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fishbisquit · 06-16-2018, 07:31 AM

We are considering a Sport 16rb and unfortunate will need to upgrade our TV. We currently tow a little teardrop with our Hyundai Santa fe 4 cylinder turbo. We love this TV as it's more then enough to tow the teardrop but still gets decent mileage. However it only tows 2000 lbs. As I've been looking at options for new TV I've gotten caught up in the F-150 and Tundra craze. They seem like really really great vehicles but are crazy expensive. A lot more then I was wanting to spend. I've been looking at the smaller class of pick-ups like the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma. On paper these seem like they are more then enough to pull a little sport 16. Just wondering about real world experience? Will I regret not getting more power? Never towed anything larger then our little teardrop.
Thanks!

jcl · 06-16-2018, 07:32 PM

Check out your vehicle tow capacity vs your installed hitch tow capacity. I don’t know the the year of your vehicle, but I see a 3500 lb tow rating for the turbo 4, well matched to the Sport 16. If you have a hitch receiver limited to 2000 lbs consider a new hitch with a higher rating. There are aftermarket hitches for this vehicle rated up to 6000 lbs, but taking advantage of that likely requires the V6.

JJTX · 06-17-2018, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishbisquit

We are considering a Sport 16rb and unfortunate will need to upgrade our TV. We currently tow a little teardrop with our Hyundai Santa fe 4 cylinder turbo. We love this TV as it's more then enough to tow the teardrop but still gets decent mileage. However it only tows 2000 lbs. As I've been looking at options for new TV I've gotten caught up in the F-150 and Tundra craze. They seem like really really great vehicles but are crazy expensive. A lot more then I was wanting to spend. I've been looking at the smaller class of pick-ups like the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma. On paper these seem like they are more then enough to pull a little sport 16. Just wondering about real world experience? Will I regret not getting more power? Never towed anything larger then our little teardrop.
Thanks!

You really did not provide enough detail.

The 2012 version says 2000 max tow. But the bigger engine vehicle will tow 5000, So you need a new vehicle for towing.

But 'new' is not required.

A 2004 Trailblazer is rated up to 6000LB towing and has a class 3 hitch. So you don't need to spend a bunch of money on a new vehicle for towing. Theres lots of options in the 15K range or less.

The Tacoma and Ridgeline will be sufficient as well. But pay attention to the models and tow ratings for each vehicle.

Look at the VIN Plate and towing connections.

gordyfj49 · 06-18-2018, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishbisquit

We are considering a Sport 16rb and unfortunate will need to upgrade our TV. We currently tow a little teardrop with our Hyundai Santa fe 4 cylinder turbo. We love this TV as it's more then enough to tow the teardrop but still gets decent mileage. However it only tows 2000 lbs. As I've been looking at options for new TV I've gotten caught up in the F-150 and Tundra craze. They seem like really really great vehicles but are crazy expensive. A lot more then I was wanting to spend. I've been looking at the smaller class of pick-ups like the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma. On paper these seem like they are more then enough to pull a little sport 16. Just wondering about real world experience? Will I regret not getting more power? Never towed anything larger then our little teardrop.
Thanks!

Hello,
We bought a 2017 16' and love it. We have a 2015 Toyota 4runner and tried that but we bought a 2014 F150 with a tow package and it is so goodl We love the F150. it handles great and backing up the trailer seems to go much better. we just traveled 7000 miles across country and it was terrific.

jcl · 06-18-2018, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJTX

You really did not provide enough detail.

The 2012 version says 2000 max tow. But the bigger engine vehicle will tow 5000, So you need a new vehicle for towing.

The 2012 model wasn't available with the 4 cylinder turbo, which is what the OP said he had. That puts us into the newer generation Santa Fe.

The turbo 4 is listed with a 3500 lb tow rating, matched to the Sport 16. The 2000 lb tow rating is for the non turbo model. The installed hitch may not be rated higher than 2000 lbs, however.

JJTX · 06-19-2018, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eva52

Hello,
We bought a 2017 16' and love it. We have a 2015 Toyota 4runner and tried that but we bought a 2014 F150 with a tow package and it is so goodl We love the F150. it handles great and backing up the trailer seems to go much better. we just traveled 7000 miles across country and it was terrific.

The f150 will be just fine.

JJTX · 06-19-2018, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcl

The 2012 model wasn't available with the 4 cylinder turbo, which is what the OP said he had. That puts us into the newer generation Santa Fe.

The turbo 4 is listed with a 3500 lb tow rating, matched to the Sport 16. The 2000 lb tow rating is for the non turbo model. The installed hitch may not be rated higher than 2000 lbs, however.

I still wouldnt use that small SUV for that trailer. You are at max tow weight with nothing to spare.

Ultradog · 06-19-2018, 04:48 AM

Well,
Based upon reading these forums for a few years I'd say you need at least an F450 class truck plus about $5K worth of WD and sway control stuff.
As long as you dont overload the trailer that is...

SilverHouseDreams · 06-20-2018, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultradog

Well,

Based upon reading these forums for a few years I'd say you need at least an F450 class truck plus about $5K worth of WD and sway control stuff.

As long as you dont overload the trailer that is...

Ha! You noticed that too. You have to spend at least 10% of your trailer cost on your hitch and double the tongue weight, or you are just going to endanger everyone on the road. You would be a mad man to do any less!

The hint is to avoid the entire towing/hitch portion of this forum.

rmkrum · 06-20-2018, 11:42 PM

Nope. Closer to 6% in my use case...[emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

jcl · 06-21-2018, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJTX

I still wouldnt use that small SUV for that trailer. You are at max tow weight with nothing to spare.

I currently drive a small SUV (BMW) with a 3500 lb tow rating. I would have no concerns with a 16 with respect to the tow rating. The vehicle tow rating is rather academic. What I would pay attention to is the measured axle loads, and tire loads, as those are hard limits. Also the receiver strength, and hitch setup.

Halford1 · 11-15-2019, 11:22 AM

Ford Explorers with V-6 3.5L (with factory installed tow package) can tow Bambi Sport 16' easily. Keep in mind that Explorers without factory installed tow package will only tow up to 2,000 lbs as opposed to 5,000 lbs with the tow package. If the hitch was added DYI, its still 2000LBS tow weight max. the Factory installed tow package includes a LOT more than just a hitch: tow button, transmission, engine/tranny cooler, thicker radiator, hitch and 7 Pin plug.

the F150 would suffice though. this info is for any others who are searching for appropriate TV

skitger · 11-15-2019, 11:51 AM

I have a 2018 Bambi 16 foot, I tow with the 2018 Tundra CrewMax, love it. I needed a 1/2 ton pickup anyway, the Tundra is a nice ride and I did not need the size of a bigger PU. But I do appreciate the Tundra power and tow capacity for the 16. The tongue weight is more like 400-450 lbs loaded and I still have room to haul what I need in the box. I got a Tundra SR5 Sport, about $45k. There will be plenty of opinions about TV and rigs specs, all I can say is that my set up works well and I don't worry about power or capacity. I have really enjoyed the Bambi 16 and my wife and I just got back from 3 weeks seeing the NP's and we could have kept going.

Rick

Halford1 · 11-15-2019, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skitger

I have a 2018 Bambi 16 foot, I tow with the 2018 Tundra CrewMax, love it. I needed a 1/2 ton pickup anyway, the Tundra is a nice ride and I did not need the size of a bigger PU. But I do appreciate the Tundra power and tow capacity for the 16. The tongue weight is more like 400-450 lbs loaded and I still have room to haul what I need in the box. I got a Tundra SR5 Sport, about $45k. There will be plenty of opinions about TV and rigs specs, all I can say is that my set up works well and I don't worry about power or capacity. I have really enjoyed the Bambi 16 and my wife and I just got back from 3 weeks seeing the NP's and we could have kept going.

Rick

Tundra can tow the 22' footer as well.

Landshark · 11-15-2019, 07:00 PM

Has anyone said how much the Bambi Sport weighs? Or did I just miss it? The newer A/Ss seem to weigh a lot more than the same length of 20 yrs ago, so as a vintage person, I'm afraid to weigh in (pun intended) without more info on the Sport's weight.

mpsgolf · 11-15-2019, 08:37 PM

What is the GW of your Airstream? 3500? The tow limit of your vehicle should be that or more. Margin is good, I would be hesitant to tow at vehicle max. A tow package is a good vehicle option ad they usually have better cooling, better rear end gearing, tow mode, electric brake harness, etc. We tow 7600 GW AS with a 9000 tow rating. More margin would be nice but we have 25000 mi on the combo and just did Colorado and Utah including 3 major mountain passes to 11,300 ft with no issues.

What is the tongue weight of your AS? 350? Your vehicle's cargo capacity is tongue weight plus passengers plus whatever else you bring along in the vehicle. You need to be aware of total plus weight on each axle.

Towing is not just about power to pull but ability to stop as well. Your AS brakes will assist but you need enough vehicle to handle 3500 lbs for sudden stops and long, steep mountain descents. To me the descents require more care than ascents.

Finally, is this your main driving vehicle or a second vehicle? If your daily driver that could affect whether you go truck or SUV.

Hope this helps without being too basic.

JavaCowboy · 11-16-2019, 09:05 AM

We have a 16RB and a 2019 Tacoma and here in Idaho it works well. Part of the equation is how much time you will climb steep grades. This combo is just enough power, for me. Going up some if the steeper grades the Taco has to work hard to maintain 65 but not unbearable. We average about 11-14 MPG.

SYC2Vette · 11-16-2019, 11:03 AM

Test drive the GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado. They are excellent mid size trucks and our V6 does great with our 20', even over high elevation grades in Colorado. When not towing it is an excellent daily driver with exceptionally good handling and acceleration. If there is any chance that you will be going over 20' in the future, then go with at least a half ton with towing package. With the Canyon/Colorado You will need to change out the hitch for a WD rated one (less than $200).

Halford1 · 11-16-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerberus

Has anyone said how much the Bambi Sport weighs? Or did I just miss it? The newer A/Ss seem to weigh a lot more than the same length of 20 yrs ago, so as a vintage person, I'm afraid to weigh in (pun intended) without more info on the Sport's weight.

Max is 3500#

16’ Caravel is 4000# I think. It has more stuff than Bambi.

WhereStream · 11-17-2019, 08:01 AM

We had a 16, and I was surprised that our Suburban (2004, 5.3 liter, 4-speed auto) definitely knew it was back there.

It wasn't so much the weight but the sheer size of the front, which is the same size as most other Airstreams.

Even though the Airstreams are streamlined, you are still pulling a small billboard through the air. That applies to the 16, too.

So you need a certain amount of muscle to do it well.