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08-26-2007, 11:05 PM
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#1
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Jim J
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 615
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New Member Looking for First Airstream
New member(s) from Texas anticipating acquiring our first Airstream in the next 12 months. My wife and I think a late model Safari 25 FB is the model that will meet our needs best.
We have owned Class C motorhomes and a tent trailer in the past and been across the US many times in the motorhomes and camped extensively in CA in the tent camper.
Our tow vehicle will be a 2007 Tahoe initially.
Jim
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08-26-2007, 11:19 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
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Jim...welcome to the forum and good luck as you wait for the right Airstream to find you! You have lots of Rving experience, so the transition to Airstreaming will be a snap and you can jump right in with both feet (or axels, as it were)! You'll find lots of information here along with a helpful, knowlegeable crowd to give you moral support and input as you make your decisions...and possibly even help in locating just the right rig...
Happy Trails,
TB
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08-26-2007, 11:22 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Venice
, California
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 672
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welcome to the forums! it took you awhile, but you're finally "upgrading" to an airstream.
one word of caution on the tahoe. i think it may be a little underpowered for the newer 25' as they've been making them heavier for several years (i have an '03 tahoe). i'd recommend spending a little time in the towing sub forum. many people on here recommend finding the trailer you want first, then matching the appropriate tow vehicle, but of course it works the other way too, just as a long as you have a safe and happy tow combination. enjoy!
__________________
david
*by asking the above question,
i verify that i have already used
the search feature to the best of my ability...
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07-23-2008, 10:30 PM
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#4
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Jim J
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 615
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Towing with the Tahoe
We just returned from a trip to Bryce Canyon, a little over 1500 miles from our home. We towed from 650 feet above sea level to 8100 feet Above sea level.
The Tahoe did fine. It is a 2007 with 5.3 L V8 and 3.42 axle. Our fuel mileage for the whole trip out and back was 12.4 MPG. Our nominal speed was about 60 - 62 MPH.
Our lowest sustained speed going up a hill in Utah at a little over 7000 feet was 50MPH. This was in third gear, I did not want to go below 3rd gear for sustained towing.
Max transmission temp was about 210 degrees while going up a long hill at 60 MPH and ambient temp was 95 degrees.
I think the one thing I would have changed about the Tahoe was to get the 3.73 rear end so the engine would turn a little more RPM and make more HP at the desired cruising speeds. This would have given me about 200 more RPM at 60 MPH or roughly 10% more which would be about 10% more Horsepower.
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07-23-2008, 11:09 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
1964 19' Globetrotter
1955 26' Cruiser Overlander
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 608
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Welcome
Hi Jim,
Welcome to the forums fellow Austinite...
Wife and I try to get out at least once a month, as well as run with the Heart of Texas Camping unit (they are a WBCCI unit but SO NOT WBCCI - if you get my drift)
You welcome to hitch up with us anytime.
We'll be heading to the RMVAC rally in Colorado in 2 weeks....
__________________
Kevin & Prim Li
Bandit the Siberian Husky (RIP) & "G" the Min-Pin (RIP)
Cosmo the Custom 2008 27FB Intl CCD
Maxwell the 1964 Globe Trotter
Name TBD the 1955 Overlander
WBCCI # 6155
AIR # 6155
2nd love - 2006 28' Safari LS
1st love - 2004 19' CCD Bambi
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07-24-2008, 05:07 AM
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#6
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
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Welcome from the Florida Panhandle
Welcome to these Forums. We're glad to have you with us.
You're going to really like the FB floor plan. We have a 2005 25FB, named Daisy. We have spent 270+ nights in her and have pulled her over 30,000 miles, and still love our Aistream adventures. We pull Lucy with a 2004 2500 Suburban.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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07-24-2008, 06:25 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1993 34' Limited
Melbourne Florida
, Springfield Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 759
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Welcome to the Forum. Here you will find answers to any questions you may have about the Airstream. Good Luck!
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07-24-2008, 07:18 AM
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#8
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Hi Jim and welcome.
I have owned two new Airstreams and I would strongly encourage you to check out the QC threads and perhaps the corrosion threads.
If I were in a position today to buy an Airstream, I would without question buy a pre-owned one before spending your hard earned cash on a new one.
Here a few links for you to digest. Airstream is a really great trailer and the cool factor can't be matched, but there are some deltas to owning an Airstream, some you can see before making your final decision on how you're going to take the plunge:
This first link has links to the QC of new(er) Airstreams over the past 6 model years (though there isn't any data for 2009 models yet)
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...ity-41668.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f142...ams-31743.html
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07-24-2008, 08:53 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2008 28' Safari SE
Placitas
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,068
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Welcome Jim! We just got our Airstream in May too. We have the 28 ft Safari and tow it with a Ford F150. It seems to do OK. We're getting ready to pull out from a week at Arches and Canyonlands NPs. We camped at Dead Horse State Park for this trip and it was totally awesome. Utah is pretty cool!
__________________
Jim & Rod
Air 10899 since 1/06
WBCCI 2484
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07-26-2008, 05:58 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 689
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Welcome Jim, from another guy just down the road. You'll find expertise to address any imaginable Airstream question in this forum. As the sage advice offered here says, give both new and pre-owned units a really careful going over before you take the plunge.
Though there's plenty of fondness for larger tow vehicles here, SUVs can do a fine towing job with some careful weight and length considerations.
Best wishes in your search for just the right trailer.
__________________
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07-26-2008, 06:20 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Nipomo
, California
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 629
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Jim,
Don't know the towing specs on your Tahoe. We tow a 2006 25FB with a Dodge Durango SUV with no difficulties although the speed up some grades definitely takes a hit. But, heck, we're retired so what's the hurry.
Compare the torque and towing specs on the 2005 Durango vs the Tahoe and see how yours might stack up.
Welcome to the club. You'll love the 25FB. There are many fans of that configuration on the Forum.
__________________
Mike Young & Rosemary Nelson
Bowlus Road Chief "Endymion"
BMW X3 xDrive 28D
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07-26-2008, 06:44 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1993 34' Limited
Melbourne Florida
, Springfield Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 759
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You are good to go with a Tahoe.
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07-26-2008, 10:00 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1962 19' Globetrotter
1963 19' Globetrotter
1961 19' Globetrotter
Wheat Ridge
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 624
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Go vintage>>>all the cool kids on the block do!
__________________
www.VINSTREAM.com
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
WBCCI # 1962
Instagram #Vinstream
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07-30-2008, 08:44 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
Graham
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 276
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Jim, this is a great place for browsing and to plan. Good luck on your search for the right AS
Jerry
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