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Old 06-27-2011, 09:05 PM   #1
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1st Time Towing an Airstream

Hi. Well, we purchased an Airstream!! It is a 2005, 30 foot Classic Limited. We saw this trailer on Craigslist in Montana. We live in Washington State. The owner said that they used it three times and stored it in the "hanger."

We travelled to Montana after a tentative agreement on price. The trailer looked as described with a few "issues." In general it looks like new. So we purchased it for the agreed price.

Now we were ready to hook the trailer up to our van (a '99 Chevrolet Express). For our previous trailers, we used an Eaz-Lift hitch. This trailer came with the Reese hitch. After hooking it up, it looked like the bars were a bit close to the ground (see pictures). Nobody had the correct wrenches to adjust the hitch angle, so we left it as is.

The first day, we went from Deer Lodge, MT to Coeur D'Alene, ID, about 250 miles. We stayed at relatives for the night. The trailer towed great with no issues. Even through the mountain passes.

The next day (yesterday) we took a short trip just west of Spokane, WA, about 50 miles. Again, no problems and this time we had a full hookup.

The last day (today) we came home. About 330 miles. Coming up the vantage hill from the Columbia river (a very long hill, about 8 miles). With our other trailer, we were in second gear most of the way up. With the Airstream, we madi it up in third gear all the way(!!). The same was true for the hill to Stevens Pass, third gear all the way.

Our old trailer probably weighed about 1,000 pounds more, and it had the large frontal area pushing air.

So far, we love the trailer. Yea, I know... here are the pictures:
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Old 06-27-2011, 09:10 PM   #2
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More Pictures After We Got Home...

Pictures...
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Old 06-27-2011, 09:11 PM   #3
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Great looking trailer! Congratulations
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Old 06-27-2011, 09:18 PM   #4
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That's a nice trailer!
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Old 06-27-2011, 09:31 PM   #5
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It's a real beauty! Welcome to the forums.

One trick for the Sharp microwave/convection. When popping microwave popcorn, put an inverted pie plate on the carousel. That tip is hidden in an obscure place in the manual, it's not in the "Popcorn" section. A friend gave me the head's up. It's on page 5 of the (printed) manual under the "ABOUT UTENSILS AND COVERINGS" section. On row five "Glass, heat-resistant" in the "Microwave Only" column it says "Yes. Excellent. Overturned pie plate necessary for popping popcorn." This is the only place in the manual that this is mentioned. It's on page 7 of 43 of the pdf version I attached.

Enjoy the Airstream.
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Old 06-27-2011, 09:37 PM   #6
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

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

You did good! That's a real nice Airstream.
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Old 06-27-2011, 10:16 PM   #7
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Wow - what a like-new looking rig...Looks like you started your Airstream 'career' at the top!

I'm sure you're on your way to many new AS adventures...

One note, I believe many states require that the safety tow chains be hooked up in a 'Cris-cross' pattern - with the idea there is more chance the trailer coupling (tongue) will be 'captured' on top of the chains if it came off the ball...

Have fun this year with your new 'toy'...
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Old 06-28-2011, 05:05 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 10Smiles View Post
The last day (today) we came home. About 330 miles. Coming up the vantage hill from the Columbia river (a very long hill, about 8 miles). With our other trailer, we were in second gear most of the way up. With the Airstream, we madi it up in third gear all the way(!!). The same was true for the hill to Stevens Pass, third gear all the way.

Our old trailer probably weighed about 1,000 pounds more, and it had the large frontal area pushing air.
For sure Smiles. Many of us have had the same experiance/comparision. The aerodynamic advantage is huge with the Airstreams and that factor works when going up hills too.
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Old 06-28-2011, 12:48 PM   #9
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Thanks to you all for the kind words. I do have to say a big THANK YOU to this forum for all the help in making the decision as to which Airstream to purchase. The knowledge here and willingness to help is incredible.

We hope to be hanging around this site quite a bit.

Thanks again!
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Old 06-28-2011, 01:35 PM   #10
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Wow, that's a beauty! Interior much like our old '99 Excella 30' Enjoy it as we enjoy ours!
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Old 06-28-2011, 02:25 PM   #11
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Remember Keep the Aluminum Up and the Rubber down... Welcome aboard...
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Old 06-28-2011, 07:28 PM   #12
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Shiny side up, aye!!
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Old 06-28-2011, 08:15 PM   #13
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Enjoy. Many trips and more memories.
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Old 06-28-2011, 08:42 PM   #14
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Congratulations. She is beautiful. You are right, the bars do look too close to the ground. I would check the angle and set up before your next trip. Great looking Classic.
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Old 06-28-2011, 09:46 PM   #15
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You should get much enjoyment from this trailer. Yes, the hitch needs adjustment. Without going into details as this has been discussed at length in other threads here, when it's right, the trailer will be level fore to aft, the van will be essentially level, and the spring bars will deflect about 1 - 2" and will be more or less parallel to the frame when under tension.

Do you know what the bars are rated for? There has been a lot of discussion here that many hitches are sold with bars that are too stout, particularly for an Airstream.
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Old 06-28-2011, 11:46 PM   #16
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Nice unit! Those hardened washers used in the hitch set-up can usually be purchased at Home Depot. Try looking in the big cabinet with metal drawers. (I am assuming your hitch uses standard sized washers like mine).
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Old 06-29-2011, 01:22 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mhilley
Nice unit! Those hardened washers used in the hitch set-up can usually be purchased at Home Depot. Try looking in the big cabinet with metal drawers. (I am assuming your hitch uses standard sized washers like mine).
The pictures show the Reese Dual Cam Strait Line hitch. I believe the washers you mentioned are for a different brand, or have I missed something?
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Old 06-29-2011, 01:29 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle View Post
The pictures show the Reese Dual Cam Strait Line hitch. I believe the washers you mentioned are for a different brand, or have I missed something?
In both of my hitches there are washers used as shims to adjust the up/down angle of the hitch head.
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Old 06-29-2011, 06:00 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle View Post
The pictures show the Reese Dual Cam Strait Line hitch. I believe the washers you mentioned are for a different brand, or have I missed something?
Yes, that's right, there are no shims used on this hitch. There are two square washers on the top bolt that have groves for adjusting the angle.

The hitch uses 1,200 pound bars. In reading other threads, it sounds like they may be too stiff. Comments??

Thanks for all the responses.
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Old 06-29-2011, 06:42 PM   #20
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For what it's worth, I have the identical Reese dual cam hitch with 1200# bars. I have the ball height set at approximately 20" (top of ball) unhitched. This settles down to approx. 18 1/2" to 19" after hitched and with bars in the (4th) chain length. Everything balances out with approx same height front and back of trailer - also with tow vehicle.
Reese has a set up instruction PDF file for more detailed information on their website.
Very nice looking Airstream - enjoy!

Curt
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