2004 Bambi 19

[zagarino]

Hi all, new user. My name is Scott Zagarino and I'm a long time Airstream fan about to possibly purchase a 2004 Bambi and could use a little advice on two topics.

I work raising money for prostate cancer research and I'm using the AS as a mobile office. Athletes for a Cure > Home

1. The 2004 Bambi I'm about to purchase is in great shape with a few extras. The price is $25,000. Is that in the ballpark? Hard to nail down used values.

2. I've been told my 6 cylinder Toyota Pre Runner has the guts for this tow. Any comments or suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Scott

[Freeheel]

Hi Scott

Welcome to the forum!

I think the problem you're going to run into is not the towing capacity of your (fore?)runner, but the payload capacity. Check your owners manual for your GVWR and GCWR numbers to see how much you have to work with. The trailer will put about 10-15% of its own weight onto the vehicles hitch.

We have an '09 Bambi 19' international which we tow with a 2000 V8 Tundra. Our '19 puts about 400 lbs of weight on the hitch loaded but dry. That added to any additional gear you carry, plus fuel, people, etc. could quickly max out your payload. With careful weight management on cargo, a weight-distributing hitch (with anti sway of course), and sensible driving, we manage okay but I personally wouldn't want to tow this trailer with a smaller vehicle, especially if you plan to tow a lot in the mountains - but that's just me :-)

[Paul&Dee]

Welcome to the Forums. All the answers are here.

$25,000 seems on the high side for a 6 year-old Bambi. Check prices on Ebay and in the Forums Classifieds for similar units.

You should look up the towing capacity of your Toyota on the Trailerlife.com website.
Look for the Towing Guide box on right side of the home page.

The GVW of the Bambi you are looking at should be less than 80% of your tow rating.
You can get Airstream Trailer weights at Airstream, Inc :: Home

Good luck with your quest!

Paul

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by zagarino

...I'm using the AS as a mobile office...

hi scott, welcome aboard.

16 or 19 footer?

each unit has a placard indicating base weight, gross weight, weight of water/lpg and CARRY CAPACITY.

find this info on the unit.

SOME of the 03-05 bambis have LESS THAN 200 lbs of carry capacity

given that is food, clothes, utensils, toys, gadgets and camping essentials...

there won't be much left over for basic OFFICE needs.

an older runner ENGINE might be fine on the flats, but brakes, tranny, cooling and suspension may need a LOT of attention.

the WIND, winding roads and GRADE in your region will challenge the combo, and as already mentioned,

the runner doesn't have much payload left once the tongue and hitch are loaded.

LOTS of towing info here, LOTS of threads on pricing and LOTS of help with your selections.

reading is good

cheers
2air

[zagarino]

While I'm kind of bummed to get the news that you guys delivered which is going to keep me out of my Airstream for another year, it's great to have such a reliable source for AS info.

Almost everyone I talked to before I got here told me the Pre-Runner would be a toss-up, you guys convinced me it's not enough for the AS, so I passed until I can afford a full-size truck.

Thanks for all of the help. I'll be around until we are part of the "family."

Scott