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slowmover · 10-20-2010, 11:58 PM

Time is my main consideration for buying new. Used is ok but everything I have seen needs TLC and interrior updating. That said, I am still on the watch for something used but nothing seems to fit what I have in mind design wise. A friend is selling his Avion because he thinks the large radiused upper corners are too confining.

I come from a family with three generations of full-timing in aero aluminum trailers over more than fifty years. None of us ever felt confined (and I am over 6'). The perspective may be different visually, but remember you spend most of your time seated while "indoors". Plus, these trailers tend to have FAR better outward visibility when seated than a square box (their structure is too weak, in general, for the same sq/ft to glass ratio).

That Pro Ride hitch... WOW! $$$

Your family is worth how much? You have how much into van and trailer? A sway eliminating hitch is much less than 10% the value of the rig, isn't it? Maybe 5%?

As for as fuel economy... if I can save $ on a couple fill-ups on a long trip, I think it would be worth it. Makes going on trips a little easier on the wallet.

Not at the expense of repairs, even DIY, if RV quality is low.

Are Airstreams under 3500lbs? I don't believe so. That's my tow limit. I realize that's debatable but that's what it is. Another different TV isn't an option right now so I am definately compromising there.

Some AS trailers are light. You are not weight-limited in the same way with an aero trailer if you'll educate yourself on the advantages. CAN AM RV in London, Ontario sets them up like was done in the 1960's. Understand that your van has not been subjected to proper testing, nor that the new J2807 standard is in any way realistic. Search for articles and posts by Andy Thomson of that firm. They've been doing this for forty years and have set of hundreds of your brand of van, and thousands of minivans to tow. Weight rating is relative to many factors. Reading will inform you of considerations.

And, yes, you can tow a heavier aero trailer than the ones shown here. You'll enjoy reading around on the subject.

You are definately correct, todays trailers are not as well built, even the Visa I just got. It definately has issues with quality.

All RV's are not as good as they ought to be.

Important that you set up the hitch rigging with a certified scale. And keep records and photographs; document everything as you may someday want a better trailer, so records of service/warranty work are better than memory and a credit card receipt.

My mother -- on our 3-4 week trips in the 1960's & '70's -- used to write away to states, societies, etc to gather information for an upcoming vacation. Books, magazines, correspondence piled up comfortably. I see vehicle maintenance the same way, it's a touchstone for comfort and confidence while on the road. A pleasant diversion most evenings. WOODALLS.NET has a decent forum. Start there with searches about your two vehicles. You can also PM me for a continuing draft I add to about towing and FE, it's essentially just notes past about page 40 but has now reached 101 pages and well above 100 links.

Much of your FE is now set in stone. Driver attention to details (details of TV and TT), plus trip planning will give you the final percentage increase for FE. Safety & FE work hand-in-hand, so it's a reassuring list.

ON the trailer, start by having a big truck shop perfect TT axle alignment. If TT does not have shock absorbers, add MONROE Retrofit kit. CENTRAMATIC Tire Balancers are also good.

If the TT has cheap no-name tires I'd consider GOODYEAR MARATHON the default choice for ST tires.

Good luck

.

10-20-2010, 11:58 PM	#37 (permalink)
slowmover Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 2,442 2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT Team Cummins 90 day: 19.36 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,422 Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts	Time is my main consideration for buying new. Used is ok but everything I have seen needs TLC and interrior updating. That said, I am still on the watch for something used but nothing seems to fit what I have in mind design wise. A friend is selling his Avion because he thinks the large radiused upper corners are too confining. I come from a family with three generations of full-timing in aero aluminum trailers over more than fifty years. None of us ever felt confined (and I am over 6'). The perspective may be different visually, but remember you spend most of your time seated while "indoors". Plus, these trailers tend to have FAR better outward visibility when seated than a square box (their structure is too weak, in general, for the same sq/ft to glass ratio). That Pro Ride hitch... WOW! $$$ Your family is worth how much? You have how much into van and trailer? A sway eliminating hitch is much less than 10% the value of the rig, isn't it? Maybe 5%? As for as fuel economy... if I can save $ on a couple fill-ups on a long trip, I think it would be worth it. Makes going on trips a little easier on the wallet. Not at the expense of repairs, even DIY, if RV quality is low. Are Airstreams under 3500lbs? I don't believe so. That's my tow limit. I realize that's debatable but that's what it is. Another different TV isn't an option right now so I am definately compromising there. Some AS trailers are light. You are not weight-limited in the same way with an aero trailer if you'll educate yourself on the advantages. CAN AM RV in London, Ontario sets them up like was done in the 1960's. Understand that your van has not been subjected to proper testing, nor that the new J2807 standard is in any way realistic. Search for articles and posts by Andy Thomson of that firm. They've been doing this for forty years and have set of hundreds of your brand of van, and thousands of minivans to tow. Weight rating is relative to many factors. Reading will inform you of considerations. And, yes, you can tow a heavier aero trailer than the ones shown here. You'll enjoy reading around on the subject. You are definately correct, todays trailers are not as well built, even the Visa I just got. It definately has issues with quality. All RV's are not as good as they ought to be. Important that you set up the hitch rigging with a certified scale. And keep records and photographs; document everything as you may someday want a better trailer, so records of service/warranty work are better than memory and a credit card receipt. My mother -- on our 3-4 week trips in the 1960's & '70's -- used to write away to states, societies, etc to gather information for an upcoming vacation. Books, magazines, correspondence piled up comfortably. I see vehicle maintenance the same way, it's a touchstone for comfort and confidence while on the road. A pleasant diversion most evenings. WOODALLS.NET has a decent forum. Start there with searches about your two vehicles. You can also PM me for a continuing draft I add to about towing and FE, it's essentially just notes past about page 40 but has now reached 101 pages and well above 100 links. Much of your FE is now set in stone. Driver attention to details (details of TV and TT), plus trip planning will give you the final percentage increase for FE. Safety & FE work hand-in-hand, so it's a reassuring list. ON the trailer, start by having a big truck shop perfect TT axle alignment. If TT does not have shock absorbers, add MONROE Retrofit kit. CENTRAMATIC Tire Balancers are also good. If the TT has cheap no-name tires I'd consider GOODYEAR MARATHON the default choice for ST tires. Good luck .