RE: [A/S] wannabe one more time Tow vehicles DON'T MESS AROUND

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I hate to be this blunt,(so please accept my apology in advance) BUT.
Please don't be penny wise and dollar foolish.

Overkill on the tow vehicle is the cheapest and best mistake you can make.

Rethink why you are interested in a travel trailer in the first place, and
an Airstream in particular.  Hopefully it is to enjoy life more, and see and
experience things you might otherwise not be able to, or could not otherwise
afford, and do it in a low anxiety way.  There are lots of ways to save
money traveling with an Airstream.  But White Knuckle towing is not one of
them, at least, not in my book.

Consider the higher cost of an adequate tow vehicle to be a part of your RV
experience AND SAFETY AND HEALTH.   It is cheap insurance, and best of all -
doesn't cover a loss but PREVENTS one.  Health, safety and sanity are worth
the extra cost.  A cheaper, less capable tow vehicle is erroneous wishfull
thinking. Likewise, never save money on marginal tires, shock absorbers and
brakes, as they are the only thing between your a-- and the road.

One of the best features of an Airstream is how well behaved it is on the
road.  The low center of gravity and the unique torsion bar axles (you
actually have, on a dual axle Airstream, a four wheel independent suspension
system - which is the best suspension system principle for any high
performance vehicle, even a race car!) along with low wind resistance all
contribute to a remarkably competent and safe towing trailer.  Don't
compromise it up with an inadequate tow vehicle.  Most of the responses you
have already gotten from these experienced travelers on the list have
basicly said the same thing, but not as bluntly.

Today's highways are a far cry from the ones Wally Byam trailered on 50
years ago.  Today you are traveling at much higher speeds (even in states
like California with a stupid 55 mph towing speed limit - the bureaucrats
still haven't figured out that the safest speed is that of the traffic which
minimizes the relative speed between vehicles) with far traffic and more
high speed, high powered heavy eighteen wheelers than ever before.  In
addition, you are traveling much further distances.  All this adds up to the
need for a more capable tow vehicle.


Enjoy your Airstream, it is a remarkable piece of engineering - which is why
it has such a following and high resale value.  The basic design was very
sound, and still is.

Good luck,

Oliver Filippi