Towing a 16 ft. bambi

jehall · 01-20-2008, 10:19 AM

We are actively pursuing the purchase of our 1st. airstream. We have owned several motor homes. In our research we have been told that smaller trailers such as the 16 ft. bambi do not tow as well as longer trailers due to a tendency to "dog walk". Can anyone share any experience on this subject?

Jim & Sharon

tinbender · 01-20-2008, 11:51 AM

Jim & Sharon,

I just bought a 16' Bambi and have towed it only once for about 50 miles. That run included speeds anywhere from 35 to 60 mph and being passed by many semis on I-85. No irregular movement at all. I did use a WD hitch and anti-sway bars.

TB

Silvertwinkie · 01-20-2008, 12:34 PM

I owned a 19' and now a 25'. The 25' has far nicer road manners. I think the real reason that it does is because its heavier and has two axles. When the fresh tank is full, it's also right above the axle on the 25. On our 19 it was under the front streetside dinette seat.

A good hitch will help minimize any dog effects, but it may not solve some of the hopping I saw with our 19', though I will admit, the hopping was very minimal.

DykeDaddy · 01-20-2008, 01:04 PM

I own a 16' bambi and I tow it with a 14' jeep liberty. I have an EZ hitch with sway bars and I don't have any problems towing it. I have used it a lot and it has traveled across the counrty. No problems. Good luck.
Ruth

TBRich · 01-20-2008, 03:35 PM

Heavier trailers and those with multiple axles are said to tow smoother simply by virtue of being longer and heavier, but that is not to say that single axel Airstreams do not tow well...we have had no dramatic problems towing our 19' with weight distribution and anti-sway bars...

TB

Ahab · 01-20-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jehall

We are actively pursuing the purchase of our 1st. airstream. We have owned several motor homes. In our research we have been told that smaller trailers such as the 16 ft. bambi do not tow as well as longer trailers due to a tendency to "dog walk". Can anyone share any experience on this subject?

Jim & Sharon

Who told you that? Just not true. I've pulled a friends HiLo 16' with no problems and I don't have a WDH or sway control. I prefer single axle because they back up easier and get better gas mileage.

Ladylongwing · 01-20-2008, 05:12 PM

Came back about three weeks ago from a two month, 9800 mile trip towing a 19' Bambi, in mountain and plains situations with high winds and sometimes snow and ice. No problems with sway or wobble. WD hitch and anti-sway bar probably helped, but so did driving slowly. It was my first trip towing a trailer.

Anne in VA