Re: [A/S] Tow vehicle

["vrmanac" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Glenn

If you are currently pulling a conventional trailer you will find 
that the increased aerodynamic efficency more than overcomes any 
weight difference when switching to an Airstream.  If you have a 
concern hook up the Airstream and tow it before purchasing, I think 
you will be pleasantly surprized by the difference aerodyanmics, 
suspension and balance make.  

People often think that the aerodynamics do not make a difference in 
mountains but that is not the case.  Your Sub will climb most 7% 
interstate grades at 45-50 mph in second gear.  At 50 mph you are 
saving 35 hp in wind resistance towing an Airstream, that 35 Horse 
Power will move a lot of weigh up the hill.  If you get on some very 
steep 2 lane roads with 12-18% grades that we have here in Canada you 
will be in low gear.  Your transmission has a very low 3.06:1 first 
gear ratio that will climb any hill you can get traction for.  Over 
the years I have had hundreds of customers tow Airstreams hundreds of 
thousands of miles with the same power train as you have.  Many 
purchased 3 or 4 suburbans with the same engine without a thought of 
going to a larger one.  Ofcoarse the vortec 350's (96 and newer) 
perform even better and will outperform the non vortec 454's.
  
To give you an idea of what to expect I just returned from a 6,000 
mile trip with a 2003 30' Classic Airstream and I was towing with a 
vehicle with just slightly more power than your Suburban (234 hp vs 
your 210).  We went West on Interstate 80 from Ohio to San Francisco 
along the coast to San Simion and then we crossed to Sequoia National 
park from there we went south to Bakersfield and through Vegas on 
I-15 and across Interstate 70 from where it starts in Utah to Ohio. 

I needed second gear to climb hills a total of 44 times in 5000 miles 
of interstate. In total I towed no more than 60 miles in Second gear 
and never below 50 mph.  If I could have climbed all these hills at 
65 MPH I would have saved a grand total of 7 minutes

I did need first gear on three hills in Colorado, Vail Pass, 
Eisenhower Tunnel and Floyd hill, These are 10-11,000 feet elevation. 
Near the top of the Donder Pass I needed first gear when the traffic 
slowed due to construction. The climb into Sequia where you go from 
100' elevation to 7000 feet required first gear for about 12 miles 
but it is a twisty 2 lane road with sheer drops I don't think many 
people climb it much over 25 mph any way.  Though I was in low gear 
in these locations I had plenty of reserve power and was by no means 
foot on the floor.  
    
For many people this is an acceptable trade off for a smooth quiet 
ride and economy of operation.  In fact I would have spent more time 
in gas stations feeding a 454 than I could have ever saved climbing 
hills. Personally I would not have wanted to listen to a Diesel for 
6000 miles in 3 weeks and since I occasionally quietly leave 
campgrounds a 6 am a deisel is not an option for me.   For me the 
biggest advantage to owning an Aristream is the flexability of being 
able to tow efficently and safely with what you want to.  

By no means am I critisizing those who choose to tow with big 
powerfull trucks it is certainly their choice and I am sure they feel 
secure knowing they have an abundance of power. I just wanted you to 
know that it is not a prerequeset to owning an Airstream and to give 
you a realistic idea of what performance to expect.


Andy