2017 30FB Bunk Towing Question

[T34Bravo]

Hello, everyone. Another inevitable newby towing related question here! We're currently on the fence about a 2017 30FB Bunk model. The vehicle we'd be using for towing is a 2015 Yukon Denali 4WD. The towing capacity of the vehicle is 8100 lbs and the trailer (as it sits) weighs 6422. The salesperson says that even w/ an estimated 700 lbs of payload, we'd be well within the safety margin. He explained that due to the aerodynamic shape of the trailer, there is a 20% increase in towability over a box trailer. The more I read through these forums, the more skeptical I'm becoming. Does anyone have any experience with a Yukon as a towing vehicle?

Given that the next bunk model Airstream offers is a 23' model, if the Yukon won't work with the 30FB, that probably means we'd have to go with another manufacturer. With two little kids and a dog, 23' would be a bit too tight. The only other option would be to get a new towing vehicle which we aren't willing to do, given that we spent a lot of money on it last year and plan on driving it for years to come. Any advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[cliffcharb]

If yours is equipped with 3.42 rear gears, I'd say you'll be fine for the occasional trip. I tow my 30' Bunk with a 2005 Sierra Denali AWD which also has a 8100# tow rating. The hp & tq in the new 5.3 is comparable to my 6.0l and that does a good job, but I have steeper gearing than your vehicle. We try to take ours out monthly, with a couple longer tips during the summer time. Get a good quality WD hitch, and to minimize your payload deficit, load the items into the trailer. With mine loaded and WD properly setup, I'm adding around 600 - 800 #'s of tongue weight. Now if you are traveling all the time, I'd probably suggest a bigger vehicle, or smaller trailer.

[T34Bravo]

Thanks, Cliff! Appreciate it. We've got the new 6.2 engine (same as the Escalade), although I have no idea what the rear gears are. We'll be taking this out to CO initially, and then the odd weekend camping trip from there. Hopefully the Yukon will do the trick. The salesman seems pretty confident that it is up to the job so there's that.

[FCStreamer]

You'll be fine. Payload is around 1500 pounds on your Yukon, so enough for you and a significant other and some gear. I tow a 30 FC with and Escalade. No problems. I use an Equalizer hitch. It was setup for me by the dealer. Easy to put on/take off.

[bullet661]

If you are going to do it I would suggest using the equalizer hitch. You might want to also look into air bags for your Yukon.

[rp709]

Remember that the tow rating of the truck is reduced by payload in the vehicle. Tow ratings are based on a driver and fuel in the TV. Your 8,100 lb. tow rating is not with 1,500 lbs. of payload. In addition, the 1,500 lb. payload is reduced by the nearly 1,000 lb. hitch weight regardless of hitch rating. I suggest reading Trailer Life Magazine's tow rating guide for a full understanding of these load ratings. Any SUV towing a Flying Cloud 30 is realistically at or exceeding its limits. Enough power isn't the issue. The brakes on the TV are sized for the maximum CGVW rating and that combined trailer and TV weight limit will likely be exceeded by a Flying Cloud 30. There just isn't much safety margin remaining with this setup. Think of descending a long steep grade in Colorado as the Airstream electric brakes heat up and fade and then imagine how quickly the SUV brakes will stop this combination? When I towed my Safari 28' with a Lincoln Navigator I changed to hydraulic disc brakes after many nervous moments. That was a massive improvement and I would recommend that modification if any towing will take place in the mountains when the load is at TV rated limits or beyond. I would never have purchased my Flying Cloud 30 if I needed to tow with a SUV.

[MandDinSpgTX]

2016 27' Flying Cloud - We Made Some Changes

http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...php?t=17012527

We also tow a 2018 27' FB Flying Cloud. Also have an equalizer / stabilizer installed by dealer which is being towed by a 2017 Escalade (short wheel base model). Just took it on inaugural 4,400+ trip across 8 States. No issues that we know of.

[FCStreamer]

I tow my 30’ FC with a SUV with absolutely no weight problems, checked with a CAT scale.

It can be done, SAFELY. And comfortably.