greetings

[Brian Hoover]

this is new to us. My wife & I are getting close to buying an approximately 25 foot used airstream. After this we are looking for a (probably used) tow vehicle. Loking at a cadillac, Honda Odyssey, ford freestar.

Advice welcome.

Brian

[TomW]

Welcome Brian.

Its all about towed weight & tow vehicle capability. Vintage Airstreams are lighter than the current offerings. But today's tow vehicles tow less weight. What year Airstream are you looking at, and what year tow vehicle(s) strikes your fancy?

Tom

[Silverhobby]

This is NOT a recommendation for Ford, but I was at an A/S dealer last week and a couple of nice people pulled in towing a nicely painted Argosy 22 with a Freestar van. The Argosy was a 1974 model. Owner stated that it handled great.

[Foiled Again]

If you're buying something from the 90's on, you're getting a heavier Airstream. I'd suggest the Ford F-150/250 or the Chevy 1500/2500 series. It's hard to have too much tow vehicle, and mountainous territory can put a big strain on a smaller vehicle. Towing may not be a problem, but stopping can.

Paula

[ArtStream]

Not to mention chewing up transmissions

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums, Brian. If your talking a modern (heavy) 25 footer, You're probably going to want more tow vehicle than any of the three that you mention. Remember that an insufficient tow vehcle is the primary cause of Airstreams becomong very expensive pieces of yard art.

[scf31]

Welcome to the Forums !!!! I have a 25 footer , a 2500 series is a must , I have tried a lighter TV and you need a strong V8 and a 2500 chassis , Good luck with the choice you make ! you will love the Airstream !!!!!!!

[CanoeStream]

Hello Brian -- Welcome to the Forums!

Depending on year, a somewhat lighter 25' Airstream can be towed by the most capable 1/2-ton rated tow vehicles (eg, GM or Chev 1500-HD). There are a number of choices -- Suburbans, certain Toyota Tundra models. You most definitely want an 8-cylinder with an axle ratio of 3.73; 4.1 is better if your tow vehicle is undersized.

I took a look at the Ford Freestar on the internet. It can be equipped with a Class II hitch at the most and even then is rated for 3500# tow capacity. It's also a 6-cylinder with an axle ratio of 3.54 if I recall correctly. My '74 Argosy is about as light as a 24-footer can get -- and it's 3900# empty. Honda Pilot won't fare any better.

It gets hard to have an economical family hauler become a big hungry tow vehicle on weekends. I think we can find some choices that aren't in the full 3/4-ton range if we have a chance to talk it over. Best wishes!