Airstream Caravans (1 Viewer)

[Infinity31]

That's very useful stuff to know. In that case what would you suggest would be the ideal cleaning regime for Airstream vans, incl materials etc.

Not a expert but my guess is that the whole of the Airstream will have a clear coat similar to a painted vehicle so will need polishing and protecting in a similar way.

Just found this info on the type Aluminium used in the past, clear coats and why some of the older Airstreams you see at shows have an incredible mirror finish.

 

[Blue Knight]

When you get your Airstream @Blue Knight write a blog and call it “Living The ‘Stream”

That is one of the best ideas ever.

Brilliant..........

 

[Blue Knight]

Just for info guys;

I had a quick tootle around the local car places today to see what was available in the 3T tow capacity sector and my only choice was Nissan, Toyota, Ford and VW. I have ro travel to see the Landy choices.

The Toyota range looks quite favourable but surprisingly when I went to see the Nissan Navara Tekna @ £33k, the sales guy said he would knock 16% off the price due to my C&MC membership.

That's not bad at all chaps and it certainly makes it a good potential pull car - Andrew Ditton has one

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[manda3000gt]

Apparently that and it's not just the dealer trying to sell his wares. Here's a pic from my shiny new brochure

View attachment 242559

From different programmes I have watched all American RV’s are subject to this type of test as they leave the factory’s
With regard hailstone damage etc the decades they have been in production and the weather extremes over the vastness of America compared to any where in Europe I think they would be more than fit for purpose

 

[Blue Knight]

From different programmes I have watched all American RV’s are subject to this type of test as they leave the factory’s
With regard hailstone damage etc the decades they have been in production and the weather extremes over the vastness of America compared to any where in Europe I think they would be more than fit for purpose

That's a good perspective Dave. The US does seem to build good gear from the few articles that I've read so far.

 

[Blue Knight]

One thing that I have noted is the payload of the Airstream Trailers.

Take the Colarado for instance (from the Swift brochure):

MIRO: 2,135kg
MTPLM: 2,400kg
Payload: = 265kg (includes 45kg of water and twin gas).

.......but this doesn't include the twin hab batteries (50kg); motor rollers (64kg), aircon (25kg), TV (6kg) and it certainly doesn't include any variation in materials which is a point highlighted in the brochure under EU Regulation 1230/2012 (the dreaded +/-5%). This could mean that the van is close to a zero-kg payload allowance before we drive it out of the showroom.

The MTPLM can be increased to 2,680kg so I'm going to enquire about that option today.

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[Kingham]

@Blue Knight I increased the MTPLM on my last twin axle caravan and it was a simple enough process, using SV Tech for the task.

I noticed you had VW on your earlier tow car list, is that the Amarok or Touareg ? I've never owned the pick up, but have owned and towed with Touaregs, which are awesome tow cars. My first was the 5 litre V10, which I followed up with the 3 litre V6, both of which will easily cope with the Airstream with their 3500kg limits.

 

[Blue Knight]

@Blue Knight I increased the MTPLM on my last twin axle caravan and it was a simple enough process, using SV Tech for the task.

I noticed you had VW on your earlier tow car list, is that the Amarok or Touareg ? I've never owned the pick up, but have owned and towed with Touaregs, which are awesome tow cars. My first was the 5 litre V10, which I followed up with the 3 litre V6, both of which will easily cope with the Airstream with their 3500kg limits.

Some good advice there Ken. Sadly though, I didn't get to see the VW Amarok V6. I visited Gilesgate yesterday to see the Ford, Toyota and Nissan cars and then went across to the Arnison Center to check out the VWs, only to be told by VW that I had to go back to Gilesgate to visit the Skoda dealer who retails the VW commercial models - I went home instead!

However, what I did discover from Nissan is that it will reduce the cost of a vehicle by 20% if I can prove that I know an employee at the main Nissan Factory. That's me sorted since one of our tenants is a Nissan chappy. A win-win IMO.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

I could never see the attraction of a caravan that looks like a wood louse

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[manda3000gt]

@Blue Knight I increased the MTPLM on my last twin axle caravan and it was a simple enough process, using SV Tech for the task.

I noticed you had VW on your earlier tow car list, is that the Amarok or Touareg ? I've never owned the pick up, but have owned and towed with Touaregs, which are awesome tow cars. My first was the 5 litre V10, which I followed up with the 3 litre V6, both of which will easily cope with the Airstream with their 3500kg limits.

We had a V10 Toureag also, awesome bit of kit even took it too Superchips in Northampton for a remap
5 Litre V10 twin turbo diesel, instantaneous MPG showing 3mpg
and people ask if our RV is thirsty

 

[Kingham]

We had a V10 Toureag also, awesome bit of kit even took it too Superchips in Northampton for a remap
5 Litre V10 twin turbo diesel, instantaneous MPG showing 3mpg
and people ask if our RV is thirsty

Yeah but.... They were good for towing Boeing 747s

Did you ever see that on Fifth Gear (I think) ?

 

[Blue Knight]

Chaps, the problem we're having is that the tow hitch weight of the Airstream Colarado is 150kg and the only vehicles that can cope is a Ford Ranger (225kg) , Range Rover (150kg) and a Disco, also 150kg.

The likes of VW, Nissan and Toyota are all 140 to 120kg max.

The Colarado is a big old beast.

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[tacr2man]

If I were you I would get a American type hitch , then you can use a equalizer hitch assy , they really make a difference when towing a heavy van

 

[Blue Knight]

If I were you I would get a American type hitch , then you can use a equalizer hitch assy , they really make a difference when towing a heavy van

View attachment 243012

I really appreciate your input and as a consequence I have been reading about the Equalizer since 6 this morning.

What I am finding though is that an Equalizer is intended to work as a load leveller system by distributing the tongue weight of the trailer but what it doesn't seem to do is alleviate the overall downward force on the actual tow bar itself. I've read a number of articles today that stipulate the need to stay within the manufacturers quoted hitch weight.

I have scrtinised my figures further and it seems that I can no longer use a Vogue or Disco to pull the Airstream if the trailer is plated at 2.68T.

The standard 2.4T is unusable in its current guise so I need to up-plate the MTPLM but, by doing so, the hitch weight then increases to about 170kg if I use the 6.25% of MTPLM figure which Swift uses to calculate it's brochure stats.

The Equalizer will spread the tongue weight but from what I gather I'll still need a vehicle with a minimum hitch weight of 170kg.

This is probably why they can't sell the bloody things.

 

[tacr2man]

Where is the 170 kg figure coming from ? The problem with hitch weight is a bit of a non factor , as the weight transfer is a constantly changing figure . The equalizer hitch helps mitigate this and by its design transfers weight onto the front axle of the prime mover .
With a close coupled trailer the hitch weight can be within reason
controlled by how the trailer part is loaded. eg just removing the gas cylinders from the drawbar and relocating behind or even on top of axles will drop the nose weight by more than 20kg . Likewise with a rear mounted water tank traveling with a full or empty will affect the nose weight considerably . The Vogue or disco are both rated at 3.5 tonne train weight IIRC , which they can handle easily from personal experience . You might find this article interesting https://www.outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/driving-towing-towing/towball-weight-and-trailer-stability .

How do people tow 3.5 tonne trailers thruout the EU (inc UK) if a 2.6
tonne caravan needs 170kg hitch load ?

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[sallylillian]

Lada.........LADA! .........only people of a certain age would understand

Seen them in Croatia this year!

 

[Blue Knight]

Where is the 170 kg figure coming from ? The problem with hitch weight is a bit of a non factor , as the weight transfer is a constantly changing figure . The equalizer hitch helps mitigate this and by its design transfers weight onto the front axle of the prime mover .
With a close coupled trailer the hitch weight can be within reason
controlled by how the trailer part is loaded. eg just removing the gas cylinders from the drawbar and relocating behind or even on top of axles will drop the nose weight by more than 20kg . Likewise with a rear mounted water tank traveling with a full or empty will affect the nose weight considerably . The Vogue or disco are both rated at 3.5 tonne train weight IIRC , which they can handle easily from personal experience . You might find this article interesting https://www.outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/driving-towing-towing/towball-weight-and-trailer-stability .

How do people tow 3.5 tonne trailers thruout the EU (inc UK) if a 2.6
tonne caravan needs 170kg hitch load ?

I'm looking forward to reading that- many thanks indeed (I'm on the hop at the moment).

Ref the 170kg figure - Swift have calculated a 150kg hitch weight on 6.25% of the standard 2.4T MTPLM. All I've done is apply that same % to the uprated MTPLM of 2.68kg, hence 170kg.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[maxi77]

The

irony is the lada Cossack engine was a Fiat made under licence .
They were rattly from new but lasted well

The whole Lada was licenced from Fiat and paid for in Russian steel which was why Fiats of a certain period rusted away in no time.

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[Blue Knight]

@tacr2man - A very good article

It was most evident from reading the contents that both the US and AUS systems are hugely different from our own UK system in terms of hitch weight allowances.

The point about an Airstream being of a US design, albeit internationally realigned to European roads, may be the primary reason why the hitch weight is so much more significant than that of a conventional UK caravan hitch.

Airstream must have made a number of significant changes to its primary design because unlike the Americans with their F150 and F350 trucks, the Brits have small diddy things like a Hilux, Navara, L200 and Range Rover to tow a US-designed trailer.

I'm getting the impression that Airstream has attempted to shoehorn a US design into a UK market and this is where the problem ultimately lies for the big Airstream trailers.

I have visited the dealer today for a face-to-face chat and they have offered to send an email to Airstream to help ascertain what towing vehicle would suite a 2.7T trailer. I've also asked about the use of an Equalizer as that could potentially open up my choice of vehicles by a good few; I'll report back accordongly

Other than that guys, here are a few pics that I took of the Colarado in the showroom.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[tacr2man]

This pic is of a caravan i had in Australia similar size weight to Airstream , but high ground clearance for outback . The 130 isn't using a equalizer but used the equalizer with my Range Rover

 

[MillieMoocher]

@tacr2man -

Other than that guys, here are a few pics that I took of the Colarado in the showroom.

All the best,

Andrew

View attachment 243063

View attachment 243064

View attachment 243065

Well with the way that looks, to me, it’s essential that a solution is found....I need one of those in my life!

Certainly watching the thread with great interest

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[Blue Knight]

Well with the way that looks, to me, it’s essential that a solution is found....I need one of those in my life!

Certainly watching the thread with great interest

.........and now I'm going through the insurance stage:

My two best quotes so far:

1. " The most expensive caravan that we've ever insured was £35,000".

2. "My manager has referred it to her manager but we now need to get further approval before accepting the proposal".

This is tough going guys.

 

[Blue Knight]

Oh, yes, I've found a pulling car too. It's not quite got the lines of a Rangey but unlike a RR it can pull the Airstream with its 225kg hitch rating.

 

[Hellski]

.........and now I'm going through the insurance stage:

My two best quotes so far:

1. " The most expensive caravan that we've ever insured was £35,000".

2. "My manager has referred it to her manager but we now need to get further approval before accepting the proposal".

This is tough going guys.

This was the company recommended by AVL at the time they were main dealers for Airstream; I actually used them at the time we owned a T@B and found them to be very good

Simon Hogg
Director

S & C HOGG LTD TRADING AS PROAKTIVE


ProAktive

T
M
W www.proaktive.co.uk

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[Blue Knight]

This was the company recommended by AVL at the time they were main dealers for Airstream; I actually used them at the time we owned a T@B and found them to be very good

Simon Hogg
Director

S & C HOGG LTD TRADING AS PROAKTIVE


ProAktive

T
M
W www.proaktive.co.uk

Thanks Christian, you're a star. I'll see what they have to say but I reckon that my provisional quote is going to be circa £1,200 to £1,500 a year with an allowance for 180 travel days in Europe.

There are 4 Colarados for sale in the UK and not one has been sold this year. I can see why.

We will give it a couple of more days and then postpone any Airstream purchase until next year. I'm quietly confident that they won't fly off the shelves in the meantime

All the best

Andrew

 

[Kingham]

I'm looking forward to reading that- many thanks indeed (I'm on the hop at the moment).

Ref the 170kg figure - Swift have calculated a 150kg hitch weight on 6.25% of the standard 2.4T MTPLM. All I've done is apply that same % to the uprated MTPLM of 2.68kg, hence 170kg.

All the best,

Andrew

Andrew,

I can understand why you've applied the % to the load on the hitch, but IMO it is not required and it's certainly not a legal requirement.

When I uprated my twin axle caravan, it had no effect on the nose weight, which as already mentioned, is controlled by careful loading.

All you are doing is taking some excellent tow cars out of the equation.

Ken.

 

[Blue Knight]

Andrew,

I can understand why you've applied the % to the load on the hitch, but IMO it is not required and it's certainly not a legal requirement.

When I uprated my twin axle caravan, it had no effect on the nose weight, which as already mentioned, is controlled by careful loading.

All you are doing is taking some excellent tow cars out of the equation.

Ken.

Ken, I totally agree with your advice but I'm keen to achieve a decent response from Swift which underpins the actual facts; after all, I think the price tag alone gives me the right to ask them a question regarding the tech-info contained in their brochure.

At this moment in time I am being told that a well balanced twin axle Airstream has a hitch weight of 150kg @ 2.4T so I'll post-up a response regarding the 2.7T option when I receive it.

That said, the whole concept of buying an Airstream is to help the owner break free from the trials of life - but it appears that my initial insurance proposal only permits me to camp on my driveway and on any caravan site equipped with machine gun positions and guard towers - all else is not covered

Cheers,

Andrew

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[olley]

Aluminium inside and out, seems to me it would be hot in summer and need a lot of heating in winter, plus a lot of condensation. Following typical yank design like my RV regarding insulation, roof aircon to keep you cool in summer and a dirty great blown air heater for the winter.
Looks nice on the outside but I don't like bare metal walls inside.

 

[Blue Knight]

Aluminium inside and out, seems to me it would be hot in summer and need a lot of heating in winter, plus a lot of condensation. Following typical yank design like my RV regarding insulation, roof aircon to keep you cool in summer and a dirty great blown air heater for the winter.
Looks nice on the outside but I don't like bare metal walls inside.

.........it sounds like a good environment for growing tomatoes. The aircon comes with standard but that in itself can be a pain in the ar$e.

Thanks for the post-up; some great info there

 

[Blue Knight]

Insurance Update:

4 x declines, 2 x referrals so that will translate to 6 x declines by dinner this evening.

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