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Old 12-23-2016, 01:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ericpeltier View Post
Part of an answer to your question is this: what will the vehicle need to do when it's NOT towing? Many vehicles can tow this, but they all have different capabilities when not towing.
^^
This
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Old 12-23-2016, 01:38 PM   #22
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Mercedes ML350 tow vehicle

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron-Laura View Post
We just purchased a used 2016 22' Bambi Sport. We are looking for a used vehicle to pull it and are tying to decide on a V6 SUV or V8. What are your experiences?
We bought a Mercedes ML350 used. It has a towing capacity of 7200 lbs. The '16 22' Bambi Sport fully loaded doesn't weigh more than 5000 lbs. Usually less for us. It depends on how much you will be going into the mountains and how high they are! We chose not to get a truck because I'm a realtor and need a good vehicle to take clients to show property. Good luck!
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Old 12-23-2016, 01:42 PM   #23
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Hillsborito , Oregon
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum View Post
Not these days.

Our 3.0 V6 has more torque, more transmission gears, lower axle gears (read more pulling power) than our 5.7 V8 we traded in.
I concur since that's what we (or somewhat) have, and for a little spice, its a TDI, pulls our 23D lovely
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Old 12-23-2016, 01:59 PM   #24
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Go by the numbers.

Every tow vehicle has a specific stated towing capacity. Make sure your trailer's GVWR is no more than your TV's towing capacity, and you should be fine.
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Old 12-23-2016, 02:23 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alluminati View Post
Go by the numbers.

Every tow vehicle has a specific stated towing capacity. Make sure your trailer's GVWR is no more than your TV's towing capacity, and you should be fine.
I would fine tune that suggestion just a tad.....
Add up your suspected gross weights, then look for a vehicle where that number is about 80% of the tow vehicle's listed capacity.
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Old 12-23-2016, 03:41 PM   #26
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Better check that 500 lb tongue weight before towing. My 19' Bambi tongue weight is more like 850.
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Old 12-23-2016, 04:02 PM   #27
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Toyota Highlander tow vehicle for Sport 22FB?

I recently acquired a 2016 Highlander XLE V6. It comes with a towing "prep" package which includes:
-5000 lb towing capacity
-500 lb hitch weight capacity
-Heavy duty radiator with engine oil cooler
-200-watt fan coupling
-Supplemental transmission oil cooler
-150-amp alternator
-Prewired for 4-flat trailer light plug

I had an aftermarket hitch and brake controller installed: A Drawtite hitch and a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 brake controller. This setup requires a 7-way connector. The installers got a harness and modified the wiring accordingly.

I'm interested in getting a Bambi Sport 22FB. The specs say hitch weight w/LP and batteries is 393 lb. The unit base weight of the 22FB is 3635 lb; maximum trailer capacity (GVWR) is 4500 lb. This model has a 3.5 L engine.

Based on specs, this car seems to be a contender.

Anyone out there who tows a Sport 22FB with a Highlander?
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Old 12-23-2016, 04:11 PM   #28
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This Forum is not the best place to get TV information. Everyone has his/her own biases and prejudices. By the time you read all the cat fights here, you will be totally confused!
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Old 12-23-2016, 04:27 PM   #29
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U just weed thru the bs and u will find the answer.


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Old 12-23-2016, 04:36 PM   #30
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2004 22' Safari
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Minnesota is almost as flat as Iowa

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum View Post
If you would like to stay with the reliability and reasonable maintenance costs of your Honda, the Odyssey or Ridgeline are a good matchup with very decent carrying capacities. We have a forum member towing an Airstream 34 with a van and another who really likes towing his Airstream Sport 22 with his Ridgeline.

The range of experience here in this forum is extremely broad, and most people like what they have. Until they get something else.

Many of us have learned about towing our Airstreams from this second generation Airstream dealer and towing shop in Ontario. There is none better. They have an online questionnaire that can help you decide if your tow vehicle will perform well.

http://www.canamrv.ca/towing-expertise/contact/


You will want to consider where you will be towing this as well. Mountains present a greater challenge than flatland.

(I grew up in Minnesota but after serving 20 years in the Army, I only go back to visit family).
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Old 12-23-2016, 04:51 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by Silver.Sanctuary View Post
You will want to consider where you will be towing this as well. Mountains present a greater challenge than flatland.

(I grew up in Minnesota but after serving 20 years in the Army, I only go back to visit family).
This is true. We only tow our Airstream in Minnesota on the way out and returning after 6-7 months on the road each year, in our ninth year. Nearly all of our towing many trips coast to coast, border to border, every western and mid state multiple times, most of the east. We came through Albuquerque on October on the way to Calif coast, right now near Silver City, NM.

(I grew up in Minnesota as well, Cheryl in OH and AZ. We have 58 years service in the Navy and Navy Reserve between us, both retired. Drop us PM.)
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Old 12-23-2016, 05:02 PM   #32
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Quote:
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Less is not more. More is more
heck, get a v16 then. it's what I tow my 16' , better yet, add another v8 in the back just for kicks
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Old 12-23-2016, 05:05 PM   #33
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Totally agree with everything dkottum has said. We are currently towing a 34 ft AS with a 2016 Dodge Caravan. The whole set up was done by CanAm using a Hensley hitch. Since picking up the trailer in June we have done several Provincial parks in Ontario, Wine Country in New York State, Quebec, New Brunswich, and PEI. We have just returned from a 2 month road trip staying in Tennessee, Florida, Lousianna, Mississippi and Texas. No issues! We may not go as fast as those with the big trucks but we get much better mileage. Do yourself a favour and go to www.CanAmRV.ca before you make any decisions. You can also call and ask to speak with Andy Thompson the owner. I know he will be glad to help you. You are joining a great group of people who will help you enjoy your new trailer.
Merry Christmas!
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Old 12-23-2016, 05:34 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron-Laura View Post
We just purchased a used 2016 22' Bambi Sport. We are looking for a used vehicle to pull it and are tying to decide on a V6 SUV or V8. What are your experiences?
We tow our 22FB sport with a 2003 Tundra V8. Tows and stops just fine. Changed to a Hensley hitch and like the improved control. I prefer a pickup for the extra stuff we always seem to need.
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Old 12-23-2016, 06:26 PM   #35
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8 cyl is by no means a hard and fast rule, especially is you buy a newer vehicle.

The newer 6 cyl engines put out a lot more horsepower and torque than the older 8's and they get nearly the same gas mileage while towing and far better mileage when not towing.

Newer vehicles also have better transmissions which can more efficiently use the power the engine produces generally by using more gears, but also by more sophisticated software. Speaking of software, newer vehicles can also reduce sway by applying subtle braking action when sway is sensed. We started getting interested in more modern sophisticated rigs after speaking with professional mechanics, a few of which really ranted and raved about the Ford F-150 - they did not work for Ford.

8 cyl may not be available on lower trim levels, if you are trying to save money. With that in mind, we put our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo to the test to see if we needed to upgrade to an 8 cyl (for us, a $15k upgrade). We did not go 80 mph up grades, but felt perfectly comfortable going 50 mph on some of the longest and steepest grades the Canadian Rockies could throw at us. Our Flying Cloud 20 is similarly sized with your 22 Bambi. We could have pushed it faster, but didn't really see the point in spinning the higher (4500+) rpms to save a couple of minutes. (Those long steep grades do not really last THAT long and do not comprise that large a share of most trips.) We easily and confidently went 65 mph up all but the steepest grades. No handling or cooling issues were apparent.

I would, however, recommend getting a rig that was produced at the factory as a tow vehicle. Besides the engine, you will want to know the drive line, transmission and cooling systems have been upgraded to provide better wear resistance. These are typically marketed as "TOW PACKAGE", but it doesn't hurt to ask about what exactly that entails.
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Old 12-23-2016, 06:29 PM   #36
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No problem with your setup. Our 2012 MDX with tow package does fine, same trailer.
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Old 12-23-2016, 07:02 PM   #37
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I've seen many, MANY members that raved about their under-rated, professionally setup vehicles, only to switch to a more capable vehicle shortly afterwards. One member was towing a large trailer with a mid-size SUV (exceeding both GVWR and tow rating) and was adamant everything was "fine". Switched to a 1/2 ton shortly afterwards (exceeding GVWR, but within tow rating), and again was adamant everything was "fine". Eventually, switched to an HD diesel truck. "fine" is subjective. I'd like to see some objective measures of performance, before selling my vehicle and jumping on minivan bandwagon. If something is too good to be true, then it probably is.
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Old 12-23-2016, 10:56 PM   #38
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Are you brand loyal?
If so, get a Ridgeline, Pilot, or Odyssey.
If not, the possibilities are wide open.
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Old 12-24-2016, 07:22 AM   #39
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Thanks for the wisdom

Thanks everybody for your thoughts and ideas. We are looking at a 2007 Toyota Sequoia Limited V8. 4.7 L. 5 speed. Tow rating is 6800 lbs. 273 horsepower. 314 torque. Avg 18 mpg. Not great mpg but it is in our price range and I think will pull the AS just fine. Thanks again for the conversation.
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Old 12-24-2016, 07:35 AM   #40
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That is a great choice, but...
What about stepping up to a 2008 Sequoia with the 5.7L?
That 4.7 is a million mile motor.


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