Re: Saying Hi!

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxx>]

Greetings Judy!

Your '64 Bambi II has an empty weight of 1,950 pounds with an empty
hitch weight of 250 pounds according to the factory literature, and
the file found at:

http://www.airstream.com/airstream/product_line/customer_service/docs
/weights-1.pdf

Realistically, your empty weight is likely a bit higher as optional
equipment and accessories aren't included in the empty weight
figures (based on my Minuet, I would estimate empty weight at
approximately 2,100 pounds). When loaded for a trip with full fresh
water tank and LP tanks, I would expect that the Gross Weight of
your coach will likely approach 2,900 pounds or a bit more with a
gross (loaded) hitch weight of about 400 pounds.

You will have a wide variety of potential tow vehicles to choose
from with the modest weight of the Bambi II. Even following the 75%
to 80% of maximum rated trailer weight, a tow vehicle with a trailer
tow weight rating of 4,000 pounds should comfortably tow your Bambi
II. There are a number of cars from the early-to-mid-1990s that had
trailer tow ratings of up to 5,000 pounds including Chevrolet
Caprice Classic, Buick Roadmaster, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Wagon,
Cadillac Brougham D'Elegance, as well as Ford Crown Victoria and
Mercury Grand Marquis - - my '85 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham
Luxury Sedan (last of the rear drive/V8 equipped Oldsmobile sedans)
was special ordered to include the factory trailer tow package for
up to a 5,000 pound trailer (required heavy duty cooling, heavy duty
electical, V8 motor, and 3.23 differential).

My '78 Minuet it just a bit longer than your coach and about the
same empty and gross weight (the Minuet has aluminum floors as well
as furniture). The gross weight of my Minuet is 3,100 pounds, and
its gross hitch weight is 525 pounds (water tank is mounted across
the front and helps to keep the hitch weight high in proportion to
size, but also helps to maintain a very well-mannered towing
stance). When towing with my Suburban, I utilize a Reese Strait-
Line hitch with Dual Cam Sway Control equipped with 500 pound weight
distribution bars; when I tow with my Cadillac, I utilize 700 pound
weight distribution bars to compensate for the Cadillac's soft
supension.

Good luck with your tow vehicle selection and setup!

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers/Computer Club #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400
VORTEC/4.10 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)