OP
OP
Thank you, my friend!Happy for ya brah!
The Adventures of Sylvester, the 2018 Suburban 3500 HD and our 2017 Airstream 27FB
- Thread starter Geotrash
- Start date
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OP
Us too!
It's about the same gross weight and tongue weight. Within 350 lbs. anyway.
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Took a shakedown trip to a nearby campground last weekend and everything worked, with no leaks. Bed is really comfy, too. My wife was gone for the weekend with her sister, so my father-in-law came out to hang by the campfire and tell stories. Side note: I won the in-law lotto with my wife's mom and dad. Her mom is hilarious - witty and laughs big - even at my jokes! Her dad could give Mr. Miyagi a run for his money in Tai Chi and zen wisdom. Every time I spend time with the guy I learn something useful.
Juno approves of the windows:
Found the switch for the awning lights after about 10 minutes of looking.
Bought a new trash can and a pad for the dog bowls. Ready to roll.
Juno approves of the windows:
Found the switch for the awning lights after about 10 minutes of looking.
Bought a new trash can and a pad for the dog bowls. Ready to roll.
OP
OP
Last camping trip (maybe) with the Alpha Wolf over Labor Day weekend. Our daughter invited a friend to join us on the Outer Banks and we've been so busy that there's been no time to transfer all of our stuff to the Airstream and get it organized the way we want it, so it was just easier to take the "old" camper this time. As always, everything worked great and I always sleep so much better in a camper than I do at home. Go figure, but 9+ hours for 4 nights in a row did wonders for my readiness for the work week.
I say maybe this will be our last trip with the Alpha Wolf because we may hang onto it until spring. It will be more likely to sell at a higher price than in the fall. We'll see.
Also, Hatteras Island is a gem. I have been to beaches all over the world from Goa India, to Cancun, to Jamaica, to Cape Cod, to SoCal, to Australia. But Sydney and I agree that the beaches on Hatteras Island are our favorite of all. Soft white sand, beach driving permits are inexpensive, glorious sunsets from the campsite, that sleepy beach community feel, warm water late in the summer, and dolphins in the fall and winter.
I say maybe this will be our last trip with the Alpha Wolf because we may hang onto it until spring. It will be more likely to sell at a higher price than in the fall. We'll see.
Also, Hatteras Island is a gem. I have been to beaches all over the world from Goa India, to Cancun, to Jamaica, to Cape Cod, to SoCal, to Australia. But Sydney and I agree that the beaches on Hatteras Island are our favorite of all. Soft white sand, beach driving permits are inexpensive, glorious sunsets from the campsite, that sleepy beach community feel, warm water late in the summer, and dolphins in the fall and winter.
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pwtr02ss
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Another awesome trip in the books. Do you think you'll miss the slide out?
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Yes, I'm sure we'll miss the added space when all set up, but the slide out makes it difficult to load the camper up when it's in front of the house and we can't deploy it. But the Airstream is also 6" wider and since it doesn't have the bunks taking up living space, it should feel quite comfortable - especially when it's just the 2 of us. What I won't miss is the worry that the slide-out motor or mechanism are going to fail on us when we're packing up to leave and are working against the clock. A few folks out there with the same model have had motor and wiring problems with it. Pretty common issue across all brands.
pwtr02ss
Full Access Member
I remember you posting pics of the inside and I was really shocked at how spacious it was. Fireplace and all. That sparked my interest and made me go look at some. Suddenly the instagram was full of em. Then I talked myself out of it. I always wondered how it would be to go back to an airstream after a double wide.
Aboviously the airstream is the top dog in the camper world so I'd imagine it's not too bad. Also refreshing to have a high quality unit where youre not waiting for something to break every time.
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Ah, cool - didn't know that! Yeah, it's really quite cozy in there - especially in colder weather. The fake fireplace heater that adds more ambiance than you'd think.
It feels genuinely elegant inside. The bedroom is much less cramped as well.
pwtr02ss
Full Access Member
Glad to hear the upgrade has been a positive experience
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Life has a way of shaking the table such that plans laid out for weeks ahead get a little shuffling. We have close friends out in Luray. They have lovely property on the Shenandoah River. The wife of the couple is my wife's best friend since high school, and her husband has become one of my favorite people. How lucky is that?
But her sister died suddenly this week and we must go. Going to tow the Airstream behind the trusty old 2012 Yukon XL 1500 Denali. The hitch is set up better for it than the Suburban 3500 until I get the 3" lift kit under the Airstream. Was planning to do that before our next planned trip in 3 weeks, but se la vie, right? Gotta be there for the people we love.
Dexter makes the Airstream 3" lift kit. Costs $250 and the dealer will install it for another $2,500. Takes about 5 hours for a newbie, 4 for a pro. I'm in the wrong business. Guys on Youtube install it in a gravel driveway with the jack stands shifting around while they lay under it. I'm going to do it on pavement, thanks. The bolts for the front axle are a bastard apparently because they're tucked behind the gray water tank. There's a guy in Alabama who makes $60/kit by welding little tabs on the bolts to keep them from turning so you can tighten them from outside the frame. Probably put his kids through college with that schtick working 4 hours a day, and he deserves every cent.
But her sister died suddenly this week and we must go. Going to tow the Airstream behind the trusty old 2012 Yukon XL 1500 Denali. The hitch is set up better for it than the Suburban 3500 until I get the 3" lift kit under the Airstream. Was planning to do that before our next planned trip in 3 weeks, but se la vie, right? Gotta be there for the people we love.
Dexter makes the Airstream 3" lift kit. Costs $250 and the dealer will install it for another $2,500. Takes about 5 hours for a newbie, 4 for a pro. I'm in the wrong business. Guys on Youtube install it in a gravel driveway with the jack stands shifting around while they lay under it. I'm going to do it on pavement, thanks. The bolts for the front axle are a bastard apparently because they're tucked behind the gray water tank. There's a guy in Alabama who makes $60/kit by welding little tabs on the bolts to keep them from turning so you can tighten them from outside the frame. Probably put his kids through college with that schtick working 4 hours a day, and he deserves every cent.
pwtr02ss
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Sorry for the loss of your friend.
adventurenali92
Full Access Member
Sad day…. Hope the trip goes off without a hitch so you can be there for your friends when they need you the most!
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Thank you, my friend. Sad indeed.
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Thank you, my friend.
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OP
$1,200 for new shoes for the Airstream before our trip last weekend. 225/75/r16, load range E, Michelin Agilis CrossClimate. They seem to be the preferred tire for the Airstream crowd, which suits me fine because Michelin is my brand.
In the some other box world (SOB, in Airstreamer parlance), people use dedicated trailer tires. I did as well. First, I had a set of Goodyear Endurance tires on the Alpha Wolf, which lasted 4 years and 15K miles before a broken belt forced a change. That experience is typical, if not longer than most trailer tires last in camper duty. The fora are riddled with pictures of shredded trailer tires, of all brands. And I've seen countless RV and boat trailers on the side of the highways changing tires, too. There must be a better way.
It also hit me that I'd never seen an Airstream on the side of the road with a flat tire. Turns out that Airstream owners seldom suffer from tire failures. This appears to be for 2 reasons: 1/ Airstream specs a larger size tire for the trailer weight than other manufacturers do. 2/ Many owners run LT tires (Airstream offers this as a factory option as well) because they offer similar weight ratings but much higher speed ratings than special trailer tires do, so they are stronger. Trailer tires are typically duty-rated for between 65 and 87 mph. LT tires are typically rated for between 99 and 118 mph.
It's not unusual to see an Airstream sitting on 6-7 year old LT tires that still look like new. My max will be 5 years for these new Michelins. It's doubtful I'll notice much tread wear, if any, before I replace them someday.
Side note: Airstreams use torsion axles and sealed bearings instead of leaf springs and conventional bearings. They also have shock absorbers. Taken together it makes for one smooth tow. And owners report a sealed bearing life expectancy of around 100K miles.
In the some other box world (SOB, in Airstreamer parlance), people use dedicated trailer tires. I did as well. First, I had a set of Goodyear Endurance tires on the Alpha Wolf, which lasted 4 years and 15K miles before a broken belt forced a change. That experience is typical, if not longer than most trailer tires last in camper duty. The fora are riddled with pictures of shredded trailer tires, of all brands. And I've seen countless RV and boat trailers on the side of the highways changing tires, too. There must be a better way.
It also hit me that I'd never seen an Airstream on the side of the road with a flat tire. Turns out that Airstream owners seldom suffer from tire failures. This appears to be for 2 reasons: 1/ Airstream specs a larger size tire for the trailer weight than other manufacturers do. 2/ Many owners run LT tires (Airstream offers this as a factory option as well) because they offer similar weight ratings but much higher speed ratings than special trailer tires do, so they are stronger. Trailer tires are typically duty-rated for between 65 and 87 mph. LT tires are typically rated for between 99 and 118 mph.
It's not unusual to see an Airstream sitting on 6-7 year old LT tires that still look like new. My max will be 5 years for these new Michelins. It's doubtful I'll notice much tread wear, if any, before I replace them someday.
Side note: Airstreams use torsion axles and sealed bearings instead of leaf springs and conventional bearings. They also have shock absorbers. Taken together it makes for one smooth tow. And owners report a sealed bearing life expectancy of around 100K miles.
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The Suburban has been slumbering in the garage, waiting for fall camping season to begin. Trips planned to Shenandoah, Williamsburg and the Outer Banks through November. I’ll do an oil change this week, have the front diff and transfer case done, and probably the transmission, too.
Meanwhile, I’m learning about Airstream electrical systems and solar as I plan a 300A LiFePO4 battery upgrade. The group 24 deep cycle lead acid batteries that came with it are on their last legs. Had to hook up a booster pack at the storage lot last weekend to move into its new covered parking spot.
New 300A monster battery is on the way, along with a new converter section for the factory Parallax power center to make it compatible with lithium batteries. Because the battery is so large, I’m relocating it to the storage compartment which means Lots of rewiring of accessories and the factory inverter to do. All while making sure I design the system so it’s expandable when I eventually add solar on the roof.
Most Airstream folks tend to go for Victron components because they’re solid and well-integrated. The cool thing about them is you can have say 800 watts of solar on the roof, a big LiFePO4 battery bank (two of these 300A batteries would be plenty) and a mondo 3000W inverter/charger, and the system can pull enough power from the solar and batteries to run the A/C and anything else you might need for a few hours. And if you want to run for longer you can supplement with a small, cheap generator like the Predator 2000 and it will merge it all together in an optimized way.
If you don’t need A/C, you can be off-grid pretty much indefinitely. Add a DC-to-DC charger to the Suburban and I can fast charge the batteries from the alternator just idling for an hour at the campsite if the weather is cloudy for several days in a row.
All of this solar and electrical stuff is fascinating. The technology has advanced significantly in just the last 3 years.
Meanwhile, I’m learning about Airstream electrical systems and solar as I plan a 300A LiFePO4 battery upgrade. The group 24 deep cycle lead acid batteries that came with it are on their last legs. Had to hook up a booster pack at the storage lot last weekend to move into its new covered parking spot.
New 300A monster battery is on the way, along with a new converter section for the factory Parallax power center to make it compatible with lithium batteries. Because the battery is so large, I’m relocating it to the storage compartment which means Lots of rewiring of accessories and the factory inverter to do. All while making sure I design the system so it’s expandable when I eventually add solar on the roof.
Most Airstream folks tend to go for Victron components because they’re solid and well-integrated. The cool thing about them is you can have say 800 watts of solar on the roof, a big LiFePO4 battery bank (two of these 300A batteries would be plenty) and a mondo 3000W inverter/charger, and the system can pull enough power from the solar and batteries to run the A/C and anything else you might need for a few hours. And if you want to run for longer you can supplement with a small, cheap generator like the Predator 2000 and it will merge it all together in an optimized way.
If you don’t need A/C, you can be off-grid pretty much indefinitely. Add a DC-to-DC charger to the Suburban and I can fast charge the batteries from the alternator just idling for an hour at the campsite if the weather is cloudy for several days in a row.
All of this solar and electrical stuff is fascinating. The technology has advanced significantly in just the last 3 years.
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pwtr02ss
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Nice upgrade. The solar stuff is pretty neat.
Bigburb3500
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Look at some of the blowing channels and forums. They have been using solar and victron products for a while now! Great stuff and have fun! We just got back from Southport area and headed to Cherry Grove, SC area this weekend.
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Blowing channels and forums? Do you mean sailing?
Bigburb3500
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Auto correct error hahaha - Boating forums or channels on YouTube
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