[VAC] Fantasy vs Reality

[wescott50@xxxxxxxxx (Bill Scott)]

There has been a lot of talk lately, about hauling heavy motorcycles,
adding 4 or 5 heavy golf cart batteries, adding 3 of 4 solar panels, and
heavy inverters, and regulators, and hot tubs, and even in floor , or
under floor radiant heat.   Most of this talk, is just
that,......talk,.....day dreams, that are very impractical.   Most
Airstreams, especially, vintage, were designed to  have a NCC (Net
Carrying Capacity), of about 1000 lbs, or about 1/2 ton.  The newer
Classic trailers, range from, 900 lbs, on the 19 ft Bambi up to about
1700 lbs for the big 34 footers.   Most of the trailers, we are talking
about , in the 50's and 60's, have a NCC of about 700 to 1100 lbs.
Remember, that the frame problems, started in the late sixties, and were
caused by three things.  Overload, (water, and waste tanks, full)  Rough
Roads, and RR tracks, and Mice, (causing rust, in the outriggers).
After you give yourself, a good slap in the face, and look in the
mirror, and step up on the scales, ................then, start adding up
the weight of all that water, all those batteries, all those solar
cells, all your dogs and cats, all yours clothes and tools and camping
gear, and food, and "STUFF", ........it is very easy to get up to 1000
pounds, without adding the weight of you, and your wife, and guests.
Remember this, Airstreams are nice to tow, because , they are light, and
Aerodynamic.   If, you load them down, with all this gadgetry, and heavy
gauge wire, batteries, TV's, microwaves, blenders , CB's, and all other
modern convenience. you suddenly have a very HEAVY, LOAD, to drag across
America, with gasoline prices heading towards $2.00 a gallon.    Are we
back to Reality now?????

Bill Scott
Charter Member and Membership Chairman
Washington DC Unit,  WBCCI   #3221
Our Homepage;  http://www.servintfree.net/wbcci-dc/