Airstream Avenue - Need advice from owners
I've got a deposit on a used 2011 Airstream Avenue. Airstream claims I have 1525 lbs. available payload on the van (maybe less due to options). I'm planning on towing a trailer. With tongue weight, I'...
Forum Discussion
Thanks for all the replies, gentlemen.
In response to all the advice, let me give some more info.
The Avenue is built on a 2011 Chevy G3500 chassis with the 6.0L engine (has trans cooler). Chevy rates towing at 9,300 lbs. -- but there's no way I can tow that heavy. The tongue weight on a trailer that heavy will cause me to exceed GVWR.
The Roadtreks, depending on year, seem to be a little lighter than the Avenues. I think Airstream's cabinetry and finish materials are heavier. I'm not sure how the Pleasure-Ways weigh out. I'm planning on going up to GVWR on the van. My last employer ran all three brands of 1-ton vans, towing and hauling heavy equipment. As long as you stayed within GVWR and GCVWR and kept up on all the maintenance, the Chevys and Fords were fine. The unit-body Dodges rattled like mad after long-term towing of heavy loads (even within GVWR and GCVWR). 3,500 lbs. trailer weight and 350 lbs. tongue weight seem really, really light - unless its with the smaller V6 or V8 engines. The Chevy drivetrain is warrantied for 5 year / 100,000 miles when used within GVWR and GCVRW.
1382 lbs. CCC works out to be... (1382 lbs. CCC) - (500 lbs. passengers + snacks + on road entertainment stuff) - (100 lbs. water) - (75 lbs. WD hitch) = 707 lbs. left for tongue weight (propane is included in CCC according to Airstream). Maybe a little more, as Wayne has the Suite and I'm looking at a Lounge (the Suite model has full ensuite bathroom and a larger kitchen, whereas the Lounge just has two rows of seats).
Back that out for a 11% tongue weight results in a maximum loaded trailer weight of 6427 lbs. 9600 GVWR + 6427 is well below the 16000 GCVWR. GAWR-F/R looks within range at that weight. So I'm probably looking for a trailer with a dry weight of about 5500 lbs.
Am I doing this right?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
-edit for grammar and clarity-
In response to all the advice, let me give some more info.
The Avenue is built on a 2011 Chevy G3500 chassis with the 6.0L engine (has trans cooler). Chevy rates towing at 9,300 lbs. -- but there's no way I can tow that heavy. The tongue weight on a trailer that heavy will cause me to exceed GVWR.
The Roadtreks, depending on year, seem to be a little lighter than the Avenues. I think Airstream's cabinetry and finish materials are heavier. I'm not sure how the Pleasure-Ways weigh out. I'm planning on going up to GVWR on the van. My last employer ran all three brands of 1-ton vans, towing and hauling heavy equipment. As long as you stayed within GVWR and GCVWR and kept up on all the maintenance, the Chevys and Fords were fine. The unit-body Dodges rattled like mad after long-term towing of heavy loads (even within GVWR and GCVWR). 3,500 lbs. trailer weight and 350 lbs. tongue weight seem really, really light - unless its with the smaller V6 or V8 engines. The Chevy drivetrain is warrantied for 5 year / 100,000 miles when used within GVWR and GCVRW.
1382 lbs. CCC works out to be... (1382 lbs. CCC) - (500 lbs. passengers + snacks + on road entertainment stuff) - (100 lbs. water) - (75 lbs. WD hitch) = 707 lbs. left for tongue weight (propane is included in CCC according to Airstream). Maybe a little more, as Wayne has the Suite and I'm looking at a Lounge (the Suite model has full ensuite bathroom and a larger kitchen, whereas the Lounge just has two rows of seats).
Back that out for a 11% tongue weight results in a maximum loaded trailer weight of 6427 lbs. 9600 GVWR + 6427 is well below the 16000 GCVWR. GAWR-F/R looks within range at that weight. So I'm probably looking for a trailer with a dry weight of about 5500 lbs.
Am I doing this right?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
-edit for grammar and clarity-
