Newbies in towing

[Bambilicious]

Just got our 19ft Bambi on the road for a test drive before heading West. Concerned about the fishtailing over 60 mph. Concerned about weight distribution. Water tank full, Honda 2kw generator about 45 lbs on rack on back attached to frame. We need some feed back. What do we need to be concerned about. Grey and black water tanks empty! Thank you to anyone who can shed some light on our first time out!!!!

[BigAl]

About 10 to 15% of trailer weight should be tongue weight. Do you have sway control?
You are on holiday. Not in a hurry. Don't drive over 60mph if that's what it takes.
Al

[Road Ruler]

What is your TV?

Can you post some images of your set up?

Are you currently using a WDH?

[handn]

Try towing without the Honda Generator. The weight on the back possibly lightens the tongue weight enough to cause sway. A bike rack on the back of an Airstream is not recommended because of possible frame damage. The generator is heavier than most bikes and would raise the same issue.
You need a weight distributing hitch with any Airstream. Most of the newer hitches have sway control integrated into the hitch.
What is your tow vehicle? If it is overloaded in the back without a wd hitch, that could help cause your sway problem.
Sway is not a normal condition, especially with an Airstream. Something is amiss with your rig.

[MrJim]

Unless your tires are better than ours (new 65 PSI max Goodyear Marathons), you shouldn't BE going over 60 MPH. I've been assured very bad things will happen if we exceed 65 MPH!

Our dual axle '71 Safari weighs a bit less than a new Bambi, and has an Equil-I-Zer hitch on our Honda Pilot tow vehicle (rated to tow 4500#.) We tow the trailer with all water tanks empty and nothing hanging off the back, and haven't had any fishtailing or other issues so far.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, not enough information, but having a generator on the back of the trailer is not a good idea.

[Scott J-24]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, not enough information, but having a generator on the back of the trailer is not a good idea.

Listen to what Bob said....

[Bambilicious]

Thank you all for your input. Taking the unit to be weighed. Checking tongue wt etc. Removing the generator and he promised to keep it under 60 mph. Can't wait to get on the road on our new adventure.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by MrJim

We tow the trailer with all water tanks empty and nothing hanging off the back, and haven't had any fishtailing or other issues so far.

Towing with tanks full can make for a more stable towing experience

Because the tanks are so low, adding weight to them lowers the centre of gravity of the entire trailer, making it more stable. I always tow with fresh water full, when possible. I haven't found an increase in fuel consumption either.

Of course, we also use a Hensley Hitch, which makes for a very stable rig.

[Silver Otter]

Yep, we carry 1/2 or 3/4 full fresh water all the time. Makes stopping "anywhere" comfortable to have water on board, along with better towing experience, at least with our set up.

[MrJim]

55 MPH was a great speed for our recent cross-country drive with a 3530# empty Safari being towed by a Honda Pilot with an Equil-I-Zer hitch. No bad behavior by the trailer at all during the 2,000 mile journey. We sometimes had water in the fresh water tank, and sometimes didn't, but didn't notice any handling difference either way.

Since sometimes the water was better where we stopped, and sometimes worse, I now favor filling the tank whenever the water is good, just in case it isn't so good at the next stop.