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Thought you would like to know we just brought home our 99 25ft. Safari, 600 miles home, you can find my post, heck of a story! We pulled her with our 2005 Dodge Durango Adventurer. Not even a Hemi, has higher axle ratio though. Did lots of research on the Durango, Dodge has an awesome sight that will spell out what "your" vehicle can tow. Ours stated 7200 lbs. tow, with lower axle ratio, 5700 lbs tow. Even verified with Dodge. Airstream is 4900 dry weight/ 6300 total max. I will admit, we were still nervous if it could handle it. NO PROBLEMS! My husband was please with the RPM's. Everyone says you don't know the Airstream is back there, well I did. Probably first ride home, and so long. I guess I did forget about it after some time. But my husband said driving was easy, and let me tell you we had some high winds to deal with. We did use a Reese weight distribution hitch that can be adjusted to fit your TV. May get sway bars, but honestly, may not need them. We plan to take her to the weight scales soon. Curious what total we have. I have no fear in using this durango to pull her. We are a young family, and need the durango for family purposes, car-pooling, etc. She will do just great for the Airstream. Granted I wouldn't take it to the Rockies, but where we plan to go, in the little spare time we have, she will do great!
Thought you would like to know we just brought home our 99 25ft. Safari, 600 miles home, you can find my post, heck of a story! We pulled her with our 2005 Dodge Durango Adventurer. Not even a Hemi, has higher axle ratio though. Did lots of research on the Durango, Dodge has an awesome sight that will spell out what "your" vehicle can tow. Ours stated 7200 lbs. tow, with lower axle ratio, 5700 lbs tow. Even verified with Dodge. Airstream is 4900 dry weight/ 6300 total max. I will admit, we were still nervous if it could handle it. NO PROBLEMS! My husband was please with the RPM's. Everyone says you don't know the Airstream is back there, well I did. Probably first ride home, and so long. I guess I did forget about it after some time. But my husband said driving was easy, and let me tell you we had some high winds to deal with. We did use a Reese weight distribution hitch that can be adjusted to fit your TV. May get sway bars, but honestly, may not need them. We plan to take her to the weight scales soon. Curious what total we have. I have no fear in using this durango to pull her. We are a young family, and need the durango for family purposes, car-pooling, etc. She will do just great for the Airstream. Granted I wouldn't take it to the Rockies, but where we plan to go, in the little spare time we have, she will do great!
Hi, wishsilver. I'm not sure about what you said was your tow vehicle's tow rating, but 7,200 lbs is cutting it close, 12% margin, [20% rule] and if it is 5,700 lbs you're looking for trouble. As for the sway bars, get them anyway; Don't wait until it's too late. [accident]
Thanks Robertsunrus,
We have the 7200 lb. tow capacity. I know there is much debate on the SUV TV. If we really like the Airstream experience and plan to take her far, then a larger TV will be in the works for the future. But for now the Durango will do. Will definitely take your advice on the sway bars, for the little cost, I'm sure it is well worth the money.