Re: [A/S] Tow vehicle???

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Anthony,

You've heard from Harvey and Sam. Their suggestions are in line with my
forty years experience towing travel trailers.  Granted, I don't know all
there is to know, but I've always wanted each of my tow vehicles to do the
job under the worst conditions imaginable AND still have reserve capability.

When a friend of ours died, we bought his Suburban and Airstream from his
wife.  The Suburban is handsome to look at, comfortable to ride in, a
delight to drive solo and is a trouble free means of transportation for us.
Never having had a diesel engine before, I've come to like the rock solid
feel of a heavier than normal suspension and the unquestionable torque at
low speeds.  Why am I mentioning this? All of us make mistakes and some of
us live to tell about it.

Our most recent snafu occurred with this 1987 Suburban 1500 (equipped with a
naturally aspirated 6.2 Liter diesel engine and full factory trailer towing
package). The Airstream is a '67 22' Safari that weighs 4400 pounds. During
1998, Sandie and I towed that Airstream from the Atlantic to the Pacific and
across 20 states twice. Yes, it was barely adequate on terrain east of the
Mississippi and no, it couldn't get out of its own way once we were in the
western mountain states.  I should have been towing a Caravel or a possibly
a  Globetrotter with this truck, not a heavy Safari. Towing with a truck
that has severe limitations for handling the trailer was no fun.

The following year, I got smart and used our 1975 Mercury Station Wagon
(owned since new) with full factory trailer towing package (460 CID, extra
cooling for radiator and transmission, etc.). We traveled the continent
again, but this time, it was a dream trip in terms of the tow vehicle. There
was never any concern about our capability for handling the Safari. Mountain
grades melted into enjoyable views. We easily kept up with the flow of
traffic.  At no time was our big Mercury stressed by the daily traveling
routine.  We will never get rid of this car. Last month, I had the vinyl
roof material replaced and next year, I may enter it in the local antique
car show (with our Safari in tow).  Of course, that means I'll have to
polish (mirror shine) the Airstream.  <grin>

Thus and therefore:
If you haven't looked at smaller,  restored Vintage Airstreams, you might be
overlooking a realistic option for your truck's capability.  Sometimes kids
aren't as weary of tent camping as their parents are (especially if the
parents are still encouraging tent camping for them).

Many Airstream owners on this list took that route thirty years ago, lived
through it and are now hearing their kids tell their kids how much fun they
had. Guess what, some of  those grandchildren are now looking forward to
tenting with Grampa and Gramma and eating pancakes in the Airstream each
morning. 

Food for thought - your call - your family - your life,

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net