I stand (er, well, sit) corrected.
Does the manual suggest how often this should be performed?
Does the manual suggest how often this should be performed?
Do you tow an Airstream? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mark71
- Start date
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Per the manual:
Every 10k:
* Engine Oil/filter
Every 15k:
* Front and rear diff oil
Every 30k:
* Transfer case oil
Every 60k:
* A/T fluid
Every 100k miles
* Coolant
Of course some of these overlap, so at 60k you're doing engine oil/filter, diffs, transfer case, and transmission
(Personally that diff change interval seems excessive to me, even for towing, but this is what the 2013 manual says)
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Correction. The first coolant exchange is 100k/120 months. Then after the first exchange, it goes to every 50k/60 months.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
@TeCKis300, Do you think I need to buy towing mirrors for this 19' I'm renting? Is the view completely obstructed or is it just a really nice thing to have for you that actually owned one?
Yes.
I believe the 19' AS is 8' wide. Which is only .5' narrower than the full size ones like mine. I had rented a 23D when I had my 100-series. That one was also 8' wide. I remember taking off from the rental lot and immediately realized I had side rear-view visibility issues. Turned around and got some tow mirrors fitted. Mucho better.
Hopefully the rental company will provide some clip/clamp on units.
If not, I bought these. Which work great, and are the same ones the rental provided back in the day:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019YJCBF4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You've probably heard of the Clearview mirrors, but if not: LANDCRUISER 200 SERIES
Of course those are a more permanent change than clip on, but I'm considering them.
Of course those are a more permanent change than clip on, but I'm considering them.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
I have, and I love how they now offer power fold and heated options. I wonder if 2013+ LCs will loose their cameras?
However, this being just a super fun experience for only 3 weeks, I will get the clip on ones that @TeCKis300 recommends.
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I have the ones @TeCKis300 uses/listed. They are great. And very necessary. Our trailer is 8’ but I still need the mirrors. They go on easy. They of course take some adjusting - especially when you put them on the first time. But after that maybe just a bit of tweaking each time to get the view right. We take them off as part of our unhitch process when we get to camp though you could certainly leave them on.
Taco2Cruiser, that sounds like absolutely an epic trip coming up. You'll either love it and be hooked, or decide that another mode of travel better suits you and you family.
I do get lazy with the unhitching when at site. I almost always leave my tow mirrors on for the duration of the trip, even with side excursion. For me, those mirrors once setup the first time, go on and off without further adjustment. Only set screw I'm touching from then is the vertical clamp screws. You'll see what I mean when you get them. O, and try not to walk into them.
I use my power folding function judiciously.
Even for the hitch, I get lazy and leave all the bits on. Including my weight distribution bars which I just bring in horizontal to the bumper and use as a step, or dirty my pants with.
I do get lazy with the unhitching when at site. I almost always leave my tow mirrors on for the duration of the trip, even with side excursion. For me, those mirrors once setup the first time, go on and off without further adjustment. Only set screw I'm touching from then is the vertical clamp screws. You'll see what I mean when you get them. O, and try not to walk into them.
I use my power folding function judiciously.Even for the hitch, I get lazy and leave all the bits on. Including my weight distribution bars which I just bring in horizontal to the bumper and use as a step, or dirty my pants with.
I probably should get clip on towing mirrors. I just have 2” blind spot mirrors, but I have no trouble seeing anyone on either side of me with them
Wife and I looked at more airstreams today and think we landed on our first travel trailer being the Sport Bambi 22FB. We'll look to buy as the summer ends and dealers want to move product. From what I've read, Aug-Dec is 15-20% off territory.
Remember when I was a kid in the 50s the airstream was the ultimate trailer guess it still is we had a Shasta
Classic looks and relative quality. Not perfect. Always compromises. And when I compare the Airstream forums to the forum for our Lance trailer the # and type of issues are pretty much the same - both much better quality than the typical white box trailers out of the Midwest. But the Airstream look is classic (reminds me of a well kept wooden sailboat), they tow well (in part due to their being slung a bit lower) and they use quality components. And like an LC, they will last a long time and hold their resale value.
For those of you into Airstreams and new to RVing and trailering, you might get a kick of our the Long Long Honeymoon (LoLoHo) channel on YouTube. Cute couple who practically live out of their AS and travel all over the country. Lots of great tips. He does use a truck to tow, though.
For those of you into Airstreams and new to RVing and trailering, you might get a kick of our the Long Long Honeymoon (LoLoHo) channel on YouTube. Cute couple who practically live out of their AS and travel all over the country. Lots of great tips. He does use a truck to tow, though.
- Thread starter
- #54
With the wife and I looking hard at Airstreams, I would really love to hear more about non-AS trailers that others find comparable. Being very quality and longevity oriented (cruiser head, duh), are there brands besides Lance that we should be looking at?
I'm personally interested in longevity of whatever I buy, regardless of resale value. I'm no expert, but Winnebago appears to use high quality material in their builds. I've looked at theirs and if I wasn't buying an airstream I would definitely be looking at a Winnebago travel trailer.
I have 3-3/4" convex blind spot mirrors also. On my tow home today, I was comparing the blind spot mirrors vs the tow mirrors. The tow mirrors really open up the view behind. You can see things approaching and get a sense of approach speed in ways the convex mirror can't. It's a worthwhile accessory IMO.
While I don't absolutely need it, I'd like to add a wifi rear view cam in the future. Thinking I can make a dashcam work for this function for minimal effort.
Take a look at some of the molded fiberglass trailers, e.g., Bigfoot, Escape, and Oliver. Generally hold up very well over time and maintain resale value better than almost anything else on the market.
There are a few general components of a trailer:
After doing the above I was sold on getting a Lance for our next trailer. I really liked the Dutchman Aerolite 2423 layout but their quality was suspect to me (and the carrying capacity was very low). The newer Surveyors were nice and seemed pretty well built, but Forest River churns out a lot of cheaper crap from the same factories. There were only a few other triple bunk options in my weight/length range, none of which impressed me.
FWIW I think Airstreams are nice trailers and if you want the look, don't mind the lack of slide outs and the interior space you lose from the radius corners, are looking for a trailer body that is less prone to leaks and will last for decades, and can afford one they are absolutely they way to go
- Body - For most trailers, the body is either corrugated aluminum or laminate-over-wood. Roofs are almost always EPDM or similar. Airstream is the main exception.
- Frame - Most frames are welded steel. Lance uses huck bolts and claims they are better because they are less prone to rust. I have no idea but since I don't tow in the winter when there is salt on the roads it's unlikely to matter to me.
- Suspension - Most suspensions are either leaf spring or torsion axle. The latter rides better (much less bounce) but tends to sit lower to the ground.
- Interior components - Interior components (cabinets, etc) are pretty similar. Manufacturers use different types and thicknesses of wood for cabinets, counters, etc
- Appliances - Appliances and other electrical components are pretty much the same throughout. Shurflo water pump, Dometic or Norcold fridge, Atwood stove and furnace, etc. A/C, shower heads, faucets, toilet, tank/battery meter, charge converter... it's all basically the same stuff.
- Speed of assembly - if the assemblers are rushing to churn out trailers they tend to cut corners (or "optimize" for quick assembly instead of longevity - i.e. using staples or brads instead of positive fasteners like screws)
- Engineering - Lance for instance supposedly stretches and attaches the roof in a way that's designed to prevent leaky corners/edges, some manufacturers like Surveyor (Forest River) make the roof curved to improve drainage, etc.
- Read lots of forums to see what people are saying
- Go to an RV show in the winter and check out as many manufacturers as you can:
- look at the materials they use. If they seem cheap (thin counters, thin cabinets, open spaces where they could've put storage) is it because they were trying to shave weight or is it because they were trying to shave costs?
- look at the layout/design and compare to other trailers. Are they just building a box and cutting a few small windows in it, or does it look like they actually spend time designing the whole trailer for its purpose? Compare a Lance to a KZ and you'll see what I mean.
- lay on the ground and look at the frame/wire routing/etc to see if they pay as much attention to quality assembly for the things people don't normally see
After doing the above I was sold on getting a Lance for our next trailer. I really liked the Dutchman Aerolite 2423 layout but their quality was suspect to me (and the carrying capacity was very low). The newer Surveyors were nice and seemed pretty well built, but Forest River churns out a lot of cheaper crap from the same factories. There were only a few other triple bunk options in my weight/length range, none of which impressed me.
FWIW I think Airstreams are nice trailers and if you want the look, don't mind the lack of slide outs and the interior space you lose from the radius corners, are looking for a trailer body that is less prone to leaks and will last for decades, and can afford one they are absolutely they way to go
- Thread starter
- #59
Very thoughtful analysis, as usual. Thank you for the advice.
Any suggestions on a good RV forum?
For extension mirrors I have lost/ripped off a few $100+ mirrors. One time where we were I bought a Curt extender mirror for $25 to get us back home. Locally I can get them for $17 each and I keep an extra in the camper. They do take a bit to get adjusted and can rattle in high wind but really in my experience they are 90% as good as any clip on mirror.
