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03-09-2016, 05:02 AM
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#21
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andreasduess
The 34' models have the lowest tongue weight of all Airstreams, hovering just around 10%.
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By design.
Airstreams aren't "a challenge" to tow. A one ton truck isn't necessary for any of them (save for those who want to carry 3k worth of gear).
A big car, a minivan, SUV, or a half ton will work.
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03-09-2016, 05:33 AM
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#22
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Referring to a three quarter ton vs a half ton. If the drivetrain is the same there is no advantage in towing. Only the payload will be greater. The same engine in a heavier truck?
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03-09-2016, 12:02 PM
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#23
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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More payload is the advantage.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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03-09-2016, 08:54 PM
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#24
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Rivet Master
2007 28' International CCD
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,423
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Expedition as tow vehicle?
Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmover
By design.
Airstreams aren't "a challenge" to tow. A one ton truck isn't necessary for any of them (save for those who want to carry 3k worth of gear).
A big car, a minivan, SUV, or a half ton will work.
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It depends upon the individuals idea of adventure.For instance we have a 28ft International with a tongue weight of approx 1100lbs.We enjoy Atv adventures such as Moab,Jackson Hole,Taylor Park Co and many more.So we have a Can Am Outlander 2 up Atv that fits only in a 8ft pickup box sorry minivans,Tundras And F150's won't work.
Loaded with gear and fuel it weighs approx 800lbs.The 11 ft aluminum ramps to load it weigh 80 lbs.Add two 6 gal. fuel tanks 38lbs,gold sluice and equipment 30 lbs.Fishing equipment30lbs toolbox,two Honda 2000 generators 90lbs,Volcano grill 30lbs,Bag of charcoal 20lbs.
This year we will be adding a Bed mounted Stainless steel Kayak rack 65 lbs to carry our new 12ft Hobie Kayaks 160 lbs.This total 2443lbs
This does not take into account the driver,passengers or gear put in the truck.
When you hear a one ton truck is not ever needed or is a dumb idea or a big truck fetish keep this in mind.Not everyone's idea of adventure is the same.Some roast marsh mellows in a RV park and call it a adventure and that's all good.But others follow a path less traveled and are not like you,we are all different and tow vehicles are made for different applications thankfully.
I could have bought a 3/4 ton but for $600 dollars more and the same ride it would have foolish for me.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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03-09-2016, 09:05 PM
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#25
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Minivans/Sedans only work if you travel infrequently, locally (say max 2-3 hours away from home), in a relatively flat area, where it that does not get too hot in the summer. Even then, they are temporary solutions (and IMO not safe). These restrictions are too much for most people, hence people use properly rated TVs.
Where I live, a minivan cannot go up some local roads pulling a 8000# load. It will even struggle with a 3500# load its rated for. Its wishful thinking to assume tow ratings are meaningless.
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03-09-2016, 09:45 PM
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#26
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Tow ratings are a starting point. Trailer selection, loading, and hitch setup will determine success. Study and learn the complete picture. Big cars, minivans, SUVs and 1/2 tons work well for many, many Airstreamers when set up properly.
As stated above, if you need heavy gear for an adventure you need a heavy truck. If your adventure is backpacking you don't.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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03-09-2016, 10:43 PM
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#27
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1 Rivet Member
1996 25' Excella
NCR
, Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 7
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Expedition as tow vehicle?
We have a 2003 Expedition Eddie Bauer, 5.4L with tow package, and a 1996 Airstream Excella 25'.
According to the attachment I found on line, the hitch weight is 730 lbs and the GVWR is 7300 lbs.
We seem to have adequate power, even on hills, but the hitch weight for the trailer initially caused an approximate 6" drop in tailgate height. I replaced the rear spring/strut assembly with a Rancho XL heavy duty replacement and the drop reduced to about 3 1/2".
My assessment is that the Expedition is adequate, but a bit more power would be preferable.
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03-10-2016, 06:48 AM
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#28
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
Tow ratings are a starting point. Trailer selection, loading, and hitch setup will determine success. Study and learn the complete picture. Big cars, minivans, SUVs and 1/2 tons work well for many, many Airstreamers when set up properly.
As stated above, if you need heavy gear for an adventure you need a heavy truck. If your adventure is backpacking you don't.
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Please help me understand how "trailer selection, loading, and hitch setup" will enable a minivan to tow a 34 ft 10,000# trailer up a grade.
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03-10-2016, 03:36 PM
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#29
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Same way we used cars to pull 8k trailers fifty years ago. Cars less capable than the selections of today.
Plenty of reading. Start with Andrew Thomsons posts. And ignore those who've no relevant experience.
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03-10-2016, 04:26 PM
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#30
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Rivet Master
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
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Well your basic minivan is designed to tote 7 or 8 people and luggage so pretty good payload. Independent suspension, power antilock disk brakes all around, traction control, much better tire technology, low slung center of mass.
Much better than any Detroit iron of the 20th Century. Doesn't fit my needs but I would be comfortable towing with one if the hitch was reinforced and the hitch set up properly.
Mike
__________________
Sorta new (usually dirty) Nissan Titan XD (hardly paid for)
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03-10-2016, 06:12 PM
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#31
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Hitch reinforced or not, a minivan does not have the torque to tow a 10,000# widebody 34'er up a grade, and it certainly does not have the brakes to safely bring it down grade.
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03-10-2016, 06:32 PM
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#32
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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Well an Expedition does and that's the topic of this thread.
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03-11-2016, 06:14 AM
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#33
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,576
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi
Well an Expedition does and that's the topic of this thread.
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It will on flatland and at sea level , and at 55 mph, so it will work?
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03-14-2016, 06:13 PM
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#34
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rostam
Hitch reinforced or not, a minivan does not have the torque to tow a 10,000# widebody 34'er up a grade, and it certainly does not have the brakes to safely bring it down grade.
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You've the experience to back this? Or refute those who have?
And the trailer stops the trailer, not the tow vehicle. A fact you conveniently ignore. Why believe what else you've written, then?
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03-14-2016, 06:54 PM
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#35
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmover
You've the experience to back this? Or refute those who have?
And the trailer stops the trailer, not the tow vehicle. A fact you conveniently ignore. Why believe what else you've written, then?
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Yes, I can give you an example. While the interstates in PA are fine, the local/state roads are very challenging. When I get off the interstate, I have to stop at the end of a long ramp (full stop, as there is a stop sign), and then make a right to merge onto a local road. The local road has a VERY steep incline (8% grade?). I need to pull a 5500# trailer up a very steep road from a standstill. My TV is a light duty diesel and produces 400 ft-lb of torque at very low RPM. I can't see a minivan with half that torque towing a 10,000# trailer up that road. NO WAY.
I hear this often, that the trailer stops the trailer. If so, the 60-0 stopping distance of the combo should match the stopping distance of the TV solo. If you know of such a vehicle, please share that information (I don't).
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03-16-2016, 06:38 PM
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#36
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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If the rig is set up correctly it will stop faster than the TV solo. Especially, a pickup. Not news. What was done forty and more years ago.
Trailer antilock disc brakes for those who take braking concerns seriously.
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