Do I need a tow vehicle?

[mimiburt]

We are in the market for an AS to keep at a site all season - we don't plan to travel with it, at least not for the foreseeable future. After we get the AS to the site, do we need to own a tow vehicle? We're open to the answer being "yes" but wanted to understand our options as we make a purchase decision. Thanks!

[BIGED52]

Will your new trailer be parked there all the time? How will you get it to the site? If you need to store it in the off season you will need a tow vehicle. If you plan to travel around any with the trailer on vacations you will need a tow vehicle. Ed

[overlander63]

If you're going to have to move the Airstream off the site you'll probably need a tow vehicle. Depending on how big and heavy the Airstream you find is, you'll need something that can safely pull and stop it. For example, we used a Ford Ranger to tow a 20' Argosy trailer. It wasn't very satisfactory, but it did get the job done. You'll probably find after you get the Airstream, you'll want to "go somewhere" with it.

[richinny]

mine doesn't travel as yet. it is used seasonally and is stored close by. i pay to have it moved. as stated, you'll be itching to travel with it but at least in the beginning, it isn't a must.

the only exception has been when a nearby brush fire posed a threat to the trailer and it had to be moved. help was available locally and it got moved. create a relationship with someone to tow it and have a backup. the heavier the trailer, the fewer the options.

[Aage]

Here's maybe a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway: if you are not planning to ever travel in the trailor you are planning to buy, why buy an Airstream?

Let's face it, for half the price of a good used AS, you can buy a new SOB with twice the space, through the use of square corners and pop-outs.

If I hadn't planned on travelling in it, I would not have even considered buying an AS. For one thing, the rounded corners which lend themselves to easy towing are eating space like crazy in a stationary unit.

Your choice of course, just wondering about your reasoning...

[Mikethefixit]

Im with Aage.
WHY an Airstream. You can find a very gently used SOB with slides and tons of room at half the price. Airstreams are mean for travel,not that SOB's are not. Of course its your choice but if I were gonna just set it and forget it,Id go with anything but an AS.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

Im with Aage.
WHY an Airstream.

Heresy! People with a combined 4,000 posts talking like that! What's this place coming to?

[Mikethefixit]

Wayne & Sam
Its just my opinion. I hate to see AS's parked for ever.AS's are for the road.SOB's are fer Parkin in one spot FOREVER.
Again just my opinion.
Roger

[Aage]

Ditto here. Like the hippies in the '60s said,

"We just gotta be free, man. Free to travel the winding roads and find our destiny."

Plus, I hate to see an AS just sit and rot, too. When I bought mine, it hadn't been moved for ten years, and it showed.

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by mimiburt

We are in the market for an AS to keep at a site all season - we don't plan to travel with it, at least not for the foreseeable future. After we get the AS to the site, do we need to own a tow vehicle? We're open to the answer being "yes" but wanted to understand our options as we make a purchase decision. Thanks!

Hey mimiburt,

If your intent is to use the trailer as a stationary base and not to travel then you really won't need a tow vehicle. We've seen many "Permanent Site" campers and travel trailers with built up roofs, decks and screened in porches and the likes at various campgrounds. Most of the time these are older trailers and some are "Park Models" which serve as base camps for sportsmen, recreation retreats for retirees, or just someone's favorite get-a-way spot.

The good part is you can always buy a tow vehicle later on should your preferences change and you find yourself wanting to hit the open road.

The choices are endless and they're yours to make.

Regards,

Kevin

[mwells4654]

Same here - Mine had set as a hunting cabin for 8 years with a broken bathroom sink drain. Airstreams are for traveling - can't hardly wait to get mine finished so I can get going. But I agree with richinny - find someone that has a TV and hitch setup and ask them for some help - most TT folks are friendly and don't mind helping out.

[Kistler]

We recently sold our membership in Ponderosa Shadows Airstream Park in Pinetop, AZ. Not all owners towed/were able to tow their Airstreams. The park is seasonal (May 15 to October 15).

There is/was a service available to tow the Airstreams to storage and again set-up in the season. Explore this in your area.

To me it makes a lot of sense; Airstreams are pretty well sealed and do lend themselves to parking permanently.

We happen to like to travel; Oregon here we come

[mimiburt]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice (and keep it coming!). I understand the sentiments of folks who say why get an Airstream if you're not going to travel with it? It is not that we never want to travel - in fact, our retirement dream is to do just that - whittle belongings down to an Airstream and hit the open road. But we're far from that with two small children. And for us, it's an Airstream or nothing, we love them so much. So...we found a wonderful camping resort with year round sites an hour from our home which will be fantastic for our family, it provides ready storage, and allows us to enjoy an Airstream and ease into other things like getting a proper tow vehicle. I think that I'm still good with that plan but it's good to be challenged

[airdreamers]

Look what they did here. Do they need a tow vehicle? Each to there own. If your not going to move it who cares!

Don't get me wrong, I think there is nothing better, towing or sitting still Airstreams are cool that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by mimiburt

And for us, it's an Airstream or nothing, we love them so much

Well no one's ever going to accuse you have having poor taste.

Good luck with your purchase pursuit.

Kevin