Ground score:

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by tevake

Denis are you on your way south yet? I did notice in your pics , that the jack is a bit low. It can drag if too low when driving over transitions in the pavement.

I cruised on down to Phoenix area yesterday. WOW what difference, just two hrs driving but down 4,500 ft in elevation drop. And about 20/25 degrees warmer temps.
Feels almost balmy .

rfuester911sc, I asked the avion owner about his trailer and he is thinking about what he wants for it. I'll let you know what he comes up with. It is mostly original inside and a bit rough, could do with a refresh at least.
I remember that cool cab over you picked up, how is it coming along?

Quote
Originally Posted by pcardude
Nice score. I want to sell my house quit my job and live in a trailer like that. That would rock.

Well the RV life is clearly not for everyone. But now for me it makes it easy to be near my family to help out with an aging a Mom, and still have my own digs.
Having lived more than ten years aboard boats this is a comfortable fit. Plus the ability to roam around the country in the relative comfort of my motorhome is big fun after many years in the islands.

Jwasbury, you have made mention of your magical mystery tour in a motorhome , can you fill in some more details for us, pics of the coach, cool spots visited etc.

I'm hoping to connect for some PCA track days at some of the west coast tracks this summer while traveling that way .
Also planning to tow the 911 up to Colorado this spring for some fun mountain drives around Colorado Springs. Heading there to join in on a classic airstream motorhome gathering.

At any rate, Denis I hope you are getting comfortable with your trailer in tow and making your way towards warmer weather in sunny SoCal. Let us know how the trip goes for you.

Cheers Richard

My Avion truck camper rebuild is coming along but not as fast as I had hoped. Too many other projects have been added to the mix . I guess I hold true to the saying he who dies with the most toys wins ! But I don't see a road trip for that trailer in my future.

[tevake]

^^. I hear you about too many slow moving projects, but I'm allways ready to feed yet another fantasy plan!

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

NAPCO Suburbans are RARE. This would be a perfect match for that Airstream.

One of the advantages of a vintage trailer over a vintage motorhome is that you can enjoy the vintage character of the trailer while at the beach or park, then enjoy the comfort and safety a modern tow vehicle offers on the road.
I guess it depends on the intended use. If just tootling down a few miles to a favorite park or event. The classic old truck does match up with a vintage trailer nicely. But if hitting the road and seeing big parts of the country is the plan the capable modern TV. May be a better choice.

Cheers Richard

[xgfhgh]

I'd love to have something like that. My earliest memories rving are in my grandparents avion. Such a cool little trailer that was mostly original.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by tevake

Jwasbury, you have made mention of your magical mystery tour in a motorhome , can you fill in some more details for us, pics of the coach, cool spots visited etc.

I lived aboard and travelled with my girlfriend at the time. The rig was a Bluebird Wanderlodge:
Somewhere near Amarillo

Flagstaff KOA

Cockpit

Memphis - about to cross the Mississippi

Circusland RV park, Las Vegas Strip

View from campsite at Malibu Beach RV park


Before that, I had an Airstream which I travelled a bit with, but also used for Motorcycle racing:

Bike in trailer


Loudon Road Race Series

[speeder]

Jacob, that Sovereign was beautiful and the Bluebird is incredible. I know that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's RV but I'm coveting it anyways.

I'm posting this from a motel room in Nebraska, the trailer is filled with stuff I'm moving from MN to CA and also it's below freezing outside and I don't have a sleeping bag. It's towing like a dream so far, smooth and steady @ 65-70 mph, Tahoe is getting 11 mpg towing it. I'm very happy.

I'm heading to Denver tomorrow to possibly unhitch the trailer at a friend's house and go skiing somewhere. It's supposed to dump some snow on Tues and they got some over the weekend. Yippee!

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by speeder

Jacob, that Sovereign was beautiful and the Bluebird is incredible. I know that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's RV but I'm coveting it anyways.

I'm posting this from a motel room in Nebraska, the trailer is filled with stuff I'm moving from MN to CA and also it's below freezing outside and I don't have a sleeping bag. It's towing like a dream so far, smooth and steady @ 65-70 mph, Tahoe is getting 11 mpg towing it. I'm very happy.

I'm heading to Denver tomorrow to possibly unhitch the trailer at a friend's house and go skiing somewhere. It's supposed to dump some snow on Tues and they got some over the weekend. Yippee!

Bummer, I just left Denver, have a safe trip..

[xcbzgh]

I'd love to have something like that. My earliest memories rving are in my grandparents avion. Such a cool little trailer that was mostly original.

[tevake]

Ahoy Denis, glad to hear your trip is going well and that the Tahoe is comfortable towing the trailer. Convenient time to score the trailer, when cleaning out your dad's place. Condolences BTW.
Have fun on the slopes.

Yep Jacob, I'm coveting too. Love that Bluebird, classic dash and steering wheel.
How was it on the road. Looks imposing with the broad front and trailer in tow.

Then there is that classic shot of the Duc. Thru the window of the stream , neat image.
Did you load the bike thru the side door? Sure looks like some fun adventures you had.

Are you done with RV ing for now? Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

Thanks for the cool pics.

Cheers Richard

[ckelly78z]

I'm not so coveting the bluebird, but the lifestyle of being a nomad and traveling where the sun and activities are. I often thought it would be neat to have a 10' truck camper on my F-250 pulling a small fishing boat with my Honda XR200 dirtbike strapped on somewhere. I would love to tour Alaska with this rig, and blast down the dirt access roads with the bike, and fish pristine glacier lakes for Northern Pike, and fix fish dinner over the open fire.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by speeder

Jacob, that Sovereign was beautiful and the Bluebird is incredible. I know that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's RV but I'm coveting it anyways.

The Sovereign was a newer model than yours ('78 or '79, IIRC) and frankly they weren't as nicely made as the older ones, particularly the interiors. Back then (late 90's) the older and smaller Airstreams commanded the most money and the big newer ones like the Sovereign (31 foot) were pretty cheap. I recall paying $3500 for it. Not sure where the market is today. Thanks and have a safe trip.

Originally Posted by tevake

Yep Jacob, I'm coveting too. Love that Bluebird, classic dash and steering wheel. How was it on the road. Looks imposing with the broad front and trailer in tow.

Are you done with RV ing for now? Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

The Bluebird was a very heavy, safe and solid rig. The interior was dated (hello 1982), but built to an incredible standard of quality. The steering was a little sloppy, but I suspect perhaps the kingpins were worn and should have been replaced. The engine was a CAT 3208 Diesel, naturally aspirated and it was sloooowwwwww. You were maxxing out at 60-65mph, and going over the continental divide sucked.

Were I to do that trip again, I'd have used the Airstream, or held out for a turbocharged Bird. And as previously mentioned, I'd not tow that big car trailer.

Ducati was loaded through the side door of the Airstream, and then a little bit of wrestling to get it in postion to tie down.

No RV currently, but who knows what the future holds. I did introduce my wife to RV travel last Thanksgiving. We rented an RV from Cruise America at Las Vegas and toured the area (made it to Grand Canyon and back), it was a great trip.

happy trails...

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

pristine glacier lakes for Northern Pike, and fix fish dinner over the open fire.

It's killing me to sit here at my desk with thoughts like this^^^ rolling around in my head.