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Alden Miller · 08-16-2005, 02:58 PM

How is the length of an Airstream measured? Is it from bumper to ball? Is it the body of the trailer?

I have what I believe is a 31' Excella Limited. When I read my VIN to InlandRV they seemed to think it was a 26' trailer.

If I walk off the length of the body I get somewhere around 26'. If I include the bumper and A frame I get 31'. When I look at layouts in the Airstream book it looks like a 31'.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks! -Alden

TomW · 08-16-2005, 03:02 PM

Mine (1967) was measured from bumper to tip of hitch.

Tom

dwightdi · 08-16-2005, 04:28 PM

You measure the total length from front of ball to back of bumper. A 31 footer is actually about 31 foot 9 inches. The size is always rounded down because some places have retrictions on maxium lenght. The rounding can be a problem if you do not own the trailer yet but start building a garage for it. I know one guy who ended up buying an Award because the Airstream did not fit in the garage he design for a 30 footer. Actually, I think the Award was cheaper.

**Janet H** · 08-16-2005, 06:00 PM

Here is a link to Airstreams FAQ site - and a PDF to help you decode your VIN - 1980 and later.

Alden Miller · 08-17-2005, 05:50 AM

Thanks, sounds like it is physically a 31' trailer. I printed out the VIN decoder, will check what that says when I get home.

-Alden

Over59 · 08-17-2005, 07:21 AM

VIN plates have been know to travel between trailers. Don't be too surprised if they don't match.

Alden Miller · 08-18-2005, 06:10 AM

Thanks for the VIN decrypter. According to my VIN I have the trailer I thought I had... I guess someone at Inland got confused with the 26 that is in the VIN. The 2 is the number of axles and the 6 is a check digit. I had an R in the length position (31') so I am less confused now.

-Alden