We Did It. Trailer and TV in One Day

[MSDeneen]

This was a busy day. We travelled 2-1/2 hours to see a trailer, loved it, bought it. A very clean 2011 Flying Cloud FB 23'.



Then we left it behind for the owner to tow to our house next Wednesday. I raced over to the car dealer to see a Yukon Denali. Loved it, bought it. It's a 2019 Denali with everything including the kitchen sink. I suspect it will tow the FC beautifully.



Now, the big problem - according to wife - "I can't find flannel RV Queen sheets!"


Cheers,
Mark and Paula

[field & stream]

Coincidentally, our first Airstream was a 23’ and our tow vehicle was a Yukon Denali. Towed it fine, but we did have a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway which in my opinion you will need.

Try this source for bedding, which might include some custom stuff:
https://www.ablifestyles.net/

P.S. if you have an issue with your Yukon as a tow vehicle it will be payload. If you travel with a lot of stuff you can easily exceed the payload limits of that vehicle.

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by field & stream

Coincidentally, our first Airstream was a 23’ and our tow vehicle was a Yukon Denali. Towed it fine, but we did have a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway which in my opinion you will need.

Try this source for bedding, which might include some custom stuff:
https://www.ablifestyles.net/

P.S. if you have an issue with your Yukon as a tow vehicle it will be payload. If you travel with a lot of stuff you can easily exceed the payload limits of that vehicle.

In our past travels we were pretty light. We don't carry the Kitchen Sink with us.
But I will heart a set of weights taken as soon as we have both units and can get to the weight station.

[AgBullet]

Congratulations! You'll love it!

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by AgBullet

Congratulations! You'll love it!

For sure! My wife cried when we sold our first AS back in 2016. This one is almost the same except this is the 23 in place of the 25.



We're definitely in a better place today because she is now retired. In the past, she had to be working while on the road. Stressful.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

In our past travels we were pretty light. We don't carry the Kitchen Sink with us.
But I will heart a set of weights taken as soon as we have both units and can get to the weight station.

Congrats! We love that 23-footer, and Tahoes are nice too.

I’m curious what the payload rating is on the Tahoe? It should be shown on the payload decal, which is normally affixed to the drivers door jam, along with the tire pressure info.

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

Congrats! We love that 23-footer, and Tahoes are nice too.

I’m curious what the payload rating is on the Tahoe? It should be shown on the payload decal, which is normally affixed to the drivers door jam, along with the tire pressure info.

The Yukon is not home yet -- sitting at CARMAX while they get a wire payment. But I calculated 1500# by taking the dry weight 5750 from the gross vehicle weight of 7300. I think that should be close.



My tongue weight is 475# per the AS document of weights. Wife and I = another 270# total.



Cheers!
Mark

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

The Yukon is not home yet -- sitting at CARMAX while they get a wire payment. But I calculated 1500# by taking the dry weight 5750 from the gross vehicle weight of 7300. I think that should be close.



My tongue weight is 475# per the AS document of weights. Wife and I = another 270# total.



Cheers!
Mark

That would be great if it comes in close to 1500 lbs. You’d be all set.

But definitely confirm once you take delivery. The Denali trim probably uses the larger/heavier engine, and has a lot of “goodies” whose weight adds up.

Enjoy your new Airstream!

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

That would be great if it comes in close to 1500 lbs. You’d be all set.

But definitely confirm once you take delivery. The Denali trim probably uses the larger/heavier engine, and has a lot of “goodies” whose weight adds up.

Enjoy your new Airstream!

Hmmmm?


Maybe I will go take a look at the door jamb. It's only a few miles away.



Thanks!
Mark

[field & stream]

If you have a 3rd row seat, it can be removed and its weight (about 100 pounds) added to your payload rating. Ours came out when we brought the car home and it has never been back in! Adds to your cargo space also.

[MSDeneen]

Looks like 1444#

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by field & stream

If you have a 3rd row seat, it can be removed and its weight (about 100 pounds) added to your payload rating. Ours came out when we brought the car home and it has never been back in! Adds to your cargo space also.

The 3rd row in this buggy folds down flat into the floor. Not sure if they will come out and what kind of "hole" that may leave?



I think we will be ok.



275 for two people
500 for tongue
156 gas
200 for supplies
-----------
1136 leaves a 21% cushion.



Mark

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

The 3rd row in this buggy folds down flat into the floor. Not sure if they will come out and what kind of "hole" that may leave?



I think we will be ok.



275 for two people
500 for tongue
156 gas
200 for supplies
-----------
1136 leaves a 21% cushion.



Mark

Good points, my Denali is older and the third seat was a hog. Without knowing you or your style, I also think you will probably be ok. Especially if you pay attention to it.

On the down side, Airstream notoriously understates tongue weight and the amount of “stuff” people pack trends up. On the up side, you can shift stuff into the trailer which has its own payload capacity.

Have fun!

[MSDeneen]

Is it feasible to add payload capacity with new springs, shocks, or?

What's the limiting factor?

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

Looks like 1444#

Excellent and good news. You should be fine with 1444 lbs of payload. I usually advise +/-1500 lbs as a starting target, and 1444 is certainly right in that range.

Enjoy!

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

Is it feasible to add payload capacity with new springs, shocks, or?

What's the limiting factor?

You could, but the decal will remain your vehicle’s official payload capacity.

You have decent payload already. I wouldn’t go to that expense/hassle unless you find there is an issue after a few trips (unlikely, imo.)

[Spartanfam]

….you don’t need to include the weight of gasoline when subtracting from your payload. It’s included in the curb weight.

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

You could, but the decal will remain your vehicle’s official payload capacity.

You have decent payload already. I wouldn’t go to that expense/hassle unless you find there is an issue after a few trips (unlikely, imo.)

Super! Thanks for all the advice/help on this folks! I'd hate to have to go to a bigger vehicle. This bad boy is big enough!


Cheers!
Mark

[SallyForth]

We towed our 2023 International 23' FB Twin with an F-150 2.7L Ecoboost 2WD. It was a joy to tow and had everything I needed. We would be in that trailer today if it were not for a dealer display my wife visited at the Rock Springs International Rally.

[lltroxell]

Try Beddies. They make both flannel and RV sheets. We lovpe ours.