Newbie With Question About Floorplans

[Zigidachs]

Originally Posted by Mr.Bill

Yes, I agree that touring the U.S. in an Airstream would not be less expensive than staying in my house. However, because of the housing prices in the San Francisco Bay area I could sell the house, buy a brand-new 30 foot Airstream and new 3/4 ton pick-up to pull it and still have enough cash left over to live on (combined with Social Security) for at least 5 years. If I stay in the house I'd have to take out a reverse mortgage and go into debt about $1,500 every month, and not be able to afford to go any farther than my patio. Bear in mind that I have heart disease and diabetes and have already had a major heart attack that more than one cardiologist told me I shouldn't have survived, so I don't really need to plan too many years ahead (my wife has relatives that can take care of her when I'm gone).

Because we have made some "mistakes" along the way, and have literally paid the price, I would add caution regarding the choice of a tow vehicle. We once owned a heavy fiver and eventually had to buy a one ton dually which was adequate for that 15K monster, but believe me, it was not overdoing it!

When we traded for the AS---30'---we thought we had "too much" truck, and perhaps we do, but after experiencing the ease with which our truck handles the towing load, AND all the STUFF we eventually placed in the covered bed of the truck, we are very happy that we have this truck.

It is better to have "too much" truck at the onset, and by the time you have that rascal loaded and motoring down the road, then you have "just enough" truck.

IMHO I wouldn't pull a 30' with less than a one ton SRW at least.....

[Mr.Bill]

Very good point. No real downside to having a little more towing capacity than necessary. I ran across some photos of a Panamerica - looking at the little garage in back I'm visualizing a Vespa (with a sidecar) parked in it. Just the thing for getting around town. But from what I can see the Panamericas are rare and costly.

[desertratt]

70's airstreams were much lighter because the interiors were aluminum framing with mostly 1/8" material for cabinets etc. also the floors are plywood not osb which is much lighter. my wife and i looked at newer trailers and the cabinets inside are all particle board which is way heavier than older AS so get older AS and make it your own.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Zigidachs

It is better to have "too much" truck at the onset, and by the time you have that rascal loaded and motoring down the road, then you have "just enough" truck.

IMHO I wouldn't pull a 30' with less than a one ton SRW at least.....

Originally Posted by Mr.Bill

Very good point. No real downside to having a little more towing capacity than necessary.

Mr. Bill,

You should be aware that there is a camp that puts forth believable evidence that too much truck will give your AS a rough ride. A "shake the rivets out, literally" kind of ride.

I don't think that would be A Good Thing...

[Zigidachs]

Originally Posted by Aage

Mr. Bill,

You should be aware that there is a camp that puts forth believable evidence that too much truck will give your AS a rough ride. A "shake the rivets out, literally" kind of ride.

I don't think that would be A Good Thing...

We have only towed our AS a little over 5K miles, but some of those roads were in sunny, but bumpy California! Our 1 ton DRW drove like a champ and we have never had any problems with the rivet question, altho I admit that it might be a potential problem for some. Speed is often the major consideration with the rivet problem....driving too hard and too fast.

On our return home this past outing we were able to ascend 6-7% grades at 60mph without any hesitation. Could have even driven faster!!

Our suspension may be a bit softer than normal because we towed a fiver for a year which had a tongue wt. of 3400#!!

I would rather have a little too much truck than not enough to provide a large enough buffer with the "weight" considerations. Zigi