Re: [A/S] ?Astrovan and airstream

[lcastojr@xxxxxxx]

I bought a 24' 1962 Airstream in 1970 and pulled it with my 70 Camaro.  Went to Nova 
Scotia and to Florida with it and it was an easy pull.  People used to look and point 
at us when we went by.  I guess they were amazed to see the combo.  My Camaro had 250 
hp, but I'm sure it wasn't ever suggested that it pull a 24' travel trailer.  But, 
Airstreams are not your run of the  mill trailer.  In 1973, I even lost one of my 2 
wheels (my fault) while doing 65 on Interstate 87 in NY near Lake George.  I eased the 
rig to the side of the road and it came down on the built in skid when I got down to 
about 15 mph.  No damage done.  A mechanic couldn't believe all he needed to do was to 
screw in some new lugs and put on the spare tire.  We were really lucky our runaway 
tire went off into the woods, rather than hit another car.  It must have been doing 90 
mph when it passed us.  We did find it later. As I said, it was my fault for only hand 
tightening the lugs - a long story.
I pulled that trailer with that Camaro until 1979 when I sold the Camaro.  Then I 
bought a 1974 Ford station wagon for pulling it since I had kids by that time and 
needed more room.
I sold them both in the mid 80's and bought a motorhome (not an Airstream).  Now I 
have recently bought a 31' 1979 Airstream  and am pulling it with a Suburban.  I do 
feel the tractor trailers going by, much more than I did with the Camaro, maybe 
beacause of the size of the Airstream.  ThI noticed a hitch ball on the trailer hitch 
which my mechanic has told me is for an extra sway bar.  He will be getting that for 
me and setting it up in the spring.  He said it will make a lot of difference.
My suggestion - if you have a hitch on your Astrovan, go to an Airstream dealer and 
see if they will let you hook up try pulling one.  I wouldn't get an Airstream longer 
than about 24 or 25'.  Not much room in them.  Only good for about 4.  Easy to pull, 
built well, dependable, great comaraderie among Airstreamers, but lacking in 
roominess. Look for one with a floor plan that will work with your family and don't 
compromise.  If you can get a good buy, an Airstream motorhome might be a better 
alternative. They're better suited for trips with children, I found. There are some 
good buys to be had in used RV's if you shop well and have a little luck.  In 
particular, look for one that's been sitting in someone's yard for some time.  A 
friend of mine bought an early 1990's Airstream motorhome from a widow for under 
$10,000 in great condition.
Happy Camping!
Jack