Fiver verse Airstream

[MWelsh]

We are thinking about an Airstream 28SO, is there any big difference between towing an Airstream and a Fiver. We feel really safe towing the fiver, and concerned about towing a trailer with a hensley hitch. In my eyes I think the fiver is safer, but to end the conversation I would like some input.

 

[Prairie Dog]

You wont have any problem with the AS, especially using a Hensley. In fact you may want to try it without the Hensley first because I doubt you'll need it.



Scotty

 

[Gene Arnold]

I've been towing Airstreams since 1983. I have no experience with 5ers. I've never had much trouble towing with either of the Airstreams. My own opinion is that I can't justify the high price of the Hensley hitch. Others will differ greatly with my opinion of course. The only problem I've had is when I hadn't checked my new rig out for proper hitch-up procedure (and also, unknown to me at the time, I'd lost my sway control bar) and experienced an incident of fishtailing. Pretty scary but it was my own dumb fault! Some people may find the low profile of the Airstream too confining. I'm 6'3” and get along fine, but I understand when some folk say they don't like it. I really like it when I fill up and get 14-16 mpg towing. The slide out will add a lot of weight, so you'll lose some of the towing advantage you would otherwise have.

You might benefit from visiting the Airstream forums at www.airstreamforums.com/. There a lot of valuable info available from these folks.

 

[Bob4x4]

I tow a 25" airstream with both of my Lifted 2500's it tows so well I do not use any sway control device (have one but need it). I tow mostly through deserts where gusty winds are common,some mountain driving. The trailer only knocks off about 3mpg from my fuel economy... ... ..... I love it and don't need all the extra room,weight,and drag a 5er has to offer.



Bob with the silver bullet

 

[JFaughn]

I vote for the Airstream , I got an 85 excella , 32' , towed with out the weight distribution hitch with a 1/2 chev. taho , then my Ram , then put on the reese weight distribution system , it was great towing with all those combinations .

 

[CKimball]

i have had both and I will say the airstream is a DREAM to tow... I wouldnt waste your $$ on a hensley as I feel they are better off installed on a heavier trailer. . go with a reese or a Equalizer hitch (which is what I had on mine)... caveat on an As vs a 5ver is space... my a/s was a 71 international 28ft rear bath and even after sitting 15 years (new tires installed) out at the river i towed it 250 miles back home and it towed perfectly... +'s on a A/s is that it will last forever, aerodynamic and light weight for its size... . plus... you become the envy of the campground i miss mine... one of those "never should have sold it " kind a things

cameron

 

[RustyJC]

+'s on a A/s is that it will last forever, aerodynamic and light weight for its size... . plus... you become the envy of the campground... .

Obviously we frequent different campgrounds.



Rusty

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The Henschen axle system on Airstreams gives both independent suspension and a dampening like shock absorbers. It is easier on the contents of the trailer and tows much better. The rounded shape makes it much easier to tow in high winds. They tow way better than leaf sprung, non-shock absorber trailers. My 21' is not much of a challenge to my Ram; I don't use sway controls or an equalizer hitch. It tracks perfectly, even in fast lane changes to avoid a wreck, etc.

 

[Forrest]

... is there any big difference between towing an Airstream and a Fiver. ...

I've towed both, as a matter of fact.



The Airstream was a 31 foot'er. It was the last bumper hitch towable. Not because it towed bad, it towed better than any other towable we owned.



I started towing it with a standard, load equalizing hitch, no problemo. I picked up some "parts" of a combo load equalizing & anti sway setup, got everything together & towed with it. That got rid of some if not all of the "tail twitching".



The Airstream is just great as a towable. As a matter of fact, I purposely didn't dump the holding tanks, which were in the rear, & towed home. I figured the added weight in the rear would bring the ugly'ness out if there was any ... nada.



We transitioned to a 5th wheel, 27', with slide out. Really roomy as compared to the Airstream. Towing ... no comparison. It's not even the same game. When you hit bumps with the towable, you get that "rocking" from front to back with the towable, nada with the 5th wheel. Side winds aren't a problem anymore. The dynamics of the side wind on the truck & trailer is way different. More of a "white knuckle" experience on the stronger gusts.



My opinion ... stay with the 5th wheel. Change brands/floor plans, whatever but keep the 5th wheel.

 

[RHestand]

98 Airstream 31 ft. Excella

My wife and I bought this trailer in 98 and was our first camping trailer. We absolutely love it.



We were pleasantly surprised with all the unexpected little extras like exterior lights at the tongue area for hooking-up at night and also at the dump valves, plus very ingenious little storage compartments throughout the trailer.



The interior and exterior quality is far above any of the other trailers I've ever looked at, and it tows just great.



If ours ever ever wears out, (no signs of it yet) we would definitely buy another one.



In nine years and many thousands of miles on some pretty rough roads, it has been trouble free, with the exception of one wheel bearing.



The initial price that at first seemed a little pricey, turned out to be a bargain.



RHestand

 

[RColston]

Since Thor took over AS I do not thing the quality is befitting the price. Generally they have marginal storage, clear coat on the extreior is expensive to re-do if ever needed, and they do need to be re-done on occasion. Their most notable feature is ease of towing and being overpriced IMHO. People that have them either only ever own AS or would never have another (had five friends that had em, all switched to something else). Another vote for staying with a 5th wheel.



Rick

 

[captainmike]

BOTTOM LINE - the Airstream is an excellent hi-quality unit that you will enjjoy for years. That is the plus of the AS. But it is a towable and will never tow as trouble free as a 5er. Any towable, AS included may give some sway in cross winds and semi passing. You can fix this with a Hensley, but they are expensive, about $3k. It is all a compromise. , You decide.



Airstream: + High quality, better gas mileage

- May sway in wind, not as much room, expensive hitch, more

hook up effort

Fiver: + More room, easier hook up, flawless towing, no swaying at all

- poorer gas milage



Have fun, That is the most important item, Cheers, Mike in FL.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Since Thor took over AS I do not thing the quality is befitting the price. Generally they have marginal storage, clear coat on the extreior is expensive to re-do if ever needed, and they do need to be re-done on occasion. Their most notable feature is ease of towing and being overpriced IMHO. People that have them either only ever own AS or would never have another (had five friends that had em, all switched to something else). Another vote for staying with a 5th wheel.



Rick

I totally agree. I checked them out at a recent RV show. What a disappointment. They are made with all the same cheap paneling, fabrics and low end appointments all the other manufacturers use. The workmanship of the counter tops and cabinets was pathetic and the salesman admitted the clear coat would go bad like all the other newer ones you see on the road.

 

[Grizzly]

No one has mentioned that the maneuverability of the 5th wheel is much superior to a TT. Try backing up a TT in to a very restricted driveway. Then back up a 5er.



I vote for the 5er.

 

[231jasonS]

I was also disapointed with the "new" Airstream. I looked at more than 30 different models for over 6 months. The inside quality is not any better than a lot of the cheap Thor products.



I recently ordered a new 5th and should be getting it at the end of the month. Silverback 31LBHS by cedar creek.