Greetings Diane!
Welcome to the world of Vintage Overlander ownership!
--- In AirstreamList@yahoogroups.com, Diane Meves <dianemeves@...> wrote:
>
> Greetings, airstreamers!
>
> We are the brand new (old) owners of a 1965 overland in Columbus.
>
> Looking to get all sort of information here, but the first subject is... Does anyone know of any rental agencies that rent towing vehicles and hitches? We don't have anything that can tow 4k but we dont want to buy something purely for recreational use?
>
> Thoughts?
> /diane meves
>
You might need to clarify a few things regarding the weight of your coach. The factory lists the empty-weight (dry weight) of your coach as 3,950 pounds
(see: http://service.airstream.com/files/library/81b2d6805a046365.jpg)
Even this figure is misleading as this empty-weight is for the base Land Yacht model with absolutely no options or accessories. Options and accessories can quickly build the empty-weight up to close to 5,000 pounds. When fresh water, LP Gas, food, supplies, and clothing are stored in the coach, it doesn't take long for a Vintage Overlander to approach 6,000 pounds gross weight if not a bit more. My '64 Overlander Land Yacht International typically runs about 6,100 pounds when it is fully loaded for a 2-week or longer vacation trip. The hitch weight on my coach hovers around 750 to 775 pounds when the coach is fully loaded for a vacation trip.
Often, with U-Haul and other rental agencies that have trucks equipped to tow, the ball is welded to the hitch and may not have sufficient weight rating to tow a 6,000 pound Overlander -- the balls are 2", and the typical 2" ball isn't of sufficient rating for an Overlander - - I have always had to special order the large shank, high-capacity 2" balls from my local RV parts house since their usual stocked ball carries only a 4,000 or 5,000 pound rating with a maximum hitch load of 550 pounds.
It isn't too difficult to find a reliable older tow vehicle that can be placed on recreational use insurance at a substantial savings that would allow you to insur that you have a combination that is safe beyond a reasonable doubt. After spending many years and many thousands of dollars restoring both my Airstream and Argosy travel trailers, I don't want to take a chance on tow vehicle or tow equipment for which I can't satify myself that is totally safe. Another fact to keep in mind is that even with rental agencies that permit towing, they don't always permit mounting a trailer brake controller which can place you in immediate violation of towing laws in many jurisdictions where trailer brakes are often required for any trailer in excess of 2,200 pounds.
Good luck with your Overlander.
Kevin
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #6359
1964 Overlander Land Yacht International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
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