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Kry226,



Nothing starts a discussion like hitches and it goes on and on. The hitch you are saving for certainly has its fan club, so does the other one and then the rest seem to be all over, none seems the slam dunk winner. Currently on Airforums the Anderson has been going wild but not w/o issues, the Equalizer has fans etc. but the one that does not have a large following that caught my eye is the Husky Centerline, take a look at how it addresses sway, it wants to return to straight due to cam heads against Belleville springs. It caught my eye. I'm doing well with my used equalizer, but steel rubbing on steel ain't my idea of how to do the job but it is working fine.



Gary



Oh yes, Gary, I know how those hitch threads go, so I almost hesitated before I even mentioned my Reese. I've been watching the Anderson thread for a long time, but lost interest with all the bickering. I'll check out the Husky, but I was also looking at the Blue Ox. However, none seem to be able to compare (as far as die hards go) to the HaHa and the P5.



Like you, it drives me crazy when I turn the rig and everyone starts looking to where "that noise" is coming from. It's particularly chapping when I know all that friction isn't doing what it's supposed to do as well as I want it to.



Kyle
 
I've been watching the Anderson hitch thread also. It's quite entertaining. I really like the simplicity and concept of the Anderson but it seems to be having some growing pains and probably best used with a particular type of coupler and small to medium sized trailers. It seems high priced for what you get.
Tomorrow I am going to Northern Ohio with my sister and my truck to pickup a 2008 25' Airstream. From the pictures they have only Reese a weight distribution hitch only. I explained hitches to her and my brother in law and did my best to explain the pros and cons of each hitch without being biased. I might as well have been speaking Greek to them from the look in their eye. They will probably start out by upgrading this to the dual cam and see how things go. I will spend the time with them to dial the hitch in properly since they are novices at towing. Heck they haven't even bought a truck yet. I'm thinking a half ton with the right towing package should do the job fine.

The only reason I have the Hensley is because I got a heck of a deal on it at $600 and didn't mind cleaning and painting it up. Now that I have the top of the line brake controller and hitch I can understand peoples preference for them. If I were buying a hitch today the Propride would definitely be at the top of the list due to improvements over the original Hensley design and slightly less in price.
 
When I was an Airstreamer and for probably 30 years before that the snapping sound of Reese dual cam hitches was very common at rallies. Every Airstreamer used them and many also used one or two friction sleeve sway controls if they were towing with 1/2 tons or other lightweight vehicles.
 
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I have never experienced any sway even in desert wind storms buty truck weighs more than the trailer and only a few feet shorter
 
Kry226 and Crispyboy
I LOVE the disc brakes! I've got a MAXBRAKE controller. In case you don't know, it senses hydraulic pressure at the master cylinder just like the controllers in the old days and it's just amazing. I set it when I installed it and that's it, I've never touched it again. Each time I hook up it's always the same. And never needs changing but might be due to the disc brakes... they don't change with temperature.

When I apply the brakes it's as though it's all one vehicle. Smooth, appropriate stopping power. Never abrupt, grabby or scary. Never lock up a wheel either.

I decided to up the axel rating while I had it in for the disc brakes because I plan to add batteries and solar panels for boon docking and I also plan to take my L/P tank cover off put my Honda 2000i generator on the tongue. It came with 4300 pound axels so I only went up 200 pounds. I had a chat with Andy at Inland RV (THE Airstream Guru to end all) and his recommendation was the 4500 pounders... just to up payload and not beat the trailer to death. I haven't felt any change in handling related to the axels... just the amazing braking.

For some reason I thought disc brakes were standard on the newer Classics but like you said, I'm gonna keep this trailer until I can physically do the hitching etc.
 
Kry226 and Crispyboy

I LOVE the disc brakes! I've got a MAXBRAKE controller. In case you don't know, it senses hydraulic pressure at the master cylinder just like the controllers in the old days and it's just amazing. I set it when I installed it and that's it, I've never touched it again. Each time I hook up it's always the same. And never needs changing but might be due to the disc brakes... they don't change with temperature.



When I apply the brakes it's as though it's all one vehicle. Smooth, appropriate stopping power. Never abrupt, grabby or scary. Never lock up a wheel either.



I decided to up the axel rating while I had it in for the disc brakes because I plan to add batteries and solar panels for boon docking and I also plan to take my L/P tank cover off put my Honda 2000i generator on the tongue. It came with 4300 pound axels so I only went up 200 pounds. I had a chat with Andy at Inland RV (THE Airstream Guru to end all) and his recommendation was the 4500 pounders... just to up payload and not beat the trailer to death. I haven't felt any change in handling related to the axels... just the amazing braking.



For some reason I thought disc brakes were standard on the newer Classics but like you said, I'm gonna keep this trailer until I can physically do the hitching etc.



When this Jordan wears out, I'll surely install a Maxbrake. Done a good bit of research on them. The DirecLink seems a promising alternative too.



Classics had discs for a few years, but they were so problematic that Airstream went back to the drums, I think in 09 or 10, but may be mistaken. This is what has prevented me from doing a conversion. I've read so few reviews that didn't have issues. But I would love to have discs as I would feel much more comfortable doing my own maintenance on them versus the drums/shoes. But heck, now they make the drum shoe kit already pre-assembled on the backing plate. A few bolts and a couple of wires and you're brand new back in business. But discs will always be a serious contemplation. Right now, I just cannot justify the conversion costs.
 
Kry226 and Crispyboy

I LOVE the disc brakes! I've got a MAXBRAKE controller. In case you don't know, it senses hydraulic pressure at the master cylinder just like the controllers in the old days and it's just amazing. I set it when I installed it and that's it, I've never touched it again. Each time I hook up it's always the same. And never needs changing but might be due to the disc brakes... they don't change with temperature.



When I apply the brakes it's as though it's all one vehicle. Smooth, appropriate stopping power. Never abrupt, grabby or scary. . [/QUOTE



Agreed, great brakes. I did a lot more to mine than I should have had too. Long story most of it at Airforums. Actuator recall, short hoses, air bubbles, corrosion. But all fixed.
 
I guess I didn't do much research when I decided to have the disc brakes installed. I'd read and article in Airstream Life magazine where the editor/publisher had his A/S converted to disc brakes and was very happy with it. I've had ZERO problems with them... knock wood. I give them a good inspection when I pack the wheel bearings and check the hydraulic fluid a couple times a year... never added any and it still looks real good. I'd have to look but this might be the 4th or 5th summer... time flies!

Side note on tires... when I took the 15" wheels off I found that 3 of the 4 Goodyear Marathons had bulges and tread separations! From the day I picked up it up from the dealer it never towed right. I was real disappointed and thought it was something wrong with the Airstream until I towed it with the 16" Michelins... made it perfect. I was probably right on the verge of a catastrophic blow out... dodged a big bullet there!
 
Disk Brake question:
You guys who are using disk brakes - do you have any problems with rust or non-use of the brakes if the trailer has been sitting for several months (during the winter)? My brother had a pickup truck that would get "lot rot" if it wasn't used on a regular basis - it seemed to eat calipers/rotors. It seems the drum brakes protect the equipment from the elements a bit better.
Would you spend the extra money for the stainless steel hardware?
 
Disk Brake question:
You guys who are using disk brakes - do you have any problems with rust or non-use of the brakes if the trailer has been sitting for several months (during the winter)? My brother had a pickup truck that would get "lot rot" if it wasn't used on a regular basis - it seemed to eat calipers/rotors. It seems the drum brakes protect the equipment from the elements a bit better.
Would you spend the extra money for the stainless steel hardware?

I checked my install date and I've had my disc brakes for four years and I have no rust issues. I pack my wheel bearings every spring and all my hardware is in great shape. It's probably the dry climate we have here.
 
Kry226,

Hitch discussing time is over, time to set it up. Good luck. Hitches, tires and I forget the other hot topics those two make up for it all. Oh yeah the Anderson!

Gary
 
Gary, hopefully, it'll be here by the end of the week so I can work on it this weekend.



But I guess I'm just a controversial guy, you know, trying a new show-pony hitch, swapping to 16" E rated tires for the traylah, replacing my converter before it went bad and smoked my batteries, wanting disc brakes, etc.



I probably shouldn't start talking about black water tank chemicals and types/brands of toilet paper, huh? :-laf



Kyle
 
Kyle,

The 16" idea is on my radar also. Even snapped a pic of the 16" tire in the mothership lobbly a while back. My 30' w/slide is HEAVY on the tires w/o H2O of any kind. I'm thinking of what I could do with steel wheels instead of alloys that have their own set of issues potentially. Save $$, rust vs. aluminum corrosion are the biggest, still kicking it around. At least you can paint steel easily.

What year is your trailer that you R&R'd the convertor?

So you picked up the traylah slang from 2Air I bet?

Gary
 
Kyle,

The 16" idea is on my radar also. Even snapped a pic of the 16" tire in the mothership lobbly a while back. My 30' w/slide is HEAVY on the tires w/o H2O of any kind. I'm thinking of what I could do with steel wheels instead of alloys that have their own set of issues potentially. Save $$, rust vs. aluminum corrosion are the biggest, still kicking it around. At least you can paint steel easily.

What year is your trailer that you R&R'd the convertor?

So you picked up the traylah slang from 2Air I bet?

Gary

Mine is a 2010. I really like the 16" Michelins, not only for performance, but also for the confidence they give (I'm sure you'll love them too). I had my own blow out with Marathons on my flatbed and knew I had to get new shoes. The traylah slang is actually the first time I've ever used it as I was just trying to be sarcastic, but I've seen several folks use it, including 2Air.

Kyle
 
I've had two Airstreams. I owned a 1969 International 31' from 1983 to 1999. I sold it when I bought my 1992 34' Limited which I just sold and will deliver to Colorado next week. When we moved back here to Nebraska to be near our kids in our old age the need for the trailer went away. Haven't moved it in twenty months. I always said I hoped I would have the good sense to quit towing when it was time and not make the mistake I've seen some seniors make. Well, it is time for me now - I turned 78 last Sunday. Mixed feelings about it though!
2005 Summer 005.jpg
Truck and Trailer for attachment.jpg


2005 Summer 005.jpg


Truck and Trailer for attachment.jpg
 
Beautiful 'stream Gene. I hope I have the sense to be able to say when. In my Dad's last year on earth he went out and bought a new TDI-the full size truck didn't suite him any more.
 
Nice rig Gene! I have the same mindset as you but I'm 25 years behind you. My only hope is in my future to be able to RV travel at all with fuel prices, global warming and who knows what else.

My plan when towing the Airstream is too difficult I'd like to get a Class C diesel like the Mercedes sprinter conversion... something with slides and not too big.

Mike
 
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