New Member-First Post

[scratch]

My wife and I spend 6 months in Arizona and have been spending the other 6 months in Mid-Michigan. We are in the process of getting rid of our home in MI and purchasing a used AS which will allow us to be more mobile in the spring/summer/fall timeframe and a refuge when we park it next to our daughter's place when we are not on the road.

There are a couple of units that caught our eye on the AS website plus one that we found on Craigslist here in MI. Although we have not personally seen them yet we are encouraged that we will find one that will suit our needs pretty soon.

Our main vehicle is a 2004 GMC Envoy but by reading some of the posts, this may not be enough power for what we are considering in the way of an AS. The Envoy has a class 5 hitch installed as standard equipment but is this enough to pull something like a 31ft. Excella or something similar?

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciate especially before we make an investment in an AS and find out that we also need to purchase a different vehicle.

[Airslide]

Welcome to the forums!

Sounds like you have a great big adventure ahead of you! I would suggest that look around for previous threads on this very topic. Prepare yourself for several hours of good reading and you will find out more than you ever cared to on this very topic..

Congrats again.. hope you find the exact airstream your looking for..

Vinnie

[Gene]

Some members will inspect a trailer for you, a very good idea since while you are falling in love with the trailer, a voice of reason is needed. The place to find members for inspecting is on the Forum Portal page on the right side. And, welcome.

Gene

[purman]

I would say it probably won't tow a 31' You need to find out what your tow weight is. Then try and stay about 80% of it. If you max it out, it could make for an interesting drive.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by scratch

My wife and I spend 6 months in Arizona and have been spending the other 6 months in Mid-Michigan. We are in the process of getting rid of our home in MI and purchasing a used AS which will allow us to be more mobile in the spring/summer/fall timeframe and a refuge when we park it next to our daughter's place when we are not on the road.

There are a couple of units that caught our eye on the AS website plus one that we found on Craigslist here in MI. Although we have not personally seen them yet we are encouraged that we will find one that will suit our needs pretty soon.

Our main vehicle is a 2004 GMC Envoy but by reading some of the posts, this may not be enough power for what we are considering in the way of an AS. The Envoy has a class 5 hitch installed as standard equipment but is this enough to pull something like a 31ft. Excella or something similar?

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciate especially before we make an investment in an AS and find out that we also need to purchase a different vehicle.

No doubt there are many on the forum that won't share my opinion, but I'm a believer in overkill of anything in the TV department!

Maybe its not cost effective, I'm not certain on that point, but it sure makes for relaxed towing and a feeling of confidence and I do think it is a plus in the safety department.

We moved up from a 27' light weight non-airstream trailer last fall to a
Classic 30 (actually 31, bumper to ball). We used to tow with a 1/2T pickup with our last trailer, which was probably more than we needed.

I brought the AS home with teh 1/2T and probably could have gotten away with using in in the long term as it had 4.11 gears, but instead, I opted to do things right (at least in my view) and moved to a 3/4 ton diesel.

After a 7000 mile trip over the winter, I am very happy with my decision and don't regret it one bit. Mind you, my Classic 30 probably weighs quite a bt more than an older AS 30'.


Just my thoughts.


I aso decided to bite the bullet and send the $$ to go with a Hensley hitch so that I would be doing everything I possibly could to make towing safe and relaxing - which it surely is!


Brian

[nick6930]

Welcome and good luck reading through all the threads. This is a great place to start your quest. Just remember that everyone in here has opinions and we all think we are correct in those opinions. I am still learning and very much a newbie as well.

The small amount of advice I can give research the year or years that you are interested in, the weights get heavier through the years. A vintage will weigh a lot less. As far as a TV goes, I tried a 2002 Ford Explorer V8. It had the power needed but not the weight. My 28' Argosy told the truck which way to go not the other way around. It made for a miserable ride. I since bought a 2000 Chevy 2500 HD, better wheel base and weight ratio. but boy does it drink gas 10mpg, that is why it sits on the hill till the next road trip.

Good luck, take your time selecting the right one for you both there will always be other deals and other Airstreams for sale.

Nick

[AlumaCave]

Welcome Scratch,

You have come to the right place for info. When it comes to TV you will find lots of options. As others have said there are many things to consider. Make, model, weight, wheel base, house power, gear ratios, even color. The only advice I will give is SAFETY. Please make sure you have enough TV, bigger is better IMHO. Stay well within the limits set by the manufacture. Remember speed kills and not enough TV can too.