450+286+300+160= better ask

[Isuzusweet]

Hi all:

Merry Xmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year....unless of course you're American and heading for the fisical abyss.....don't worry, be happy as I'm sure they will find a way to let your grand children pay for it, way, way down the road. It will be just fine unless the US government decides to expropriate your Airstream to be melted down to make coins....

Anyhoo back to the thread.

My wife decided to unload a bomb shell on our way back from Xmas with the Outlaws. She decided it would be better if she had a scooter, and that way we could travel to sights and adventures without having to break camp and take the Scud missile as she calls her. She would double our youngest and I would double my eldest on my KLR 650/705.
This however poised a problem.....How to mount two motorbikes and four bicycles on the back of the Mistress. I did find a solution........

850D Double Scooter Carrier

but I'm still concerned with weight. My KLR is almost 470 lbs with all the mods I have done to it, the scooter a Honda PCX 150 is 286 lbs wet and the rig itself is 300 lbs, not forgetting the bicycle rack and four bikes at 160 lbs, for a total of 1200+ lbs. Now the rig I will be mounting on a three point hitch system so I will have to re do the Airstream hitch but how will my 310 handle another 1200+ lbs beyond the rear bumper?

Just remember I do have the diesel, so the front end is already 400 lbs heavier than a 7.4L rig.

All the best
Tony

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Hi all:

Merry Xmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year....unless of course you're American and heading for the fisical abyss.....don't worry, be happy as I'm sure they will find a way to let your grand children pay for it, way, way down the road. It will be just fine unless the US government decides to expropriate your Airstream to be melted down to make coins....

Anyhoo back to the thread.

My wife decided to unload a bomb shell on our way back from Xmas with the Outlaws. She decided it would be better if she had a scooter, and that way we could travel to sights and adventures without having to break camp and take the Scud missile as she calls her. She would double our youngest and I would double my eldest on my KLR 650/705.
This however poised a problem.....How to mount two motorbikes and four bicycles on the back of the Mistress. I did find a solution........

850D Double Scooter Carrier

but I'm still concerned with weight. My KLR is almost 470 lbs with all the mods I have done to it, the scooter a Honda PCX 150 is 286 lbs wet and the rig itself is 300 lbs, not forgetting the bicycle rack and four bikes at 160 lbs, for a total of 1200+ lbs. Now the rig I will be mounting on a three point hitch system so I will have to re do the Airstream hitch but how will my 310 handle another 1200+ lbs beyond the rear bumper?

Just remember I do have the diesel, so the front end is already 400 lbs heavier than a 7.4L rig.

All the best
Tony

It will make the steering a lot easier.

That is a bunch of weight along ways behind the rear axle. The air bags will pump up to keep things level but I don't think it would be a good idea. I'd guess you would overload the rear axle and tires while loosing traction on the front. I would look for a small trailer.

[Isuzusweet]

Thanks Dan.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too. I was just loath to get a trailer as it creates a whole new set of problems and adds even more weight to pull up a mountain. I could put the scooter on the front but that now means purchasing another bike hauler which added to the rear one would be the cost and weight of a very nice trailer. AAARRRGGHHH, one solution creates so many more problems.

The other choice is to carry it inside as our dinette set was pulled out by a PO but the two of us wrestling a 286 lb bike into the Airstream would be problematic.

Cheers Tony

[bkahler]

Ditto what Dan said about a small trailer. Our 310 pulls a 14' flatbed with race car and handles the grades just fine.

Brad

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Thanks Dan.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too. I was just loath to get a trailer as it creates a whole new set of problems and adds even more weight to pull up a mountain. I could put the scooter on the front but that now means purchasing another bike hauler which added to the rear one would be the cost and weight of a very nice trailer. AAARRRGGHHH, one solution creates so many more problems.

The other choice is to carry it inside as our dinette set was pulled out by a PO but the two of us wrestling a 286 lb bike into the Airstream would be problematic.

Cheers Tony

Tony pulling a trailer isn't really that bad. When I tow my smart it adds about 1700lbs. When you consider the amount of time you spend going from point A to point B and the amount of that time that is on a steep enough grade, the few miles per hour you might lose is really a very small amount of time in the grand scheme of things.

There is another thread talking about the fuel savings by slowing down a few miles per hour. The benefits seem to far out weigh the time loss. If you consider the happiness gain of having your scooters/toys along to play it probably far out weighs to few minutes extra it took to get to your destination.

The trailer does add some hassle getting set up and breaking down your camp site but so does loading bikes on lifts. The biggest problem is storage both at the camp site and at home.

I've spent a few years in the trucking industry and have seen the damage and costs that go with abusing your vehicle so I may be a little biased on the side of protecting my ride. Lets face it, if you break your coach on the way to the campground, you kind of blow the whole trip.

My advice, get a small, light weight trailer and smile and wave at the guy passing you on the hill.

[Mike Leary]

I agree with the trailer idea, I've seen too many coaches sagging under the weight of a hitch-mount. We carry enough weight on our "bread truck" chassis, as it is.

[Isuzusweet]

Yes you all are right. I'm on the look out for a nice almost new Honda PCX 150 and an all aluminum 5x10 or 6 x 10 trailer.

About the speed thing.......When driving back from Detroit the coach felt comfortable at 52 mph @ 2200- 2250rpms. If I took it to 55 @ 2450 rpms it was okay, but starting to strain; 60 mph @ 3000 rpms was really pushing it. To go another 8 mph for 700+ rpms didn't make sense so I told the boss that I will be taking a trip and I don't know when I will be back, as I haven't driven that slow on the highway for years,LOL. Lets face it, this coach was built in the 55 mph era so pushing it doesn't make financial sense.

Dan you're right, arrive in one piece or pay the price for speed in extra fuel and expensive broken bits.

That presents a problem now as states (Texas) have increased their highway speeds to 85 mph! Correspondingly the minimum speed is now 65 or 70 mph. Is the Airstream now relegated to the back roads of America?

Cheers Tony

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Yes you all are right. I'm on the look out for a nice almost new Honda PCX 150 and an all aluminum 5x10 or 6 x 10 trailer.

About the speed thing.......When driving back from Detroit the coach felt comfortable at 52 mph @ 2200- 2250rpms. If I took it to 55 @ 2450 rpms it was okay, but starting to strain; 60 mph @ 3000 rpms was really pushing it. To go another 8 mph for 700+ rpms didn't make sense so I told the boss that I will be taking a trip and I don't know when I will be back, as I haven't driven that slow on the highway for years,LOL. Lets face it, this coach was built in the 55 mph era so pushing it doesn't make financial sense.

Dan you're right, arrive in one piece or pay the price for speed in extra fuel and expensive broken bits.

That presents a problem now as states (Texas) have increased their highway speeds to 85 mph! Correspondingly the minimum speed is now 65 or 70 mph. Is the Airstream now relegated to the back roads of America?

Cheers Tony

Tony your little Isuzu will run quite happily at 3,000 rpm, if you can stand to listen to it. Adding a Gearvendors overdrive really does make a big difference in ride comfort. Cruising along at 2400 rpm doing 63 to 64 mph makes the coach really nice. When I got my coach I couldn't believe that Airstream or anybody else would sell a premium coach that was restricted to those speeds. At the same time PO's had been driving the coach that way for 25 years so I guess it must have been acceptable. For me a Gearvendors was real high on the upgrade list.

I haven't been through Texas with the new speed limits but I have never seen a minimum speed limit higher than 45 mph. I personally look for the secondary highways because I like to tour and see the countryside. I am retired so that makes a difference.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Tony your little Isuzu will run quite happily at 3,000 rpm, if you can stand to listen to it. Adding a Gearvendors overdrive really does make a big difference in ride comfort. Cruising along at 2400 rpm doing 63 to 64 mph makes the coach really nice. When I got my coach I couldn't believe that Airstream or anybody else would sell a premium coach that was restricted to those speeds. At the same time PO's had been driving the coach that way for 25 years so I guess it must have been acceptable. For me a Gearvendors was real high on the upgrade list.

I haven't been through Texas with the new speed limits but I have never seen a minimum speed limit higher than 45 mph. I personally look for the secondary highways because I like to tour and see the countryside. I am retired so that makes a difference.

HMMMM 2400 @63-64 mph??? I have a US Gear over-under and the rpms I indicated for my coach are in the high range. I was actually thinking of swapping a rear gear set to get a lower rpm but was told on this site to not mess with it.

I would find it very scary to have a speed varience 45-85+ of 40 mph on a major interstate. Heck my 52 mph on our 60 mph highways was worrisome to my wife who sat behind me all the way with her 4 ways on. Most people drive at 75 on our 400 series highways. Yes the back roads it will be or interstate early in the morning with hazards on (wife will insist), LOL.

Cheers Tony

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

HMMMM 2400 @63-64 mph??? I have a US Gear over-under and the rpms I indicated for my coach are in the high range. I was actually thinking of swapping a rear gear set to get a lower rpm but was told on this site to not mess with it.

I would find it very scary to have a speed varience 45-85+ of 40 mph on a major interstate. Heck my 52 mph on our 60 mph highways was worrisome to my wife who sat behind me all the way with her 4 ways on. Most people drive at 75 on our 400 series highways. Yes the back roads it will be or interstate early in the morning with hazards on (wife will insist), LOL.

Cheers Tony

Tony what rear end ratio do you have? I have 4:56 in mine. I don't know what The U.S. Gear outfit runs but that is what I get with my GV.

Speed varience isn't as bad as places in Calif. Many 2 lane back roads have a 65 mph limit but if you tow a trailer you are limited to 55 mph and no place to pull over to let people pass. Makes for lots of unhappy followers.

[overlander63]

You can either have people upset following you, or your camping neighbors wondering what kind of campground hell you live in with all that stuff strapped to your motorhome. I think I would use a trailer. You get better mileage at 55 anyway.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Tony what rear end ratio do you have? I have 4:56 in mine. I don't know what The U.S. Gear outfit runs but that is what I get with my GV.

Speed varience isn't as bad as places in Calif. Many 2 lane back roads have a 65 mph limit but if you tow a trailer you are limited to 55 mph and no place to pull over to let people pass. Makes for lots of unhappy followers.

Dan

I do have the stock Dana 80 not a 70 however I will have to have the coach lifted and the ratio checked as I'm not sure where to find the ratio specs. The Airstream manual states a 11.3 ring gear but doesn't state ratio as that's dependent on the pinion gear.

Cheers Tony

Happy New Year mate, and to you all.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Dan

I do have the stock Dana 80 not a 70 however I will have to have the coach lifted and the ratio checked as I'm not sure where to find the ratio specs. The Airstream manual states a 11.3 ring gear but doesn't state ratio as that's dependent on the pinion gear.

Cheers Tony

Happy New Year mate, and to you all.

Has your rear end been changed? Do you have rear disc brakes? Here is a link indicating that the Dana 80 was first used by Ford in 1988. Dana 80 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I was under the impression that all these coaches used a Dana 70 HD. You have my curiosity up now.

If you are lucky the original tag is still on the axle. Look on the differential cover and under one of the cover bolts should be a soft metal tag about the size of a quarter. It will have the ratio info stamped on it.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Has your rear end been changed? Do you have rear disc brakes? Here is a link indicating that the Dana 80 was first used by Ford in 1988. Dana 80 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I was under the impression that all these coaches used a Dana 70 HD. You have my curiosity up now.

If you are lucky the original tag is still on the axle. Look on the differential cover and under one of the cover bolts should be a soft metal tag about the size of a quarter. It will have the ratio info stamped on it.

Dan

When I took the coach in for the safety I had the guys confirm the engine number, type of transmission and the rear end when they did the fluid replacement for the rear end and US Gear unit. I do have the rear discs and was told a Dana 80 rear end. With only 73,000 miles on it I can't see the rear end being replaced. The Dana axles are pretty bulletproof.
I was going to crawl underneath the other day but it has snowed, so will wait until a warmer day with a tarp. I will let you know, quarter size tag, got it.

Cheers
Tony

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Dan

When I took the coach in for the safety I had the guys confirm the engine number, type of transmission and the rear end when they did the fluid replacement for the rear end and US Gear unit. I do have the rear discs and was told a Dana 80 rear end. With only 73,000 miles on it I can't see the rear end being replaced. The Dana axles are pretty bulletproof.
I was going to crawl underneath the other day but it has snowed, so will wait until a warmer day with a tarp. I will let you know, quarter size tag, got it.

Cheers
Tony

Snow, I thought you Canadians were tough. I Think your guys might have misled you. Like I said I don't think the Dana 80 was built until 87 or 88. I think they both look the same. They both have 4" O.D. axle tubes but the 80 has thicker wall thickness on the tubes. It is supposed to be stamped on the tubes but I have never found it under the dirt. It will be interesting what you find.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Snow, I thought you Canadians were tough. I Think your guys might have misled you. Like I said I don't think the Dana 80 was built until 87 or 88. I think they both look the same. They both have 4" O.D. axle tubes but the 80 has thicker wall thickness on the tubes. It is supposed to be stamped on the tubes but I have never found it under the dirt. It will be interesting what you find.

Me thinks you're right about the axle, I will double check soon..........As for the Canadian tough thing....I'm British by birth so that would explain my adversion to snow; although I'm smarter than the average smuk up here to have both a summer car, and a 4wd Tracker, WITH great winter tires, Piaa 520 fogs and driving lights.

Cheers
Tony

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Me thinks you're right about the axle, I will double check soon..........As for the Canadian tough thing....I'm British by birth so that would explain my adversion to snow; although I'm smarter than the average smuk up here to have both a summer car, and a 4wd Tracker, WITH great winter tires, Piaa 520 fogs and driving lights.

Cheers
Tony

I guess that explains things. I hope the summer car is an interesting British roadster to make up for having to deal with the snow. I wonder if the 310 has a 4.88 gear to make up for the extra weight over the 280. That might explain the different speed/rpm. Mike Leary also reports different numbers and he also has a U.S. Gear overdrive. I thought it was the overdrive but maybe it's a different axle ratio. It will be interesting to see what you find.

[Isuzusweet]

Thanks Dan

As for the summer car being interesting.....07 Nissan Altima but at least I insisted on the 3.5 with a 6 sp manual so it's no slug.......reminds me of the 510 I had with a 2.0 litre aluminum truck engine.......a right blast to drive, but didn't attract too much attention from the Rogers if driven spiritedly.

My wife has a 1995 Jaguar XJS 2+2 convertible 4.0L if that counts, but I'm too tall to fit into it. I can get into a MGB GT with no problem, but the Jaguar at twice the length doesn't fit me at all. I was going to buy a 1970 MGB GT; it had a sweet blue printed four and Mikumi slide carbs but the new trailer and Suzuki Burgman 400 I need to buy for the wife is going to kill that purchase dead. Maybe next year, LOL.

I think you're right about the tall ratio I was kinda thinking it must be high 4's low 5's.

Cheers Tony

[Keyair]

Tony,
I am a Brit too... I love snow, but hated the weather in the UK... Hot is ok, and cold is ok... just wish it was either, just anything better than kinda damp all the time!

My Dad was a Traffic Policeman for many years, and his weapon of choice when it was in production was the plainclothed MGBGTV8... for the record, he is 6' 7" and his driving partner was 7'... and no, they could not wear the Bobby helmet whilse driving!