Thoughts on using Interstate Sprinter to Tow Small Airstream

[Barefootdog]

We have a 2011 Pleasure Way TS built on the Mercedes 3500 Sprinter which we love. We were planning to sell it and buy a large diesel F250 pickup and large 28-30' Airstream trailer. However now we're thinking of keeping it and buying a small Airstream trailer. We plan to become fulltimers for a year or 2 when we retire in the next year. Having both a trailer and an rv will give us the best of both worlds but I'm worried about the towing capacity on my Sprinter (I think it's 5000 lbs). I'm wondering if anyone else uses their Sprinter to tow an Airstream and if so, how's it working out? BTW, our sprinter has dual tires.

[Nuvite-F]

Welcome to the forums!

I don't know anyone who is towing with an Interstate, but with a 5,000 pound towing weight rating you would be in range of many smaller Airstreams. Our 1980 Caravelle 22 foot trailer is 4,000 pounds gross weight. I believe the current production 22 foot Sport model is about the same.

I know of at least two people towing mid-size Airstream trailers with the earlier B-190 B-van. One is towing a vintage 25 foot Trade Wind and the other is towing something about that size.
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[russ240]

I tow a 5000 lbs trailer (a car hauler with a car on it) semi regularly and have pulled the same trailer with an SUV putting it at about 7500 lbs occasionally. Mine is a 2011 chassis with the uprated 7500 towing capacity (2010's were rated at 5k lbs but I don't believe anything actually changed other than the rating). The 3500 is an excellent tow vehicle. Other than slight less accelerative capability I hardly know the trailer is back there. I am planning to install and auxillary transmission cooler as I believe that to be the weak point when towing heavy on a regular basis.