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Road Ruler · 03-19-2013, 10:12 AM

For sure Silver Cloud. Glad to see you posting. There is a great bunch of Airstreamers here. There is just a small minority that always seem to get out of the wrong side of the bed. Hang in here.

utee94 · 03-19-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

You can PM me the details if you like, though, because I'm interested in Andy's solutions.

I tow with a big SUV but I'd love to see the details, too. Please do post them, Silver Cloud. There are plenty of experienced non-newbies on these Forums that can provide you some air cover.

Definitely don't feel like you need to avoid the Forums, though. People have strong opinions about everything, and this is one of those hot-button topics that comes up fairly regularly. When I saw the thread title, I grabbed my popcorn and got ready for the show.

As heated as THIS topic gets though, you wouldn't BELIEVE the venom that comes out when folks begin advocating their preferred method of polishing aluminum. Talk about nasty!

-Marcus

srpuywa · 03-19-2013, 12:28 PM

If you all think towing a AS 25 with a Santa Fe is safe - more power to you

trailer weighs 5600 lbs

Santa Fe tow rating 3500 lbs

to me it's a recipe for disaster

Silver Cloud · 03-19-2013, 12:49 PM

Are you an expert ???
Did you look at the HP, torque and transmission, modified and reinforced receiver, HD transmission cooler, sway bars etc, etc or did you just look at a number ?? Look at many of the SUV's out there and you will see that with comparable #'s, some have tow ratings of 5500 lbs and higher. I feel safer with my properly installed equipment than I would with a factory installed one on a lot of pickup trucks. You need to go to a seminar put on by Can-Am RV and see what happens with some of those !! But maybe your minds are made up without knowing all of the facts.

MrUKToad · 03-19-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

If you all think towing a AS 25 with a Santa Fe is safe - more power to you

trailer weighs 5600 lbs

Santa Fe tow rating 3500 lbs

to me it's a recipe for disaster

How do you know whether it's safe or not? You know nothing of the Santa Fe's set up.

Silver Cloud · 03-19-2013, 12:59 PM

......and don't forget the aerodynamic's of an Airstream !!!

MrUKToad · 03-19-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Cloud

Are you an expert ???
........... But maybe your minds are made up without knowing all of the facts.

And there's the issue isn't it? Self-proclaimed experts with no handle on how any particular TV is set up.

Good on you, Silver Cloud. I'll bet your Santa Fe tows brilliantly; I know that my minivan (with the 3,500 lb tow rating) hauls my 7,000 lb International with ease.

Silver Cloud · 03-19-2013, 01:19 PM

You must have shopped at Can-AM !!!!!!!

srpuywa · 03-19-2013, 01:36 PM

Dealers will tell you want to hear as long as they can make a sale. It's not only about towing, it's about stopping, cross winds and not being pushed by the trailer when going down grades

Good luck to you.

kscherzi · 03-19-2013, 02:09 PM

The Santa Fe has a payload of about 1,300 lbs so I'm guessing its limiting factor is the uni-body construction and radiator and oil cooling. I'm guessing they added some steel stiffeners to under-body to strengthen the receiver attach points and some more cooling.

MrUKToad · 03-19-2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Cloud

You must have shopped at Can-AM !!!!!!!

How did you know?

MrUKToad · 03-19-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

Dealers will tell you want to hear as long as they can make a sale. It's not only about towing, it's about stopping, cross winds and not being pushed by the trailer when going down grades

Good luck to you.

So you're suggesting that this dealer has sent an unsuspecting buyer out onto the highway in an unsafe condition simply to make a sale?

Take a look at the Can-Am website, srpuywa. I'll value your opinion when you can match their level of knowledge and experience in providing towing solutions.

Silver Cloud · 03-19-2013, 02:35 PM

I won't defend my position anymore. We are all entitled to an opinion. Mine is based on facts and knowledge from one of Airstreams best dealers !!! I will say no more !!!!
My head is getting sore from banging it against a wall !!!

RM66caravel · 03-19-2013, 03:31 PM

Did I see an airstream commercial where they were pulling an airstream with a peddle powered bike? What was the tow cap for that?

srpuywa · 03-19-2013, 03:47 PM

"Take a look at the Can-Am website, srpuywa. I'll value your opinion when you can match their level of knowledge and experience in providing towing solutions. "

Their video's of SUV's are on a level closed course - not real world driving.

"Years of aggressively experimenting with towing combinations make us the experts"

experimenting? - not with my stuff

Road Ruler · 03-19-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscherzi

The Santa Fe has a payload of about 1,300 lbs so I'm guessing its limiting factor is the uni-body construction and radiator and oil cooling. I'm guessing they added some steel stiffeners to under-body to strengthen the receiver attach points and some more cooling.

The uni-bodies today are nice because they offer rigidity. So much so they can use IRS with many of the vehicles. All goodness when it comes to towing prowess.

They have taken receiver building to a new level/works of art IMHO.

The key to their setups is all about the drive. Soooo sweet.

dkottum · 03-19-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

"Take a look at the Can-Am website, srpuywa. I'll value your opinion when you can match their level of knowledge and experience in providing towing solutions. "

Their video's of SUV's are on a level closed course - not real world driving.

"Years of aggressively experimenting with towing combinations make us the experts"

experimenting? - not with my stuff

That's fine, inovation and improvement is not for everybody.

doug k

cameront120 · 03-19-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srpuywa

"Take a look at the Can-Am website, srpuywa. I'll value your opinion when you can match their level of knowledge and experience in providing towing solutions. "

Their video's of SUV's are on a level closed course - not real world driving.

"Years of aggressively experimenting with towing combinations make us the experts"

experimenting? - not with my stuff

How many years have you been setting up tow vehicles?

Kyle401 · 03-19-2013, 09:31 PM

If you already own both vehicles, test towing with each would seem to be the easiest way to determine the preferred tow vehicle. This is particularly advisable if you have no previous towing experience.

Many drivers find the extra margin offered by a larger vehicle offers a reassuring experience. Others find great satisfaction towing with a carefully set up smaller vehicle.

Mtnlvrs · 03-19-2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Cloud

I think that a lot of people get hung up on a number from the manufacturers that is totally out of date with what the vehicle is capable of. The Santa Fe handles better and would be far superior on gas mileage. I have no problem with pulling 25' after talking to a true expert in the towing field.

I would really like to know what he suggested also. That would help us a lot. I'm hoping we can make the same type modifications on our Santa Fe, because it really is a great car. I had a hitch put on soon after I bought it, but they didn't record what class on the paperwork, and of course, I don't remember.