Ok, I'm sadly resolved to parting w/ the Audi & replacing w/ a 5.7L Tundra. What are your thoughts on towing w/ 4x2 vs 4x4? All new Tundra's are equipped w/ traction control, vehicle stability control & auto ltd-slip-diff. Whatcha think?
Sometimes a 4WD is the only way out.
However, if you never drag your boat out of a sticky tidal boat ramp and you only leave pavement for a campsite a 2wd is a lot cheaper to own, run, fix, etc, etc.
I am a fan, however reluctantly, of American pick-ups. The 1/2 ton's as mentioned earlier are cheaper to buy and own. If there are any dealerships around that plow snow just look at what kind of truck they use: GM, Ford, Dodge.
The 4.8 GM is my favorite. I hated the thing the first 20,000 miles but the kids have it now with about 100,000 and it is a work truck, cheep to fix, easy on the taxes and parts are everywhere. No one wants to steal it, the insurance is less than the wife's Corolla. A slightly used rig is Super cheap.
However if image is important a Toyota will draw attention to you, like the Airstream.
R
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Robert
"Talk is cheap, Airstreams are expensive," Wally Byam.
Buy in haste, repent at leisure; been there, done that.
"You cannot rush quality," fastRob.
I guess if one uses a heavy, bulky vehicle a V8 may be required but many who use a smaller, more nimble TV the V6 works great.
Last year we travelled through upstate New York with friends that towed their newish Airstream with a Mercedes ML 350 V6. They as well as ourselves have been towing problem free for years with V6's and benefited from the fuel savings, especially when running solo (25+MPG IMP in our case).
__________________ Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
I guess if one uses a heavy, bulky vehicle a V8 may be required but many who use a smaller, more nimble TV the V6 works great.
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Very good point Road Ruler,
The v8 is a bit passé granted.
However, when the load starts a waggin' and the wheels start a squealin' there is something said about mass, wheel base and tread width.
Of course a little squeeze on the brake controller, a little tap on the brake and ease off on the pedal fella, should do it most of the time.
Important note: I have a '06 Jeep diesel Liberty, 4 cylinder to replace my v8.
My Trade Wind is lightweight and is within towing limits but yes, the 4 cylinder is better than a v6 which is theoretically better than a v8. My mileage goals are 20 towing, 30 highway but the Jeep is not for the faint of heart.
Long trailer, long wheelbase, motor appropriate. Come to think of it, the Toyota Tundra uses the v6 too, but the mileage is the same or less than the v8.
R
__________________
Robert
"Talk is cheap, Airstreams are expensive," Wally Byam.
Buy in haste, repent at leisure; been there, done that.
"You cannot rush quality," fastRob.
Your Jeep can be pretty stable with the Tradewind with a few ajustments. The short wheelbase is not too bad on the Liberty because the overhang is also very short. At least untill you factor in the spare tire that hangs off the back end.
There is a way around it though. We just get an extra spare tire and wheel for the Jeep and carry it in the tire carrier of the Airstream. A 25' will easily run on 3 wheels so it does not need a spare. This allows the ball to be very close to the bumper which substantially reduces the overhang.
Make sure your torsion bars a adjuste for even weight distribution and that your ball mount has as much rearward angle as possible.
If this does not make it totally stable you can put a tighter tire on the Liberty but the stock ones are not that bad for an SUV.
Hi Fastrob
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Make sure your torsion bars a adjuste for even weight distribution and that your ball mount has as much rearward angle as possible.
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Which hitch system are you using?
Andy
Andy,
Equalizer hitch and thanks for suggesting moving the tire, that would eliminate the extended shank.
I thought about putting the tire on the roof but would probably store it in the Airstream.
What do you mean about ball mount rearward angle and tighter tire?
R
A 4 cyl or v6 or v8 tow rig improperly set up is dangerous no matter how long the tow rig. Those short tractor trailers sure do pull long trailers though.
__________________
Robert
"Talk is cheap, Airstreams are expensive," Wally Byam.
Buy in haste, repent at leisure; been there, done that.
"You cannot rush quality," fastRob.
It must be nice to live where you can drive a Miata year round.
I prefer a car to tow with as the low centre of gravity suites my driving style and don't see why I would drive a vehicle that handles worse than the trailer I am towing.
I suspect that with a removable hardtop and four premium snow tires (no more than 185 mm wide), the balance and precise steering of the Miata would make it a joy to drive in snow, as long as the white stuff wasn't more than about 3" deep!
I like your comment about the way Airstreams handle. They are impressively neutral, not pushing the tow vehicle at all if the hitch is set right.
Very good point Road Ruler,
The v8 is a bit passé granted.
However, when the load starts a waggin' and the wheels start a squealin' there is something said about mass, wheel base and tread width.
R
Yes rob, tread width and tire quality can make a huge difference in ride and stability. We use a 215x55x17 Ultra High performance tire. The low profile, firm sidewall is squirm free. Sticky rubber is great on dry and wet roads. With the WDH set up right the extra 150lbs per tire is hardly noticed.
I've heard about, and seen "waggin loads" but never experience such a thing myself. We subscribe to the theory that...
stable TV + optimal connection + Airstream TT = a safe and enjoyable ride.
__________________ Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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