Just bought a 1986 34V
Just bought a 1986 34V
I found am awesome trailer that is in really good shape and I found an awesome guy who restores them (Bryan at www.motivatedrv.com) and boy howdy are my wife and I excited!
3 Steps-
First - Refurbish and renovate said 34V
Second - Obtain a new tow vehicle, as the one I have is a little under-powered. (Ford Hybrid PowerBoost here I come!)
Third - Figure out what the heck I'm doing!!!
This is going to be fun! We are about 3 years from retirement and want to cruise the country during the hot months and return to beeeeutiful Austin TX during the semi-mild winters.
Stay tooned for our adventures in the "remodel" and "renovation" phase as we morph into the "on the road" phase.
This should be a blast!!!
Please stay involved in our trials and tribulations. We need your feedback to survive!!
3 Steps-
First - Refurbish and renovate said 34V
Second - Obtain a new tow vehicle, as the one I have is a little under-powered. (Ford Hybrid PowerBoost here I come!)
Third - Figure out what the heck I'm doing!!!
This is going to be fun! We are about 3 years from retirement and want to cruise the country during the hot months and return to beeeeutiful Austin TX during the semi-mild winters.
Stay tooned for our adventures in the "remodel" and "renovation" phase as we morph into the "on the road" phase.
This should be a blast!!!
Please stay involved in our trials and tribulations. We need your feedback to survive!!
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Last edited by SignHere on Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Just bought a 1986 34V
Congratulations! Avion is a wonderful trailer (The best ever in my unbiased opinion 
) and 34V has a very desirable floor plan. You will love your trailer.
Since you are doing a renovation first, you obviously have time to research tow vehicles. My 2 cents is that a half ton would be too light to pull a 34 and a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup (or van) would be a much better choice.
) and 34V has a very desirable floor plan. You will love your trailer. Since you are doing a renovation first, you obviously have time to research tow vehicles. My 2 cents is that a half ton would be too light to pull a 34 and a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup (or van) would be a much better choice.
1978 Avion 26-H
2021 Toyota Tundra SR5
2021 Toyota Tundra SR5
Re: Just bought a 1986 34V
Thanks! We are soooo excited! I would love a new loaded F250, but I’ve been through 3 back surgeries in my short 63 years and I’m worried it will be to rough on me and my lovely bride when unladen. Any ideas to soften the ride on one of these torque monsters?
Re: Just bought a 1986 34V
I believe Ram 2500, which has rear coil springs, can be spec'ed with air suspension. I think it would be a good idea to do a test drive (possibly a long one, where they give you the truck overnight) to see if you find it comfortable. Also, Chevy/GMC have front independent suspension. I'm sure others will chime in, as I have a smaller trailer and in the 1/2 ton realm 
I am waiting to see what the new Tundra specs are like.
I am waiting to see what the new Tundra specs are like.1978 Avion 26-H
2021 Toyota Tundra SR5
2021 Toyota Tundra SR5
Re: Just bought a 1986 34V
Solid advice Rostam, thanks! The trailer specs out at 7084 lbs dry and a 765 lb tongue weight. I put a “Weight-Safe” hitch on and right now it is closer to 625 lbs tongue weight. I’ll go by a CAT scale as soon as I can to see what it weighs.
My 2021 BMW X5 45e Hybrid is spec’d at 7200 lbs max towing and 551 max tongue weight, so it ain’t gonna cut it.
The Ford F-150 PowerBoost SuperCrew 4x4 SWB Hybrid will tow 12400 lbs with a 3.73 rear end and an 1830 lb payload, but those numbers stink because if you go up to a King Ranch or beyond your actual available payload is closer to 1350 lbs. subtract 400 lbs for me and the missus and 765 for the unladen tongue weight and you’ve only got 185 lb left for “stuff” in the truck or in the bed.
The F-250 PowerStroke diesel SuperCrew 4x4 SRW SWB on the other hand will yank 15000 lbs up any hill with a listed payload of 3320 (Closer to 2300 with upgraded trim levels) so subtract the 2 meat bags and 765 tongue weight and you have 1135 lbs worth of “stuff” you can put in the bed. Of course, now you need an electric generator (Firman duel fuel or Honda x 2!) and extra fuel because the PowerBoost had a 7.4 kw generator built right in.
Crud.
Man. I just don’t know which way to go.
Does anyone here tow with a PowerBoost?!?
My 2021 BMW X5 45e Hybrid is spec’d at 7200 lbs max towing and 551 max tongue weight, so it ain’t gonna cut it.
The Ford F-150 PowerBoost SuperCrew 4x4 SWB Hybrid will tow 12400 lbs with a 3.73 rear end and an 1830 lb payload, but those numbers stink because if you go up to a King Ranch or beyond your actual available payload is closer to 1350 lbs. subtract 400 lbs for me and the missus and 765 for the unladen tongue weight and you’ve only got 185 lb left for “stuff” in the truck or in the bed.
The F-250 PowerStroke diesel SuperCrew 4x4 SRW SWB on the other hand will yank 15000 lbs up any hill with a listed payload of 3320 (Closer to 2300 with upgraded trim levels) so subtract the 2 meat bags and 765 tongue weight and you have 1135 lbs worth of “stuff” you can put in the bed. Of course, now you need an electric generator (Firman duel fuel or Honda x 2!) and extra fuel because the PowerBoost had a 7.4 kw generator built right in.
Crud.
Man. I just don’t know which way to go.
Does anyone here tow with a PowerBoost?!?
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