How Do Airstreams Perform on The Road

[waninae39]

In this video you will see Airstream Travel Trailers on test tracks to show you how they perform on the road in comparison to their competitors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cMg42sW6NU

[EZTOO]

That is a very good video and a great selling point. However, usually the weakest link is the driver. Many people comment on how their TV tows their trailer "like it wasn't even there", well it is. It seems like you see more and more RVs in the fast lane hammering down. I have seen a few RV crashes, but only one was an AS. The driver had defective TV brakes and one locked up, throwing him across three lanes of traffic into the meridian, somehow without getting hit by anyone else. The TV rolled, the AS stayed upright, the driver was ok, his comment was, "I was going to get them checked, but didn't get to it". He also didn't have his WD or anti-sway equipment attached as he said, "It was only going to be a short trip", ended up shorter than he thought. The 1970ish AS appeared to have performed well and held together. Travel safe!!

[perryg114]

They handle better than any other travel trailer out there. You do need working brakes and sway control. The low center of gravity has a lot to do with handling as well as aerodynamics. They are also lighter than most trailers of the same size. They are also better in a cross wind since they are also more aerodynamic in that situation as well. Cross winds that will roll a square box trailer (SOB) won't bother an Airstream. Mine was sitting in the yard and got hit by a tornado. The front in shifted about 6 inches and one of the awnings was ripped off. Other SOB trailers nearby were rolled and destroyed. It took out most of the large trees in the yard but the Airstream held fast.

Perry

[0557]

The box trailer in the video also didn’t have torsion axles and a low center of gravity compared to the airstream

[RandyNH]

Nothing like a well produced promotional video, to show what they want you to see. They behave as well as anything else when driven properly within their design parameters.

For example, gym tires vs. LT, I don't drive my Fiat 500 the same as my F350. Most who buy a $30,000 box trailer aren't going to invest in a $3000 sway control hitch, but when you spend $100,000...

[perryg114]

Most SOB owners don't have load distribution or sway control. I have never seen either one on a boat trailer.

Perry

[xrvr]

Unfortunately most drivers cannot do either of those things shown on the film without getting in an accident. It does show how a properky set up tow rig with a good trailer handles. Most drivers would fail this test. Overcorrecting and improper braking would do most in.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by perryg114

Most SOB owners don't have load distribution or sway control. I have never seen either one on a boat trailer.

Perry

Does a boat present the same profile to a crosswind as a TT?

Plus they run a TW of 5-7% by adjusting the bunks.

You haven’t seen one because you don’t live in an area with big trailerable fishing boats. Where WD is indeed used.

And the arguments have to do with WD hitches compatible with surge brakes.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by xrvr

Unfortunately most drivers cannot do either of those things shown on the film without getting in an accident. It does show how a properky set up tow rig with a good trailer handles. Most drivers would fail this test. Overcorrecting and improper braking would do most in.

Because they can’t be bothered to ask. Or learn.

Because like all the lousy AS rigs I see — the vast majority — they fail to do any homework worth turning in. Vehicle spec, hitch rigging, highway conduct, etc. It’s an embarrassment.

Not that it can’t be taught or sufficient skill acquired. Some start with better visuospatial skills (monkey skills), but none are exempt from learning procedures.

[Isuzusweet]

Just though I'd say what others are thinking........None of these accidents would have taken place if they had been towing with a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pick up..........

Rubber side down people.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[slowmover]

An AS is better than the conventional trailers, and — where all else is a constant — were better than the vintage kin competitors.

It’s the only place that’s true, but Wally & crew really got this part right.

A changeover by the others to torsion axle where the wheel face is at or barely outside the exterior walls would be the needed change.

Aero matters most: the family vehicle best suited to that job that can also pull one of these trailers.

That’s the recipe for success.

The better the TV, the better the road performance.

A TV incapable of the same slalom speed as the trailer is itself unacceptable. Luckily, not many designs are that bad.

Which makes it flat funny the worst is the default RVer choice.

“Yes, sir, we’re backpacking our way into the Rockies for elk hunting trip. How ya like my new sandals? Bought ‘em special for the trip in”.

.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Just though I'd say what others are thinking........None of these accidents would have taken place if they had been towing with a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pick up..........

Rubber side down people.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

The big pickups wreck pretty often too, regardless of fuel too.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

Nothing like a well produced promotional video, to show what they want you to see. They behave as well as anything else when driven properly within their design parameters.



For example, gym tires vs. LT, I don't drive my Fiat 500 the same as my F350. Most who buy a $30,000 box trailer aren't going to invest in a $3000 sway control hitch, but when you spend $100,000...

Does that AS with bikes on the back have a rear hitch for the bikes?

[rmkrum]

Airstreams perform just fine on the road, if they’re properly rigged and driven conservatively. Hitch choice and driving habits are the biggest factors. Human error will always lead to accidents...

Drive carefully, no matter what the setup.

[TSchleff]

The picture a couple of posts back. The one with the Nissan Pathfinder or Xterra.

Don't you think that is a pretty short wheel based vehicle to be pulling a trailer that big. That is the tail wagging the dog. If that trailer got out of control there would be no stopping it with a vehicle with such a short wheel base.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by TSchleff

The picture a couple of posts back. The one with the Nissan Pathfinder or Xterra.

Don't you think that is a pretty short wheel based vehicle to be pulling a trailer that big. That is the tail wagging the dog. If that trailer got out of control there would be no stopping it with a vehicle with such a short wheel base.

If that trailer got out of control an F350 might not control it either.

[Moflash]

Heavier tow vehicles with a longer wheel base are less prone to loss of control due to tail wagging. Sometimes size really does matter.....

[slowmover]

The benefits to wheelbase length flatline after 120”. Steering and handling deteriorate.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the CHP conducted extensive testing as the new Interstate system (plus high horsepower, high compression engined cars were appearing) and determined by 1963 that for high speed pursuit in a vehicle capable of also carrying two officers, extensive equipment and the occasional arrest, that 122” WB was ideal.

Dodge agreed. And literally changed (what became) the full-size Polara/Monaco line to 122”.

Keep researching if you want to know more.

Sway resistance is great until little Bambi gets too excited. 4000-lbs, low center of gravity, independent suspension and an approx 120” WB is a combination that trumps any longer, taller and heavier pickup.

But none of you or next to none of you can say you’ve towed with other than pickups or other tall vehicles. And can’t be bothered with physics even at the lowest level. 8th grade stuff. Race car forums are full of links. Or, Fred Puhns classic book.

Steering and handling matter most after braking.

WB almost doesn’t matter.

A 117” Plymouth from back in the day is better than any pickup.

An AS is great on the road due to shape and suspension. Just as TT weight or TW don’t much matter, aero and suspension DO.

You’ll wind up with something as ridiculous as a half ton yanking a Bambi down the road. Saw that three days ago. (Nose-down, as is SOP for pickup owners).

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by slowmover

The benefits to wheelbase length flatline after 120”. Steering and handling deteriorate. ...

An AS is great on the road due to shape and suspension. Just as TT weight or TW don’t much matter, aero and suspension DO.

...

Another factor which is often overlooked is the rear overhang. The shorter the distance from the ball to the rear axle adds to stability of the TV. For most pickup trucks this overhang (52.4") is far greater than a good SUV (41.8") or passenger vehicle.

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by slowmover

The benefits to wheelbase length flatline after 120”. Steering and handling deteriorate.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the CHP conducted extensive testing as the new Interstate system (plus high horsepower, high compression engined cars were appearing) and determined by 1963 that for high speed pursuit in a vehicle capable of also carrying two officers, extensive equipment and the occasional arrest, that 122” WB was ideal.

Dodge agreed. And literally changed (what became) the full-size Polara/Monaco line to 122”.

Keep researching if you want to know more.

Sway resistance is great until little Bambi gets too excited. 4000-lbs, low center of gravity, independent suspension and an approx 120” WB is a combination that trumps any longer, taller and heavier pickup.

But none of you or next to none of you can say you’ve towed with other than pickups or other tall vehicles. And can’t be bothered with physics even at the lowest level. 8th grade stuff. Race car forums are full of links. Or, Fred Puhns classic book.

Steering and handling matter most after braking.

WB almost doesn’t matter.

A 117” Plymouth from back in the day is better than any pickup.

An AS is great on the road due to shape and suspension. Just as TT weight or TW don’t much matter, aero and suspension DO.

You’ll wind up with something as ridiculous as a half ton yanking a Bambi down the road. Saw that three days ago. (Nose-down, as is SOP for pickup owners).

Sorry Slowmover but your 70 year old test results are laughable at best.