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richinny · 07-25-2011, 06:42 PM

a series of events left me in the market for a new trailer. as chance would have it, a close duplicate was available.

i haven't gone anywhere with it yet so i can't answer much in that area.

the window treatments and the bi-fold door between the pantry and bath were below my expectations. i'm concerned about the vinyl flooring trapping moisture but time will tell about that.

i love the decor of the interior and the galley is flipped from the 34 i had which also was a big plus.

i'll be reading operating manuals for the electronics for a few years, lol.

the staff at colonial have all been excellent and all i have left to do is the overnight pre-flight checklist :-)

it is going to be a loooong summer until it hits the road.

smhx4 · 07-26-2011, 06:03 PM

Wow I bet it's a beauty! Congrats.

richinny · 07-26-2011, 06:23 PM

thank you. since i spend the winter in it, the 34 seemed the best choice for me. i'm still shopping for a truck.

overlander63 · 07-26-2011, 07:07 PM

Congratulations. We love pictures...

richinny · 07-26-2011, 09:13 PM

since it is in storage you'll have to wait for 'in use' pics but colonial airstream does a great job with the pics. airstream are very photogenic! they sold at least 4 of the 34's.

Colonial Airstream NJ - 2011 Airstream Classic Limited 34' Lounge

Colonial Airstream NJ - 2011 Airstream Classic Limited 34' Lounge

Colonial Airstream NJ - 2011 Airstream Classic Limited 34' Sofa

Colonial Airstream NJ - 2011 Airstream Classic Limited 34' Sofa

Jim & Susan · 07-26-2011, 09:25 PM

Oh my Dear Lord, that thing is beautiful! I really love the hickory woodwork. If you ever make to Atlanta, we've got to see that thing in person. Congrats!!!!!!!

Jim

smhx4 · 07-26-2011, 09:40 PM

Wow. What a beautiful trailer. Which layout did you get?

richinny · 07-26-2011, 09:42 PM

maybe i can meet you on the way south! i haven't set any definite route or date yet.

the 94 was beautiful but a tad gloomy. this one is very bright.

Airslide · 07-26-2011, 09:47 PM

What a beauty.. I just love it. What are you going to tow her with? Something beefy I would suspect?

richinny · 07-26-2011, 09:59 PM

i have an issue with my garage being 221". i really don't want to park the truck outside. i'd like to have seating for four. so i think i'll have to move ;-)

i have a soft spot for dodge, chevy and ford in that order. as it stands now, the f150 with ecoboost is looking like the best candidate.

the can-am rigs look interesting but i'm too worried about all that mass getting loose in that 'worst scenario' situation.

Jim & Susan · 07-26-2011, 10:18 PM

Sounds like it's time for a new house.

The last thing I want to do is get another truck war started, but......

Keep in mind that I'm a Ford guy. Susan has a distant relative that is a Canuk called Bertrand. They spend winters down here (Snowbirds). For several years they owned a Dodge 3500 Cummins diesel. THAT was a great truck. Would you believe that I could easily walk between the front and back seats in that truck?

And I'm 6 feet tall. Bert said he could travel out west in the Rockies and it was like there was no camper attached. They own a 40' Titanium 5th wheel. All joking aside, you can't go wrong with any of the trucks by the Big 3. You're probably going to need a 3/4 ton tho.

Let us know what you decide.

Jim

richinny · 07-26-2011, 10:42 PM

if i don't pack the cast iron tub i should be ok.

yes, there always were sweet years for mopar. i'm not sure where they are now. it's more of a comfort think with brands i guess. since i won't be working on it the brand is less important now. we have a member towing a 34 with a 5.4? gasser. i can go with the 4.10 rear. i guess it depends on where you go.

slowmover · 07-27-2011, 05:25 AM

the Can Am RV rigs look interesting but i'm too worried about all that mass getting loose in that 'worst scenario' situation.

The whole point of an in-depth analysis of the TV is to avert that scenario. A big pickup truck has it's limits, and is the likely source of an accident, so to speak, as the TT can handle more speed than the TV in emergency lane-change manuevers. The TV has become the weak link.

A DRW pickup -- crewcab and brand-new -- is a distinctly different animal than just a few years ago. Nicely resistant to sideways movement (except in rain and on snow) when empty, and loaded is pretty decent to drive. I spent a few months playing "haul ass" (legally) in oil field hotshot work in DRW Dodges (nothing else holds up) and they were a pleasure to drive. For the current porky A/S 34's it looks like a good choice for a full-timer. I'd want a service body (or similar) to take full advantage (extra fuel, onboard generator, etc).

On the other hand, my older 3/4T Dodge 2WD with IFS and rack & pinion steering is VERY hard to beat for getting the most "roadability" from a pickup TV. I wouldn't give it up (nor it's fuel mileage).

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richinny · 07-27-2011, 06:19 AM

rednax, thanks for the info. and from reading your posts in the forum i highly value your input.

my anticipated use is likely in populated areas and not much in the touring department. (i could easily talk myself into a second 'touring' trailer, lol) running with a dually is nice but having lived in sardine packed areas all my life i'd need to keep a bike in my truck to get back to the truck after i parked it. my annual mileage does not warrant a diesel and while they are much improved, my nose doesn't deal well with diesel and leather. i'm also trying to reduce the number of vehicles i have and make the truck a daily driver. i have no illusion of finding a perfect vehicle to fit all my odd needs but i'm trying!

this trailer has a much higher capacity but empty weight is similar and the tongue is much less, possibly due to the rear air unit.(around 800# unverified)
11,500# GVWR • 11,400# Axle System • 7858# UBW • 3642# NCC

techiej · 07-27-2011, 07:33 AM

When we picked our 34 we then went truck shopping. One of our limitations was our garage as well...although handling, features & comfort of the TV was more critical.

We also decided to go with a diesel with exhaust brake as most of our driving is in mountain areas.

As you can see from our sig we ended up with a GMC Sierra 2500HD which has been great. Handles like a dream and the integrated trailer braking, anti-sway control (adjusts wheel speeds as well as can apply trailer brakes automatically) we have now towed about 4,000 mi through the mountains rain & shine without a hitch.

The hitch capacity, load capacity, performance is great. We went with the extended cab, standard box, SRW in order to just squeak it into the garage. Also got the camper mirrors. Only complaint is that to get into the garage we have to fold them in (manually).

Only time that we ever felt any sway whatsoever was when the exhaust brake kicked in on a downhill curve.

jdalrymple · 07-27-2011, 08:49 AM

Very nice trailer. It would be hard not to enjoy a trip in those diggs.

Happy Travels!

AirHog · 07-27-2011, 09:00 AM

Congrats and welcome to the 34ft club. We have a 2005 Classic 34 and just love it. Actually, it handles (HA setup) better than our 25' and I find it easier to park and reverse. Just watch the turns as the curbs tends to creep up on you. We noticed no difference in over all MPG in towing a 34 or 25 footer. Just came back from a 700 mile trip.

Best of luck and happy trails.

T.

TomR · 07-27-2011, 10:32 AM

Beautiful AS!

First I have seen of the rear "lounge" set up.

Has AS 34' come with the rear lounge with the corner couches like you got in earlier years? Seems like it would be a very comfortable sitting design...and I do not think the large fold out table would be missed too much? You still get a smaller fold out from the door side.

I wonder what % of the 25 2011 34' units had the front lounge like this?

Thanks...Tom R

overlander63 · 07-27-2011, 10:51 AM

Ricky, did you get your owners bag with all the manuals and books? I'm curious if you got a copy of the Newbies Guide.
If you did, on page two you may find some of the authors to be familiar.

slowmover · 07-27-2011, 11:58 AM

i'm also trying to reduce the number of vehicles i have and make the truck a daily driver.

Short trips .. the need for a daily driver/TV .. well-matched TT/TV. Sounds like disc brakes, PP hitch and Can Am to me. You're practically around the corner from them (compared to me; the distance is not unfairly mine to Dallas from current home; a one-day drive). That's where I'd concentrate my reading of online articles and the rest.

Search Road Ruler posts for links, etc.

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