Towing 19' Bambi with 2005 Tacoma

[hiker]

We will be buying a 2006 19' SE Bambi Safari LS and are considering options for a TV. We like the 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 long bed double cab but need advice about whether it will comfortably tow the Bambi. The 2005 Tacoma is a 4.0L V6 with nearly the towing capacity of the Tundra. Curb wgt is 4100, Wheelbase 140.9, GVWR 5450, Towing Capacity 6500, GCWR 11,1000, tongue load 650. Do you think, based on the above specs, the Tacoma will do the job? We also would appreciate hearing from 19' Bambi owners about what you use for TVs and how satisfied you are, and whether any of you are towing with a 2005 Tacoma.

[SilverRanger]

I use a 1997 Chevy pickup, 5.0L V8 4WD, automatic transmission w/OD, to tow my 05 Bambi. Today I was on a flat road doing 55 MPH with the cruise control on, and the tach was slightly under 1500 RPM. It tows like a dream. It pulls easier than my 5' X 10' utility trailer when it's fairly loaded up.

[davidz71]

SilverRanger,
Wouldn't that be either a 4.8 or a 5.3 V8?

[Silvertwinkie]

Hiker...the Tacoma will do it. IMHO, I'd feel better with a V8, but as long as you're not going to take it up the Rockies, I think it will do just fine. The Bambi is rated at about 5000lbs, so you have a bit of wiggle room IMHO, but as for wheelbase, 140 inches is more than enough for a 19' Bambi.

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by davidz71

SilverRanger,
Wouldn't that be either a 4.8 or a 5.3 V8?

It's a 5.0L/305ci 230HP. I believe it was either the 5.0L or the 5.7L V8 up through 1999.

[hiker]

Thanks Silvertwinkie and SilverRanger. Based on your comments, we decided to look at Chevy pickups because we do want to tow our 19' Bambi through the Rockies. We test drove the 2500HD Duramax and really liked it. The Duramax is more than required to tow a Bambi, but we plan to keep the TV for 10 or more years so we should be able to recoup the diesels' higher up front cost. It's sobering to think about buying a TV that could outlast us.

[Barkingdogg]

Hi,
I have pullde my 67 Caravel through CO. NM, & MO from OK. with a 4.6 V8 Ford 150 with ease.
Barkingdogg

[Kintscher]

We have a 2004 19' CCD and tow it with a 2005 Toyota Tundra Double cab V8. We made several trips from California to Oregon this summer and it towed like a dream.

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

I use a 1997 Chevy pickup, 5.0L V8 4WD, automatic transmission w/OD, to tow my 05 Bambi. Today I was on a flat road doing 55 MPH with the cruise control on, and the tach was slightly under 1500 RPM. It tows like a dream. It pulls easier than my 5' X 10' utility trailer when it's fairly loaded up.

SilverRanger,
Do you tow with OD on? I tow a 75 TradeWind (5000 lbs loaded) with a 2003 Tundra (4.7 V8) and I always turn OD off. It is my understanding that the automatic transmission will suffer if OD is left on while towing.

[ardenrj]

Just got back from a 2000 mile trip from So. Cal. to Central Oregon coast. I tow my 2004 19 ' Bambi with a F150 5.4 V8 with tow package. This set up really works well. I went up and down lots of mountain passes on this trip and no problems what so ever. Going up hill 55 mph no problem power to spare. Going down hill the truck stays in control. I'd really recommend this set up after going on this trip.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by Barkingdogg

Hi,
I have pullde my 67 Caravel through CO. NM, & MO from OK. with a 4.6 V8 Ford 150 with ease.
Barkingdogg

One of the reasons that the vintage Caravels are so popular is that they're HALF the weight of the similar new models!

I think that the choice of going to the full-size pickup for a 19' Airstream is wise. There's a lot more to towing than just dragging the trailer around. Your tow vehicle must be able to stop and maneuver the trailer in adverse conditions as well. The heavier the tow vehicle in relation to the trailer, the better off you'll be. The longer the tow vehicle's wheelbase, the better off you are towing, but wheelbase also limits your ability to back into tight spots.

The new Tacomas are heavier and bigger than their older siblings, but I think you'll be much happier with a full-size pickup pulling a 19'.

Roger

[Pick]

hiker, you will love the Duramax! I have had mine for 2 years, and 32,000 miles. No problems at all, just been to the dealer once, for tailgate straps recall. Nice to have an alternative fuel vehicle, too. Who knows what the future will bring? When gas stations run out of gas, the usually still have diesel, as it is not in demand as much.

[Barkingdogg]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

One of the reasons that the vintage Caravels are so popular is that they're HALF the weight of the similar new models!

I think that the choice of going to the full-size pickup for a 19' Airstream is wise. There's a lot more to towing than just dragging the trailer around. Your tow vehicle must be able to stop and maneuver the trailer in adverse conditions as well. The heavier the tow vehicle in relation to the trailer, the better off you'll be. The longer the tow vehicle's wheelbase, the better off you are towing, but wheelbase also limits your ability to back into tight spots.

The new Tacomas are heavier and bigger than their older siblings, but I think you'll be much happier with a full-size pickup pulling a 19'.

Roger

Oh I agree,
I would not want to pull the 2400 lb Caravel with any thing less than the F150 or engine smaller than the 4.6 liter (v-8). I think this is a full size PU.
Barkingdogg

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

SilverRanger,
Do you tow with OD on? I tow a 75 TradeWind (5000 lbs loaded) with a 2003 Tundra (4.7 V8) and I always turn OD off. It is my understanding that the automatic transmission will suffer if OD is left on while towing.

I tow with the OD on only when on relatively flat terrain. I could be wrong, and don't proclaim to have any expertise in towing, but it's been my understanding that it's okay unless the transmission is downshifting frequently. I just took a 2,500 mile trip and the engine rarely revved over 2,000 RPM unless accelerating on a hill. I stayed under 60 MPH most of the time and never had a problem.

[65CV]

I echo the recommendations for a larger tow vehicle for a newer Bambi. I have a 2005 Tacoma Access cab. It easily tows a 1963 Globetrotter which weighs in at about 2700 lbs.

I also tow a 5000 pound boat/trailer locally. Even though it is well within the stated towing capacity for the Tacoma, I would NOT recommend doing so for any distance -- you really feel the trailer.

If you're thinking Toyota, IMHO, the Tacoma just isn't up for long distance trailing with a trailer over 4000 lbs. Go with the Tundra.

63GT

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by Barkingdogg

Oh I agree,
I would not want to pull the 2400 lb Caravel with any thing less than the F150 or engine smaller than the 4.6 liter (v-8). I think this is a full size PU.
Barkingdogg

I'm a little confused here. You'd be just fine pulling a vintage Caravel with the Toyota. I tow a 16' Scamp at 3,000 lbs loaded with my '94 Toyota SR5 extended cab 3.0l V6 without any problems at all. It's the new 5000lb Bambi that I wouldn't tow with anything less than a full-size truck...

Roger

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by hiker

Thanks Silvertwinkie and SilverRanger. Based on your comments, we decided to look at Chevy pickups because we do want to tow our 19' Bambi through the Rockies. We test drove the 2500HD Duramax and really liked it. The Duramax is more than required to tow a Bambi, but we plan to keep the TV for 10 or more years so we should be able to recoup the diesels' higher up front cost. It's sobering to think about buying a TV that could outlast us.

Greeting hiker,
Based upon your long-term goal of ownership, and expected usage, I completely agree with your thinking and choice of towing vehicle.
When you're ready to pick up the new Bambi, let me know..
The GVWR of the Bambi is 4500 lbs, not 5000 lbs(as mention in a previous post).
BTW, the name "hiker" is perfect for you...
Keep in touch..
ciao
53FC

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by hiker

We will be buying a 2006 19' SE Bambi Safari LS and are considering options for a TV. We like the 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 long bed double cab but need advice about whether it will comfortably tow the Bambi. The 2005 Tacoma is a 4.0L V6 with nearly the towing capacity of the Tundra. Curb wgt is 4100, Wheelbase 140.9, GVWR 5450, Towing Capacity 6500, GCWR 11,1000, tongue load 650. Do you think, based on the above specs, the Tacoma will do the job? We also would appreciate hearing from 19' Bambi owners about what you use for TVs and how satisfied you are, and whether any of you are towing with a 2005 Tacoma.

Hiker...welcome to the forums! I also have a 19' Bambi (2002 model) and found that upgrading to a V8 vehicle reduces wear and tear on the V6 engine plus gives us more power in hilly terrain. When we first purchased our trailer, we were towing with a Chevy Blazer V6. It was awfully slow in hills and we had no power. Now we tow with a GMC Sierra 2500HD (over kill) with a crew cab and don't even know we are towing. Hills are no longer an issue.

With regards to TV's, there are alot of good threads on this topic already so I won't get into too much detail here. Here are some links:

1) http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=flat+screen

2) http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=flat+screen

3) http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=flat+screen

4) http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=flat+screen

5) http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=flat+screen

6) http://www.airforums.com/forum...ht=flat+screen

[hiker]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and sharing your experiences. A lot has happened since my first post. We have gone from planning on a 19' Bambi Safari to a 22' International to a 19' Bambi International and then back again to the 22' International. I think my wife has always preferred the 22' International but was humoring me until I saw the light. The good news is that the Chevy Duramax can pull any Airstream made. The bad news is that we are still about two months from final purchase which leaves too much time to change again. Perhaps, a 34' Classic SO, and selling our house to pay for it, is in our future?

Thanks again. I really enjoy reading your advice and hearing about your adventures. Hopefully, next summer we'll have some of our own to share.

Mike