19 Foot Bambi Home Today. - Page 2

mickleton · 06-23-2006, 03:04 PM

We are scheduled to take delivery Friday, June 30th. Hitch will be installed on my 2005 Dodge Dakota 4X4 quad, 287cid. Can I tow with stock mirrors on the truck? PS- No experience in trailering. I was told my dealer they will give some training prior to departure. Will have to tow home about 70 miles.

Thanks
Larry

**CanoeStream** · 06-23-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickleton

We are scheduled to take delivery Friday, June 30th. Hitch will be installed on my 2005 Dodge Dakota 4X4 quad, 287cid. Can I tow with stock mirrors on the truck?

Sounds like a good combo. Please let us know of your more developed experience on 2-lanes in the Alleghenies or W.Va. if you ever get there.

Airstream says the 23' is 8' wide. If your mirrors aren't tow-package extendable I'd say you'll appreciate the extra visibility of some aftermarket mirror. I have stock GM extendable mirrors and an 8'6" wide Safari -- that isn't nearly as nice as tow-package extendables when I pulled my 7'9" or so Argosy. I could really see what was going on with the Argosy. I currently can't see the curb side of my Safari while underway. My GMC manual actually says the tow-package extendables are not for trailers over 8' wide (a little C.Y.A. there...). Having convex mirrors on both sides of your tow vehicle also adds a lot!

mickleton · 06-23-2006, 05:06 PM

Thanks Bob, so I can live with the stock mirrors until I find a suitable replacement. I did not want get in the truck on delivery day and find out I can't see anything. I will try and find some mirrors this week.

Larry

**CanoeStream** · 06-23-2006, 06:28 PM

Larry -- the gold standard for aftermarket is supposed to be McKesh mirrors. I saw a pair on a TV when we were out in a regional state park last weekend but didn't manage to talk to the owner about them -- I want to do that some time. Using simple search words I looked at Forum results -- confusing with a lot of returns. I know a couple weeks back somebody was surprised how well some suction cup mirrors worked but there was some doubt if they'd hang in there for the long run...

This is just my sense from multi-reads in the Forums. Quality of this response is directly proportional to the amount you paid for the advice.

Best wishes!

sparky5 · 06-23-2006, 06:59 PM

For what it's worth I tow a 19' Bambi with my 2004 Dodge Dakota 4X4 V8 also- no problems. I opted for the 19 ' because I tend to "collect" things when I trvel and I wanted the option of coming home with a heavier load than I left with. I also looked at the 22', but would have been limited in my extra stuff capacity. I have had NO PROBELMS at all with the combination I have, in fact I don't even know it's there when towing. Sometimes I forget and look in the rear view mirrow and briefly wonder who is following me so close! The 19' would definately be too small for a family of 5 unless you can pack all 3 kids into the dinette bed- but they'll grow out of that before you know it!

swebster · 06-23-2006, 07:08 PM

firedog, welcome and congradulations! Alway nice to see someone from my neck of the woods get bitten by the bug. Went to University of Lowell and grew up in Billerica. My folks still live in North Andover. Enjoy!

**CanoeStream** · 06-23-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canoe stream

I have stock GM extendable mirrors and an 8'6" wide Safari -- that isn't nearly as nice as tow-package extendables when I pulled my 7'9" or so Argosy. I could really see what was going on with the Argosy. I currently can't see the curb side of my Safari while underway. My GMC manual actually says the tow-package extendables are not for trailers over 8' wide (a little C.Y.A. there...). Having convex mirrors on both sides of your tow vehicle also adds a lot!

BTW - the tow package mirrors I have do have the lower panel convex mirrors. I just went out and measured. From the outside edges of the mirror glass while extended it measures 106" -- this on an '06 GMC 2500 pickup.

mickleton · 06-26-2006, 12:34 PM

This morning I ordered two sets of McKesh Mirrors including the convex.
Suppose to arrive on Thursday, this Friday we take delivery of the 2007 Safari at Colonial Airstream. Hoping the delivery goes smoothly and my first time trailering goes well.

Thanks Canoe Stream
Larry

TIMEMACHINE · 06-26-2006, 12:56 PM

mickleton,

Great choice, we would have bought the 23' if the bed was a bit bigger, really just a personal preference.
Getting good mirrors is as important as a good hitch, visibility is everything while on the road and during parking.
You are gonna love it.....have fun.

GlenCoombe · 06-26-2006, 02:32 PM

Mikleton, the best advise for new trailer owner is to take your time with everything.
Prior to hitting the highway you should become familiar with the "LOOK" through the mirrors, of your overall length.
A little time in an open parking area off in a corner of a big shopping center will help you become more familiar with the turning radius of the rig.
Begin your backing education in a straight line. Learn to back straight. Small corrections and pulling forward to straighten out are key.
Once on the open road the simple lesson of all driving instruction is to, "look ahead and drive there."
Best of luck on your maiden voyage.

Airstream25 · 07-12-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campbell

I am in the same boat as Larry - I just started looking for a good trailer to travel with my family (2 adults, 3 kids under 10), and Airstreams seem wonderful. I have a preference for older, quality craftsmanship, especially if it lasts and can be fixed up! I think I'm in the right place.
Does anyone have a recommendation for what a reasonable size trailer is for a family of 5? Other recommendations?

Greetings,
I have seen 25' Safari models that are described as sleeping 6.
You can see floor plans for current models at the Airstream company web site. http://www.airstream.com/product_lin...ari_plans.html
If that looks OK, then start your search for an older, more affordable year.