new member with questions....

[leica]

Hello. I'm a new member who is interested in purchasing an airstream. I'm a complete novice and am hoping to get an education and help through this web site. For example - can someone please tell me the size of the smallest/narrowest trailer and whether my mustang convertible (1990) will be able to pull it?
What sort of price would such a trailer be: used? new? features which I should have? And has anyone ever shipped an airstream to the UK (where I live). How much does this cost?

Thanks in advance for all your advice.

[dudebb]

Hi Leica and welcome to the forums!
I'm no expert, but there are many here who can advise you on this. I would be very careful in trying to use the Mustang as a tow vehicle. Length and weight play a major role in the tow vehicle capabilities along with power. I have what may be one of the smallest and lightest Airstream models (62 Bambi) and I would not even think about towing it with the Mustang - but let's see what the experts have to say.
Good luck in your search and again, Welcome!
George

[silverback]

Leica,
The smallest Airstreams are usually Bambis. They're in the 16' single axle range. New trailers (mid 90s and later) are much wider and heavier then vintage models. I will pass on giving you my opinion of towing with a Mustang but it is all in the numbers. What does Ford say the towing capabilities (weight it can tow) of a 90 Mustang are? Also towing will put much higher then normal stress on brakes and transmissions. You might need to change your final drive/gear ratio (rear differential) to improve tow capabilities.
-KL

[loudruff]

The smallest lightest might be a vintage Airstream Argosy Minuet 6.0 metres. It was a very lightweight model produced in the 70s. I don't know if it could be pulled with a Mustang, but I am sure that there are some folks here that can chime in with further info.
Welcome to the Forums!!

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

The really short wheelbase of a mustang makes it a less than desireable tow vehicle for any trailer. I'm afraid that pulling any Airstream with a Mustang would be an uncomfortable experience.

[rickandsandi]

Welcome to the forum! Yo ucame to the right place for information and you will find that there is plenty here to be had. When it comes to tow vehicles (TV's) there is much discussion here about how big a TV you need. You will find the majority of us feel very, very strong about safety to yourself and others when towing and the bigger your TV the safer you are going to be. As for your question, I would say a ford Mustang is not designed to tow anything let alone an Airstream. Suew big beefy 5 L and all that but the frame isn't there, the wheel base isn't there and the transmission wouldn't last your first trip of 2,000 miles. And as my fellow forum member mentions, once you get it rolling, you gotta stop it and believe me, there are many forum members here who have forgotten that. Again welcome to the forum and have fun!

[overlander64]

Greeting leica!

Welcome to the Forums!

Originally Posted by leica

Hello. I'm a new member who is interested in purchasing an airstream. I'm a complete novice and am hoping to get an education and help through this web site. For example - can someone please tell me the size of the smallest/narrowest trailer and whether my mustang convertible (1990) will be able to pull it?
What sort of price would such a trailer be: used? new? features which I should have? And has anyone ever shipped an airstream to the UK (where I live). How much does this cost?

Thanks in advance for all your advice.

I don't know how much the Mustang convertible changed between 1986 and 1990, but I do know that my 1986 Mustang 5.0 Liter GT Convertible carried a maximum tow rating of 1,200 pounds. If the 1990 was the same, you won't be able to find an Airstream that your 1990 Mustang can pull. The 1961-63 Bambi would be among the lightest at approximately 1,625 pound empty weight; the Argosy 6.0 Metre Minuets had an empty weight of approximately 2,400 pounds. If you look back to the 1950s, even the 16' to 18' coaches of that era had empty weights that would be in excess of the likely trailer tow rating of your Mustang convertible.

Something else to keep in mind with the Mustang convertibles of the era that you mention is that they were essentially factory-produced customs -- made by reinforcing the unit-body sub structure and cutting off the coupe's roof and installing the rear side windows and convertible top mechanism -- the propensity for cowl shake would be greatly amplified by adding the weight distributing hitch that would be required to tow an Airstream.

I wish that I had better news for you.

Kevin