Vintage Hitch Weight numbers?

[lojoma]

Apologies if this is a recurrent question...I just couldn't find it in my search.

I think I am correct that for NEW Airstreams, the dry hitch weight numbers in the brochures includes empty propane tanks and battery.

If so, have they ALWAYS done so?

I'm looking at figures for 1970s models, and they often have much lower hitch weight numbers. The trailers are often lighter overall, but there still seems to be a big increase in hitch weights over time.

I do realize that the actual hitch weight will be higher than what the brochures say, but I'm trying to find a baseline to start from in determining what models I can tow (Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 5.8L 3.21 axle, payload is only 1220 pounds by the door sticker).

[ALUMINUMINUM]

Perhaps a recurrent question, with no recurrent answer. Airstream might not even know.

Vehicles in the olden days...

“Dry weight” was as it rolled off the factory floor before adding battery, gasoline, antifreeze, oil, and maybe some other consumable stuff.

“Curb weight” was ready to go with gas, oil, battery, but no passengers, no cargo or roofracks, hitches, curb feelers, fender skirts...

I recall reading that airstream weights were “Dry” meaning no propane in tanks, no air conditioner, no water, no batteries... There's a list somewhere indicating the all added weights of each of the options.

I’d say that for any same-length airstream, older is lighter. You can make a seventies trailer work. A new twenty-footer weighs more than a thousand pounds more than my 1968 twenty-footer.

Maybe a 1970 tradewind, still had real wood interior, no tambour doors, single-pane windows, shortest tandem axle less likely to have bent frame… Nice, fairly light core to rebuild.

[lojoma]

That's what I figured. Thanks for replying.

70s Safari or Tradewinds are our look-fors, for sure.

[Peter417]

I started a thread where we can post real world weigh ins.



https://www.airforums.com/forums/f23...in-222675.html

[SilverWind]

Our 68 Caravel's overall weight and hitch weight is much different than the weight published in the 1968 Airstream Manual which listed "weight" at 2340 and hitch weight 270. In our trailer, as in many cases with 60's models, the small propane tanks were at some point replaced with modern sized large tanks as was the fresh water tank behind the dinette, and the single waste tank became the gray tank and black tank added. Fully loaded for a trip at a CAT scale, our trailer weighed 2820. The tongue weight was 450.

[Dan and Liz]

I'm with those above -- wouldn't rely on any published figures. Actual scale weight with equipment, water, fuel and gear loaded is the weight you can trust.

[Peter417]

Originally Posted by SilverWind

Our 68 Caravel's overall weight and hitch weight is much different than the weight published in the 1968 Airstream Manual which listed "weight" at 2340 and hitch weight 270. In our trailer, as in many cases with 60's models, the small propane tanks were at some point replaced with modern sized large tanks as was the fresh water tank behind the dinette, and the single waste tank became the gray tank and black tank added. Fully loaded for a trip at a CAT scale, our trailer weighed 2820. The tongue weight was 450.

With full water and nearly empty propane tanks my Caravel was at neary 600. I have 20% tongue weight.