First time airstream purchase advice

[Grimmster]

Hello folks,

My wife and I are new to the world of RV's and Airstreams. We are purchasing a Chevy Colorado for our move from Florida to New Mexico. We are researching used airstreams to buy that can be towed by a Chevy Colorado V6.

Some basic background information:

We are looking for something in the 1990 - 2000 year range.

We would like to buy 23 - 25 foot airstream.

We have been looking at the Excella model because of the greater window at the front.

Budget - Would like to stay at 15,000 or under.

I would appreciated any and all advice.

Thanks,
Charles

[Rich W]

Hi from central Kentucky, welcome to the forum.

You don't provide much detail on your tow vehicle (TV). Just a quick Google shows the V6 for 2016 capable of only 3500 lbs. towing capacity, far below what a 23-25' Airstream weighs. I have a 2006 23' and its GVWR is 4,700 lbs. My 4Runner is capable of 7,000 lbs. and a tongue weight of 700 lbs. Going through the mountains in TN and WV my 4.7L V8 has all it can handle to keep 55 MPH.

I suggest you get the specifications on your max tongue weight and towing capacity. You can go to the Airstream site and get the specifications for any size trailer you are interested in. Look for the owners manual area.

[Bill M.]

I have seen one person towing a 19' Airstream with a Colorado. It seemed like a lot of trailer for not much truck. My opinion is you should buy a full sized truck if you want to tow a trailer. Even a well setup full sized 1/2 ton is on the light side for a 25' Airstream. Our 1988 model weighs 6300 when we camp and has a gross weight of 6800. The trailer adds 800 lbs to the truck weight when hitched with the WD hitch. Not sure how much lighter the older 23's are but I bet it is not a whole lot lighter.

A 25' Excella is a very nice Airstream. I pull ours with a 2500 diesel and would not even attempt to tow it with a Colorado. I did tow it for a while with a F150. If you stick with the Colorado you will be severely limited by what you can tow. The longer wheelbase and the wider stance of a full sized pickup makes for a better ride and a more capable tow package. So my advise is to buy a 150 or 1500 pickup with a tow package and then look for a trailer that you like. In the long run it will ride better, tow better, and could be a cheaper package to own than the Colorado.

[twbucksr]

Our V6 Honda Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 lbs. There are only a few Airstreams that fall within this weight. We chose the 22FB and fully loaded with water and gear, it weighed 3,850 lbs for our first long term (10 days) trip this summer. With the additional gear we packed in the truck, the total weight of both was within 500 lbs of the GCVR (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gros..._weight_rating) for the Ridgeline. That set up towed just fine for 3 separate 2500 mile trips.

The engineers who designed both the trailer and the truck for their specific duty knew exactly what they were doing when they established their weight capacity ratings. The GVWR's (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gros..._weight_rating) for the truck is established to protect the consumer and keep not only you, but the others on the road with you, safe.

Since you will probably be traveling thru the great state of Texas, please consider buying a bigger truck or consider buying a smaller trailer.

[gdanderson]

We tow with a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, V6. This truck has 7000# pulling and 1450# payload. Pulls our 1967 22-ft. Safari that weights in at 4000# loaded and watered, very nicely. 725# tongue weight. 14.4 MPG

Greg Anderson
Wisconsin

[AnnArborBob]

If you are looking to use the V6 Colorado to tow a trailer, I would suggest that you consider a pop-up camper. The V-6 in the Colorado should be able to pull that type of trailer without too much trouble.

[Caffeinated]

Free advice is easy to give, and almost always worth what you paid for it. But. Your budget seems low for an Airstream that doesn't need a bunch of work, and your truck is too small.

Mike

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

Free advice is easy to give, and almost always worth what you paid for it. But. Your budget seems low for an Airstream that doesn't need a bunch of work, and your truck is too small.

Mike

For what's it's worth, I agree with this.

[SCbarber]

Originally Posted by Grimmster

Hello folks,

My wife and I are new to the world of RV's and Airstreams. We are purchasing a Chevy Colorado for our move from Florida to New Mexico. We are researching used airstreams to buy that can be towed by a Chevy Colorado V6.

Some basic background information:

We are looking for something in the 1990 - 2000 year range.

We would like to buy 23 - 25 foot airstream.

We have been looking at the Excella model because of the greater window at the front.

Budget - Would like to stay at 15,000 or under.

I would appreciated any and all advice.

Thanks,
Charles

Get the diesel colorado and you will be better off.

[rodsterinfl]

Hey Charles (Grimmster), Like others have said, the Colorado is a nice truck but more a suburban family vehicle for landscaping materials, small boats, etc. Great MPG but more a car/truck hybrid usage IMO. I had never owned a truck when I got an F150 to pull my new to me '06 25' Airstream. At the time I did not realize it but the thing had a 1000# tongue weight (advertised to be 860#). That is hefty even for a 1/2 ton. Payload ratings are the weak point, much more so than tow rating. Study up on it and hope the best.