Re: [a/s] looking for a tow vehicle....

["jim clark" <jec1938@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peg...

I just came back from an outing where I met several experienced Airstream
owners.... One was pulling a 30+'  80's whale without any sway control... I
asked what's up with the lack of any visible sway control and the response
was " pick the right truck and sway control is not a problem"

I have a 78, 23' unit that I pull behind a Chev Silverado pickup and have
pulled it without sway control several times now and tend to agree with the
"old timer".... The down side is once you drop the trailer, you don't have a
cute little SUV to run around with....You will hear about "white knuckle
driving" from a lot of trailer towers, and closer looks often  come up with
an overmatched tow vehicle... The trailer winds up pushing the tow vehicle
around....This is all leading up to suggesting you strongly consider a full
size pickup or full size van with a factory tow package for a tow
vehicle..(all the mfgs are selling a "mini" series of truck and van for
"running around".)  Find one with a moderate to large engine and expect to
get 12 miles or so to the gallon of gas when pulling the trailer...If you
should decide to step up to a new truck, you might consider one of the new
diesel models... They are enjoying a 50 cent a gallon advantage in price of
fuel around here and that might continue for some time....The truckers lobby
still has more stroke than the vacationing public....

The last was strictly personal griping... I just hate having to have a
cosigner to charge a tank of gas....(2.15 per gallon of regular to anyone in
the Chicago area)

Jim