Tow Vehicle and Off-Roader Combination

[datwyver]

Comfortable and capable.

[mtbcoach]

Ram Cummins Quad cab outfitted by AEV and/or their compnents, lift blocks on Airstream gets you to trailhead, leave Airstream and explore...

https://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/prospector-xl/

[vanster]

We use a VW Touareg V10 TDi. It has locking difs, air suspension 540# of torque, 18mpg regardless if it's towing or not. They didn't bring many into the US but there are a few around.

[Poseidon]

Everyone has different needs. My reconditions are Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser, and Land Cruiser. Unless you want to get a Lexus LX or GX series, but they are in fact luxury edition Toyota Land Cruisers. I currently own several Land Cruisers and a GX.

I live in the Pacific Northwest and have camped and gone off-road all of my life. I have too much camping equipment that gives me lots of versatility but don't be a pack-rat like me. I am currently re-configuring our setup so anything you see is for sale. We have a couple roof top tents(RTT). They go on top and go anywhere you do. Camping bins in the back and a shower/toilet tent setup and you are off. They are great for Overlanding, and roads too poor for trailers you don't want tree limbs sliding down the side of or rocks scrapping along the bottom of. If you take the airstream and set it up you must go back to it so you can't just keep going to new sites each day if the roads are rough. We also have a 16' sport Airstream. We wish we would have gotten the 20 but that is life. As you see in one of the pictures you can do what I call the "rolling duplex" and have the RTT on the tow rig and the airstream behind; this lets you sleep more people but have a proper indoor table, kitchen, bathroom, etc.

We are in the process of transitioning to a motorhome with a small 4x4 towed behind. Folks are welcome to contact me directly with questions about camping, overlanding, or Land Cruisers.

The two questions that are most important for decision making in this area are:
How difficult an off-roading situation do you want?
How big of an airstream do you need?

We mix and match all of the equipment seen in the photos to suit our needs for the trip.


Hardcore or overland trip:
1996 Land Cruiser triple locked, lifted, diesel swap....
With Roof-top-tent


GX470 with RTT


Bigger group:
Airstream and RTT


Easy trip:
Lexus GX470 with airstream

[MotoMannequin]

Thanks for starting this thread. When TV discussions around here delve into the relative value of 4x4 vs. additional payload of a 4x2 is when I realize these are not the discussions I'm looking for.

Originally Posted by pteck

I've been an avid off-roader. My original interest pre-airstream was to enable reaching destinations that are off the beaten path for photography! As it progressed, I was looking for an RV to enable boondocking and to reach even more interesting destinations.

^^^ This is exactly the same for me. I'm not into off-roading for its own sake, but to reach remote destinations for photography.



My off-road vehicle of choice for years was an XTerra off-road with a 2" front lift, but now that I've added an Airstream to the mix, I had to compromise articulation and wheelbase for a more competent tow vehicle. My answer: A Titan Pro-4x. So far I think the Bilstien 4600 shocks are a little underdamped, and I'm thinking about suspension upgrades but I'm worried about compromising tow capability.

[mefly2]

For our lifestyle in Montana - which includes both off road adventures with our AS as well as boondocking - we have limited our AS length to 25'. We utilize both a 3/4 T equipped with MS tires as well as a jeep Wrangler - depending upon our final destination. We have winter camped on 3-6" of ice as well as fire roads / unimproved logging roads. Our 25 is almost as easily maneuvered off road as our 16' pop up and 23' SOB was; however, the added ground clearance provided by the Eddie Bauer and some newer AS models is essential.

[Andrew T]

Great Thread!

Just thought I would mention that when you have a short soft tow vehicle it is a great application for a Hensley or Pro-pride. It is a way to have the soft tires with lots of articulation and still have excellent handling in the tow vehicle. The limitation of these hitches is the ability to transfer weight but with a short vehicle weight transfer is pretty easy to accomplish.

Our friends towed a 25' with an Unlimited Rubicon with the 6 speed manual using one of our Eaz-Lift systems for a few years. I drove it several hundred miles, it was surprisingly good on the highway. If they put the 3.0 Diesel in it next year it will be fantastic, that will likely move them back from their Mercedes.

[Kerrymcrider]

Have been told by Jeep dealer the jeep unlimited will not tow my 22' AS. Max tow capacity is 3500lb. Would love to find differently?

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Kerrymcrider

Have been told by Jeep dealer the jeep unlimited will not tow my 22' AS. Max tow capacity is 3500lb. Would love to find differently?

Contact Andy Thompson from Can-Am RV from the post above yours. He is the expert in strengthening receivers. Your Jeep dealer is correct, but only so far as the Jeep weak point is the receiver. As stock it is not designed to take the torque of a WD distribution hitch. This can easily be remedied.

[Read]

Originally Posted by mefly2

For our lifestyle in Montana - which includes both off road adventures with our AS as well as boondocking - we have limited our AS length to 25'. We utilize both a 3/4 T equipped with MS tires as well as a jeep Wrangler - depending upon our final destination. We have winter camped on 3-6" of ice as well as fire roads / unimproved logging roads. Our 25 is almost as easily maneuvered off road as our 16' pop up and 23' SOB was; however, the added ground clearance provided by the Eddie Bauer and some newer AS models is essential.

Have you done anything to make your AS 4 season compatible?

I’ll go check the AS specs. But what models are you aware of that have higher ground clearance. After reading some posts, I was under the impression I might have to lift the trailer a bit.

Thank you

[pteck]

Airstream trailer ground clearance is another great discussion point.

As we all know, most AS models are not known for their great clearance. Quite the opposite. Common drag points are the rear skids. Low points in the belly is often the water tanks (torsion axles are nice and high surprisingly). The hitch itself, with WD components, also hangs really low, leaving a sedan like 6-7". This is dictated largely by the height of the trailer and there's no getting around it no matter how much clearance the tow vehicle has, if the trailer is to sit level.

Fix is to lift the trailer. Two ways, more significantly by lifting blocks, or incrementally by larger tires. I've done both approaches to the trailer. Dexter lifting blocks giving 2-7/8", and 225/75-15 upsized to 235/75/15 for another .3" lift. Roughly 3" overall. The slightly wider tire footprint giving more braking traction and flotation in soft stuff.

The trailer lift alone was huge to having confident clearance knowing I won't drag and damage stuff. 3" may not sound like a lot, but it's a big addition to ground clearance. Boondocking, but also it's been so great in various smaller campgrounds that have really off-camber or elevation changes. No dragging butt. No gouging the ground with the hitch.

You can get a sense in this pic of how much more trailer clearance there is with a lift, especially the hitch stuff. My vehicle having dynamic height capability is at normal ride height here. There's good matching clearance now:


Another interesting interaction specific to my vehicle with dynamic height... With the ability to lift the tow vehicle on demand 3", this has the effect of reducing weight distribution bar tension on the fly. I've found it incredibly useful when approaching significant inclines and ramps, as it allows the lashup to articulate without undue stress. Useful for those gas stations with ridiculous deep gutters and steep entries (that I'd never try with an unlifted AS). Or going boondocking where speeds are low.

The lift on demand is great for technical off-roading where clearance is a necessity. Yet, without having the need to drive a statically lifted tow vehicle and compromising stability (it actually lowers 1" at freeway speeds to increase WD tension and stability). Lifted to high position here:

[cstein]

We're just getting started in our 4x4/ Airstream adventure. No mods yet on our MT 2017 Tacoma TRD Offroad, but she's super capable stock of some fun forest service roads. We've bought the Dexter lift kit to bump up the clearance on our new-to-us 2004 19 CCD to get into some good boondocking locations in Colorado. Like the OP mentioned... the 4x4 capability isn't ideal for towing with the soft suspension, but we wanted a fun set-up that gave us flexibility. The Tacoma is perfectly capable and with our Equal-I-zer hitch, it levels everything back out nicely. She climbs the passes in Colorado in the slower lane with the big rigs, but we love driving and the journey, so we're happy campers.

We haven't done anything extreme with the Taco yet since we don't have the proper tools (winch, skid plates, etc.) but there's quite a bit of intermediate stuff that is good fun with the stock set-up so far.

A couple of pics of the set-up and a couple of the Forest Service roads we've trekked out on so far.

[Special-Ed]

I bought the Dexter lift spacer kit for mine and have them in the garage to put on as soon as i get the trailer back from the dealer. Had to drop it off to get a few things done before the warranty expires. Im looking forward to the extra clearance. I have to get this backlog of engines built and installed so i can work on my own stuff.

[SuperJoe]

Originally Posted by cstein

We're just getting started in our 4x4/ Airstream adventure. No mods yet on our MT 2017 Tacoma TRD Offroad, but she's super capable stock of some fun forest service roads. We've bought the Dexter lift kit to bump up the clearance on our new-to-us 2004 19 CCD to get into some good boondocking locations in Colorado. Like the OP mentioned... the 4x4 capability isn't ideal for towing with the soft suspension, but we wanted a fun set-up that gave us flexibility. The Tacoma is perfectly capable and with our Equal-I-zer hitch, it levels everything back out nicely. She climbs the passes in Colorado in the slower lane with the big rigs, but we love driving and the journey, so we're happy campers.

We haven't done anything extreme with the Taco yet since we don't have the proper tools (winch, skid plates, etc.) but there's quite a bit of intermediate stuff that is good fun with the stock set-up so far.

A couple of pics of the set-up and a couple of the Forest Service roads we've trekked out on so far.

I too have a TRD 4x4 Off Road Tacoma (2019). Speaking from experience, you can do a lot more than just simple forest service roads with it. I tow a FC 23FB with mine, using the same hitch setup. I plan on eventually taking the entire setup camping to places like Death Valley, which I’ve 4x4’d many times in a 4Runner and an older Tacoma.

Unless your into mods, leave the Tacoma stock and maybe put one tire size up from stock, and perhaps better skid plates. I don’t plan to mod mine knowing I’m fighting weight. We haven’t had it on mtn passes yet, but like you we will not be in any hurry. Have fun.

[vintageracer]

Here is one of my vehicles I use for some "Overlanding" if you will!

2001 Chevrolet Express 3500 4WD Van. Originally built for the Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) as a Bomb Technician Van. 8.1 Litre BB, 4L80E Transmission, 205 Transfer case, 14 bolt rear, Dana 60 front, 4.10 gears, Front lockout hubs, Remote Deadbolt Locks, strobes, 70 gallons of fuel and all sorts of other kool stuff installed.

It also pulls a trailer every now and then!

[pteck]

^Very cool. Much like the Quigley modified 4x4 vans which I always thought were awesome. That would definitely take the highest payload in a 4x4 crown.

[sbowman]

50 years of off roading, not a big fan of lifting anything. Understand many people do this and that's ok. If it is not built for what you are doing, buy something designed for what you want to do. I have found this practice safer and less abusive if used for other than designed. Just my 2 cents.


Safe travels and best regards

[Special-Ed]

Originally Posted by sbowman

50 years of off roading, not a big fan of lifting anything. Understand many people do this and that's ok. If it is not built for what you are doing, buy something designed for what you want to do.

Problem I have is they dont make anything other than a Rally Fighter that stock will do what I want to do off road. Never owned a "stock" vehicle in my life.

[sbowman]

Hello Ed,


Modify has many different meanings/understanding to the general population. Our Rovers require very little other than protection and recovery to be "Rally Fighters". Problem is unless you are using a 101 Forward you will not be pulling a 30 Classic out to the middle of no where. Well some would. We do not. Not sure we would tow an AS out in the middle of no where. There are far better TV's for off road use.



Best regards and safe travels

[pteck]

In South Lake Tahoe this weekend and I'm reminded of this thread.

Experienced one of the most unique and challenging grades while towing I've come across (and I've come across a lot, as I vacation often in or going through the Sierras). Also had fun in a relatively easy but rewarding off-road trail with breathtaking and picturesque views.

Some of you might be familiar with Kingsbury grade, also known as route 207 on the Eastern side of South Lake Tahoe. If there were ever a test of tow vehicle capability and mettle, this would one of those final exams. I've done this pass many times in a solo vehicle. First time towing up the grade. It's an 11 mile narrow windy mountain road going up to 7,300 ft, with grades between 6-8%. No passing zones and few narrow turnouts. One must be semi-confident in their tow vehicle and semi-comfortable towing. Otherwise, skip this grade and drive farther for Highway 50. The LX570 did this confidently with surefooted stability. Won't lie it can be a slog as I summoned up most of its power (383HP/403lb-ft) to keep 40-50 MPH. That's about the speed solo cars are going anyways (yes that kind of hill), as the steepest parts are at significant elevation, sapping power. A couple times I used turnouts, and solo vehicles behind me were unable to summon enough power to pass. At the same time, I was keeping pace with traffic ahead. Engine and oil temp never budged and I was more than happy with the performance.

Separately, had a great time with family going to the top of Twin Peaks. A short 3 mile in and back. Not terribly technical, but needs low range, high clearance, and good articulation vehicle to make the best of it. There's a few rutted out spots and good grades. As I was lazy, I kept all my towing accessories on making this side trip as I knew I had enough clearance.