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11-19-2014, 12:38 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Waitsfield
, Vermont
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 35
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Bad sway problems towing 23' front bed
We have friends who are very discouraged with towing their 2014 23" Serenity—so much so they want to ditch airstream altogether.  When they're passing or being passed by large trucks at highway speed, they have experienced a terrifying sway problem. They are very experienced at towing Airstreams... owned a 20 footer that they traded for the 23 and traveled a lot with that with no problems. They took a long trip out west last summer.
I'm hoping someone can tell me if this is a known issue with front bed units. They've been told to try to increase their tongue weight, and have put as much as they could under the bed, etc., but with no improvement. They are camping buddies...we don't want to lose them!!!!
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11-19-2014, 12:40 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2009 23' FB Flying Cloud
Canmore
, Alberta
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,762
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Mary, what type of hitch do they have, and what is their tow vehicle?
We have a 2009 23 FC FB, and have never had any difficulties with sway at all. A very easy towing trailer, IMO.
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11-19-2014, 12:46 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2009 27' FB Flying Cloud
1982 31' International
1991 35' Airstream 350
Jay
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,706
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We have a front bed trailer with no issues.
Please provide more info about tow vehicle, hitch, etc.
Simply blaming the FB design and/or thinking trailer is the problem is somewhat short sighted, in my opinion.
Best Regards,
JD
__________________
Jeff & Cindy
'09 27FB Flying Cloud;'82 31 International
'91 350 LE MH; '21 Interstate 24GT
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11-19-2014, 01:06 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2002 31' Classic
Currently Looking...
Monroe
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 649
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A common problem with FB trailers is they are light in the front, and people tend to load up the living area behind the wheels.
Weight and balance is as important in a trailor as it is in an airplane. Make sure at least 10% of the trailer's weight is on the ball.
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11-19-2014, 01:16 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2009 23' FB Flying Cloud
Canmore
, Alberta
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,762
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Quote:
Originally Posted by terryV
A common problem with FB trailers is they are light in the front, and people tend to load up the living area behind the wheels.
Weight and balance is as important in a trailor as it is in an airplane. Make sure at least 10% of the trailer's weight is on the ball.
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The design of the 23FB makes it nearly impossible to load too heavily behind the axles. The vast majority of the storage is forward.
This makes me think that there is another problem here.
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11-19-2014, 01:30 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Sure sounds like s need for sway control like a ProPride or Hensley.
My 22 had serious issues towing straight until I got a properly set up ProPride. Now I'm happy.
Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it. 
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11-19-2014, 01:38 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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We really need to know what truck and hitch they were using that worked so well with the 20', and are they using the same truck and hitch now with the 23'?
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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11-19-2014, 01:47 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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I notice in the AS specs the 23fb has the lightest hitch weight of all the models, except the Sport models. Its 200 lbs lighter than the 20.
Not all FBs are light on the hitch. My 2008 Classic 25fb is about 1100lbs.
Kelvin
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11-19-2014, 02:22 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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As noted we need to know what hitch they are using, if the trailer is riding level, what the unhitched tongue weight is, what the TV is, how the TV sits when hitched (excessive rise to the front end).
It is not and issue with the model trailer he is towing it is an issue with how it is hitched. Who set up the hitch?
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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11-19-2014, 02:25 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2009 23' FB Flying Cloud
Canmore
, Alberta
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,762
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HowieE
As noted we need to know what hitch they are using, if the trailer is riding level, what the unhitched tongue weight is, what the TV is, how the TV sits when hitched (excessive rise to the front end).
It is not and issue with the model trailer he is towing it is an issue with how it is hitched. Who set up the hitch?
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Yes, my guess is the WD is not set up properly leading to too much weight on the rear of the TV. I do hope Mary comes back.
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11-19-2014, 02:28 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Sneedville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,753
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What happens when YOU tow it with your TV?
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11-19-2014, 02:28 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2009 23' FB Flying Cloud
Canmore
, Alberta
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,762
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJRitchie
I notice in the AS specs the 23fb has the lightest hitch weight of all the models, except the Sport models. Its 200 lbs lighter than the 20.
Not all FBs are light on the hitch. My 2008 Classic 25fb is about 1100lbs.
Kelvin
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Kelvin, the data I have for dry hitch weight:
23FB: 500 lbs
Classic 25FB: 780 lbs
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11-19-2014, 03:01 PM
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#13
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
We really need to know what truck and hitch they were using that worked so well with the 20', and are they using the same truck and hitch now with the 23'?
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This /\.
The thread really cannot move forward without more details. Otherwise we're all just shooting blind.
To many variables at play.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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11-19-2014, 05:24 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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Please explain meaning of "This /\". I have not seen this before...
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11-19-2014, 05:56 PM
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#15
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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It's an ARROW /\ pointing up to the quote above the arrow, and meaning, strong agreement and emphasis.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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11-19-2014, 05:57 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Too much weight behind the axles can not be fixed with extra weight in the nose.
I know, I went to extremes trying. Take everything from the back and move it forward, travel with the waste tanks empty, and if this still doesn't work get a Hensley designed hitch.
OR just buy the hitch from the get go and never mind the other fixes. 
1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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11-19-2014, 06:02 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Amen...
Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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11-19-2014, 07:25 PM
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#18
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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: 13,159
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We have had 3 FB Airstreams, one 23 and two 25's, and towed them a total of 150,000 miles. The sway that your friends are experiencing has absolutely nothing to do with the trailer being an FB. It must be a hitch/tow vehicle issue.
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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11-19-2014, 07:26 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Agree with Brian ...
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
 
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11-19-2014, 10:22 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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No reply.. do you want to help fix the problem??? c'mon, work with us here....
If they don't want to fix the problem, I will start the bid at $100 to buy the AS from them.
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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