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LucyPepper · 03-18-2008, 11:25 AM

Hi,
I am so excited to find this forum. My boyfriend and I just decided to seriously downsize our lives and buy an airstream to travel and live in this coming summer over to the west coast (Highway 101) Any good spots to park or boondock you would suggest?

We are newbies, and are still learning the ways. We are looking for an airstream now, but are concerned on what would be a good option for the 98' Toyota 4-Runner that we have to tow the beauty. We found a 1964 24ft. Tradewind, with a dry weight of 3500lbs. Will the truck be able to handle this size once all of our stuff is in there? The max towing weight for the vehicle says 5000 lbs. I believe in the manual.

Also, what are the most crucial aspects to look for when buying a vintage airstream?

Any wisdom or advice is much appreciated.

thanks!
LucyP

flamingo-kid1 · 03-18-2008, 11:36 AM

We are a Toyota family, and I would NOT use a 4-runner to tow.. it has a very short wheelbase.

We have a 1998 Tacoma, a 1987 Van-Wagon, a 1992 Tercel and a 2002 Tundra.

Nothing has towing ability except the Tundra, which we LOVE.

Red Rover · 03-18-2008, 11:49 AM

Hello, Lucy Welcome to the forums! See my post Totota Tacoma TV. I asked a simular question, and you may find helpful, some of the responces I recieved! There are some very exp people, willing to share their wisdom. And I wish you luck in your search! Peace.... Red Rover^^^

Darol Ingalls · 03-18-2008, 11:54 AM

Lucy, DON'T believe in the manual. Your 4-Runner may be able to pull 5000 lbs dead weight across the parking lot, but put a 24' Tradewind loaded with "living" load and you'll wish you hadn't especially considering where you want to travel. The Tundra V8s will do just fine. Longer wheelbase and adequate power. Or you might consider a good used full-size 1/2 ton pickup. In any case, be sure you use a good hitch system and sway control. Darol

bredlo · 03-18-2008, 12:23 PM

Considering you have the truck, and have only found the trailer, maybe it's easier for you to look for a much smaller trailer, instead.

Silvertwinkie · 03-18-2008, 12:27 PM

I'm kind of on the ropes with it too. If I had to vote on it, I'd have vote no and agree that you either get a better tow vehicle or go with a 19' or smaller.

SteveH · 03-18-2008, 01:12 PM

I agree with everyone else on the subject....the Tacoma may be able to move it, but it is my opinion you will not be happy with it, it won't be an enjoyable journey, and it may not even be safe above about 30 miles an hour. You need either a bigger truck, a smaller trailer, or both.

Midamrail · 03-18-2008, 01:30 PM

We had a 1964 Tradewind with the single axle (double axles were an option that year and standard the next), and our 3/4-ton trucks barely knew it was back there except...it hopped a bit, even fully hitched with the weight distributing and sway bars. In some respects, it was a bit more squirrelly at times than our big 31' Sovereign, even with a brand-new axle and new tires and wheels. It was a breeze to pull with the long wheelbase trucks, but I would not have felt comfortable pulling it with a shorter-wheelbase SUV like the 4Runner. We definitely felt the "hopping" more with the straight-cab truck than we did with the extended cab or crew cab trucks, and the straight-cab still has a longer wheelbase than the 4Runner.

The PO pulled it with a Crown Victoria, but the lower center of gravity may have helped that set-up, and he traveled light - one person, very little packed in the trailer.

flamingo-kid1 · 03-18-2008, 01:48 PM

Don't forget this part:

a truck with a tow package has a transmission cooler.
A truck withOUT that can burn up from simply wind resistance.

A (much) smaller trailer coudl probably be pulled with a 4-runner.

overlander64 · 03-18-2008, 02:12 PM

Greetings Lucy P!

Welcome to the Forums!

As several others have indicated, I would tend toward the "not a good match" in this situation. When loaded for a trip, the TradeWind would be in excess of 80% of your Toyota's rated tow capacity. If you don't wish to consider a different tow vehicle, Argosy did manufacture a line of coaches that may be more compatible -- they were the Minuets (1977-1979). The Minuets were designed to be light weight and only a bit more than 7' wide -- they make a better match for a narrower tow vehicle. The 6.0 Metre Minuet has a GVWR of 3,250 pounds (approximately 20') while the 6.7 Metre Minuet has a GVWR of 3,750 pounds (approximately 22') -- the largest Minuet, the 7.3 Metre has a GVWR of 3,850 pounds (approximately 24'). In 1980, Airstream manufactured a series of similar coaches under the Caravelle name -- they are a bit wider and heavier as well.

Good luck with your research!

Kevin

LucyPepper · 03-23-2008, 04:30 PM

Hi Everyone!
Thanks SO much for your wisdom. We talked to some local new AS dealers here in town, and your knowledge was much more detailed and useful! Thanks! We ended up getting an 85 Ford F250 that is in immaculate condition for it's year. I feel like we should be good now to pull a 25-27ft. AS now. Thanks!!
LucyP

flamingo-kid1 · 03-23-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyPepper

Hi Everyone!
Thanks SO much for your wisdom. We talked to some local new AS dealers here in town, and your knowledge was much more detailed and useful! Thanks! We ended up getting an 85 Ford F250 that is in immaculate condition for it's year. I feel like we should be good now to pull a 25-27ft. AS now. Thanks!!
LucyP

I want to see a picture of that!!!!!

LucyPepper · 03-23-2008, 09:01 PM

Here is the 80's vintage beaut that we just bought.

flamingo-kid1 · 03-23-2008, 09:11 PM

I can't see the picture :-(

kristen_w · 05-27-2009, 02:10 PM

What about a V8 4Runner, rated to tow 7200 lbs with the Tradewind? Still the same wheel base, but more power? Is it enough?

silverleeper · 05-27-2009, 04:36 PM

Kristen, Can you give more info on the 4runner? Like year, engine and if it has a tow pkg installed. Anything else you can think of will help too.

Road Ruler · 05-27-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristen_w

What about a V8 4Runner, rated to tow 7200 lbs with the Tradewind? Still the same wheel base, but more power? Is it enough?

Power is not the issue with the 4 Runners, stability is. It is one of the poorest TV's available today. With so many better choices choose something else.

tonynorman50 · 05-27-2009, 06:38 PM

Can you elaborate on what it is that makes 4runners unstable when towing? We have been looking at used 4runners and were wondering what they were like as tow vehicles.

Thanks

Road Ruler · 05-27-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonynorman50

Can you elaborate on what it is that makes 4runners unstable when towing? We have been looking at used 4runners and were wondering what they were like as tow vehicles.

Thanks

Towing specialist and forum member Andrew T. gave a towing seminar last year that I attended in Hamilton Ontario. He used the Toy 4 runner as an example of "how not to build a TV". From his experience of working with these vehicles as TV he came to this conclusion. His view is that every spec on the vehicle is wrong for use as a TV.
It is however a great off road. reliable vehicle.

kristen_w · 05-27-2009, 09:22 PM

I am looking at a 2005 4Runner (don't know the finish yet--the dealer called when one came in stock that had the V8 and tow package). I have a Toyota Matrix now, and it has been very good to me, so I kind of want to stick with the brand. Since I am replacing my Matrix with the TV, I want something reasonable for about-town driving (hence looking at a smaller SUV, versus going to the Sienna or Suburban or Expedition). The model I am looking at is a 4.7L V8 4wd with the tow package (rated to tow 7000lbs). My understanding is it is on the truck frame, so I thought it would be ok. The trailer I am looking at buying (pretty sure this trailer, still flexible on tow vehicle) is the 64 Trade Wind-- single axle, 24 ft, GVWR of 3480. I will have the stabilizer bars too. I found this message board, and it seemed like a lot of folks were towing RVs with this 4Runner, some happy and some not.
I know I might like towing in the longer vehicle more, but since I also need it for daily stuff, I would like to stay in the mid-size SUV range, if possible! Also, I am planning on driving in the mountains. Thoughts?