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Originally Posted by Bonzai30b
I've been lurking on the board for a while and trying to do some background research before deciding which type of RV to purchase. I have a wife and two small children and am very concerned about safety issues.
I am a big fan of Airstreams, and I thought I had settled on buying an Airstream travel trailer (around 23') to tow with my 2005 Hemi Durango, but I need to admit that reading the towing threads on the forum has caused me to reconsider this. Because my tow vehicle is also my primary, i.e. family vehicle, I need an SUV. A pickup truck wouldn't work. I realize I could upgrade to a Suburban or something with an even longer wheel base, but I still get the sense from reading the boards that towing a travel trailer, which is commonly longer and heavier than the tow vehicle itself, is inherently dangerous, even if you take steps to reduce the risk, including getting a long wheelbase vehicle, purchasing an expensive hitch, etc.
Which leads me to question (dare I say it!) whether a motorhome might be a better (i.e. safer) option. In practice, I don't think a new but leftover motorhome would be much more expensive than a nice Airstream travel trailer. Of course, if I purchased a motorhome, I'd want to tow a dinghy. My guess is that towing a 3,000 pound car behind a 20,000 pound motorhome is safer than towing a 6,000 trailer behind a 5,000 pound SUV, but I'd like to get the thoughts from the group on this question of relative safety.
So what do you think...Is it safer to tow a 3,000 pound car behind a 20,000 pound motorhome or a 6,000 pound travel trailer behind a 5,000 pound SUV? I've chosen these weights based on my current situation and likely purchase scenarios.
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People tow large Airstreams everyday, like 31 feet, with a 1/2 ton truck.
The key to successful towing, in large part, is "how you are rigged."
Just because a person may own a super heavy duty TV, doesn't mean they are safe.
The proper hitch, properly rated, properly installed, and, properly adjusted, does wonders towards successful towing.
To use a inadequate load equalizing hitch, because it's cheap, is a sure way to invite trouble, either to yourself, or the trailer, or both.
Full sway control hitches are the answer, such as a Reese dual cam.
Andy