vehicle for towing bambi

[glarue]

hello all, i need advice for towing a '65 bambi.
is a standard size suv adequate for this transport....
thanks

[valmog]

Depends on the size and weight of your Bambi. I believe though that most of the older models were lighter than the newer ones. We have 2012 16' and pull it easily with our SUV...BMW x5. We also have a little Nissan truck that pulls it easily
-Kim

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by glarue

hello all, i need advice for towing a '65 bambi.
is a standard size suv adequate for this transport....
thanks

There is no 65 Bambi. Only made 61,62,63 and Bambi 11 in 64.

[purman]

Pretty much anything suv will tow an old Bambi. Have any pics of it.

[AWCHIEF]

OP: Can you post the serial number of your Airstream? If it is a '65 I am thinking that it might be a Caravel 17 foot. If not the number can get find the correct model.

[Len n Jeanne]

We have a 2005 16' Bambi that weighs 3500 lbs. We tow it with a 2011 crew cab Toyota Tacoma with a cap/canopy on the back for gear storage. This gives us power to spare, but we usually highway-drive at around 60 mph to get 15 mpg. If we drive faster, the milage drops. The Tacoma is a good all-around vehicle for our other uses.

[AWCHIEF]

Official factory weights of 1965 Airstreams: As you can see they were a great deal lighter than current models. The factory weight for my 1964 Bambi II/17ft was a miserly 1950 lbs.

YEAR NAME LENGTH Dry Wt. Hitch Wt. GVWR Hitch Ball Ht

1965 CARAVEL 17 2250 250 19.5

1965 GLOBE TROTTER 20 TWIN 2980 260 20.5

1965 GLOBE TROTTER 20 DOUBLE 2980 260 20.5

1965 SAFARI 22 TWIN 3320 350 20.5

1965 SAFARI 22 DOUBLE 3320 350 20.5

1965 TRADE WIND 24 TWIN 3810 430 20.5

1965 TRADE WIND 24 DOUBLE 3810 430 20.5

1965 OVERLANDER 26 TWIN 3950 440 20.5

1965 OVERLANDER 26 DOUBLE 3950 440 20.5

1965 AMBASSADOR 28 TWIN 4140 400 20.5

1965 AMBASSADOR 28 DOUBLE 4140 400 20.5

1965 SOVEREIGN 30 TWIN 4370 410 20.5

1965 SOVEREIGN 30 DOUBLE 4370 410 20.5

[Road Ruler]

It's tough to think of any SUV that couldn't tow a 60's Bambi!

[Friday]

Any V6 sized or higher will tow it no problem... some of the newer SUV's don't have as high a tow rating if they are using smaller 4 cylinders... (even though they look big). Explorers, Highlanders, Tahoes... all capable with the right motor.

[dkottum]

Most important is an SUV with independent suspension all around to get the most stable towing platform. All Ford SUV's have been built this way, from Escape to Expedition, for several years. The others are coming around for best passenger vehicle safety in many SUV models but are not there yet.

doug k

[netman1969]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

We have a 2005 16' Bambi that weighs 3500 lbs. We tow it with a 2011 crew cab Toyota Tacoma with a cap/canopy on the back for gear storage. This gives us power to spare, but we usually highway-drive at around 60 mph to get 15 mpg. If we drive faster, the milage drops. The Tacoma is a good all-around vehicle for our other uses.

Same here, we tow our 2006 19' International with a Double Cab Tacoma or our 4-Runner. Both tow it very nicely. Also agreed on the gas milage, it drops significantly going from 60 to 70MPH.

-Smitty

[PA BAMBI II]

We got a 2004 Ford Freestar minivan to tow the Bambi II. We also needed the space for the two babies and all their gear.

We hope to take it to CanAm RV later this Spring to get it set up properly to do the job.

We know the 4.2 motor will work fine, buy we want to be set up with the proper WD hitch and trans cooler. Regardless- should tow the 17' trailer fine. Andy, owner of CanAM, towed a 34' with a Freestar. I think we are good to go.

Ben