|
07-10-2020, 02:48 PM
|
#1
|
4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
|
Airstream Atlas help please
I have an Airstream Atlas on order and have a couple questions. Once is gets here, are there any dealer add on's or modifications I should consider while it is still at the dealer? Is there anything I should be particularly mindful of when I pick it up? Does anyone tow a vehicle with it, it says tow capacity is 5,000 lbs, can it handle that comfortably? I have a Ford F150 and it is right at that limit and I did not know if that was too much.
Thanks in advance,
Greg
|
|
|
07-10-2020, 03:21 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,872
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghaag
I have an Airstream Atlas on order and have a couple questions. Once is gets here, are there any dealer add on's or modifications I should consider while it is still at the dealer? Is there anything I should be particularly mindful of when I pick it up? Does anyone tow a vehicle with it, it says tow capacity is 5,000 lbs, can it handle that comfortably? I have a Ford F150 and it is right at that limit and I did not know if that was too much.
Thanks in advance,
Greg
|
You want to tow a Ford F150 with your 3500 Sprinter based Atlas? That might not work, depending on the weight of your fully loaded Atlas. The Sprinter towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. is mostly based on the rear frame and hitch limits. However the 3500 Sprinter also has a GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) of 15,250 lbs. and a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 11,030 lbs for the chassis. If your Atlas is fully loaded to the GVWR then the towing capacity is reduced to 4,220 lbs. (15,250 - 11,030).
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
|
|
|
07-10-2020, 03:35 PM
|
#3
|
Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
|
If it were me, I’d tow the smallest possible vehicle behind an Atlas. [emoji41]
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")
|
|
|
07-10-2020, 03:45 PM
|
#4
|
Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
|
Be careful!
I first towed an 1800# smart and I currently tow a 2300# Fiesta behind my AI GT.
The smart barely affected fuel mileage, maybe 1 mpg. The Fiesta costs me 2 to 3 mpg, depending on terrain. Our Texas hill country with constant ups and downs are hard on mileage.
I could just barely know the smart was back there. I definitely feel the Fiesta.
For the smart, I used a surge brake. For the Fiesta, I have (and need) a brake actuator in the tow car.
I would not consider towing anything over about 3000#, and that with a good braking system in the tow car. I could not accept the performance and the fuel mileage with anything heavier. Remember, you only have a 3-liter engine, as fine an engine as it is. The Atlas is enough heavier than my GT that weight will be all the much that more critical.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
|
|
|
07-10-2020, 03:49 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
|
You will make issues for yourself and you'll be a hazard for other vehicles out west on on the mountain passes. There is no free lunch.
|
|
|
07-10-2020, 04:09 PM
|
#6
|
4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
|
Thanks to everyone for your feedback, that answers my towing question.
|
|
|
07-10-2020, 04:59 PM
|
#7
|
4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pahaska
I first towed an 1800# smart and I currently tow a 2300# Fiesta behind my AI GT.
The smart barely affected fuel mileage, maybe 1 mpg. The Fiesta costs me 2 to 3 mpg, depending on terrain. Our Texas hill country with constant ups and downs are hard on mileage.
I could just barely know the smart was back there. I definitely feel the Fiesta.
For the smart, I used a surge brake. For the Fiesta, I have (and need) a brake actuator in the tow car.
I would not consider towing anything over about 3000#, and that with a good braking system in the tow car. I could not accept the performance and the fuel mileage with anything heavier. Remember, you only have a 3-liter engine, as fine an engine as it is. The Atlas is enough heavier than my GT that weight will be all the much that more critical.
|
Thank you John, helpful information!
|
|
|
07-10-2020, 04:59 PM
|
#8
|
4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxster1971
You want to tow a Ford F150 with your 3500 Sprinter based Atlas? That might not work, depending on the weight of your fully loaded Atlas. The Sprinter towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. is mostly based on the rear frame and hitch limits. However the 3500 Sprinter also has a GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) of 15,250 lbs. and a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 11,030 lbs for the chassis. If your Atlas is fully loaded to the GVWR then the towing capacity is reduced to 4,220 lbs. (15,250 - 11,030).
|
Thank you Mike, helpful information!
|
|
|
07-11-2020, 11:11 AM
|
#9
|
2 Rivet Member
2020 Atlas
Cleveland
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 62
|
Dear Ghaag,
You will love your Atlas. We are camping in ours right now with our 2 poodles. There are no add-ons that I know of but we have added a bunch of small things that make it easier to use such as a soap & shampoo dispenser in the shower stall.
When you pick it up, be sure to check every little thing before driving it out of the dealership. The Atlas has dozens of little electric motors that work everything from the awning to the levelling jacks. Check them all!
Good luck and enjoy.
Krikati
|
|
|
07-11-2020, 01:16 PM
|
#10
|
4 Rivet Member
2023 30' Classic
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Jonesboro
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 491
|
Krikati,
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond while on your trip. We will be sure and check everything we can think of. I would like to spend the night nearby and take it in the next morning if there are any issues. I hope y’all have a great trip!
Thanks again,
Greg
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|