'89 Fj62 Towing 4200lb Airstream
- Thread starter cholznag
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
scamps for all campers
Have you ever heard of a Scamp? They are made by a company in Minnesota. Basically they are fiberglass ripoff of an Airstream but they can be towed by minivans, light trucks, and even most passenger cars. they are pretty affordable and you can even just buy the shell and outfit it yourself if you want. My buddy used to tow his 13 footer behind his Corrola no problem. They have a website, just do a search.
Have you ever heard of a Scamp? They are made by a company in Minnesota. Basically they are fiberglass ripoff of an Airstream but they can be towed by minivans, light trucks, and even most passenger cars. they are pretty affordable and you can even just buy the shell and outfit it yourself if you want. My buddy used to tow his 13 footer behind his Corrola no problem. They have a website, just do a search.
Kaderabek said:
I own a 27' Airstream, does that make me a grandpa? They are great trailers but I never once thought about hitching my 60 to it. You may have trouble staying in front of the trailer on the down hills.
I think mine is about 4500 lbs bone dry. Fill all the tanks and load up, now it's more like 6000 lbs.
I don't recommend it.
Cal
My towing experience with my '87 60: (will tow as well or better than a 62)
-2000 lb. pop-up=pulled great stopped great, 68 mph highway easy
-3500 lb. boat(read aerodynamic)=pulled alright, weak on hills, boat pushed cruiser around a little in corners, barely safe, 60 mph highway
-4300 lb. camper trailer(read aerodynamic as a Walmart)=pulled crappy, way underpowered, sway issues, pushed cruiser around bad, unsafe, didn't even try the highway
Verdict= Don't pull that much with a 60/62. It's unsafe handling even with V8 power. Longer wheelbase, heavier tow vehicle required.
-2000 lb. pop-up=pulled great stopped great, 68 mph highway easy
-3500 lb. boat(read aerodynamic)=pulled alright, weak on hills, boat pushed cruiser around a little in corners, barely safe, 60 mph highway
-4300 lb. camper trailer(read aerodynamic as a Walmart)=pulled crappy, way underpowered, sway issues, pushed cruiser around bad, unsafe, didn't even try the highway
Verdict= Don't pull that much with a 60/62. It's unsafe handling even with V8 power. Longer wheelbase, heavier tow vehicle required.
Don't Airstreams have trailer brakes? What's the smallest trailer (lbs) that usually has built in brakes? I tow a 30 year old Jayco popup with my 60 - yea, its actually older than my Cruiser. I've always wondered what it weighs. I called up Jayco to find out - they couldn't tell me. I assume its around 1500 lbs. It tracks beautifully but slow on the climbs. It was definitely better w/ 31s. W/ 33s I'm usiing 2nd gear more than I used to.
I have a 350tbi and drag my 1500 pound pop-up all over and the weight to truck is about perfect. If you want to have any gumption going up hill the engine will pull it - but you will be going slow - check out an Aliner Expedition - http://www.aliner.com/
cholznag said:
If you were looking for a tow rig then yes, you should have bought a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck. That is what they are for.
I'd say you should have both the LC and a larger rig for towing.
I've towed 5,000 lbs. with my Tacoma which it WAS rated for. Not a fun experience.
My buddy tows two quads out to the desert with his FJ62 and it barely makes it up the hill.
freightdog said:
Wow, what a nice trailer! How sturdy is the frame design and how much ground clearance is there? Do you pull it on dirt roads often?
I got the offroad package and it has a six inch lift (w/14" tires) - which gives it about 20 inches of clearance. The ball height is 19.5 - so .......... the frame flexes really well and we have had it in unbelievable places - think front and rear lockers locked and climb! It is on dirt and offroad more than it has ever been on road...we live 128 miles from town so the first 28 miles is singletrack........I have reinforced everything inside to be on the safe side - glue/and screws. I took all the appliances out ...propane/110/12v fridge, furnace, stove - and replaced with ARB fridge, Mr. Heater furnace, and Coleman indoor/outdoor stove - we boondock and the appliances that came standard were great if you were at a KOA - we just have not stopped at a KOA of late. I would buy another without any options - much cheaper and better for offroad - ofcourse most folks do not do what we do with it. Let me find a picture with the camer down - or look at - http://www.geocities.com/jeffreylors/pictures3.html#
Frieghtdog, that thing is awesome. Yea, I'd buy a stipped down one and add my own fridge, etc. Cooking would be done outside underneath a canopy. Very nice set-up indeed!
I look forward to looking at your photos tonight at work
Have you checked out www.expeditionswest.com I don't know Scott personally but he visits this board sometimes.
I look forward to looking at your photos tonight at work
Have you checked out www.expeditionswest.com I don't know Scott personally but he visits this board sometimes.
Thanks - it works out well for the wife and I. Oh, and my dog Hoss!
That is a good idea on the skidplates - I have a back steel box being built for the Baja and gas cans - and should add some skids - point well taken!
Yep, I will check out Scott's website now - DSL at home has been a great addition.
That is a good idea on the skidplates - I have a back steel box being built for the Baja and gas cans - and should add some skids - point well taken!
Yep, I will check out Scott's website now - DSL at home has been a great addition.
The Aliner is for sale minus the ARB fridge - $7000......what we owe -
Why - my wife said we are die hard tent camper - and I wanna build one......
Why - my wife said we are die hard tent camper - and I wanna build one......
Sounds like a good price, you should put an add in the classifieds. Unfortunetly, I just bought my 100 so I'm not in the market right now
freightdog- here's a good compromise... be hard to build it and match hannibal's quality though. I recommend the large one for 2 people, normal size is pretty intimate. Should be able to fit everything in, including the dog, without towing.
