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 critical analysis. It has been very helpful in making sure I've got all my bases covered and don't make a stupid purchase decision.
I've always been leery of manufacturers' claims of weight. They are always too light. The absolute worst abuse I've seen is with Japanese racing motorcycles. In order to claim low weights, they will advertise weights of the motorcycles with no fluids - no gas, no coolant, no oil in the engine, no hydraulic fluids in the brakes/suspension, no water in the battery. The actual, "ready-for-the-road" weight ends up significantly higher. One couldn't hope to use a motorcycle in that condition in the "real world".
I really appreciate the real world comments from the owners. Due to the confusion between claimed and real world weights, I started digging into the info (special thanks to Wayne, whose numbers provide confirmation to Airstreams claims).
Airstream uses two sets of numbers. They use Unit Base Weight (UBW) and Net Carrying Capacity (NCC) in their advertising. Then they use Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) and Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) on each van - "the UVW and CCC on the Cargo Carrying Capacity tag are weights for the individual vehicle AS BUILT with its options and certain water capacities". Also from the 2011 owners manual, "Airstream weighs the vehicle as finished and adds the weight of full tanks of liquid propane and chassis fuel."
Wayne has got 1382 lbs. CCC on his Avenue Suite. I've seen 1474 lbs. CCC on Avenue Lounges similar to the one I want to buy. I'm harassing the dealership to send me an actual pic of the sticker on the van.
Wayne's weighed numbers seem to confirm that the Avenues still have significant payload capacity after loading "for the road".
I will be trying to keep the Avenue as light as possible when towing - putting all luggage back in the trailer rather than the tow-vehicle and carrying minimal water. I may even have to put the spare tire back in the trailer because it will hit the trailer when backing up.
Wayne - will the spare tire fit under the sofa in the rear? Looks like it'd be a tight fit.
I re-figured with the latest CCC weight and get 824 lbs. payload left. At 11% tongue weight, that's a 7491 lbs. trailer. At 12% tongue weight, that's a 6867 lbs. trailer.
I've always been leery of manufacturers' claims of weight. They are always too light. The absolute worst abuse I've seen is with Japanese racing motorcycles. In order to claim low weights, they will advertise weights of the motorcycles with no fluids - no gas, no coolant, no oil in the engine, no hydraulic fluids in the brakes/suspension, no water in the battery. The actual, "ready-for-the-road" weight ends up significantly higher. One couldn't hope to use a motorcycle in that condition in the "real world".
I really appreciate the real world comments from the owners. Due to the confusion between claimed and real world weights, I started digging into the info (special thanks to Wayne, whose numbers provide confirmation to Airstreams claims).
Airstream uses two sets of numbers. They use Unit Base Weight (UBW) and Net Carrying Capacity (NCC) in their advertising. Then they use Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) and Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) on each van - "the UVW and CCC on the Cargo Carrying Capacity tag are weights for the individual vehicle AS BUILT with its options and certain water capacities". Also from the 2011 owners manual, "Airstream weighs the vehicle as finished and adds the weight of full tanks of liquid propane and chassis fuel."
Wayne has got 1382 lbs. CCC on his Avenue Suite. I've seen 1474 lbs. CCC on Avenue Lounges similar to the one I want to buy. I'm harassing the dealership to send me an actual pic of the sticker on the van.
Wayne's weighed numbers seem to confirm that the Avenues still have significant payload capacity after loading "for the road".
I will be trying to keep the Avenue as light as possible when towing - putting all luggage back in the trailer rather than the tow-vehicle and carrying minimal water. I may even have to put the spare tire back in the trailer because it will hit the trailer when backing up.
Wayne - will the spare tire fit under the sofa in the rear? Looks like it'd be a tight fit.
I re-figured with the latest CCC weight and get 824 lbs. payload left. At 11% tongue weight, that's a 7491 lbs. trailer. At 12% tongue weight, that's a 6867 lbs. trailer.
