What Airstream can I tow?

[n2916s]

I only have a Titan XD because when I needed to replace my first generation Titan, the only new truck Nissan was selling was the XD. Great truck but, in hindsight, I should have bought the gas version. (I am an unrepentant fan of the brand).

I also lived and worked 5 months a year in Wyoming and 7 months a year in Florida so had to carry lots of stuff.

A pickup truck is great for carrying lots of stuff. Not so great for resisting rollover, daily driving, fuel consumption, agility...

Been on the Forum roughly 15 years. The big truck guys always assert that everyone who tries anything else is ignorant and/or suicidal. Most folks doing anything else gave up posting about it years ago because they got tired of being called stupid.

[BayouBiker]

I'm not a big truck guy. I dislike my wife's truck except when towing and mostly for the cargo capacity but I also like the exhaust brake, transmission and towing programming, plus running to Home Depot from time to time.

We also have a high performance SUV, it is a pleasure to drive and has decent towing capacity. We don't use it for towing because we couldn't fit our gear in it. I have seen some here trash some perfectly competent set-ups as you say. I have only been looking at this forum for less than 3 years and I didn't post for the first two. I more often see people recommending unsafe set-ups or ignorantly bragging about their unsafe set-up. I got lots of great advice here so I decided to give something back. I comment on things I know about and remain silent on things I don't, I try to set my biases aside. I make mistakes from time to time, but on vehicle capacity my skills are quite good.

[ROBERT CROSS]

^
haha...DW does not realize that she has a cornering rocket ship 'cuz she don't drive it that way....
I do, it's a hoot.🥴

Bob
🇺🇸

[switz]

I will take our new 2020 Highlander non-hybrid across the sales to see actual axle loads compared to their rating of just over 3,600 pounds (both front and rear) with tires that have more load rating than the axle. That will give me fact based data to determine if towing a larger trailer like our 2015 23D is even a possibility.

I have the tire and tongue load data for both the 23D and the Aluma trailer with the Polaris on top (1,980 pounds with 300 pounds tongue weight per CAT scales).

I will take the Highlander to the CanAm recommended shop in Los Angles, California to reinforce the Toyota bolt on to the frame cross member hitch. This makes sense for towing anything but a 500 pound trailer (humor).

If the numbers are similar to what I have on the 2007 Mercedes, I will attach the trailer and slowly settle the weight onto the Hensley stinger. The amount of sag will give a clue on the relative stiffness of the rear suspension.

The issue of driving speed for many is a non-issue for me as I always towed with the Mercedes at 55 mph. That was a sweet spot in the engine and transmission combination and allowed for adequate uphill capability without stressing the drivetrain. The Highlander's 3.5L V6 gasoline engine lacks the back pressure of the 3.0L V6 diesel in the Mercedes so descent could require more braking effor in addition to selecting lower gears. Contrary to the speed demons in our part of the world, the posted speeds for mountain descent are most appropriate for all vehicles towing. What is the rush? Same goes for the yellow speed suggestions for the turn signs for big trucks.

At this point, this is an exercise to test a theory of towing ability with the 2020 Highlander of our 23D.

Our 2012 Ram turbo diesel will handle the 23D just as well as our 31' 2014 Classic. I reused the Hensley Arrow stinger from towing the 2013 25FB International Serenity home with the Mercedes for the 23D. The Mercedes did not like the loaded for camping 25FB so we acquired the Ram and an appropriate Hensley Arrow stinger for the higher receiver of the truck. The 23D safety chains and possibly the umbilical cord may have to be extended 10 to12 inches to reach the truck which is not a big deal.

Toyota literature and web site says the Highlander will tow. On the two top trim models, they have a wag your foot under the rear bumper to open the hatch feature, so that precludes a factory hitch installation. There is a button on the hatch that does the same thing so that foot wiggle sensor feature will be removed to install the receiver. There are many reports of the foot wiggle sensor causing problems anyway.

[BayouBiker]

Dang, what a lot of rigamarole when there are so many vehicles at the showroom 6,500 lb tow ready. To each their own I suppose. Just like for bono, I'll be sure to change lanes early and steer wide as I safely and comfortably pass.

[2MileHi]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

Dang, what a lot of rigamarole when there are so many vehicles at the showroom 6,500 lb tow ready. To each their own I suppose. Just like for bono, I'll be sure to change lanes early and steer wide as I safely and comfortably pass.

And so many words! I guess if you are at the edge of the envelope it takes a lot of figgerin to convince yourself you're good to go.

[bono]

Did you finally convince yourself to switch to a German TV or you want to slow down to 65 mph for a safe towing? Good! Congrats!

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

(...) nothing interesting (...) Just like for bono, I'll be sure to change lanes early and steer wide as I safely and comfortably pass.

[PB_NB]

Originally Posted by bono

Did you finally convince yourself to switch to a German TV or you want to slow down to 65 mph for a safe towing? Good! Congrats!

I am going to hook the Sport up the Beetle. No convincing needed for me!

Sorry - just kidding but wouldn't that be a sight!

We got 30 mpg while towing at 65 mph with this little beast. I wish I got close that with the Honda and Sport combo.

Note that this German TV is heavily modified to even attempt this.

[bono]

Wait, you will hear million reasons why towing with this car is not possible.

[waninae39]

Andy at CANAM RV has stated many times that the car/truck/suv towing rating are pure marketing. they have little to do with the actual limits of the vehicles.

Just look what the 30 year cars could do, but the more powerful cars now cant; really (;

good link here

https://www.canamrv.ca/towing-expertise/faq/

[BayouBiker]

What speeds were those older vehicles towing at? What was the safety history?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

Dang, what a lot of rigamarole when there are so many vehicles at the showroom 6,500 lb tow ready. To each their own I suppose. Just like for bono, I'll be sure to change lanes early and steer wide as I safely and comfortably pass.

We should not argue with C-eh-N-eh-D-eh...they noe it all 😂

Bob
🇺🇸

[PB_NB]

Nothing like a friendly debate!

I guess I should not have put that picture up. I was hoping to add a bit of humor to this topic but instead it appears that I added gasoline to this smouldering topic!

[bono]

This is how you do it in Europe.

[John&Vicki]

By the time we get done with you here you’re going to think you need at least something like this.

[rmkrum]

Only if you use a WD and anti sway hitch system with it! [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3][emoji3][emoji3][emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

And drive only 55MPH whilst towing!

(I’ll give up my 1/2 ton pickup truck and ProPride system only when they pry the keys out of my dead fingers...)

[bono]

Personally, I would not go with anything smaller than this one

[BayouBiker]

Originally Posted by bono

This is how you do it in Europe.

And on those cobblestones at 35Kph I'm sure they do just fine. In Texas at 70 or Wyoming at 65 mph, it will be white knuckle until something lets loose.

[bono]

Is this your model which shows 35 km/h max for this combo with a disaster above this speed? Another proof that the model does not work.

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

And on those cobblestones at 35Kph I'm sure they do just fine. In Texas at 70 or Wyoming at 65 mph, it will be white knuckle until something lets loose.

[BayouBiker]

circle where I said 35 was max.....