Re: [A/S] New Airstreamer

["John P Sargeant" <john.sargeant@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Robert
I towed a 30' 1974 International with an 89 Crown Vic, the smaller motor, 
with a transmission cooler, for a few years. It got the job done but I admit 
now was just on the edge of what I really needed. When I got the chance I 
went to a Suburban 2500 which does the job in fine style.
You'll be OK with the smaller trailer.
Make sure you get the dealer to set up the brakes, towing hitches and 
equalizing bars. These need to be done professionally and the expense is 
worth all the difference in the way the lash-up tows. Money well spent.
Don't be too intimidated by towing a trailer. You have to remember that you 
are now a lot longer than normal, are a lot heavier than normal and your 
rig's momentum is far greater than without the trailer. It takes longer to 
accelerate (coming off the ramp onto the freeway, allow lots of time and 
distance) It takes longer to stop. I always try to think that those other 
idiots out there are simply out of thier minds driving while I'm driving and 
I need to look out for them. Don't tail gate,  try not to drive into 
intersections when the lights are going amber. Again it takes longer for 
your longer rig to clear the cross road.
When we first got ours, I hooked her up to the Crown Vic, took the rig to an 
empty parking lot and did donuts and ran it through puddles so I could see 
where the tire marks of the trailer tracked in relation to the tire marks of 
the car. ( you will find it best to practise making wide or hay wagon turns. 
The trailer flattens the corner. Many an Airstream has kissed a post or tree 
because the corner was taken too shallow)
I put up cardboard boxes and tried backing between the boxes, like I was 
backing into a camp site. I also put them up and tried turning around them 
so I got the feeling of how the trailer followed the car. Remember if you 
turn too sharply, the corner of the car will come into contact with the 
corner of the trailer. Not good for the aluminum or the no longer 
manufactured tail lights of the 89 Crown Vic! (Experience speaking here!)
I found it really handy to have a set of FRS walkie talkies. My trophy wife 
gets on one and tells me where to go. (BACK, BACK, LEFT, RIGHT, STOP) I have 
learned to stop when she says stop and to let her direct me. (Male ego 
thingy aside)
One of the most entertaining afternoons we had this winter was watching a 
guy in Louisiana try to back his 5'er into a campsite. We told his wife, we 
have walkie talkies so you can guide him. She smirked,  " He wants to do it 
himself and I'm letting him!" And he did, eventually, after about 40 
tries.Great fun.

Happy Trails
Sarge