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10-07-2011, 05:08 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 811
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A Rig for Extreme Towing
We came down from Colorado to New Mexico yesterday and encountered a 50 + mph crosswinds on State Highway 17 between Antonito and Alamosa.
This highway runs just west of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
I wondered how the dunes in the Monument were formed and now I know. The wind generated a huge dust storm. Visability was barely adequate to drive safely. When the wind hits the mountains just east of the dunes and slows as it is pushed up, it drops all that dust it is carrying and forms the dunes.
The crosswind generated extreme towing conditions. My streamlined Airstream and big, old, stiff springed diesel Excursion pushed right through it, tracking straight as an arrow with the steering wheel pointed straight ahead. I would have been stranded by the side of the road with an average rig.
Consider overkill with your rig if you are going to tow a lot of miles in all conditions.
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10-07-2011, 05:26 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2019 28' International
Leonardtown
, Maryland
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 262
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I agree!
__________________
_________________
Rebee - WBCCI #1325
2002 Classic Ltd 30'
2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7 Cummins
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10-07-2011, 06:21 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,559
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handn
Consider overkill with your rig if you are going to tow a lot of miles in all conditions.
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Or, consider a Hensley or ProPride hitch. A number of years ago we were in a sandstorm in the Mojave (pitted the finish on the Airstream) and our Hensley kept us "arrow"-straight (sorry about the pun) while motor homes and big-rig trucks were swerving all over.
Tim
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10-07-2011, 06:39 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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Living and towing around the Great Lakes it always seems as though we are dealing with a cross or head wind.
We thank our lucky stars for having a very aerodynamic combo that reduces the wind effects to a mere wimper.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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10-07-2011, 06:44 PM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handn
We came down from Colorado to New Mexico yesterday and encountered a 50 + mph crosswinds on State Highway 17 between Antonito and Alamosa.
This highway runs just west of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
I wondered how the dunes in the Monument were formed and now I know. The wind generated a huge dust storm. Visability was barely adequate to drive safely. When the wind hits the mountains just east of the dunes and slows as it is pushed up, it drops all that dust it is carrying and forms the dunes.
The crosswind generated extreme towing conditions. My streamlined Airstream and big, old, stiff springed diesel Excursion pushed right through it, tracking straight as an arrow with the steering wheel pointed straight ahead. I would have been stranded by the side of the road with an average rig.
Consider overkill with your rig if you are going to tow a lot of miles in all conditions.
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TEHO....
Is it me or is it getting hot in here?
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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10-07-2011, 06:45 PM
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#6
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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We hit the same winds coming from Antonito to Alamosa on 285 and our Tundra with Equalizer hitch towed straight. When we got out the the truck, we were blown around and I could hardly open the truck door. Gusts were 53 at that time.
Several years ago we were going east on I-70 in a snowstorm in eastern Colorado with strong crosswind and even on wet snow, no problems except the anxiety that goes with such weather. The road was so slick large trucks couldn't make the small hills of the plains, but we just kept going.
Gene
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10-07-2011, 06:47 PM
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#7
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
TEHO....
Is it me or is it getting hot in here?
Bob
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TEHO means many things: teho - Google Search
Gene
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10-07-2011, 07:03 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2002 31' Classic
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 442
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim A.
Or, consider a Hensley or ProPride hitch. A number of years ago we were in a sandstorm in the Mojave (pitted the finish on the Airstream) and our Hensley kept us "arrow"-straight (sorry about the pun) while motor homes and big-rig trucks were swerving all over.
Tim
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Ditto, I've been in high cross winds with my X5/Hensley/ASCL 31' without any affect.
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10-08-2011, 05:18 AM
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#9
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
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Gene,
I was on my Big Wheel toeing the Radio Flyer being chased by a Great Dane...handled like a dream.
End of tail...
I've always been a hobo...
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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10-08-2011, 06:13 AM
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#10
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one of those
2011 27 FB International
'03 F250 PSD
, Airstream summers, Catalac winters
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,091
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I was wondering about the comparative costs of just stopping for the day for that one storm that year, vs. the cost of driving and feeding the overkill truck for the other 364 days of it....
but then I'm a cheap SOB...
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10-08-2011, 06:20 AM
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#11
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
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We had the same winds that day driving from Cortez, CO to Gallup, NM. When we stopped just south of Shiprock to walk the dogs the wind was unbelievable. The Tundra with the Reese hitch did just fine.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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10-08-2011, 06:40 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2007 23' Safari SE
Matawan
, New Jersey
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 46
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Bob -
Thanks for that visual image of you on your big wheel. Our oldest son (always in some sort of mischief) did something just like that. Can just picture him on the sidewalk in front of our house...sunglasses and all.
BTW Gene IMHO the most common meaning of TEHO is: "to each his own." But Bob will need to confirm that.
__________________
Claude & Marianne
2007 23' Safari SE Lounge (IdaJune)
'05 Toyota 4Runner LE 4.7 V8 4WD w/ tow package
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
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10-08-2011, 07:12 AM
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#13
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tin Trekkers
Bob -
Thanks for that visual image of you on your big wheel. Our oldest son (always in some sort of mischief) did something just like that. Can just picture him on the sidewalk in front of our house...sunglasses and all.
BTW Gene IMHO the most common meaning of TEHO is: "to each his own." But Bob will need to confirm that.
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TT
Hobo's....."tail end hop off"
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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10-08-2011, 07:53 AM
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#14
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one of those
2011 27 FB International
'03 F250 PSD
, Airstream summers, Catalac winters
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,091
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Does an air cleaner for a big diesel cost more or less about the same as a night in a KOA?
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10-08-2011, 08:28 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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Hmmm, and I thought our Ridgeline does great in the crosswind.
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10-08-2011, 08:35 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Let's see . . . if I were heading into extreme crosswind conditions, I should have one of the least aerodynamic passenger vehicles I can find . . .
doug k
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10-08-2011, 11:27 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Sovereign
Oakley
, California
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,197
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Nothing quite like a trip from SoCal to AZ when the Santa Ana winds are blowing at full force!
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10-08-2011, 11:40 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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I agree with the excursion. Very stable in rough conditions. Most of the 250/2500 trucks handle well in bad conditions.
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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10-08-2011, 06:57 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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I don't disagree with the Excursion (much), but have certainly not been left alongside the road with our Tundra either in some really serious conditions. I think some major credit here is also due to our Airstreams' ability in these conditions.
My greatest concern is at what point does the crosswind suddenly overcome the resistance of our rig. I'm fairly new at Airstreams; the only fellow I know personally who lost the whole rig (everything blew over) was pulling his Airstream with an F250 diesel, two years ago in Arizona.
doug k
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10-08-2011, 07:08 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gringo
Does an air cleaner for a big diesel cost more or less about the same as a night in a KOA?
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Excellent point, and my big worry down here when we run into the winds and dust; accidents are also dime a dozen (and deadly) in those storms. Find a spot to pull over, open a bottle of (your choice) and ride it out. Interstate 10 between Tucson and Phoenix is a case in point.
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