HDT towing

[AnotherBob]

Good morning all!
New member, longtime lurker.
We currently tow our Airstream FC RBQ 30 with A RAM 1500 5.7L Crew cab 1300 lb. Payload capacity truck.
We are thinking of buying a Heavy duty truck conversion that could carry a two door Jeep on the bed and tow the Airstream. Our question is about stress
On the trailer hitch and frame. Would this
Be a show stopper or would it not be more stressful than towing with the pick up?
Thanks you for all of the knowledge I’ve come to find on this forum!
Bob

[Stefrobrts]

There was a member with an argosy a few years back who did something similar, but with lighter weight. He towed with a flatbed that he could put his mini cooper up on, painted to match the argosy. I believe there's someone else who was towing with a heavy duty type vehicle, but I don't remember who that was at the moment.

[Bill M.]

Maybe use something like a Air Safe hitch?

[jcl]

Airstream instructions in the owner's manual are pretty clear. Don't have truck springs stiffer than are necessary to support the loaded truck (not the trailer). Use WD to manage tongue loads, not stiff springs.

I haven't used an Airsafe, and don't know much about them, but I would look into it in this case.

[AnotherBob]

Thanks for the replies, I didn’t notice the warning in the owner’s manual!
I’ve read on this forum how some front bed Twins have issues with shell damage around the storage compartment from
Stiffer than needed WD bars ,only seems reasonable a HDT may do the same.
I’m wondering if the tractor airbag suspension would make any difference?

[richard5933]

The tractor air bag system is intended for carrying commercial loads, not an Airstream weighing a fraction of the weight of a semi trailer. I doubt it will provide much cushion for the trailer's tongue.

[Bill M.]

Towing it without a WD hitch might be an option. That way you would not bend the A frame in a dip.

[PB_NB]

I would look at removing the WD bars if I were to leave the smooth pavement and go off road. Having the sway and WD on the highway would be an advantage but not so much if you plodding along on a dirt road with washouts.

In my case, changing the hitch to my bumper hitch would be simple and then store my WDH until I get back to the pavement and plan to drive at speed.

I like the last line from the Tow Vehicle warning that jcl posted...

[gypsydad]

Why not just get yourself a nice sized MH to tow the jeep and be done with it? Perhaps the AS Atlas or for less money, a nice 35-40' diesel pusher with slides? Point is your investing a lot of cash to get a heavy duty TV to carry a Jeep and tow your 30' AS...less insurance, less hassle parking, and a larger living area with slides would seem the solution. I am a fan of AS...4th one for me, but having a nice MH and a tow car seems like a better solution than finding a heavy duty truck to "carry" your jeep, just to tow your AS? (but what do I know...)

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Why not just get yourself a nice sized MH to tow the jeep and be done with it? Perhaps the AS Atlas or for less money, a nice 35-40' diesel pusher with slides? Point is your investing a lot of cash to get a heavy duty TV to carry a Jeep and tow your 30' AS...less insurance, less hassle parking, and a larger living area with slides would seem the solution. I am a fan of AS...4th one for me, but having a nice MH and a tow car seems like a better solution than finding a heavy duty truck to "carry" your jeep, just to tow your AS? (but what do I know...)

Well that does depend on how he intends to use the Jeep. Some of the off-road/rock crawling videos I've seen, having your own wrecker truck could come in handy.

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Well that does depend on how he intends to use the Jeep. Some of the off-road/rock crawling videos I've seen, having your own wrecker truck could come in handy.

If that happens you rent a car trailer and haul the wreckage behind the MH.