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flyfshr · 12-15-2005, 06:21 AM

Yes Rich. It is the former Phoenician Steve, with his '59 Trade Wind in low speed tow.

Brad
FF

Silvertwinkie · 12-15-2005, 06:45 AM

I've had the Safari/Suburban up to nearly 90mph, with plenty of room to go yet. I would assume 117 would be an easy mark to hit, but like overlander63 said, not one of the smartest things one could do.

Speed limiter? Who needs a speed limiter? I don't need no stinkin' speed limiter, just a programming tool and a few minutes.

uwe · 12-15-2005, 08:53 AM

Does this sound familiar:

"My Marathons keep blowing out"..... (rated to 65mph max)

Inland RV Center, In · 12-19-2005, 09:58 AM

I can confirm the speed record.

In 1970, I recorded on film for Caravanner Insurance Company, the top speed of the rig I was towing.

The trailer was a 1970 31 foot loaded to 8500 pounds. The tow vehicle was a 1970 Buick Electra with a towing rear end. The car weighed in at 6000 pounds. Total weight 14,500 pounds.

An 8mm camera was mounted in the center and on top of the front seat. It showed the speedometer (calibrated), an airspeed indicator and the oncoming traffic as well as the road ahead.

Part of the test was to document wind speeds and behavior when meeting a truck on a two lane highway. (Another story, later).

Additionally, but out on a very lonely freeway, it was pedal to the metal.

The maximum speed that I recorded, again with a total of 14,500 pounds, was 115 mph.

The tests also showed that the faster you tow an Airstream trailer, the more stable it becomes.

The biggest problem, after you took your foot off the gas pedal, was the coasting distance. The rig just kept going and going, before it got down to 70 mph.

Ah, the things we did, when we were younger.

Andy

87MH · 12-19-2005, 10:08 AM

Andy:

Just wondering (I know this has been disussed elsewhere in the Forums...)

Which weight distribution system and sway control were installed between the TV and trailer?

Inland RV Center, In · 12-19-2005, 10:21 AM

Dennis.

The hitch was a Reese 1000 pound with the dual cam sway control.

Later on, I added the automatic sway control device made by Safe-T-Tow.

I installed many Safe-T-Tows back in 1970 and 1971. Demonstated it at many rallies. Best thing that ever happened to the RV industry.

Unfortunately, the designer and owner, passed away, in 1971.

We are, at this point, working with some Chinese manufacturers to bring this product to market.

Some 18 patents were issued for that device.

We have a patent attorney on retainer, as we have made some changes to the device, that are also patentable.

We hope to have this product on the market within 6 months, if we can.

The unit works extremely well with both electric and disc brakes.

Takes about an hour to install.

Andy

axleman · 12-19-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

I can confirm the speed record.

The maximum speed that I recorded, again with a total of 14,500 pounds, was 115 mph.

Andy

Andy,

That's impressive, 35 years later they can only muster 2 miles an hour more.

I bet that was a heck of a ride!

Don't you have a picture of that? I thought that I saw that in "Airstream Life. Perhaps you could post it.

Happy Holidays,
Henry

wahoonc · 12-19-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axleman

Andy,

That's impressive, 35 years later they can only muster 2 miles an hour more.

Happy Holidays,
Henry

Hey Henry,
I reckon that even though vehicles have improved greatly the basic laws of physics still apply

Aaron

**azflycaster** · 12-19-2005, 12:27 PM

Andy,
Did that ride come with a new pair of underpants?

Inland RV Center, In · 12-19-2005, 12:35 PM

azflycaster.

No accessories were needed, as I was much younger then.

However, it did require an extended stay at the next rest stop.

Andy

David B. · 01-15-2020, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

I can confirm the speed record.

In 1970, I recorded on film for Caravanner Insurance Company, the top speed of the rig I was towing.

The trailer was a 1970 31 foot loaded to 8500 pounds. The tow vehicle was a 1970 Buick Electra with a towing rear end. The car weighed in at 6000 pounds. Total weight 14,500 pounds.

An 8mm camera was mounted in the center and on top of the front seat. It showed the speedometer (calibrated), an airspeed indicator and the oncoming traffic as well as the road ahead.

Part of the test was to document wind speeds and behavior when meeting a truck on a two lane highway. (Another story, later).

Additionally, but out on a very lonely freeway, it was pedal to the metal.

The maximum speed that I recorded, again with a total of 14,500 pounds, was 115 mph.

The tests also showed that the faster you tow an Airstream trailer, the more stable it becomes.

The biggest problem, after you took your foot off the gas pedal, was the coasting distance. The rig just kept going and going, before it got down to 70 mph.

Ah, the things we did, when we were younger.

Andy

As a teenager I remember an Airstream promotional film where they were hyping all the 1969 changes and referenced the speed record set. In the film, the car was a red 1969 Impala or Caprice with a 396. The trailer was a 31-foot. The film stated and filmed that the car speedometer read 115 mph but the timing lights measured the speed at just over 100 mph. The brochures of the time also reference this speed record and show the red Chevrolet.