Facebook Airstream 34' Group...

[Paul Ouellette]

Group : Last year when we attended Alumapalooza, the wife & I had just brought home our (new to us..) Airstream 34 the prior week & we were...as you would expect...a bit intimidated due to having so much trailer to contend with for the first time.

Thankfully, our neighbour at the rally (a C34 owner & an admin here too..) took pity & shared a few bits of common sense & wisdom that are specific to the 34, & I'm still grateful to him for being so helpful.

Anyway, due to the specifics of the 34 (as big as it is..) I thought that it might be right for it to have a place of it's own...& so I decided to create it on Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/groups/206443579449380/

Of course, if telling everyone about this via the forum is wrong, I apologize (& the admins can just kill the thread) because I enjoy being a member here & don't want to break any of the rules.

Cheers, P.

[Landshark]

Paul, I would love to have this info but don't do Facebook. Could you please just post it here? We also have a 34', 1986, and love it but you are right: it is a monster and needs a different mindset than our shorties. I would really appreciate postings here. Thanks!

Vivian

[sandlapper]

Paul, you are right, the 34's are special. I don't do facebook either but would love to be a part of CLUB 34 , the Alumaliner. John

[m.hony]

Back in 2009 I tried to buy a 1988 Excella 3 axle 34. It was a really long trailer.

[elolson]

I like club 34. Like the TV you have described sandlapper. Us 34 folks know that it takes a bit more truck to make it enjoyable.

I do think we have a huge advantage on backing up. The nice long trailer is predictable and slow. Shorties jackknife fast.

[sandlapper]

They draw extra attention with that third axle. First question is always "how much does that thing weigh?". Most folks expect a gazillion tons, especially with a duallie hooked to the front. They become astounded when I tell them " about 8000 pounds traveling".

I agree also that they back beautifully. They do need a little more room to pull forward before backing up. And then of course all eyes are upon you as the crowd watches the beast slide in to it's berth.

[m.hony]

The guy i was wanting to buy the 34' Excella trailer from pulled it with a Lincoln Navigator. I figured my Toyota Tundra 381 horse 5.7 iForce with 10,400# tow capacity would pull it. The Tundra pulls my new 30' Classic very easily in all types of terrain and in all types of weather. I have always had concerns with backing a 3 axle trailer in a tight turn. Seems to me that some of the tires would stop and slide sideways in a tight turn, causing wear on the tires and strain on the bearings. They are really big and pretty and roomy, though.

[sandlapper]

Yep, the rear tires do scrub some on a tight turn but I've not noticed any ill effects.

I am a big proponent of wheel base length when it comes to towing. The longer the better . The gentleman we bought ours from was pulling with a 150 chevy p/u.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by m.hony

The guy i was wanting to buy the 34' Excella trailer from pulled it with a Lincoln Navigator. I figured my Toyota Tundra 381 horse 5.7 iForce with 10,400# tow capacity would pull it. The Tundra pulls my new 30' Classic very easily in all types of terrain and in all types of weather. I have always had concerns with backing a 3 axle trailer in a tight turn. Seems to me that some of the tires would stop and slide sideways in a tight turn, causing wear on the tires and strain on the bearings. They are really big and pretty and roomy, though.

Yep, we even noticed that on our dual axle unit.

[Paul Ouellette]

Although there are those that will say "ya can't"...we're veterans of the I-75 from Michigan to Florida & back...& that's through the Kentucky & Tennessee mountains...so "yes, you can" !!

[Sphere Guy]

Hey all 34'ers, We just got our 93, 3 weeks ago. Man is it long. Makes our 08 23 Safari look like a Bambi.

We had our FSIL tow it from Louisiana as I had work and was unsure my 2010 F150 Screw would do well on the Lake Charles bridge. He said it towed well but had the front center window shatter on a bump. Still haven't figured that out.

Anyway, the wife and I hitched up to the F150 to bring it to be weighed and inspected in order to have the registration and license plate switched to Texas. I was impressed with the 150 pulling it. Of course we didn't have and over passes, hills etc... and only pulled 30 miles or so, but still impressive.

The F150 didn't even struggle with the verified 7900 lbs, no water, no waste, no baggage or food but did have full propane. The specs say 7100 lbs. The 2 PO's had dual sofa's and laminate flooring. Still can't figure where the other 650 lbs or so is coming from. Just wondering how the F150 would do in the Hill Counrty.

Backing is easier than a tandem axle trailer and yes lining up is lengthier.

Right now it will be set up for transitioning houseing, so the 6 x 2006 tires will suffice for a while yet.

I do have some ruse in the tail section on the outriggers, in the water/sewer and elec closets and some under the tanks and belly. Have to delve into that more and get some reapirs made. Also the head liner was "covered up" with 12" plastic tiles screwed every 6 inches. That's going to stay for now as well.

Otherwise, the wife likes the layout, Rear twins, street side dinette, and the 4th window added by the original owner on the street side. She also loves the 3 door large wardrobe.

BTW, We have plywood and not OSB.

Thinking about upgrading to a full range, we just have a stove top and the Convection Microwave.

Any tips for my hauling or repairs is welcomed. I've already discussed with Hihoagrv about the adding a 2nd rear AC. Here in Texas, we will surely need it.

Sphere Guy

[sandlapper]

Sid, congrats on the 34. Ours is a '93 also. Wouldn't trade it for 2 new ones..Well, maybe.

We have the rear queen, street side dinette, all awnings. Love that thing.

Gotta ask: did your pole holder make the trip over to the 34??

John

[sandlapper]

Originally Posted by Paul Ouellette

Although there are those that will say "ya can't"...we're veterans of the I-75 from Michigan to Florida & back...& that's through the Kentucky & Tennessee mountains...so "yes, you can" !!

Well Paul, seeing is believing!!!

[Aage]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Back in 2009 I tried to buy a 1988 Excella 3 axle 34. It was a really long trailer.

They still are, even today!

But many say that they are the easiest to tow and that they handle like a dream on the road.

Have a look at the little video of a 34-footer being towed by a Chrysler 300 on the front page of Can-Am RV's website:

Can-Am RV Centre | #1 in Customer Satisfaction Worldwide | Your Full-Service RV Dealer

[Sphere Guy]

No John, it looks too good to take it off of the 23'er. I'll just have to purchase another one for the 34'er. Since it's sooooo long, only a 5 pole will look appropriate. LOL

[m.hony]

Maybe someday we will trade for a 34 for the extra room. Apparently they are very limited production now, maybe 25 per year. They are so expensive a used one may be the only way to go. There are some beautiful used ones on the internet. I wouldn't think that it would be any harder on my truck than the 30' Classic.

[Landshark]

Say it ain't so, Sam! We have only a 3-pole holder on our 34'er! Do we have to buy a 5-er now?!

Vivian

[c_lewis77]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Back in 2009 I tried to buy a 1988 Excella 3 axle 34. It was a really long trailer.

Long indeed! I am at about 56' hooked up. we have had a great time with our 34'. A great floor plan for camping with the little ones!

[AtomicNo13]

Nope, no longer in production; not since 2011. Some say never again....

[Sphere Guy]

c lewis77, Love the shine. I have something to look forward to. The PO removed the clear coat from the curb side and front and stuck on a new blue strip. Still have to get the street side and rear clear coat & stripe removed.

Atomic, Yea, no longer making the 34'ers. What a shame!