least if you called you would know for sure.. There are other options for weight saving, like an air bed mattress, or limiting cookware and dishes/glassware. Also not sure if you are trying to lighten load for tow vehicle or trying to comply with Airstream GVWR limits.. Committing to tow with less than full tanks can save a lot of weight, as can keeping clothing, etc. in the tow vehicle. There is even the possible option to consider upgrading axles or wheels/tires to feel better about weights a few pounds of GVWR... (You might talk to a dealer to get more credible recommendations...)
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:23 PM
|
#7
|
Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
|
I personally feel the Airstream is built to be serviceable at a moments notice. We keep ours loaded with everything at all times and enjoy them as though we are camping at the Savoy! We are heavyweights in both weighing in well over 10k with equipment designed to start and stop. A Bambi is a lightweight, unless you tow with a Fiat 500 I suggest you try keeping it serviceable, and if needed up rate your tug!
You'll quickly learn to shave weight and splurge on the things that bring pleasure and comfort.
My PanAmerica has 11 feet of garage.... Think of the tonnage I have there! Ready for any event!
Just get out there and live.
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:35 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
|
Unlike the Pan America, some of the Bambi's only have a narrow gap between empty weight and GVWR. A 16' Bambi Sport spec suggests less than 300# of cargo with full tanks and an awning and air conditioner...
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:41 PM
|
#9
|
Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
|
Oh I didn't realize the margins. I could keep a lil' Bambi in my garage!
I think stuff like removing heavy mattresses in lieu of air beds, composite dishes, movies on a server instead of Disc would be a huge weight shaver. Really only 300 pounds? That's like a grocery store run and a bottle of brandy!
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:46 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
|
I can tell you enjoy "Living Large" but little Bambi's with little tanks and little bathrooms and little kitchens are built light and with minimal capacities for extra's.. We're sort of in the middle with about 1,000# for fluids, stuff and options...
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 03:49 PM
|
#11
|
Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
|
We full time between the 2 units. You get used to having huge capacities without really thinking about it!
2 totally different beasts. There are many days I wish it was just me and a dog.... Could be 25 feet shorter.
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 04:27 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
|
I would keep the awning...it will come in handy and it doesn't weight that much. There are better ways to reduce weight...like traveling with no water in the fresh water tank, an air mattress as mentioned, and taking the bare minimum with you in terms of cooking utensils, food, cloths and gear. I can't imagine not having one on our 19' Bambi... In fact, we added a street side and rear awning to our Bambi...it really makes a huge difference in keeping the inside temps down, especially in our climate.
If you do remove the awning and do it yourself, be very careful removing the tube...there is LOT of spring tension inside that tube and it can be dangerous if unleashed on the human body.
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 04:52 PM
|
#13
|
Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
|
Besides, full awnings look just plain cool when deployed!
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 05:20 PM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
|
I just looked at the specs for our 2012 16' International and the sticker on the side says that the dry weight of the trailer is 3300 pounds with a max gvwr of 4300 pounds....
Bruce
|
|
|
05-03-2014, 10:43 PM
|
#15
|
4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
|
First, a big thanks to all of you for the feedback. I will leave the awning on for a season and then reconsider the pluses and minuses. I really want to stay cool and dry, and I'm hoping that my tiny awning will help in both regards.
I'm trying to stay within AS's GVWR of 3,500 lbs. Our trailer is listed at 3,117 lbs. dry with no dealer-installed options. We have several options installed on the trailer. I'm just not exactly sure which of these options were "dealer-installed" so I don't know what additional weight I need to factor in. Unfortunately I haven't yet weighed the trailer to see what our real dry weight is. I plan to do that in the next week or two. Then I'll have some solid data.
Nevertheless, I have a maximum cargo carrying capacity of 383 lbs. with NO liquids. Add propane and enough water to flush the toilet a few times plus the weight of the dealer-installed options, and I won't have the capacity to carry much - certainly not a generator, a big cooler filled with ice, food and beer, etc.. Our TV (a 2005 Toyota Sienna) has almost no cargo capacity left either, so I can't afford to shift any weight to it. I know that a beefier TV needs to be in our future, but I'm just not sure that will happen quickly. Also, I really like the idea of keeping the Bambi ready to roll - all packed up with our normal gear so that I can just hook up on a whim, and hit the road.
As suggested I think the key for me is to run with minimal fluids. I'll investigate the air mattress suggestions too. I've already gotten about as minimal as I think I can get for cooking/eating supplies. I'll also have to make sure not to carry any frivolous junk. So far I've been considering weight on all of my trailer's equipment purchase decisions. I'm trying to take a lightweight backpacker's approach to Airstreaming.
I wish my trailer had a GVWR of 4,300 Lbs.! That would solve this problem. I wonder what AS did to increase the GVWR by 800 Lbs. What would I need to do to beef up my trailer to safely mimic AS's 4,300 lb. build?
|
|
|
05-04-2014, 12:03 AM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,378
|
Hi, you might consider changing your axle; Canadian Bambis have a higher GVWR.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
|
|
|
05-04-2014, 12:57 AM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
|
I know that the axel, wheels and tires are different on the 2012 Sport and International 16's. Not sure what else might have been changed to support the additional weight.
Bruce
|
|
|
05-04-2014, 07:11 AM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
|
Have you actually measured the weight of the thing on a scale as opposed to picking a number out of a hat?
Perry
|
|
|
05-05-2014, 07:15 AM
|
#19
|
4 Rivet Member
2004 16' International CCD
Chicagoland
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 265
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by perryg114
Have you actually measured the weight of the thing on a scale as opposed to picking a number out of a hat?
Perry
|
No I haven't weighed the thing - I already explained that. I didn't pick a number "out of a hat" either. I pulled it "out of the closet." That's where AS put it.
When I feel grumpy I find that adding some fiber to my diet often helps.
|
|
|
05-07-2014, 06:49 PM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
|
Your numbers seem to correlate with the factory specs for the 16' Sport... Dealer options are generally in area of rock guards or extra window awnings.. Factory usually (though not always..) installs heavier ones like Awning, A/C, Spare Tire, Television/Stereo, etc...
I agree with others that heavier rated axle ( I suspect your axle is rated/tagged as a 3200# axle..) is where the GVWR limit came from, since remainder of load is on the hitch/tongue... There are 3 ratings to consider before upgrading: Axles, wheels and tires.. Each tire needs to be able to carry half of higher rated axle load, and wheels need to be rated strong enough as well.. I don't believe there was any difference in frame/sub floor or structure, so those are the path to more "stuff" inside...
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|