Porsche Cayenne with Airstream & SOB

[cameront120]

Interesting to watch the two compared in driving tests on the Airstream site (testing is shown in last half of the video):

Airstream, Inc :: Why Buy?

[moosetags]

I'm impressed! Especially since they used the same tow vehicle.

[2airishuman]

we get this video 'rediscoverd' and posted about regularly...

after being originally posted by the media guy who made the tape...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...sob-19729.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...deo-37551.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f206...deo-39827.html

while entertaining, it's really another piece of driving/towing porn...

and IF you are buying a 'stream based on what it might do on the track...

it's time to rethink the camping AND towing priorities...

why didn't they show a hard FULL ON STOPPING maneuver staying in the same lane?

answer...

because this a/s equipped with drum brakes will GET squirrelly, that's why.

the 'braking exercise' did NOT look pretty on tape.

IF they really wanna commit to the BEST handling 'streams...

PUT DISC BRAKES on all units not just the classics....

because IF you are gonna take it to the track,

or drive on PUBLIC ROADWAYS as if they are part nascar, you will NEED better brakes.

and being able to STOP and stay in your lane is more important to the average person than swerving...

in fact while they were FILMING this 'exercise' a REAL bambi owner, towing with a REAL porsche cayenne...

was in j/c at the service center getting a disc brake upgrade to his bambi.

seems he had needed to make an 'emergency stop' on the interstate (i70 as i recall) near st louis...

and while the porsche has massive and controlled stopping power, the trailer got sideways with it's wimpy drums...

so the IRONY is that while making a fantasy tape over at the track,

an actual customer was PAYING to have the inadequate 'stream upgraded at the factory.

just to make it SAFE for routine towing and emergency situations....

but i do like racing rvs...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f224...enz-28299.html

and this is my alltime favorite, funny not a 'stream to be seen in this race!

...'double oval' trailer racing....

cheers
2air'

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by cameront120

Interesting to watch the two compared in driving tests on the Airstream site (testing is shown in last half of the video):

For sure cameront.. The tow-ability factor of Airstreams was big on our list when we decided to move up to a TT. This demo video clearly demonstrates its superiority over the SOB's. Not much to complain about really.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

while entertaining, it's really another piece of driving/towing porn...

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

why didn't they show a hard FULL ON STOPPING maneuver staying in the same lane?

answer...

because this a/s equipped with drum brakes will GET squirrelly, that's why.

well, I had to perform such a maneuver last year with my trailer in tow...actually, it was sort of a combination of the 2 (quick lane change +hard braking), and to a stationary observer, I think it looked pretty much like the video.
When I hit the brakes, my truck driver training kicked in and I thought to myself, "don't swerve!"...but the rate at which the obstacle in front of me was growing in the windshield kind of over-rode that, and I did a quick glance in the mirror, saw that there was nobody there to my left, and performed the "cayenne" maneuver. The trailer broke left, then right, as I straightened out in the lane to my left, and then I could feel the weight of the trailer, like a huge pendulum, start to swing back to my left. I cringed as I expected it to just keep right on going to the left, taking the truck, and the passengers with it. But as it came back toward center, it just "snapped" in place, with a "thunk"...like opening the blade of a pocket knife.
So, I don't know whom you can credit for that. Airstream? Dodge? (ha-ha--don't think so) Kelsey-Hayes? (maybe they're "better" than modern day Dexters? most would say "no", I think) Or Reese? (dual-cam).
Oh, well. Even if the drums are such a weakness, its still better than drums + top heavy/unstable without braking.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Chuck

...well, I had to perform such a maneuver last year with my trailer in tow...

good report chuck.

and without any apparent hype.

of course EACH event is unique in some regard.

drum brake are GREAT for most towing needs and it's possible that your brakes (tv/trailer) are ideally matched...

the dodge and the 'stream may have other well matched features too.

partly that's my point about the porsche/stream, that the brakes are NOT a good match.

and i suspect the right hitch matters too, but that's another book of threads.

here is another thread with tales of swerving from the crypt...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...lom-37858.html

i've been in situations like druppy described in post #18, several times

and only rarely had to deal with instant obstacles on an otherwise 'wideopen' roadway...

the issues may be different for semi drivers on several levels,

but most non-commercial traffic/accident statistics suggest, it is usually better to brake, stay in your lane and just hit the deer...

or make a controlled deceleration and pull OFF (not swirve) if space allows it...

and it's a relief to read your report with NO injuries or lumpy aluminum...

cheers
2air'

[Bonzai30b]

Not surprisingly, there are other trailer brands that also advertise their "superior towability." For example, Hi-Lo touts the benefits of towing its trailers, in particular their trailers' fuel efficiency because they telescope, making them more aerodynamic. The lower surface area should also make a material difference in reducing sway. I'm not sure whether Hi-Lo uses disc or drum brakes, but their trailers are lighter than Airstreams for a given length, which should help in panic stops. Without having any experience in towing either brand, I would guess that the Hi-Los tow even better than the Airstreams. But I have to admit that Airstreams are far cooler for lots of other reasons, and I'd much rather have an Airstream. Has anyone towed a Hi-Lo and an Airstream to provide a relative perspective?

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

the issues may be different for semi drivers on several levels,

I don't know that they're really any "different"; just more exaggerated, as you work up the scale from low/light to high/heavy. lower and lighter is better.

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

...but most non-commercial traffic/accident statistics suggest, it is usually better to brake, stay in your lane and just hit the deer...

yep. thats exactly what they said in TD school. and if it was a deer in front of my, I'd have said, "sorry, deer". But it wasn't...
But like I said, while it was happening, I was thinking, "this probably wasn't a great idea". lucky me, it worked out.

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

and it's a relief to read your report with NO injuries or lumpy aluminum...

cheers
2air'

nope. just lumpy drawers.