Luv Truck as a Tow Vehicle

[ericpeltier]

Hey all! I have a 1981 4x4 Isuzu Luv Truck and am looking at airstream trailers to tow with it. Important questions:

1. Can you recommend a make/model of Airstream trailer that would be within the capacities of my Luv Truck?
2. Will I need air bags for ride comfort?
3. The sticker inside the door says my GVWR is 5600 lbs. Will I be able to have slideouts?
5. Are you still reading?
6. Will a Hensley Hitch make me look fat?
7. Will braided brake lines help me stop faster?

Thanks for your help and insightful comments that I'm sure will all be factual and un-opinionated.

PS - Please point out any safety issues I may have overlooked.

[Bugtussel]

Originally Posted by ericpeltier

Hey all! I have a 1981 4x4 Isuzu Luv Truck and am looking at airstream trailers to tow with it. Important questions:

1. Can you recommend a make/model of Airstream trailer that would be within the capacities of my Luv Truck?
2. Will I need air bags for ride comfort?
3. The sticker inside the door says my GVWR is 5600 lbs. Will I be able to have slideouts?
5. Are you still reading?
6. Will a Hensley Hitch make me look fat?
7. Will braided brake lines help me stop faster?

Thanks for your help and insightful comments that I'm sure will all be factual and un-opinionated.

PS - Please point out any safety issues I may have overlooked.

I hope you are mocking some of the questions on here because the answer to your question is NONE!!!!!!

[cwf]

That's funny!

You could hang an Airstream Christmas Tree ornament from the bumper..

Seriously... You really attempt towing a T@B or similar... then realize the AS will be much more challenging.

[r carl]

I think if you put a Hensley Hitch in the box you will be at max payload.

[Skater]

Nice!

[SteveH]

1. "Can you recommend a make/model of Airstream trailer that would be within the capacities of my Luv Truck?"

Any 16' Airstream, but no larger and then you might not like towing it.

2. "Will I need air bags for ride comfort?
"
Yes, they would help.

3. "The sticker inside the door says my GVWR is 5600 lbs. Will I be able to have slideouts?"

No.

5. "Are you still reading?"

Yes, I'm enjoying it.

6. "Will a Hensley Hitch make me look fat?
"
No, but it will make your rig lower and longer. (they are too heavy for you)

7. "Will braided brake lines help me stop faster?"

Now I know you are not serious, but the answer is no.
It was good for me, how about you?

[moosetags]

If the hitch ball is bolted to the bumper, it will tow much better.

Brian

[Photobum]

I was thinking the hitchball should be on the rear view mirror...

[cory_can]

No, you NEED a 3/4 tonne or 1 tonne dually diesel pickup to pull ANY airstream and a Hensley is required or anything above a 5mph wind will induce unrecoverable sway. The great advantage to the pickup is that when not towing you'll have a large compartment to store your lunch box to/from to work and the ladder needed to get into the cab. They also have the wonderful ability to just plow through an accident instead of being able to avoid them and making friends with the local gas station attendant is made much easier due to frequent visits.

[m.hony]

I never knew there was an Isuzu Luv. I thought it was Isuzu P'up or Chevy Luv- same truck either way-
I know someone is being silly, but a P'up/Luv might tow a 16' Airstream.
I pulled utility trailers, cargo trailers, and horse trailers (albeit not very fast and it didn't climb hills well) with a 1987 Mazda B2000-
I would have pulled a 16' Airstream with that Mazda.

Does your Luv have a Prodigy, Hayes, or Tekonsha brake controller?

[ericpeltier]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Does your Luv have a Prodigy, Hayes, or Tekonsha brake controller?

I'm not sure what you mean. My brake controller is my right foot.....so maybe it's by Nike?

[07007]

Originally Posted by ericpeltier

I'm not sure what you mean. My brake controller is my right foot.....so maybe it's by Nike?

My guess that will end this thread ?

[ericpeltier]

Originally Posted by 07007

My guess that will end this thread ?

Too much of a good thing?

[m.hony]

Does your Luv have a 4 speed or 5 speed?
Do you have to leave it in third gear to tow?

[Tyvekcat]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I never knew there was an Isuzu Luv. I thought it was Isuzu P'up or Chevy Luv- same truck either way-
I know someone is being silly, but a P'up/Luv might tow a 16' Airstream.
I pulled utility trailers, cargo trailers, and horse trailers (albeit not very fast and it didn't climb hills well) with a 1987 Mazda B2000-
I would have pulled a 16' Airstream with that Mazda.

Does your Luv have a Prodigy, Hayes, or Tekonsha brake controller?

LOL, M.Hony, caught it. its 'Chevy luv' . can you get 13" D load range tires ?
If its a 81' I bet the frame is rusted out, or you have re-welded your welds? If you have the diesel Isuzu P'up, you have a fuel mileage champ. Check the frame.

At least he didn't say 'S-10' LOL
Have a good one.

[terryV]

If you can tow a Bambi with a bicycle, you can tow one with a Luv truck.

Your best bet would be to draft a tractor trailer rig as you drive down the road. Slip the driver a couple of 100 dollar bills to take you right where you want to go.

You won't need a brake control if you mount tires on the front of your Luv truck. In a panic stop, you will run into the back of the Semi, tires on front absorbing the collision.

Hitch ball on bumper is OK as long as you safety wire the bumper to the frame with bailing wire. (Duct tape will work if you don't have bailing wire)

Bring a log chain so you can chain your Luv to the semi if you run low on gas, or get into really big hills.

Did I miss anything?

[submariner]

nobody mentioned yet to make sure you followed up with all the re-calls on your Luv before you start to pull ... or hold on.. that was chevy.. not isuzu

[Sodbust]

I had a Luv pu years ago,, and for myself I would not pull a 5 foot trailer with a riding lawn mower on the back for more than a few blocks.. There is nothing left for reserve power or brakes for anything else...

The clutch and transmission were hardly enough to pull the pu around let alone any trailer for any distance.

Sorry..

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by Tyvekcat

LOL, M.Hony, caught it. its 'Chevy luv' . can you get 13" D load range tires ?
If its a 81' I bet the frame is rusted out, or you have re-welded your welds? If you have the diesel Isuzu P'up, you have a fuel mileage champ. Check the frame.

At least he didn't say 'S-10' LOL
Have a good one.

It would have had 14's...

[westernjeep401]

The 52 hp diesel will pull Wally Byams beret off your head, but that's about it.