Hitch on a new Airstream

[Rathy]

I'm a newbie and considering buying a new Airstream at the mo.

My question is when picking up a new Airstream from the dealer, does the Airstream as it sits at the dealership have any sort of hitch already installed? Does the dealer have to install a hitch before it can be taken away?

Reason I ask is because I have a particular type of hitch in mind but a quick scan of the websites of local dealers indicate that they don't carry the model of hitch I would like. So what happens in that case? Is there some intermediate option to use just to get the trailer home?

Thanks!

[kscherzi]

Hitches are not part of the factory supplied equipment. You either buy a hitch from the dealer (whatever they have) on the day you pick it up, or bring your own in a box and either have them install it for a fee, or install it yourself.

Unless (1) you are driving a very short distance to your home and (2) have a very robust tow vehicle like a one-ton truck, and (3) are not buying a large trailer, not installing a weight distribution hitch with sway control prior to leaving the dealership is a very bad idea.

[Pitou49]

Hi, I bought the Propride and gave it to my dealer, he installed it on my trailer. If you want to install it your self, ask the dealer if you can do it on is lot.

[dkottum]

No the Airstream does not have a hitch installed, and you will most probably need one to get home. If you're looking at a ProPride they are marketed directly to the customer. Call ProPride and they can ship it to the dealer who will install it if he wants to sell you a new Airstream. If they have never installed one, ProPride has good instructions (including video) and excellent customer service.

In other words, twist their arm if they hesitate and want to make money selling their own brand. No matter what hitch you prefer. You will probably have to pay an installation fee.

[Rathy]

Great, that answers my question. Thanks everyone!

[moosetags]

You do need some sort of hitch system installed before pulling you new Airstream any distance. You are also going to need a trailer brake controller before pulling out. We recently traded our old Airstream in on a new one. I installed our Hensley on the new Airstream on the dealer's lot myself.

Brian

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by Rathy

I'm a newbie and considering buying a new Airstream at the mo.

My question is when picking up a new Airstream from the dealer, does the Airstream as it sits at the dealership have any sort of hitch already installed? Does the dealer have to install a hitch before it can be taken away?

Reason I ask is because I have a particular type of hitch in mind but a quick scan of the websites of local dealers indicate that they don't carry the model of hitch I would like. So what happens in that case? Is there some intermediate option to use just to get the trailer home?

Thanks!

You haven't given the the trailer or tow vehicle description. How do you expect a realistic answer to your question?

[Rathy]

Originally Posted by Ahab

You haven't given the the trailer or tow vehicle description. How do you expect a realistic answer to your question?

1: if you had read what I had posted I said I'm 'thinking' of getting an Airstream so I don't have a vehicle or a trailer yet

2: I've already received many realistic answers to my question and I have all the info I need because this type of question is not specific to any particular TV or trailer.

But thanks for your helpful input Ahab.

[Luigi123]

Picking up our new Airstream at the dealer on March 12, was going to purchase the ProPride3 for my 30ft , but went with the Reese Dual Cam, and dealer will install with the Orientation, and drive around. Best of luck. My TV is a 3/4 diesel GMC.

[mstephens]

Here's what we did. We located a hitch installer as near to the dealer as possible. In our case it was 5 miles away. We picked up the trailer on a bare ball, and drive the 5 miles to the hitch shop - city streets only - no highway. Worked out fine.

I didn't want the only hitch the dealer was installing.

Good luck!

[Zigidachs]

"Thinking"?

Many years ago, we were advised: FIRST pick your trailer THEN pick your TV! In this manner you can "match" your TV to your Airstream. Unfortunately most folks reverse the selection order.

Second piece of advice offered to us: The two most vulnerable aspects of towing safety are the TIRES ( rating, inflation, etc) and the HITCH! A good WD, non-sway hitch: "don't leave home with out it!)