Trailblazer

[smeds]

Hi all

New here, so please be patient. We are considering a 25 Airstream. Our tow vehicle is a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer 4.3 inline 6. It is rated at 5500lbs. We would use a hensley if needed. For certain an equalizing hitch, Are we getting in over our heads at the 25 foot length?

[jillwill]

Before my currant tow vehicle a 1/2 ton pick-up, I had a 07 trailbrazer and towed my 61 globetrotter with it. It towed it fine but I would not have ever towed anything bigger with it. I think the 19 foot was about enough for it. This was my experience and I am sure u will get many opinions. Welcome aboard!

[Andrew T]

Hi Smeds?

We have a Trail-Blazer in our fleet at the moment so you are welcome to come test drive it with a 25'. You definitely need a hensley and a tire size change would help but otherwise a great drivetrain.

Andrew T

[62bam]

Howdy to all........NO WAY......a 25' with a Trailblazer. I think the trailer is going to be WAY TO HEAVY. We pull our 62 Bambi with a 06 Trailblazer and once in awhile it gets a little questionable..... that's not a very nice feeling! I feel you will be asking for trouble.
I'm sorry to disappoint you!

[smeds]

Thanks for the input. I will look for a 20.

[Rawn77]

You'll find the contributors in this forum live in two very different camps when it concerns recommended tow vehicles.
There is the vast majority who believe bigger is the only way to go.
Then there is the small minority who get kicked around here who think they can tow with smaller SUVs / minivans.
One thing is for certain, I don't think you'll ever see anyone switch camps

Since you're a proclaimed newbie, why not be open minded and try both.
You are very lucky to be not far from CanAm in London. The owner, Andy, is IMHO a true hitch guru. What does it hurt to TRY.....

And yes, I do live in that small second camp; which I'm sure you'll see lots of posts calling me mis-guided
But hey, I've got big shoulders.

Make up your own mind by trying. At least then you can form your own opinion.

[aircooled4]

What year of trailer are you considering? The newer trailer of a given length is going to be much heavier than an older one. (generally speaking!)

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Rawn77

Since you're a proclaimed newbie, why not be open minded and try both.
You are very lucky to be not far from CanAm in London. The owner, Andy, is IMHO a true hitch guru. What does it hurt to TRY.....

Agree! what a great opportunity for a newby. Can Am has the vehicle you own and will connect it with the size of trailer you are considering. Take it for a test drive. It doesn't get any better than that.
Note that a heavier dual axle Airstream may tow as good or better than a lighter single axle Airstream.

[Jezibels]

We pull our 1966 24' Tradewind with our 2005 Trailblazer ext, does an awesome job!

[RLS]

I'm not familiar with the laws up your way, but here you have to be careful in regards to what is legal according to what the TV is rated for. That would be my #1 concern and what I would look at first. I use an Infiniti QX56 that is more than enough for what it can tow, but it is the tongue weight that I have to be very concerned about to stay within what the vehicle is rated for.

[handn]

I have a 2004 25 Safari which I tow with a 2000 diesel Excursion.
Unloaded weight of my Safari is 5000 pounds. GVW of the trailer is 6300. Real world towing weight with fluids, propane, t.v.'s clothing, ect. is proabably close to the GVW
I would wager that you would be unhappy towing my trailer with your Trailblazer. I tow in the mountains where you would be towing bog slow up the hills with the engine racing and getting pushed all the way down the hill by the trailer.
You didn't say what model Airstream you are considering. Perhaps some of the older trailers weigh less. I know the Classics, Excella's weigh about 1000 lbs more than the Safari so you would have a bigger problem with one of those.
The other thing you should consider is the gross combined vehicle weight of your Trailblazer which is on the door jam. All Manufacturers', not just Chevy, play a game with tow ratings. The tow rating is based on a ridiculously low tow vehicle weight, often only two passengers and a tank of fuel. The weight of the combined unit determines its performance. By the time you are ready to hit the road, you would be seriously overloaded with my trailer.
Since you are now looking at trailers, consider a lighter one.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by RLS

I'm not familiar with the laws up your way, but here you have to be careful in regards to what is legal according to what the TV is rated for. That would be my #1 concern and what I would look at first. I use an Infiniti QX56 that is more than enough for what it can tow, but it is the tongue weight that I have to be very concerned about to stay within what the vehicle is rated for.

There is no legal issue in Canada and the US. Only two jurisdictions address this at all, to my knowledge. California says you can't tow a trailer weighing more than 6000 lbs with a tow vehicle of less than 4000, and Saskatchewan says you can't tow a trailer that is heavier than the GVWR of your tow vehicle, unless it's a fifth wheel or you use a weight distributing hitch. Then the maximum trailer weight is 2x the TV's GVWR(!).

Other than that, yes, you want to be careful not to overload the TV with tongue weight. That shouldn't be an issue for a Trailblazer with a 25' Airstream

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

Other than that, yes, you want to be careful not to overload the TV with tongue weight. That shouldn't be an issue for a Trailblazer with a 25' Airstream

Back in the sixties My dad towed 15 and 16' TT's in month long vacations with 4 in the family.

With a trailer length of 25' there is a lot of room to load stuff in the trailer.
We do this now keeping the TV within the axle load ratings. Works great for us.