New Members from Ohio

[toddnich]

We are looking forward to the second (first full) season with out 2007 Safari 28 SE. Our tow vehicle is a 2006 Durango w/tow package and Hemi. Been looking all over the net for info on the best setup for this (relatively) short 119" wheelbase tow vehicle, and just purchased a 4 year old Hensley yesterday. I will be asking questions a lot as the year goes on, but I've learned a lot in the 2 years we've been trailering. Lots of great people out on the road, also!

Todd, wife, and 2 boys (4 and 1/2 years old).

[silverleeper]

Originally Posted by toddnich

We are looking forward to the second (first full) season with out 2007 Safari 28 SE. Our tow vehicle is a 2006 Durango w/tow package and Hemi. Been looking all over the net for info on the best setup for this (relatively) short 119" wheelbase tow vehicle, and just purchased a 4 year old Hensley yesterday. I will be asking questions a lot as the year goes on, but I've learned a lot in the 2 years we've been trailering. Lots of great people out on the road, also!

Todd, wife, and 2 boys (4 and 1/2 years old).

Hi Todd, Welcome to the forums. I hope you and your family have many great adventures camping with your Airstream. I'm concerned about your choice of tow vehicle. The max tow rating for your Durango is 8650lbs. and the dry wieght of the Safari is 7300lbs. Once you add all the gear for the family I think you might be over your limits. Maybe I'm missing something.

[moosetags]

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

You're gonna have a lot of fun with that Airstream. We have 4 boys, a little older than yours. They're 39, 38, 37, and 30.

Safe Travels,
Brian

[toddnich]

I was concerned too, but the 7300 figure for the trailer is GVWR, not dry weight. The UBW is 5495, only about 200 lbs. more than the 25'. Also, the Durango is rated for 8950. We have pulled it on 2 trips so far, and there has been plenty of power to spare. My concern was the short (compared to a truck) wheelbase, so I felt the Hensley was a must (in case I need to make evasive action). No "white knuckle" experiences thus far, but I wanted to be sure that sway was not a factor, and from what I hear the Hensley addresses that problem.

The newer Durango is 7" longer than the older ones, and has very little overhang. I am no expert, but I think it tows like a beast. I understand that we are a bit undersized by some standards, but I think that at reasonable speeds and close attention to conditions we will be fine.

[yukionna]

You might be just a tad undersized on the tow vehicle. We had a close range like that on our tow vehicle and trailer and found we struggled on the hills and long slight uphill inclines. We didn't really notice the "struggle" until we upgraded to the GMC 2500 HD truck. Now we don't even notice the trailer behind us.

[toddnich]

Yes, I hear you, but we use out SUV 95% of the time for non-towing, so we will have to live with it. But I'm telling you, until you've driven that hemi....