26' 1966 Airstream and a 71 GMC SWB 4x4

[Raguemoe]

New toy for the family! Just purchased a 1966 Airstream trailer on ebay! (Always wanted a classic Airstream)

My daily driver:

1971 GMC SWB 4x4
-stock heavy duty suspension
-32" BFG's on ralley wheels
-Power steering & power disc brakes (f) Drums (r)
-strong 350 motor (headers, edelbrock intake & carb.)
-Performance rebuilt 350 trans. w/shift kit

Future mods:
-A/C (for the kids)
-Rear disc brakes
-trans. & oil coolers
-Maybe a 383
-rear air bags

The Airstream is a 1966 Overland 26' travel trailer (4100 dry weight). These are suppose to be easy pulls as the are aerodynamic, low center of gravity and have a narrow profile. I've looked a a few web sites and the 118" wheel base should have a 22' trailer or less.

I would hate to have to get rid of the GMC, but I do want to be safe. My trips will be within a few hundred miles for the first few years as I am a newbie and there are a lot of local places to explore.

Any input or past experiences would be appreciated!

Some pics.

[LUV2XCLR8]

And the Stream is

[GREASEMONKEY72]

damn thats a sweet trailer, i love the old trailers

need a pic of it hooked up to the truck though

[special-K]

Great score and well kept.

[Raguemoe]

I'm having it delivered to my mom's house in ABQ, NM next week. Then I will fly out and pick it up (using my mom's Van conversion to tow it to SoCal!)

Do you guys think my 71 GMC will be able to tow this thing or do I need to go truck shopping!

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i think your truck will pull it fine, just keep your head in the game and everything will be good

[BobbyK]

Load leveler or a weight distributing hitch wouldn't hurt either.

[Raguemoe]

Originally Posted by BobbyK

Load leveler or a weight distributing hitch wouldn't hurt either.

What do they go for? Do you recommend a brand/style! Thanks!

[70rs/ss]

Be careful and keep the speeds down till you get a feel for it, shorties really do not like hauling a trailer. They like to fishtail A LOT!! The load leveler will help the low backend and the sway. Good luck looks, sweet!!

[HeavyD]

Cool looking trailer

[IAFF2407]

'66 is the last year you can polish it like a mirror, keep it clean or it will cost you a mint to have a professional do it (sometimes 5 grand) some will polish and then clear coat it (many grand)

I have a 3/4 sub that will be pulling a '72 silver streak trailer that I'm rebuilding. This is the same as an Airstream. these trailers can be heavy but pull easy. With a weight distribution setup and a good quality braking system you should be fine. The concern you might have is the higher center of gravity your truck has. Pulling a trailer (big) safely is a technique, go out and practice, like everything else it will become easier. Also, you have to have a mindset that everyone on the road is dangerous, if you have to break hard or swerve hard, good luck. you need lots of room ahead of you............I just re-read my reply, sound like someone's Dad. Let me know how it turns out.
Al.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Cool trailer. I bought a '76 Argosy 6 Meter Minuet [20 footer], back in March, '06. Argosy was Airstream's '70s experiment with a lightweight trailer. They are all-white in stock form. The nose and tail sections are made from stamped galvanized sheet steel, the "fuselage" section is aluminum skin just like the Airstream. The "Minuet" series are only 7'6" wide instead of the full 8' for even a Bambi A/S.
www.airforums.com is a website that covers all Airstreams and Argosys, even the vintage units. Lots of helpful oldtimers there. I'm still a lurker there. There's alot of lore to absorb before sounding off.
My Argosy is considered a 20 Footer. It has one axle. It tows pretty well behind my '71 Jimmy 4x4 (350/SM465/NP205/3.73 Posi.) However since mine's still a project, I haven't taken it anywhere yet.

[HavinSomeFun]

I think you need to go truck shopping and sale that truck to me!

[gmc1969custom]

You might want to look at this. http://www.equalizerhitch.com I use the style pictured above (BobbyK's Posting) with the add on anti sway bar that works fine that is seen here product#3400 http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/WD/d..._controls.html . Reese is a good brand as well as Draw-Tite. Call your local hitch place for a new price or try craigslist for a used one.

[Yukon Jack]

Great looking trailer - brings back good memories of seeing those when I was a kid on vacation with my family.

[ChevLoRay]

There have to be people who were excited to buy a truck like yours, when it was new, to pull their '66 model trailers. My '69 2WD has a 350, a TH400, 3.23 gears and was used to pull a 28-ft trailer before I bought it. I suspect that had it had a set of disc brakes, instead of drums, they'd still be driving it and pulling that trailer.

When we bought a new 26-foot Nomad, in '84, I bought a '76 Blazer 4WD, that had a part-time kit already installed. It had a 400SB and a 350TH. I put 31x11.50 Wrangler Radials on it, and we went "camping". I gotta tell you that 2WD-Low is perfect for spotting your trailer into a tight space. Lots of control and plenty of power at your disposal.

I vote to keep the truck, and enjoy the trailer/truck combo. You should get plenty of positive comments. I would go ahead and modify the truck to put the AC in it and add the coolers for the engine oil and transmission. With an electric fan install, you should be good-to-go.

I'm envious of the trailer....they're contagious.

[72CSTC5]

Definitely upgrade the braking on your truck if you can afford, use the load stabalizing hitch with anti-sway bars, load lever air-bags out back and try that first if I were you. Oh almost forgot, upgrade the trailer with electric brakes and brake controller for the truck.

[68GMC454]

good deal on the trailer,,always wanted one..i never if i can help it, pull anythign with a swb...especially when what im pulling is as big or bigger than the truck....personaly i would find my a lwb 3/4 to use for pulling the camper..no mater what alot of people think and say,,it can get out of hand quick....and you got your family to think of..
billy

[Raguemoe]

Will a CPP hidden hitch fit on a SWB 4x4?

[ETsC10]

Very nice trailer.....wish it was mine. Would you please send it to me?
Thanks. E
.

But seriously, as others have said, make sure an anti-sway system is in place and make double d@mn sure your truck and trailer braking capacity is at it’s best. If the trailer doesn’t have it’s brakes tied into your truck in some way…when you need to stop, it can’t help you do that….ask anyone who has had to rely on the truck brakes (no matter how good they are) to stop the whole works…verses letting the tow slow you down.
I drive a half ton, LWB, leaf sprung, disc truck and, when I have to transport my 28’ Fleetwood, I borrow a ¾ ton GMC...and that’s kinda spooky without the anti-sway bars…your trucks weight and stance matters IMHO.