Defender 2020 110 HSE towing 2021 Airstream 25FB International?

[C and P]

Get a RAM 1500 with a HEMI and the 3.92 rearend. Will tow up to 11000 LBS 2 or 4 WD. We pull a AS Globetrotter 25 FB. And this tow whicle is awesome, if you want fancy get the Limited edition.

[Bugbee]

Originally Posted by matthewk

I would be more concerned about being stranded on the side of the road with Rover's lack of reliability than I would be about the towing capacity.

Yes - that is the biggest issue - especially with all the electronics and it is the first year of a brand new model. LR's reliability is poor and their vehicles are expensive to fix.
Especially if the air suspension goes into default mode and drops to the bumpstops and you are towing your Airstream (or offroad without the trailer)

I owned and loved all of the Land Rover models from a 1955 Series 1 on up over 27 years - including all versions/series of the Range Rover - and they are superb tow vehicles but I wouldn't add anything thing like helper springs or additional air bags to an already complicated system.

BTW, I sold my last RR 3 years ago when the warranty ran out.

[TUW]

If you go with the F-150, look into the heavy duty tow package and make sure to get the trailer mirrors- they don’t automatically come with the tow package, and make a huge difference towing. The extended distance tank is also key, especially if towing out west. We pull our 23CB/bunk FC with the 3.6 F-150 supercab and it tows beautifully- There are a lot of mountains, canyons and wind were we go and the trailer feels completely stable (also use a blue ox hitch as well).

[Tim and Tam]

We have a 25 ft International Rear Bed and now tow with a 2019 Ford F250 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel. Not just the tongue weight, but all other factors considered about how loaded the trailer is, proper inflation of trailer tires for said load, and all the accessories we feel necessary in the bed. We had a 150, but with the kind of places we go (days with 10 or more mountain passes), we found it was a real strain on the transmission and we really had to watch overheating the engine on those long grades. It is just my opinion, at 25 ft or longer, the 250 or equivalent Dodge (RAM 2500) or Chevy (Silverado HD 2500) will have you towing in peace and comfort. We have the extended cab that comfortably seats 5, we hardly know the trailer is back there, and we average 13.8 mpg even with the worst mountain pass days.

[Boston Gary]

I pulled a Basecamp with a 2012 Land Rover and then migrated to 23’ FC. I believe the tongue weights may not include filled propane tanks. I just moved up to the 28’ FC and purchased a 2020 F250 as the TV. As for LR/RR being unreliable - I have 136k miles and needed to buy new tires last week. Other than that, no major repairs.
Would not recommend going beyond 23’ with Defender. Would also not consider a F150 for beyond 23’ as you’ll be operating at too near its capacity in terms of tongue weight IMHO.
Happy Trails

[Cmjmoore]

Originally Posted by Brooklynkid

Hello! Excited to be a part of the Airstream forums and soon to be Airstream owners.

Will the new 2020 Defender 110 HSE w/ the p400 engine be a good vehicle to tow the 25FB?

My wife and I are about to pull the trigger on a new 2021 Airstream travel trailer. We are most likely going to go with 25FB International. She is not a big truck fan and we currently navigating the best options based for towing the trailer. We currently own a Range Rover Velar and love it but we need a great adventure vehicle that can both tow the trailer and be a great vehicle to take us anywhere we want to go while traveling the country.

The defender can haul a maximum payload of up to 1,984 pounds. It has a towing capacity of 8,201 pounds and a maximum dynamic roof load of 370 pounds.

Defender 110:
Unbraked trailer (lbs) 1,653 lb
Maximum towing (lbs) 8,201 lb
Maximum coupling point (nose weight) (lbs) 771‡‡
Maximum vehicle and trailer combination (GTW) (lbs) 15,175 (5 seats) / 15,365 (5+2 seats)

--
The specs on the 2021 25B international Airstream

Hitch Weight (with LP & Batte
ries) 837'
Unit Base Weight (with LP & Batteries) 5,503 lbs
Maximum Trailer Capacity (GVWR) (lbs.) 7,300

Looking forward to everyone's assistance with this as we are excited to get things finalized.

Isn’t that a Bruder EXP 6. Off road camper from Australia .

[Roberta M]

We pull our 2020 27 FB Globetrotter with a 2019 full size Range Rover diesel. It’s a great TV.

[KelDarBerg]

Originally Posted by C and P

Get a RAM 1500 with a HEMI and the 3.92 rearend. Will tow up to 11000 LBS 2 or 4 WD. We pull a AS Globetrotter 25 FB. And this tow whicle is awesome, if you want fancy get the Limited edition.

We decided to tow with a 2019 Ram 1500 with the hemi. Plenty of towing capacity, but I loaded the Ram up with almost all of the options (ram box, eTorque, tonneau cover, bed liner, etc.) and it cut the payload capacity by almost 400lbs from published. That means when we add a small Weber BBQ, some tools and a couple dogs, we are close to exceeding the truck's GVWR even though we have more than 3000lbs to spare on the combined weight rating even while using a weight distributing hitch. The Airstream's (as mentioned multiple other places here) are VERY heavy on the hitch and even carefully loaded, out AS exceeds its published hitch weight by well over 100lbs, cutting into the truck payload. I have spent more time at CAT scales and in front of spreadsheets than I care to admit. What got me started on all this research? I wanted the Defender as well, but found it falls way short of the needs for the 25' and up AS trailers.

[Lafitte]

Get a bigger truck ......

[4streams]

I drove several Defenders at Land Rover’s 4XFAR event in Coachella last January. Thought it capabilities and advertised payload would be the perfect vehicle for the kind of stuff I do. The problem I ran into was that not a single one had a payload sticker that was remotely close to what the marketing literature said. I just checked my photos from the event and the door sticker listed a payload of 375KG or 825lbs. I asked the top Landrover marketing guys there and no one could explain the difference to me. That fact alone made me pause my order until I can actually lay eyes on the door sticker which is required by law. It’s not uncommon for off-road versions of vehicles to have significantly downrated payloads (4Runner TRD PRO is a great example) so you will want to have look at that sticker yourself. It’ll be super impressive if their marketing material is correct, but Nothing surprises me anymore. On a good note the off-road systems were amongst the smoothest I have ever used. BTW, an unladen EXP-6 with a one occupant Defender is probably within the 825 payload.

[247magic]

Interesting discussion. I just watched Fast Lane Truck https://youtu.be/poSHjxhDDaE tow 7000lbs on the IKE test they use. It had no problem going up but coming down he had braking issues. The Defender does not come with a trailer brake and I’m not sure the choice he picked was the best option.

We are thinking about dropping down to a 23ft and getting one. My wife despises pickups so much she is willing to find a trailer that works.

[OliveRivets]

Attachment 378282

Best friends!

[Gsmblue]

I have a LR3 that has been a very reliable vehicle for 90k miles. It has similar tow ratings to the new Defender. I also have a 2015 Flying cloud 25RB that has a tongue weight of 820 to 880lbs. I moved the batteries inboard away from the tongue.

The new defender, in my opinion, is not the right vehicle to pull a new 25FB or 25RB. which is a shame as I really want one! You are better off looking at something more suitable. Have a poke around the towing forum and ask lots of questions!

[Pbn2au]

Ford Expedition a possibility? Much higher towing capacity; much bigger vehicle.

[Stormalong]

We towed a 25 flying cloud with a Toyota FJ Cruuser, a little squirrelly until we sent to a Hensley. The new Defender is 119" wheelbase, while the FJ Cruiser us only 105" wheelbase. I think your Defender will work just fine.

[247magic]

Attachment 378686

Took a picture of a 110 First Edition. Tag on the door listed a payload of 825lbs

[walker]

As to other models of SUV, considering you are talking Range Rover, I tow our ‘87, 34’ Excella with first a 2014 MB GL 550 and now for last 3 years a 2017 GLS 550. I had the 2014 hitch set up by Andy at CanAm Airstream and did the ‘17 myself using the ‘14 as pattern. The MB comes in gas or diesel. I prefer the convenience and power of the big V8, but if I were able to travel more, would move to the torque and efficiency of the diesel. The 550 has 4 corner air suspension, I tow in sport mode which coupled with tow mode keeps everything tight. Brakes are as large as big pickup on the 550. I also use a Hensley hitch, which I believe in am very satisfied ( doubters, you may use what you like with no judgement). I have been towing for 47 years with all sorts of combinations including Airstreams since 1973. Granted the 34’ has 3 axels and 6 brakes, for its 8400lbs, which is 900 over the 7500 rating of the MB GLS. However, my axel loads front and rear with the WDH are within spec, around 3400 front, 3700 rear. Im not to concerned with tongue weight as the WDH changes that figure alot. Towing is very comfortable 70-75 mph, even 80 or so if need to pass. Not trying to convince the 3/4 diesel crowd of anything, I like their choice also, just not for me, you asked, so I shared. Feel free to DM me and I would definitely call Andy at CanAm for a consultation, he is very friendly, likes to help and does not come off as trying to sell anything. Good Luck

[RogerBart]

Originally Posted by Brooklynkid

Thanks! Great advice. I will look into all of this. I think if we do decide to pull the trigger on the 25', the truck will be the safest bet. Otherwise, would be looking at a 22' Caravel and the Defender, but we are looking to spend a lot of time in the Airstream over the next year or two so size is important!

I evaluated Airstream size & floorplan quite a bit taking into consideration that my TV preference was SUV rather than a truck. If it’s just 2 of you traveling, I suggest you consider the 20FB floorplan. It has IMO one of the most functional kitchens of any sized Airstream, which is important to me, and an extra couple of feet in length for a sofa is not as important to me as being able to safely tow with an SUV.

Hard choices for sure.

RogerBart