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I am thinking about getting an Airstream but have only towed with a Tundra. Since the cruiser has a shorter wheelbase, I was curious if anyone here tows an Airstream, which one you have, and what your general driving impressions are.
You could probably do the 25 if you're very careful about keeping your weight under the gross trailer weight rating (i.e. dump your tanks right away and don't carry water more than you need to).
The rule of thumb is to not tow more than 80% of the max tow rating, though I (and many others) have exceeded that (foolishly perhaps). I wouldn't run more than 6500# in the mountains but if you're in a flat part of the country maybe 7000# won't be an issue. The tricky part is you really want at least 10-12% of your trailer weight on the tongue, so a 7000# trailer means 700-850# on the tongue which is right at the LC limit. WD helps but not as much in my experience as you'd expect.
Personally as much as I love the look of an Airstream I'm extremely happy with an ultralight travel trailer. If you're not dead set on Airstream I highly recommend you look at Forest River, Jayco, etc. Because they are laminate and fiberglass instead of steel they often weigh 1000# less (or more!) You'll be surprised how quickly you start reaching the 1200# carrying capacity of the LC one you put a bunch of people and gear in it and then add the hitch weight. My Surveyor is 24' from hitch to bumper (20' enclosed), sleeps 10 (or 8 very comfortably), weighs 5200# when loaded with gear, bikes, propane, water, etc. It probably won't last 30 years like an Airstream (though it is going on 12) but it was also ~1/4th the cost new. Unfortunately old trailers don't appreciate like old LCs
My wife and I considered many trailer options before purchasing the Airstream. In the end, we went with the Airstream because it was the only ultralite trailer that truly was durable./QUOTE]
I'm not sure if I'd call an Airstream "Ultralite" when the smaller 20-23' models approach 5000# dry, but I completely agree that they're incredibly durable (and they definitely weigh less than they used to). There are few corners or slides to leak, the roof isn't rubber, etc.
Buying an Airstream is like buying a Land Cruiser though. You don't do it because it's practical; you do it because you love it.
Thank you all for the info and justification for the 3/4 ton Cummins purchase! Ha I'm certain anything less than a 25 will be too small for our family and I'm guessing the landcruiser will pull it but would rather not over tax it as it's my wife's daily driver and id like to have it for a long time. It's easy enough to justify the truck purchase!
I certainly would not talk anyone out of buying a truck if that's what they want, but I did the exact opposite -- traded in my 3/4 ton truck for a 200 TLC, precisely because the Cruiser could tow our Airstream competently. A 25' Airstream will hardly overtax the 200. That powertrain is strong. If you're talking a 28'-30' it may be a different story.
Tim
For me, I'd be sad to go Airstream camping/traveling and have to leave the 200 at home... Seems like you give up some fun wheeling opportunities while the trailer is parked if you commit to a size that requires a monster pickup with no Cruiser along for the trip.
Could you re-gear your 200 to 4.88 & maybe swap in Tundra brakes... and skip the truck? You could certainly do some absolutely killer mods to your 200 for a fraction of that truck money... I dunno... Just thinkin...
I did have the pedal all the way down on the pass going over to Jackson Hole (forget what it's called). We were down to about 10-15 mph as we crested.