Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-05-2017, 07:35 PM   #1
New Member
 
Currently Looking...
Dallas , Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
Max weight and size for vintage towing

What would be the largest sized Airstream you folks would recommend towing with a 1965 Pontiac Catalina? Has plenty of power with a 4B/455. Trans is a Muncie M20 4 speed with a 3.55 gear. Already has a dual electric fan set up with a big aluminum radiator.

I have searched the web for the official towing capacity of the car with no luck.

Would a modern heavier Airstream limit the length to say a 23' or less?

Hitch type?

Thanks!
radeng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2017, 06:29 PM   #2
3 Rivet Member
 
2008 19' Bambi
Carlsbad , California
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 125
You have cooling and power covered. Stopping could be a limiting factor. Payload will be a problem. Airstream tongue weight will sag that car down due to the comfy ride the stock springs provide. Air bags or overload springs would need to be considered. A panhard rod would be a good idea to control tail wag of the car. Heavy duty custom hitch. Extended mirrors to see back. A team of lawyers and engineers to prove that you knew what you were doing.... etc.
The lighter the trailer the better it will work. Do you feel lucky?
Russ
Ruscal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2017, 08:00 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Southwestern , Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
You might want to consider a vintage Airstream to go with your vintage tow vehicle. Airstreams were lighter back in those days.

Our 1960 Pacer 16 footer came in at something like 1,700 pounds gross and our tongue weight was only 200 pounds. (The previous owner towed it with a Mercedes 190D sedan for quite a while!)

Our 1980 Caravelle 22 footer is 4,000 pounds gross and we run the tongue weight a little on the heavy side, about 500 pounds.

You will want a good weight distribution hitch and likely air lifts or similar on the rear end of the car.
Nuvite-F is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
max weight for towing follybeach Towing, Tow Vehicles & Hitches 2 08-05-2013 06:22 PM
Axle rating and max cargo weight? steveirving Axles 11 05-09-2013 12:43 PM
Question Anyone? What is max TT size/weight for a 2004 avalanch 66? roxrum Tow Vehicles 2 10-04-2012 06:55 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.