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mlhenehan · 07-20-2009, 11:22 AM

I own a 2008 Safari and have a lightweight fishing boat. When I bought the trailer the rep said no way to putting a hitch on the back of the airstream. Since then I have seen quite a few towing airstreams with a second trailer on the back (boat, motorcycle).

I wanted to stop the folks towing the two units, but couldn't get turned around quick enough.

Does anyone here have any experience with this? Will it void my warranty? Cause other problems?

Thanks,

SteveH · 07-20-2009, 11:36 AM

Oh Boy! Here we go! First, welcome to the forum, and second, your dealer told you the truth. Because of the way Airstreams are built, relying on the strength of the shell in combination with the frame, you do not want to put anything on the rear bumper, especially another trailer.

I'm sure this thread will get very active in just a short while.

purman · 07-20-2009, 12:11 PM

Welcome. You can tow if you want it's your trailer.. But it will wreck the AS. It's not even built to put a bike rack on the back. People do, but AS recommends, no, tells you not to...

I would follow the recommendations of the builder of the trailer...

tksbaskets · 07-20-2009, 12:43 PM

I am not a legal expert but recommendations on bumper modifications aside, I believe it is illegal to tow to bumper-hitched trailers by one motorized TV.

For example, a fifth wheel can pull a trailer behind it because the hitch is pivoting in the truck bed. A motor home can pull a trailer behind (one bumper hitch).

From the Michigan DMV website:SOS - Land offers reminders when towing trailers
"People who want to pull a recreational trailer behind a fifth-wheel camper need a special license endorsement called an "R" endorsement, which is sometimes called a recreational double. Anyone 18 years old or older may apply for the "R" endorsement at a Secretary of State branch office and must pass a knowledge test. The cost is $10. Commercial drivers who already have a double-trailer endorsement don't need to obtain the "R" endorsement.
Fifth-wheel trailers use a special hitch mounted to the bed of a pickup truck instead of a regular hitch ball mounted to or near the bumper."

purman · 07-20-2009, 12:50 PM

I'm sure this law varies state to state...

I have driven past the local police with my 8' trailer behind my 16' utility trailer and not go pulled over. But then I do live in the sticks...

Yeah, try backing that one up>>>>>>

SteveH · 07-20-2009, 01:17 PM

It's legal in Texas, and I've done it. All the brake, light, and length laws apply, and the tow vehicle must be registered as a commercial vehicle (truck). I did not enjoy it, and I won't be doing it again.

mello mike · 07-20-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlhenehan

I own a 2008 Safari and have a lightweight fishing boat. When I bought the trailer the rep said no way to putting a hitch on the back of the airstream. Since then I have seen quite a few towing airstreams with a second trailer on the back (boat, motorcycle).

I wanted to stop the folks towing the two units, but couldn't get turned around quick enough.

Does anyone here have any experience with this? Will it void my warranty? Cause other problems?

Thanks,

It's neither safe nor good for your trailer not to mention your nerves. This is one reason why I bought an inflatable fishing boat. Fits in the back of my Excursion, easily.

Dakota's Dad · 07-20-2009, 02:01 PM

Ok, here is an active thread right here.. read it, see what you think...

mlhenehan · 07-20-2009, 03:59 PM

Thanks all. I actually found a couple other threads dealing with this issue and as expected a mixed bag. The factory says not just no, but H*LL NO! I have an inflatable, but it't just a two man, and my boat will take 3. Not sure how I am going to remedy this. Hate to sell the AS, but I love to float the rivers in the west and love my drift boat. Sigh.

SteveH · 07-20-2009, 04:02 PM

If it's really "lightweight", a roof rack????

mlhenehan · 07-20-2009, 04:13 PM

I've tried hauling it on the roof. The manufacturer recommends traveling with less than full inflation and at speeds over 50 mph or so the pontoons tend to buckle in the wind.

I will just have to deflate it, pack it and put it all together at the river. Just getting lazy, I guess. And I do like my hard side drift boat much better. Not sure what the answer is.

But thanks for the input/.

Jim Lee · 04-22-2013, 12:14 PM

I was wanting to put a trailer hitch on the back of our 78 31' Sovereign to haul a motorcycle trailer.

I can see how to do it, but after reading Andy's reply, I'm not going to do it.

I've seen SOB with hitches on the rear but never an Airstream.