What do you tow your caravel / vintage bambi with?
So often the towing discussions here are aimed at big trailers, so this one is specifically for the little guys.
I would like to know what other folks are towing their little trailers with - Caravels, Bambis, Bambi IIs, Pacers, etc. What kind of hitch do you use? Do you use weight distribution or sway control? How does it handle, are you happy with it?
I'll start. Our current rig is a 95 E150 van. We use an EZLift hitch, but ditched the WD bars and now just tow with a friction sway control. The van is rated to tow something around 6000 lbs, so the Carvel is nothing, it barely even changes the gas milage (which is about 13, towing or not). While the van can certainly handle the Caravel easily - we forget it's even back there - it does ride like a truck, and pulls hard to get up the hills sometimes. After I hear what other folks tow with, and how well they perform, I'd like to find a replacement for it that's a bit more comfortable.
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I am looking forward to the response to this thread. I don't have a tv yet. My current vehicles are a 05 Chrysler 300C with AWD and a 1984 Ford Country Squire. Neither have a hitch. Fortunatly, the early 60's Bambi is a light trailer. Either car would probably do fine. I'm leaning towards the wagon.
I'm towing my Caravel with a Highlander Hybrid w/tow package. I haven't been able to tow it to camp yet (hopefully next month) but have towed in all over CA for various work the trailer needed. I bought an equal-i-zer hitch but found it unnecessary - may just go with sway bars. I get about 19 mpg while towing but will likely get more on longer highway trips.
I don't have a Caravel or a Bambi. What I do have is a 21' Flying Cloud. My TV is a 2000 Dodge Durango 4.7, 4 x 4. The trailer weight is 3250lb. Towing capacity is 5000lb.
I also dumped the Wd hitch and gone with the friction sway controll. We are very happy with this setup with no sway at 65mph. I look forward to see what every one else has to say.
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Robert
Life is like a roller coaster, a whole lot of up's and down's..
Steph, there's a section in my Silver Trailers Book (I think that what it is called) that shows a 18ft AS pulled by a Volvo XC, and a Bambi with Jeep Liberty.
I think you could pull your trailer with just about anything! : >
How about a Dodge Charger.... THAT would be fun!
Marc
We tow our 2006 19' Bambi (heavier than vintage Bambis) with a 2007 Toyota Tacoma V-6 double cab, rated at 6500#...we have an Equilizer Hitch with sway bars set-up, installed by the AS dealer. We are pretty happy with the performance of both the TV and the hitch set-up...sometime forget the Bambi's back there!
Our Base Camp is about 2500 pounds soaking wet. We tow with a 2000 GMC 2500 cargo van with a 5.0L and automatic. The van is allegedly rated for something like 5600 pounds, but after towing the Base camp on I-68 between Morgantown, WV and Cumberland, MD, I don't believe it. My next TV, regardless of trailer weight, is going to have a lot more oomph than a 5.0L (at least when heading for the hills!)
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Bob Fowler
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Lets not go nuts with the 'only a v8 will do' arguements, but here's an article another member sent me. This is from a Canadian RV magazine, and it's our old friends Can-Am RV with an article about towing with a PT Cruiser convertible
In honor of Alki and her battle with cancer we will be participating in the 2008 American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Please click here if you would like to see her page and donate to the cause: Donate
I have towed my caravel with a 94 toyota 4runner, 3 liter v6, 3500 lbs tow rating. It did the job, but needed a weight distribution hitch. Slow on the hills. This year I upgraded to a 2006 4runner, 4 liter v6, 5000lbs rating. Much more power, no weight distribution, no sway control. It has been very stable and goes over the mountains easily. both trucks get 12-13 mpg while towing and 20 mpg solo. It think that there are several v6 SUV/trucks out there that would work well for you.
Not a Bambi/Caravel...but close. 1964 GlobeTrotter 3500 lbs (loaded and ready to go) towed with '96 GMC Yukon 5.7L Vortec V8, Reese hitch, Sway control and weight distribution. No problem.
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Before I sold it, I towed my 56 Caravanner with a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer EXT (Inline 6). No WD hitch, no sway bars, just the ball, chains, and breakaway switch.
We had 50 MPH winds on the trip to Morraine View state park and had NO movement of the trailer.
Not a Bambi/Caravel...but close. 1964 GlobeTrotter 3500 lbs (loaded and ready to go) towed with '96 GMC Yukon 5.7L Vortec V8, Reese hitch, Sway control and weight distribution. No problem.
Shari
P.S. At altitude & mountain roads
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
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In honor of Alki and her battle with cancer we will be participating in the 2008 American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Please click here if you would like to see her page and donate to the cause: 
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