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Old 01-07-2015, 11:06 AM   #1
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Thinking of Buying a 34ft Airstream Limited

I currently have a 23ft Airstream Safari and a 25ft Airstream Excella. Most likely will sell the 23 ft. HOWEVER, I have found a beautiful 199034 ft. Airstream Limited in almost perfect condition. I am really interested in buying this unit. I would appreciate feedback on:

1. Experience pulling a 34 footer.
2. Chatting with someone that owns a 34 ft Airstream
3. Experience with pulling a 7400# unit with a 2013 F150 Eco boost (info says I can pull up to 8100#).
4. Anyother information that you might think is relevant re a 34ft unit.

Thank you so much!!!!

Charles
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Old 01-07-2015, 11:15 AM   #2
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

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

I was looking at your 7,400# figure for a 34 footer. I'm guessing that is its empty weight as my 25FB weighs 7,400# ready to camp. On a 34 footer loaded and ready to travel, you would probably be at or about the 9,000# mark.

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Old 01-07-2015, 11:22 AM   #3
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Charles:

We have a 2008 Airstream 34'. Our first RV was a Jayco pop-up that we had for 10 years. Then we moved up to an Airstream 30 for four year before moving up to the 34. We moved to the 34 because we are planning on fulltiming with it. Before buying our first Airstream I did a lot of research on tow vehicles and decided on getting a 3/4 ton diesel truck. I can't really comment on the Ford Eco boost. Also look at the gross combined weight rating of the Ford 150. That is the rating for your trucks weight and the trailer weight.

I didn't find pulling the 34 much different than the 30. Our trailer weighs about 9,100 lbs but is rated for 11,500 lbs. Prior to 1996 all Airstreams were narrow body (8' vs 8.5'). We love our 34; it seems so much bigger than our 30.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
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Old 01-07-2015, 11:30 AM   #4
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You will open a can of worms with this request!! I pull our 34 with a Duramax. This trailer pulls heavier than our 31', and gets about 1 MPG less. I think you will find that your F150 gas is a little under powered, however you will find out that people are pulling these units with all different TV's. Takes a little getting on to having the longer length when pulling into gas stops, and you are always looking for the easy way out. Inside room is great!! Also a lot more space to pack things, so your loaded weight will go up. You will get several members here telling you that you will have to have a certain brand of hitch, or you will have nothing but trouble. Personally I will be purchasing a Husky CenterLine by spring, as I believe this hitch will work well for me at an affordable price. I think you will love the 34' and you will have to find out for yourself what you need to change, if anything. A WBCCI rally is a great place to get into discussions, and see what other members have. Chris
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Old 01-07-2015, 12:27 PM   #5
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Love ours. you can see it in my avatar.. sorta. We pull with 2012 Duramax, 4x4. I HAVE used the 4x4 several times... and I have travelled to Arkansas, Louisiana and around Texas with it.
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Old 01-07-2015, 12:51 PM   #6
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see your messages
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Old 01-07-2015, 02:48 PM   #7
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Will go along with all those who love their 34' units.

We lived in one for ten years and traveled a good part of North America. However, I'm one of those people who are not so much concerned with what to tow it with as I am with stopping about five tons of trailer once it's rolling. Originally had a 3/4 ton Suburban but moved up to a Ford F-350 diesel crew cab dually with a 4:10 rear end. The 350 has larger brakes than a 250 or 150 and being a full-timer we weighed in once at nearly 19000 pounds with our 58 foot hooked up length. There were not many places that we could not get into or out of and took our rig onto many ferry boats in Canada and Alaska. A 34 footer is easier to back up than a boat trailer as the pivot point is much further back. The GVCW on our 1993 Excella 1000 is 8700 lbs. and am running Maxxis D rated tires on it at 60 psi. Truck tires are Michelin M/S at 62 psi. W/D hitch is an older Reese with 1000# bars and a class 5 hitch. No sway control. Pulls like a dream.

Although we've seen a 34 footer being pulled by a Cadillac sponsored by CanAm, I like the security of having the 350 braking power. Incidentally, we average 12.5 mpg when we're hauling.

Good luck with the 1990 Limited.
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Old 01-07-2015, 03:24 PM   #8
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We've owned our '34 for a little over a year now, and have had it coast to coast. It replaced a 31'. We really like the 34' for interior space and living, however the weight of ours is an issue at 11,500 GVW. Even with our 3/4 ton Ram truck, we are about 1,500lbs over the truck's 17,000 GCWR. With the Diesel engine it doesn't seem to be too big of an issue.

The '34 does tow slightly more stable with the three axles, but also is slightly harder to pull delivering slightly less fuel mileage than we got with the 31'

I know people who tow 34's of the vintage you are considering with a 1/2 ton truck, and do OK, but they don't go as often or as far as we have done. I just suggest you do some careful weight studies, and maybe even get an actual scale weight of the trailer before you make the decision.

We use a Reese SC hitch with good results. It's not as good of a hitch as a Hensley, or ProPride, but it costs a whole lot less, weighs a whole lot less, and we have never had an issue with sway.
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Old 01-08-2015, 10:53 AM   #9
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Have friends tow their 34 with a Jaguar car, several trips to Florida from Ontario and to the Maritime Provinces (Canada) and didn't have a problem with power to start or stop. The trailer brakes do most of the work (or, at least should) when stopping.
I, too, am in the market looking for a 34 . As was stated above, they are easier to move around but require more care getting into and out of service stations.
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Old 01-08-2015, 11:00 AM   #10
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Towing 34' Panamerica...

I have towed our unit for several trips to both coasts and through all sort of road conditions. CanAm RV consulted on setup AND did fine tuning when we visited their shop. Our 2009 Tundra V8 2x2 CrewCab handles the chore very well! We get 12/13 mpg @ 65/70 mph. Our hitch is using 1400 lb square bars and 2 friction sway bars. Also using brake controller to manage RV brakes with Tundra tow package. Flawless performance when towing and STOPPING!!
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Old 01-08-2015, 11:47 AM   #11
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34 Ft Ownership

Having owned three of these over the years I have good news. They are GREAT units.

Two had slide outs and the last one did not. We loved the floor plan of the slide out 34s. It worked better for us than any other Airstream. I would absolutely recommend a slide out unit if you can possibly find one. We never had any issues with the slides. In fact if they were available I would order another one today. We currently have a 31ft. 2014 Classic.

As for towing I have seen them towed with everything from a 1/2 ton to a 1 ton vehicle. For our use the 1 ton F-350 4x4 Diesel was the best choice. Anything less than a 3/4 ton would be on the edge safety wise in my opinion. As we tow the Rockies I prefer the diesel.

As for towing I would recommend replacing the factory tires and wheels with 15 inch E rated tires. You can read volumes regarding this topic. Some say yes some say no. If in doubt change them out. One blown tire can cost you thousands in damage plus the trip is over.
Replace the wheels and tires with 15 inch LT load rated E Michelins and be done with it.


As for creature comforts I have a few ideas. A second Air conditioner is a absolute must, period no exceptions. The trailer is just too big to cool with one AC. As I have already stated a slide is very desirable. With that floor plan some have a fireplace which we found very useful. It puts out just the correct amount of heat to take the chill off. Our last 34 had a factory option with the front couch removed with two recliners and a small table separating them installed. That was a very comfortable layout also.

Have the factory bathroom exhaust fan removed and install a reversing Fantastic Fan in its place. The factory exhaust fan is not adequate in my opinion. Moisture removal is critical in any RV.

Now for the Hitch. I have used a Reece and a limited production Blue Ox. I currently am using the Equalizer Brand. Never having towed a 34 with the Equalizer I offer no opinion. Towing my current 31 I find the Equalizer to work very well. Its exceptionally easy to hook up and unhook.

I am obviously a big fan of the 34. Good hunting !!
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Old 01-08-2015, 01:28 PM   #12
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I seen a 34 being towed by a Buick Enclave AWD last year it had Ontario registration couldn't believe what I was seeing they were traveling with another party with a motorhome .
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Old 01-08-2015, 02:00 PM   #13
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I thought you( mr H ) we're looking at getting a smaller tv....yep here you are..
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Old 01-08-2015, 02:52 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjdonahoe View Post
I thought you( mr H ) we're looking at getting a smaller tv....yep here you are..
BIG difference in considering and "looking at getting a smaller tv".

Then, even if I was "looking at getting a smaller tv", it would be a 1/2 ton truck, IF I could get the numbers to work out. So far I have not gotten that to happen. Fact is, my numbers don't work out absolutely correctly with my 3/4 ton.
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Old 01-08-2015, 03:31 PM   #15
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We looked at the last (#25 of 25) 2011 Classic 34 foot that was repossessed on a dealership lot in June of 2013. It was lovely except for the carpet at the door and in the bedroom. It needed some repairs that were not major.

Our 2012 Dodge Ram 2500HD with Cummins has a combination towing limit of 20,000 pounds and our truck crosses the scales around 10,000 pounds loaded for camping. (Front axle is rated 5,500 pounds and rear is rated 6,010 pounds for a total of 11,510 pounds of axle and tire capacity) There was no way we could safely load the 34 to it's capacity of 11,500 pounds GVW.

The drive train could easily pull the weight, but the issue is stopping if the trailer brakes had a failure.

We ordered our 2014 31' Classic model 30 and are very happy with it as just the wife and I are the inhabitants most of the time.
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Old 01-08-2015, 03:38 PM   #16
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34' = yes, you'll love it
F150-anything to tow it = bet you won't love it
F250+ = bet you'll love it

(That just about sums it up.....)
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Old 01-08-2015, 03:39 PM   #17
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Despite converse indications to the opposite thought......Size matters.
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Old 01-08-2015, 04:08 PM   #18
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Maybe some others can chime in here but I think there were some issues with the 34' Limited's built in the 90's with headliner glue failure. You might inspect your headliner carefully to see if it shows any evidence of bubbles or areas that aren't tightly secured to the overhead aluminum.

Jack
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Old 01-08-2015, 04:42 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcanavera View Post
Maybe some others can chime in here but I think there were some issues with the 34' Limited's built in the 90's with headliner glue failure. You might inspect your headliner carefully to see if it shows any evidence of bubbles or areas that aren't tightly secured to the overhead aluminum.

Jack
Of course I can't predict the future, but I think it's just a matter of time before all of the Classic's head liners start falling, because to my knowledge, they were all installed with the same glue.
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Old 01-08-2015, 06:06 PM   #20
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Our 1999 headliner is ok...so far. We don't rub it down with any force. Just a gentle touch. When it starts I may install strips to secure until I am wealthy enough to do a frame off. Oh, that will be when I cash in my chits at the Gate....cause that's where it's at for us...

BTW... Was this a ruse by the OP?
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