34' or ???

[kb0zke]

We're discussing the possibility of going with an Airstream instead of our Foretravel, and the recent post on an older thread (34' vs 30' or 32') raised some questions. Perhaps someone would be kind enough to answer some of our questions. I'll be in the chat room again this evening after supper, should some of you wish to get a discussion going there.

1. I didn't know that Airstream HAD a 32' coach. What years was that available?
2. I've seen places where one coach is called a 30' and another one, with a slightly different floor plan, is called a 31' but the specs show that they are, in fact, exactly the same length. How often is this the case?
3. I've read a few comments about the tire scrubbing with the triple axle 34' coaches. How much of an issue is that in real life? I realize that some people get into tighter places than others, and that will make a difference, but I'd like to hear from a couple of people who have actually had 34' coaches and can give first-hand reports.

To provide some perspective, we're full-timers currently in a 40' MH with no slides. We understand that even a 34' Airstream will be somewhat smaller than what we have, and we're okay with that. A 30' coach will be quite a bit smaller, though, and that may be an issue.

As I said, I'll be in the chat room after I finish the dishes.

[PaulnGina]

I haven't towed a 34' Airstream, but I do have a 34' Avion triple-axle. I have never dragged the back end, but I know it can be done. An abrupt change to a steep driveway could do it. You DO have to pay attention to where you're driving and aiming your rig and know you have an exit route, such as at gas stations and such. Kind of embarrassing (and an increased risk of having problems) having to back out of a tight spot!

Just take your time, eliminate as many distractions as possible, and enjoy the added roominess! You might get honked at and told you're #1 at times, but hey.... have fun!

I have a feeling that if you're used to maneuvering a 40' Foretravel, you'll do fine with a 34' trailer.

[kb0zke]

Thanks. The gas station probably won't be an issue since the plan is to land at the campground, then take the truck back into town (or wherever) to get fuel. We like to keep travel to around 250 miles or so in any one day, so I would think that with a diesel F250 (or similar) as a tow vehicle we should be able to do that.

One possible concern we have is overall length. Some States have maximum length limits of 50' or 55' and a 34' coach uses up quite a bit of that length. We can get around that with a MH by simply unhooking the toad, but that's a bit difficult to do with a TT.

BTW, I am logged into the chat room now, in the lobby.

[CBWELL]

We went from a 31' to a 34' and love it. The extra room is great, tows easier, and is not really that much longer. I do watch a little closer making tight turns as the triple will skid, but it takes very little getting used to. Have new axles under mine and am now about 2-3" higher.

[JimGolden]

I've pulled a 34' triple axle Avion about 25,000 miles. The tire scrubbing is just about a non issue. If you try to jack knife it by making a super sharp turn in a parking lot, you will leave some black marks. But under any kind of normal use it's a non issue.

The plus side: They naturally want to track straight. They are very nice towing rigs.

But yes, even with a 34' Airstream, coming from a 40' Class A, you will think you've gone from an aircraft carrier to a submarine. But subs are fun too

best of luck,

[kb0zke]

Thanks, CB and Jim. Have either of you run into length restrictions, especially in the eastern States? Our goal is to visit every State capital, and some of those States have a 50' combined length restriction.

[CBWELL]

I have never heard of a problem with length restrictions anywhere. We have never been to the eastern US, and probably never will, but, I believe that if you are from out of state that things like that are waived. Go for it and enjoy it!!! Chris

[Air Apparent]

David:

I have never heard of any Airstream 34 owners having a length restriction issue.

I traveled from Illinois to Acadia National Park in Maine and back. I traveled through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and New York. I never gave a second thought about length.

I would be more concerned if I was driving a 45' motorhome and pulling a towed.

[Air Apparent]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

To provide some perspective, we're full-timers currently in a 40' MH with no slides. We understand that even a 34' Airstream will be somewhat smaller than what we have, and we're okay with that. A 30' coach will be quite a bit smaller, though, and that may be an issue.

David:

We started out with an Airstream 30 before moving up to the 34. There is a big difference in having just the additional 4 feet. We could fulltime in the 30 if we had to, but it will be much more comfortable in the 34.

The major differences between the 30 and the 34, as we see it, are:

There is more room in the "living room". We have an European recliner besides our couch. On the 30 the center isle goes from the couch directly back to the queen bed. On the 34 the isle "jogs" after the dinette. This give the trailer the feel of having two major rooms rather than just one large one.

The dinette on the 34 is on the curb side; so sitting at the dinette you are looking out at your campsite rather than your neighbors. The dinette on the 30 is on the street side.

The bathroom in the 30 is a walk through whereas it is a separate room in the 34. Having the bathroom as a separate room allows for use of the bathroom while allowing others to access the bedroom. There is an accordion door before the refrigerator to make the bathroom and bedroom a master suite. This is needed when taking a shower because it is impossible to get into the shower if the bathroom door is closed.

The clothes closet in the 34 is twice the size of the 30.

Having a triple axle you could travel with only two wheels on one side, if needed, in an emergency.

Note: I'm talking about the wide body 34's; that is 34's from 1996 and newer.

Because of these differences we moved up to the 34 because we are planning on fulltiming.

[dbj216]

We enjoy our 34. We could full time in it if we had the desire. We have pulled it with a V-10 Ford van, and now with our diesel Super Duty. Our trailer weighs in at 7900 pounds and about 900 pounds tongue weight. The bigger living room does add room for my smallish recliner. I pull it with a new ProPride no sway hitch which cancels out the pushing from strong cross winds. I am used to the maneuvering required for backing into a campsite, although sometimes I need to ask my neighbor to move a vehicle.

Yep, the tires skid with sharp turns, and this puts a lot of strain on the tires and axle spindles. You need strong tires, like 10 plys.

We have not used any other type of RV, so we don't know any better than our Airstream.

We've been in some pretty tight campsites. Just take your time and start over again if needed.

David

[kb0zke]

Thanks for the tips. I'm in the chat room now (lobby).

[kb0zke]

I'm in the chat room now (lobby) if anyone wants to discuss the larger Airstreams.

[A W Warn]

I've owned & towed 30' and 31' narrow body, also 25', 30' and 34' wide body.
My opinion is that the 34' tows better/smoother down the road than the others. The 34's also reacts slower to turning when backing, so I think it's easier. The only negative, other than extra weight, is the longer the trailer the harder to find fuel stops that will accommodate. (56' total length of my rig)
However, my 34 has 9,800 GVWR. The 25' at 6,300 GVWR is a lot easier to tow up a steep mountain grade with my half ton gas engine truck. I can accelerate up pulling the 25'. I can still pass most of the loaded semi-trucks going up while pulling the 34'.
The tires on the 34's scrub only when doing extremely tight turns, so I do not think it is a problem to worry about (unless the tires are under-inflated).

I can't type fast enough to use the chat room. I've got a southern drawl, y'all ;-)

[cwf]

Luv our 34! You can see it in the avatar...sorta.

This may help..
Mjolnir - Album - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

Yes, it is a 1999, Excella.. we are the 3rd Caretakers (not so much owners)... and we enjoy.. immensely.

It is just a lot of fun. The toughest part? Walking all the way around that much trailer to set up when raining, cold, etc...

I added wired camera system so I can see all sides including the rear where I can see folks trying to pass, etc...

[kb0zke]

Thanks, Channing. I'm in the chat room now (lobby). Alan, don't worry about typing speed in the chat room. Often I'm the only one there (like right now).

[kb0zke]

Trying again tonight. I'm in the chat room now.

[Skater]

We love our 30', but we would've bought a 34' if we hadn't found a good 30' to buy. My parents have a 34', and they claim it's the best towing trailer they've ever had (and they started with pop-ups and slowly got bigger over the years, so he's towed plenty of them, including SOBs and other Airstreams).

The extra space afforded by the 34' is immediately obvious in the front lounge and in the fact that they have more wardrobe closets than we do. But, we like our larger bathroom, too. It's all a tradeoff.

I honestly wouldn't worry about the extra length. It'll make getting into some very tight spots slightly harder, but I doubt it's significant, and you'll probably never notice the difference. It also comes down to skill; I've seen people shoehorn their 34's into some pretty interesting spots, things I might not have been able to accomplish with my 30'.

The lack of visibility behind the trailer is the same - you can't see the tailgaters.

[polarlyse]

There are no state length restrictions that you will even come close to. So you'll be fine anywhere you choose to travel. I've read that some state / national campgrounds have restrictions for length but we have never been rejected with our 30' Airstream although there have been times where the sites were pretty tight. Backing with a longer trailer is easier than a shorter one except when it isn't. Sometimes campground sites are tough getting into due to trees, rocks etc. But if you can get a 30'er in you can get a 34'er in.
I've never met a person with a 34' AS that said they wish it was shorter so go for it if you can.

[Alden Miller]

You can count me in the 31' to 34' upgrade. I had a 31' that was destroyed in a fire. My wife wanted something shorter until I showed her an ad for a 34'. A couple days later she found the 34' that we currently own. It's amazing what 3' more does in a trailer. We love it and it tows like a dream.

-Alden

[kb0zke]

I'm in the Lobby chat room again, and I'd like to chat with those of you who own the largest Airstreams, those 30' and longer. I'm specifically interested in the wide-body versions of these coaches.