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Old 10-03-2011, 11:57 AM   #1
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lander , Wyoming
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Towing a 34' triple axle airstream

Hello; i just acquired a 1977...34'.....triple axle airstream which was delivered to my home. Question: I have a 1991....4x4 ford van with a 351 engine..........will this be adequate to tow the trailer safely from point a to point b (1200 miles)? I do not plan to tow the trailer on vacations etc., just tow it to a warmer climate in the winter and leave it there. It is possible that i will only tow the trailer once.......and worst case would be towing it once every few years! Thanks
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Old 10-03-2011, 12:07 PM   #2
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If it IS a '77 then it's a conversion 34'. I've seen photos of 1 triple that was an extended 2 axle. The production 34's started in the early 80's. If your's is a custome build it will be hard to make broad statements because we don't really know the weights and details.

Towing...it's gonna need a higher ratio (low geared) rear end in the van. Ya' know what ratio you have?
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Old 10-03-2011, 12:36 PM   #3
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I believe the first year of the 34' production models was 1982.
You will find many opinions on tow vehicle setups here. I would look at mfg ratings, gear setup, and wd hitch numbers to help make that decision.
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Old 10-03-2011, 12:40 PM   #4
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34' towing

Yes, it is a conversion trailer.....the front end was wrecked. All the pieces and parts used in the extension were purchased from airstream and it is a very good job......not a hatchet piece by any means. I do believe my van is geared 3:51. I do not care about getting anywhere fast......just safely. Thanks for your reply!
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Old 10-03-2011, 12:43 PM   #5
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Do you have any pictures?
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Old 10-03-2011, 01:01 PM   #6
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A Taurus SHO

I know you guys will think this is nuts, but last weekend while I was at my dealer, CanAm in London, ON; Andy let me drive one of their setups, a Taurus SHO with the 3.5l Ecoboost (similar but not the same as used in the F150) pulling a 34' tri-axle.

I would only recommend that before commenting ; realize one thing, I drove it; and you didn't.

You wouldn't believe how awesome the combo was. I have no words to fully explain how great it felt. BTW, he used a Hensley connected to one of their custom reinforced receivers.

I should have taken pics!!
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Old 10-03-2011, 01:01 PM   #7
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Hope this comes through!

1977 airstream.
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Old 10-03-2011, 05:27 PM   #8
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34 ?

Are you sure that's only 34' ? It looks longer than that.
Neat trailer,
more pics please.
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Old 10-03-2011, 05:49 PM   #9
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Complete maint ck on the van, focus on brakes,trans and cooling systems.
Make sure you have an adequate WD hitch with working sway control.

Same on the AS, brakes, tires, working break-a-way switch, wheel bearings, lights and 7-way.

Drive careful and enjoy your new STREAM!!

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Old 10-03-2011, 06:05 PM   #10
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Here is a top 10 thread for you, specially since you have a non-standard situation...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...-in-17984.html

Tongue weight is the big question
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Old 10-03-2011, 06:31 PM   #11
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I blew up the picture and printed it off so I could compare measurements with my own 88 34.' I used the distance from the back of the back tire to the front of the front tire to establish a known length and worked out the rest.

Mine Floidoip
tires 7'8" 7'8"
rear overhang 10'0" 8'8"
front overhang 17'2" 20'0"
total length 34'10" 36'4"

If this thing is for real, that tongue weight has got to be very high. Mine is 700# and the distance from the wheels to the front of the tongue on Floidoip's is nearly 3 feet longer. Whew.

I would love to see more pictures.
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Old 10-03-2011, 07:00 PM   #12
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That is a LOT of Aluminum !!!!
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Old 10-03-2011, 07:19 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rawn77 View Post
I know you guys will think this is nuts, but last weekend while I was at my dealer, CanAm in London, ON; Andy let me drive one of their setups, a Taurus SHO with the 3.5l Ecoboost (similar but not the same as used in the F150) pulling a 34' tri-axle.

I would only recommend that before commenting ; realize one thing, I drove it; and you didn't.

You wouldn't believe how awesome the combo was. I have no words to fully explain how great it felt. BTW, he used a Hensley connected to one of their custom reinforced receivers.

I should have taken pics!!
We've seen one of Andy's jobs in Ajo, Arizona, a 34 footer towed by a little dweeb ( no offense) suv. Client was overjoyed!
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Old 10-03-2011, 08:17 PM   #14
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Our Classic 34... - Photo Gallery
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Old 10-03-2011, 09:10 PM   #15
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Wow thats cool. Just when you think you've seen everything someone comes up with another 1000 hour job. Love it.

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Old 02-17-2013, 02:43 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cantrell View Post
I blew up the picture and printed it off so I could compare measurements with my own 88 34.' I used the distance from the back of the back tire to the front of the front tire to establish a known length and worked out the rest.

Mine Floidoip
tires 7'8" 7'8"
rear overhang 10'0" 8'8"
front overhang 17'2" 20'0"
total length 34'10" 36'4"

If this thing is for real, that tongue weight has got to be very high. Mine is 700# and the distance from the wheels to the front of the tongue on Floidoip's is nearly 3 feet longer. Whew.

I would love to see more pictures.
Hello .... I am after the rear overhang, measured from the centre of the middle axle to the end of the bumper bar of a 34 ft .... would you be able to measure it for me? Thanks. Erik
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Old 02-17-2013, 04:13 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by floidoip View Post
I do believe my van is geared 3:51. I do not care about getting anywhere fast......just safely. Thanks for your reply!
I wouldn't try with that gear ratio, you'll cook your transmission. If you can have it changed to a 4.10:1 or so. Even with these gears you will not be going fast up the hills. I would also add an additional transmission cooler and maybe an engine oil cooler. Also, I would install a transmission temperature gauge so you will know what is going on. Then you should be fine.

I just noticed your van is a 4X4. That makes changing the gear ratio more difficult. Still, I think you will have an overloaded Van with the 3.51 gears.
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Old 02-22-2013, 10:32 AM   #18
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wow awsome airstream thats a ton of aluminum you have there! I agree with the rest the 3.50 gears are going to make it a very tough haul. It wont be a spped demon and wil be very slow going up hills but it will probably pull it. Safely? well thats a judgement call, I wouldnt be comfortable with that set up.
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Old 12-22-2019, 06:54 PM   #19
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1977 airstream.
Floidoip, do you still have this one?
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Old 12-22-2019, 07:52 PM   #20
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A one time deal to get it home? There are services out there that will bid to drag it home for you. Before I spent any $$$ on that van I'd just hire it done. 1200 miles shouldn't cost you much, a few hundred maybe. Along the way you can have the service get it weighed, then you will know what you need long term to haul it.
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