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10-18-2008, 10:47 PM
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#1
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New Member
1971 25' Tradewind
Goldsboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
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Towing Question, need help asap, thanks!
Hi this is my first post here and I'm sure it won't be my last. Any input would be great, and the quicker the better. Within the next 24 hours I'm supposed to be picking up my first Airstream (it's a 25ft 1971 Tradewind), and my question is about the towing. It's about 3 and a half hours away and there aren't any mountains in between us, but I also am not going to be able to hook the brakes up to it. Is it safe to just rely on the breaks of the truck if I drive extra cautiously? Thanks! Sam
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10-18-2008, 10:50 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by againstfifte
Hi this is my first post here and I'm sure it won't be my last. Any input would be great, and the quicker the better. Within the next 24 hours I'm supposed to be picking up my first Airstream (it's a 25ft 1971 Tradewind), and my question is about the towing. It's about 3 and a half hours away and there aren't any mountains in between us, but I also am not going to be able to hook the brakes up to it. Is it safe to just rely on the breaks of the truck if I drive extra cautiously? Thanks! Sam
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Absolutely not.
You cannot control what others may or may not do, that can cause you to loose control, faster than you can blink an eye.
Andy
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10-18-2008, 11:13 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,369
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No! don't do it.
Hi, unless you are towing this trailer with a Kenworth or similar truck, the answer is no. Adding an extra 4,000 to 6,000 lbs to you vehicle's brake system is an accident waiting to happen.
__________________
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
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10-19-2008, 03:25 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2005 19' International CCD
T
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 203
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Bad idea.
You really should not do this.
The trailer may try to pass the tow vehicle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by againstfifte
Hi this is my first post here and I'm sure it won't be my last. Any input would be great, and the quicker the better. Within the next 24 hours I'm supposed to be picking up my first Airstream (it's a 25ft 1971 Tradewind), and my question is about the towing. It's about 3 and a half hours away and there aren't any mountains in between us, but I also am not going to be able to hook the brakes up to it. Is it safe to just rely on the breaks of the truck if I drive extra cautiously? Thanks! Sam
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10-19-2008, 05:07 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Common sense aside, it's also illegal to tow a vehicle weighing more than 4000 lbs without trailer brakes.
In Virginia and South Carolina, the weight limit is 3000 lbs.
Ask your insurance agent.
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10-19-2008, 06:22 AM
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#6
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Sam,
I think you get the idea from the previous posts!
Is there a mechanical problem with the trailer, or is it just that you don't have a controller in the TV? (forum speak for tow vehicle).
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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10-19-2008, 06:25 AM
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#7
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Silver Mist
Currently Looking...
Riverhead
, New York
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,011
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Well, it happened to us.
We picked up the new '77 checked the brakes pulled all the wheels, tried it on some dirt left marks etc.
It was 225 miles to get it home, it started raining no brakes
The last 100 miles were a dangerous aventure.
The Durango my friend used to do me a favor towing it had to give 200 extra feet to stop.
It was stupid to continue, but he did.
Don't do it
__________________
Bob
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10-19-2008, 06:30 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Broadway
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 838
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WELCOME to the forum!
Yup - hook up the brakes.
It does not take long, especially if you have a truck or SUV. Most are prewired for the rear connector and controller so it is just a matter of getting the right adapters.
Test out the Tradewind's brakes with the manual feature on the controller to be sure they are actually working before you hit the highway.
...........Scott
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L (retired), 2011 F250 6.2L, 2010 ML550, 2000 Excursion 7.3L
Broadway, NC
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10-19-2008, 07:54 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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I would hook up the brakes if you can,,, I did tow my 28' 1968 ambassador home with out trailer brakes.. I keep it a 55-60 mph and had no problems stopping it.... It is just over 4000 lbs dry... Probably Illegal in Colorado.... My new Sequoia has the over sized brakes and did a good job...
BUT:::: I now have a brake controller and let me tell you,,,,, it makes all the difference in the world.. Not sure what your TV (tow vehicle) is Hook it up if you can, but if you can't just take it slow and leave a lot of distance between you and the guy in front of you....
I guess I'm willing to take some chances others here aren't, but it is a lot safer to have it hooked up.........
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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10-19-2008, 07:55 AM
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#10
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just jd.
2007 20' Safari SE
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 298
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trailer brake laws, anyone?
Check out AAA's reference to trailer brake laws, by state.
According to this, North Carolina requires an independent brake system if gross weight exceeds 1000 pounds. That isn't much!
Interestingly, riding is permitted in the towed vehicle while in that state.
Cheers,
-jd.
__________________
2007 20' Safari SE/LS // 12063 //CA-5// ("ex") 2916
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10-19-2008, 08:04 AM
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#11
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
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Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.
We would like to see you and your new Airstream with us for a while. Towing your new Airstream without trailer brakes on the highway may prevent this from happening.
It is EXTREMELY dangerous to do what you are proposing. It is much less expensive to pay someone to deliver your new Airstream on a flatbed than to replace your Airstream and your tow vehicle. Not to mention the possibility of injury to yourself and/or others.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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10-19-2008, 10:34 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 41
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Trailer Laws
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5cats
Check out AAA's reference to trailer brake laws, by state.
According to this, North Carolina requires an independent brake system if gross weight exceeds 1000 pounds. That isn't much!
Interestingly, riding is permitted in the towed vehicle while in that state.
Cheers,
-jd.
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How accurate is this chart? It looks like it would be illegal
to tow a new Airstream in some states, brakes or not due to the width. Looks like 8ft limit in some states and new
Airstreams are 81/2 ft width.
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10-19-2008, 10:48 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Someone pulls out in front of you and it's all toast.
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10-19-2008, 10:59 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
1999 34' Limited
Darien
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 116
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Don't do it, you'd be an accident looking for a place to happen....
__________________
1999 Airstream 34' Limited (The Cottage)
2008 F-350 Diesel
WBCCI # 4106
Steve & Jan
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10-19-2008, 11:14 AM
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#15
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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In short, don't do it.
But, there is a loophole for you, if you decide to do it anyway. The law in North Carolina pertains to house trailers (travel trailers) manufactured after December, 1971. With a 1971 model trailer, it would have been built before the cutoff date.
That doesn't make it any safer, though, just slightly more legal (less illegal?)
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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10-19-2008, 11:50 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertDog
How accurate is this chart? It looks like it would be illegal
to tow a new Airstream in some states, brakes or not due to the width. Looks like 8ft limit in some states and new
Airstreams are 81/2 ft width.
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I think all these charts are generalizations for the sake of brevity. Interestingly, the AAA site is the only one I've seen with a 1000 lb limit for NC, the rest are 4000 lbs.
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10-19-2008, 11:51 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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You've probably gotten enough input by now, but I'll add mine also....hook up the breaks. Much better to be safe than sorry, especially when your life may be at stake.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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10-19-2008, 12:03 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1984 31' Excella
Broken Arrow
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 673
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Brakes
If you are planning on going 25 MPH or less then you have no problems. Over that speed you are really sticking your neck and investment out there for the GODS of the highway to step on.
I would not like to be on the same highway with you doing the posted speed limit.
To do that is unwise and unsafe for all around you.
Beginner
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10-19-2008, 12:04 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH
Much better to be safe than sorry, especially when your life may be at stake.
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Or mine and my family.
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10-19-2008, 12:44 PM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
Belington
, West Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 304
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It's pretty handy having brakes on the trailer when the brakes on the tow vehicle give out. Assuming that won't happen is like assuming no one will pull in front of you. I don't think you can be careful enough to not need brakes on the trailer. Roger
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