Re: [A/S] Newbie - need opinions on size

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave,

Ultimately only you can decide what is best for you but I'll share some
experiences and opinions with you that may help you narrow your choices.

Unless you already own or plan to purchase a 3/4 or one ton pickup or van
powered by either a big block gas engine or turbodiesel, I would recommend
that you don't even consider the later model 30' or 31' trailers and
consider no 32' or 34' Airstreams.  Earlier 30' or 31' trailers were much
lighter than the trailers of the late 1980s and beyond.  To tow any of the
larger trailers safely and with adequate performance over all terrain you
should have a substantial tow vehicle.  Some will disagree and we can all
cite examples of someone successfully towing the larger trailers with a
small-block powered 1/2 pickup, Suburban, or van but it is, at best, a
marginal situation.  If a compromise is required as it is with most of us,
opt for the lighter trailer rather than a lighter tow vehicle with a heavier
trailer.  You'll be happier with your choice.

If you do own or are willing to purchase a heavy 3/4 or one ton tow vehicle
you may want to expand your options to include the bigger units.  I own a
34' Excella which is actually 34'10" long and when fully loaded, weighs
about 9,000 lbs.  I have towed it over 50,000 miles with a Ford F250HD
powered by a 7.4 liter 460 CID big block gas engine.  It is spacious,
comfortable, well balanced, and easy to tow but not without some
concessions.  It requires some thought before suddenly whipping into a fuel
station or parking lot.  The long rear overhang frequently drags the skid
rails entering and departing parking lots with a steep entry/exit ramp or
where you must cross low gutters as you leave the roadway.  It also requires
more room to maneuver in tight spaces and if you are tired or inattentive
after a long day of towing it is possible to tow it into a situation which
will be challenging to get out of.  I know, I've done it.  It is true that
it is less responsive to steering input when backing which can be an
advantage or disadvantage depending on circumstances.  To back it into a
slip requires pulling well past the parking slip which you intend to back
into because the trailer begins its swing slowly and takes a much wider
berth to swing into a space.

Last September I took the 34' trailer to P&S Trailer Service in Helena, OH
to have the plasticoat stripped and resprayed.  My daughter, who lives in
OH, has a 27' A/S.  She took a week off from work and joined me with her
trailer.  We hooked her trailer to my truck and traveled to Sault Ste. Marie
on the Michigan Upper Peninsula.  Having grown accustomed to towing my
larger, heavier 34' I found it refreshingly easy to tow her '72 27 footer
behind my truck.  It was lighter, easier to maneuver, and was generally less
demanding than towing my own trailer.  I found that I could whip around
making a quick u-turn in the roadway when we missed a turn which I cannot do
as easily with my trailer.  The 34 footer is great for long vacations,
full-timing, or for use as living quarters for someone who may be working
away from his or her primary home for an extended period.  The latter is the
reason I bought it in the first place.

A 25' to 27' trailer offers more than adequate space for two adults for
extended periods of time unless you must take large and bulky items such as
hobby material or tools.  A 25' to 27' unit is very practical for weekending
and requires less tow vehicle.  The mid-sized trailers are easier to get
comfortable with and a little more forgiving for novices.  Having owned and
towed various sized trailers over the years, I think that most trailerists
would be very comfortable with a trailer in the 25' to 27' range.  The later
wide-body trailers in medium lengths are surprisingly spacious yet lighter
and more maneuverable than the 30'+ units.

My recommendation would be to determine the maximum factory rated
capabilities of your tow vehicle as equipped then subtract 2,000 or 3,000
pounds.  The result will give you a good estimate of the upper weight limit
for trailers you should consider.  Then study Airstream brochure floor plans
and specifications thinking about how you will use your trailer and what you
will want to carry in it.  Remember to use the maximum loaded weight or GVWR
of the trailer under consideration in your calculations, not the unladen
weight which your trailer will exceed the day it leaves Jackson Center.
Visit RV Shows, A/S dealers, and RV parks to inspect the models you are
considering.  Talk to owners and learn how satisfied they are with their
trailers.

Having said all the above, there is another theory to consider.  It is the
American way in many cases to buy a small boat/RV/ATV/house/whatever then
through a long and expensive sequence of learning, mastery, and trading up,
work your way up to the largest model of whatever your choice of toy is.
Many of us have done it.  If you are so inclined, go buy a big tow vehicle
and a 34' Airstream Excella or Limited and save the losses that you would
incur through depreciation, sales taxes, and seller's profit and commissions
through the cycle of trading up.  Simply buy the biggest and enjoy it.

Good luck in your purchase.
Harvey Barlow
Lubbock, TX
Renewing WBCCI #5342, VAC, '93 Excella, '66 Safari