Harvey,
You're right that it's a bit harder to get a well-designed TT
off-balance than it is to improperly load a utility trailer. However:
This trailer isn't new, so: are the batteries installed? (mine are under
the front couch, so would affect the tounge weight negatively if
missing) How about the propane tanks?
In any event, you can't tell by looking at the thing, you must actually
WEIGH it to be know what's going on. It's like discussing whether that
board is closer to 6' long or is only 3' long: don't waste time talking,
MEASURE it.
You'll get no argument from me on the tow vehicle. Although I've seen a
34' A/S towed with a 1/2-ton 'burb, I also heard later that those folks
put their rig upside down or into a ditch or something equally
disasterous.
The biggest thing that a too-light tow vehicle lacks is what I call
"stiffness". Some of that is tires and suspension, as you mention. Two
things would help in the "stiffness" department: a rear sway bar like
you see on the front of most vehicles that connects the LH and RH
wheels, and a connecting link between the axle and the frame. This looks
like a tie rod, runs horizontal behind the rear axle, and is sometimes
seen on the front of 4WD trucks. The purpose is to totally prevent any
sideways movement of the axle in relation to the frame. IMO, this would
add immeasurably to the handling of a tow vehicle.
Unfortunately, adding this sort of stuff still leaves you with a 1/2-ton
truck at its heart. It has a THM 700R4 transmission instead of the
heavier outfit used in the 3/4-ton, it has a lighter frame, smaller
radiator, smaller brakes, lighter rear axle (maybe), etc. I found our
Dodge 1/2-ton truck to be a bit on the light side after going to a 6000#
trailer, and finally decided to bite the bullet and get what I really
needed.
You're right about the Avion frame. Our 1973 has 3 longitudinal
box-section members, running from front to rear, no wimpy channel. It
also has a very unusual suspension that appears to weigh more than the
Henschen axles used by A/S. It's a 25' trailer, and weighs about 5300#
empty, but with batteries and propane tanks. When ready to roll for a
trip, it's close to 6000#, with about 750# on the tounge.
We go through this again and again: "Can I tow this (insert trailer
model & weight here) with my (insert lightweight tow vehicle model
here)? Someone needs to write an FAQ that pulls no punches and
recommends what the newby NEEDS, not what he or she might be able to get
by with if towing is restricted to flat land, no wind, and no semis
passing. If you insist on using that (insert lightweight tow vehicle
model here), it would be best to look for a trailer that's well within
its limits. Otherwise, figure on a replacement tow vehicle as part of
the purchase of the trailer.
<<Jim>>
Harvey Barlow wrote:
>
> Jim,
>
> No argument from me regarding improper loading of a utility trailer causing
> instability. When the rear of the trailer is loaded heavier than the rear
> it will clearly cause a light tongue and instability.
>
> I can readily accept that adding tongue weight to a poorly designed
> stick-built trailer with inadequate tongue weight would improve stability.
> But we're talking about a quality trailer, an Avion.
>
> A well-designed travel trailer's weight distribution is mostly fixed by
> design. Equipment installation, propane tanks, fluid tanks, closets,
> storage compartments, and axle position were all calculated by the engineers
> who designed the trailer. I guess it would be possible to pack a lot of
> heavy items in the stern to cause a heavy rear end. Loading auto parts in
> the rear bedroom for example would possibly imbalance a trailer, but for
> normal loading of the things most people would pack in a travel trailer, I
> think the approximate weight distribution would tend to remain similar, and
> within specs, just increase overall. That is the way a good trailer like an
> Avion or Airstream is designed and built.
>
> >From what I have heard, pre-'90 aluminum Avions were designed very similar
> to A/Ss but where A/Ss have a more flexible frame, Avions have a heavier and
> more rigid frame and are heavier overall than A/Ss. Is that true?
>
> I have not owned an Avion or weighed one but from what I have been told, a
> 32' aluminum skinned Avion is probably comparable in weight to my 34' A/S,
> which weighs around 9k pounds when loaded for travel. I would be interested
> to hear from Cheyanne again and learn if she weighed their Avion and what
> it's travelling weight actually is.
>
> An Avion 32' is a very heavy trailer to pull behind a 1/2 ton Suburban with
> passenger car tires with their inherently more flexible sidewalls, lighter
> suspension, smaller brakes, etc.
>
> Harvey
>
>
--
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<<lower SE Michigan, USA>>
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