What can we tow??

[gnorris]

My husband and I own a 2003 4runner Limited w/v-8 - we want to buy an airstream - we thought we could get a 25 but now we are not sure it will tow with our car - we will get a Hensley Hitch - any thoughts -

[kmtyme]

how many lbs. is it rated for??

[Big Dee]

I just found this site: http://www.rvtowingtips.com/

It is awesome and a great resource! Should answer all your questions. I bookmarked it for later study. I can't wait to run the calculators!

[Steve Heywood]

Originally Posted by gnorris

My husband and I own a 2003 4runner Limited w/v-8 - we want to buy an airstream - we thought we could get a 25 but now we are not sure it will tow with our car - we will get a Hensley Hitch - any thoughts -

Toyota rates the 2004 4Runner with the V8 for 7,000 lbs. You should be OK with a 25' Safari but not a Classic.

[maxandgeorgia]

We were towing with a Toyota Land Cruiser, pulling a 25' SOB that weighed very close to 5000 lbs. Flat land, okay. Add hills and mountains and wind, and the fun of the traveling was gone. Add to that the insecurity we felt, sometimes wondering if the trailer was not directing the tow vehicle, and wondering what control we'd have if we got into a sudden unexpected emergency, and we decided that we had to replace our loved LC. I am not sure how the 4-runner V8 compares to the LC, or how the weight of our SOB compares to your trailer, but thought I'd share our experience.

[Over59]

Get a vintage trailer. They are half the tonnage of the new ones.

[gnorris]

thanks everyone for the good advice - maybe we should limit to the 22 foot Safari just to be sure. There are so many towing differences in guidance. Better to get the smaller one. It says we can pull 7000 # but I'm not so sure anymore

[gnorris]

Hi:

Anyone out there have anything to say about 22 foot a/s

[nellie the elephant]

I do. My 22 foot vintage AS is a very managable size for my families needs. It sleeps the two kids, my wife and I fairly comfortably, and we rarely feel as if we are cramped. There is always plenty of storage space.

Towing? Smooth, and pretty easy to maneuver. I use a 2000 Ford Expedition for a tow vehicle, and it has plenty of power...even up the major passes (never drops below 60 mph).

Personally I like the layout a lot, and the size for parking. It also is one of the largest sizes that a lot of national parks allow into the dry camping areas.

[Silvertwinkie]

First, I think you got some great advice on the 4Runner. I know what it says, but I think if you're going to be in any hills or mountain, you **could** run into issues.

That said, we went through a similar debate when we wanted to upgrade from our 19' Bambi. The 22 was nice, but there were some thing that for us personally (a matter of taste), didn't care for about the 22'.

1) Single battery
2) Wet bath
3) Front bed
4) Half the dinette floor under the table taken up by wheel wells
5) Smaller fridge
6) Less storage than the 25 C

I personally liked the CCD version better a bit as it has a bit better layout, however for me, the issues listed above remained.

Things that I liked about the 22'

1) Dual axle
2) Lower weight than the 25' units
3) Costs less unless you get the CCD

After all that was said and done, we went with the Safari 25C and I modded the heck out of my car to be able to tow it, but as has been said, there are moments where it isn't that fun. When I have a bit more $$, I will be going with a 3/4 GM truck...what flavor still remains to be seen, but it will happen at some point.