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Bambi75th · 11-30-2006, 02:54 PM

We took plunge and put a deposit down on #18 of the 75th Anniversary Bambi series. The dealer is storing it for us until we purchase a tow vehicle. We are considering a 2007 Toyota Tundra (when they become available) but we would certainly welcome other suggestions.

We will be retiring in the spring and want to use the Bambi to revisit places that we enjoyed over many years of tent camping and to explore new (to us) places.

Silvertwinkie · 11-30-2006, 03:02 PM

I couldn't find any real great details on it yet, but from what I can see, it looks more than up to tow a 75th Bambi.

CanoeStream · 11-30-2006, 03:45 PM

Ditto to da Twink! Isn't it supposed to be around March before the San Antonio factory starts cranking the upsized Titans out? An old style Titan would do just fine with a 19' Bambi for that matter.

Recall that new TV break-in usually requires that you not tow for the first 500 miles, then speed is restricted for the first 500 miles of towing after that (usually to 50mph).

Congrats on your bright shining baby!

ljmiii · 11-30-2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambi75th

We took plunge and put a deposit down on #18 of the 75th Anniversary Bambi series. The dealer is storing it for us until we purchase a tow vehicle. We are considering a 2007 Toyota Tundra (when they become available) but we would certainly welcome other suggestions.

First congratulations, the 75th Anniversary Bambi is truly a beautiful Airstream.

It is hard to advise you on your choice of tow vehicle since I don't know what other uses you expect. But if the 'toughest' requirement for your tow vehicle is to take the two of you and your Bambi on vacation the 2007 Tundra will be far too large for your needs.

The 75th Bambi's GVWR is a MAXIMUM of 4500lbs...even if you give yourself an '80% safety margin'...you are only up to 5625lbs. In comparison, the Toyota Tacoma V6 offers up to 6500lbs capacity, the 2006 Tundra offers up to 7100lbs, and the 2007 Tundra is expected to offer above 10,000 lbs. So if you don't really need your tow vehicle to do some other tougher task, I'd suggest looking at smaller more fuel efficient vehicles.

My other suggestion is that if you have any friends or family with tow vehicles test drive them towing your Bambi before you buy your own tow vehicle.

**moosetags** · 11-30-2006, 06:50 PM

In my opinion, it's hard to overdo your tow vehicle. I think that you will have a much more comfortable towing experience with the more heavy duty tow vehicle. An insufficient tow vehicle is probably the major cause of Airstreams becoming very expensive pieces of yard art.

Kintscher · 11-30-2006, 07:05 PM

Congrats on the new trailer.

We have a 2005 CCD 19' that is about the same weight and it tows great with our 2005 Tundra Double Cab. We do only get 10-12 MPG towing and 15-17 in regular driving.

Bambi75th · 11-30-2006, 07:30 PM

Thanks to all for your TV ideas. We know that the 2007 Tundra is probably overkill for the 19' Bambi, but I think there is merit in Moosetag's thinking.

doorgunner · 11-30-2006, 07:33 PM

Go big or stay home- There's no substitute for horsepower- you'll be buying a bigger AS in a few years anyway.

Silvertwinkie · 11-30-2006, 07:38 PM

You get a tow vehicle for what you need and what you might go for in the future. Who knows, you may fall in love with a 23', then what? There is a point when one can have way too much tow vehicle....I just haven't met that person yet.

Few things that tow get phenominal gas mileage.....so go for it!

campadk · 11-30-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambi75th

We took plunge and put a deposit down on #18 of the 75th Anniversary Bambi series. The dealer is storing it for us until we purchase a tow vehicle. We are considering a 2007 Toyota Tundra (when they become available) but we would certainly welcome other suggestions.

We will be retiring in the spring and want to use the Bambi to revisit places that we enjoyed over many years of tent camping and to explore new (to us) places.

Congrats on #18! We have #68 ourselves. That leaves 38 on dealers lots looking for a fine home. Did you get it at Holiday Travel Sales?

Cheers

Dave

Condoluminum · 11-30-2006, 10:06 PM

At the San Francisco Auto Show around Thanksgiving, Toyota had a new Tundra truck on the turntable (prior to public sales date..) and the lovely spokesmodel was talking about what a great towing vehicle it was going to be. She was explicit about towing capacities "well in excess of 10,000#" for the clubcab version... Sounded like a great truck... Ford also had their Expedition EL on a turntable, which has been redesigned to compete directly with Suburban's... So far, Ford rep indicated, no Diesel and no V-10, and towing capacity will be 9200#. He was promoting "comfort features" for front seat passenger and driver, plus fold-flat rear seats... He couldn't really explain which parts were Heavy Duty and which were F-150 based in chassis and suspension...

**moosetags** · 11-30-2006, 10:12 PM

I have been doing some reading on the new Ford Expedition EL in the automotive press. There are so far no plans to offer the EL in a 3/4 ton version, as in the 2500 Suburban. This means that the Expedition EL will be roughly equivalent to the Suburban 1500.

hiker · 12-01-2006, 09:03 AM

First, congrats on your new Airstream. You will love it. Like you, we spent many years tent camping before purchasing our 19' International CCD.
Based on our limited experience, I agree that "it's hard to overdo your tow vehicle." We tow with a Silverado crew cab duramax diesel and couldn't be happier. As very satisfied Toyota owners our first thought was a 2006 Tacama, which would have been adequate according to the consensus of this forum. However, we decided to consider other TV's for two reasons: (1) many on this forum recommended "going bigger" and (2) we keep vehicles for a long time and didn't want to trade up if like so many forum members, we discover that we want a larger Airstream.
We test drove a number of different trucks but immediately connected with the Duramax. I drive it to work everyday and am surprised by how much I like it for everyday, primarily, turnpike driving. When towing it achieves the ideal of barely knowing there's a TT behind you, even up and down highway grades through the mountains. The diesel is certainly not for everyone, but I suggest test driving one to see if it's for you.

Dawgfan · 12-01-2006, 09:56 AM

Congrats on the new trailer.

We have a 2006 CCD 19' that is about the same weight. We tow with a 07 Chevy Duramax/Allison Ext. cab. We get 14-15MPG towing and 17-18MPG regular driving. We had a F150 4.6L short bed, it only got 9-10 MPG towing and 18-19MPG regular driving.
I drove the 06 Tundra, if the new model had been available I might have gotten one. I wouldn't want anything smaller. The F150 I had just didn't have enough power and was too short.

Bambi75th · 12-01-2006, 11:13 AM

Doorgunner you are probably correct about a bigger AS in the future, while we were closing on the 75th Bambi at thr dealer, my wife was already looking longingly at a 25' "sea breeze" CCD.

Yes Camp ADK we got #18 at Holiday Travel Trailer in Albuquerque NM. Nice people to do business with.

SilverGate · 12-03-2006, 07:39 AM

We recently retired and came down with aluminumitis last January…
While looking lovingly at the QuickSilver… and then the 19’ Bambi.
I did my research… the 2006 Toyota Tundra would have been a good match.
Then we fell in love with the 2007 23’ Safari SE LS – it’s now on order.
So then I thought the new 2007 Tundra would be a good choice…
Except that this new redesign will need time to work out the kinks…
And who knows when it really is coming out…
Then I read about the advantages of a ¾ ton diesel truck here.
Will come in handy traversing our nearby mountains in the Southwest.
Well… I bought my 2006 F-250 PSD (diesel) 3 months ago…
And I just love it… just ask others here who have the F-250 PSD…
Or follow along the tread under Towing here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238/f-250-a-26541.html
and if your wife is already looking lovingly at that 25’ sea breeze CCD…
You’ll wish you had gotten a ¾ ton truck!

Best wishes and Happy Holidays,
SilverGate

redeagle313 · 12-03-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawgfan

Congrats on the new trailer.

We have a 2006 CCD 19' that is about the same weight. We tow with a 07 Chevy Duramax/Allison Ext. cab. We get 14-15MPG towing and 17-18MPG regular driving. We had a F150 4.6L short bed, it only got 9-10 MPG towing and 18-19MPG regular driving.
I drove the 06 Tundra, if the new model had been available I might have gotten one. I wouldn't want anything smaller. The F150 I had just didn't have enough power and was too short.

We went with the Duramax Crewcab setup for our 28' CCD and we could not be happier. This truck tows at 13 to 15 mpg depending on conditions and gets 18 to 21 mpg on the interstate when not towing.

GM's new 1/2 ton pickups are also worth considering, the new crew cabs are very nice looking on the inside and out and would do a great job towing your new Bambi.

jbird · 12-16-2006, 09:18 PM

i have a 75th quiksilver 06 and pull with a 4 wheel drive toyota tundra 4 door, pulls great but I would like the more powerfull tundra but I cant really justify the purchase.
we have no issues with towing the bambi with this toyota, you need the space since the bambi is so tight to move around. we like it and are going to keep it .

SilverToy · 12-17-2006, 01:38 AM

Your trailer must be the one that almost caused me to create a 4 car accident - I saw the Bambi sitting right next to the Basecamp and a skidded to a stop on Central and made the turn last second....

Got to see the Bamby - from the outside, I was firmly told that it was SOLD! So inside look-see. Same with the Basecamp - I got the windows all smudgy from looking over the interior...

Should be a great experience you are embarking on - enjoy the heck out of those new units and camp, camp, and camp!!!!

Peace out

All the best to all of you, and yours, this Holiday Season!!!

Axel

Silvertwinkie · 12-17-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverGate

We recently retired and came down with aluminumitis last January…
While looking lovingly at the QuickSilver… and then the 19’ Bambi.
I did my research… the 2006 Toyota Tundra would have been a good match.
Then we fell in love with the 2007 23’ Safari SE LS – it’s now on order.
So then I thought the new 2007 Tundra would be a good choice…
Except that this new redesign will need time to work out the kinks…
And who knows when it really is coming out…
Then I read about the advantages of a ¾ ton diesel truck here.
Will come in handy traversing our nearby mountains in the Southwest.
Well… I bought my 2006 F-250 PSD (diesel) 3 months ago…
And I just love it… just ask others here who have the F-250 PSD…
SilverGate

Good call!