Any experiences towing a 23' Airstream?

[gt3mike]

I'm in the market for an Airstream travel trailer, and have settled on a 23 foot front bedroom configuration (23FB). All of the models with this floorplan are at the upper end of the towing weight range of a 2021 Rubicon, some closer to the top than others.

I'm curious what the towing experience is like with a trailer this large -- Airstream or other, but especially Airstream. I'm sure a weight distributing hitch is essential for this purpose. My JTR has 35s and 5.12 gearing, and stock springs, but I'm considering progressive-rate springs. I recently towed a 20' Basecamp with a WDH several hundred miles over a couple of Colorado passes, and I was surprised how well it went. But the trailers I'm looking at now are larger and heavier

I'm really interested in peoples' actual experiences here. I already have a lot of towing experience with various tow vehicles, and I already understand the risks associated with towing something at the upper end of the weight range.

Thanks in advance!

Sponsored

 

[NC_Overland]

A friend of mine and I recently went to FL and picked up a 23’ camper he purchased. We towed the 23’ trailer from FL to GA in an F-150 with weight dist hitch and all. The tow capacity of that truck is over 13k lbs. it’s effortless with the 500 lb ft with the eco boost, but I’d never tow that with my Gladiator. Here’s why. That much larger truck had a lot of tail wagging the dog when driving over the sounds. It was windy, but not as bad as it gets down there sometimes. It was hard to keep it in the lane even only doing 40-45 mph with that wind. I don’t think my gladiator would have been able to stay in the lane. I tow a lot with my gladiator, 4-6k fairly often, but the wind catching that 23’ trailer is a different ballgame.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Dry weight of a 23’ Airstream is 5-5.1k lbs. that’s going to be pushing it when fully loaded for camping. Especially with passengers and all that comes with. They’re super nice campers but they fall into the heavier side of towable stuff.

 

[gt3mike]

Thank you to both of you. I don’t want to appear ungrateful, but I’m really hoping to hear from people that have actually towed a 23’ Airstream with their Gladiator. I know the specs, I’ve done a lot of long distance towing, and I’m already aware of the factors that could make this truck and trailer combo a challenge. That’s why I’m interested in hearing from people that have actually done it with their Gladiator. Thank you again.

 

[Xplor]

I towed our 23FB with my wife's Mercedes 2016 and 2020 GL350 gas SUV's. The 2016 was a V6 and the 2020 was a Turbo 4. Thousands of miles in the southeast and a few over the Appalachian Mountains. The 23FB with 2 axles is a really nice towing camper. I would say Airstreams in general are much easier to tow because of the aerodynamics and lower center of gravity.

Before we had the 23FB, we towed a single axle 22FB. Even though the 22FB was lighter the 2 axle was so much easier to tow (and backup). I used weight distribution on both trailers.

We eventually moved up to a 25FB, and I hauled that with a F250.

I know you asked for Gladiator specifically, but I would say the Gladiator with its longer wheelbase would be an even better towing rig than the MB SUV's I used.

 

[MPMB]

Probably best to check the Airstream forums. Jeep Gladiator | Airstream Forums

Sounds like you're good to go by most people who tow airstreams with JTs, just be prepared to *not* set any land speed records. You can also improve weight situation by swapping to Li trailer batteries and going with one propane tank and loading your travel stuff in the front of the trailer (for tongue weight).

Jeep does state trailers should have a maximum frontal area of 55sqft, which is smaller than the Airstream's 72sqft frontal area.

 

[Gene26]

I have a 2020 gladiator rubicon 37in tires 5.13 gears and a metal cloak 3.5 in lift and tow a bigger trailer then that. 30ft starcaraft. 5500lb dry. No problem on flat land, going down hill etc. then only issue I have ever had was on very hot day (95 degrees at that elevation) going above 10,000 ft. Was doing 25 mph when I got to the top. I live at about 5400ft above sea level. I use a weight distribution hitch, and a sway bar. MPG is around 8 to 9 towing about 13 mpg everyday.

 

[gt3mike]

I towed our 23FB with my wife's Mercedes 2016 and 2020 GL350 gas SUV's. The 2016 was a V6 and the 2020 was a Turbo 4. Thousands of miles in the southeast and a few over the Appalachian Mountains. The 23FB with 2 axles is a really nice towing camper. I would say Airstreams in general are much easier to tow because of the aerodynamics and lower center of gravity.
(snip)
I know you asked for Gladiator specifically, but I would say the Gladiator with its longer wheelbase would be an even better towing rig than the MB SUV's I used.

Thanks. This has been my gut feeling as well.

Probably best to check the Airstream forums. Jeep Gladiator | Airstream Forums

That is a fantastic idea! It didn't even occur to me to look there. Thank you!

 

[gt3mike]

I’m going to try to find one to rent — ideally somewhere in the Colorado area.

 

[Stoon_Slar]

I towed a 23ft 1973 Safari with a 2022 eco-diesel Willys 1280km (800miles) over the Crowsnest Pass (4,455ft) in the Canadian Rockies. The trailer weighed in at 1790kg (3950lbs) at the time according to a roadside scale. I did struggle up the west side at one point but I might attribute that to my inexperience in pulling with my jeep ( first time pulling that trailer) and possible 'un-verified' set up on the weight distribution hitch.

 

[Mad Dog]

I just got a 20FB Caravel and a '25 Rubicon X to tow it. I had to trade in my '21 Rubicon with the 6sp manual for the '25. It tows alright, you're not going to break any speed records, but I haven't gone over many big hills here in Indiana. It didn't seem to have much sway from the wind while towing and handled a couple of fast stops thanks to traffic. I have a weight distributing hitch and Li batteries and both propane tanks on the trailer.

 

[OCJosh]

I think there's something you're overlooking here. The weight of the trailer compared to your towing capacity is almost irrelevant. What really matters is what the payload will be with that weight on the back of your Gladiator. In almost ALL cases, when towing a travel trailer, you will reach your payload limit LONG before you reach the actual GVWR of the tow vehicle. I have a Mojave so my payload is about 1100 lbs. Factor in the driver, any passengers, equipment, dogs, etc and subtract that from the payload. So let's say my 1100 lbs is reduced by 400 lbs before hooking up the trailer. So, now my payload has about 700 lbs left. With a travel trailer, figure 12-15% of the overall weight will be on the hitch. So let's say the travel trailer is 5000 lbs, that means your hitch weight will be 750 lbs (estimating on the high side is always a good idea, some people won't go over 80% away from the payload limit). I'm over payload. Is it a lot? No. But as was mentioned earlier in the thread, add in environmental factors such as wind and I think I will be getting pushed around on the road dangerously. Definitely need a weight distribution hitch but be mindful of your payload weight.

 

[Gladitator]

I have a 2021 Gladiator High Altitude with the tow package. I tow an Airstream 23 FB Tread Wind using a Weigh Safe weight distributing hitch. I keep the trailer light by not filling my water tank until I reach my destination. I know that I am on the edge of the Jeep's capacity, but I have no issues with towing. I keep up with traffic even going up grades. No issues with sway from wind or big rigs. Very little squat with the hitch, keeping my truck nearly level. I am considering lowering my axle gearing to match the Max Tow specs, but I dont feel it is necessary.

 

[gt3mike]

Thanks. That’s really good to know. I’m very interested in the Trade Wind, although I’ve been concerned about the weight. I’m pretty annoyed by the squat my Rubicon has when I have stuff in the back — especially my rooftop tent and rack. I’m probably going to get heavier springs to fix that. I’m thinking that would be helpful with towing as well, in addition to a WDH, not to attempt to exceed the maximum capacity, but to keep my headlights out of the trees.

 

[GeekJT]

I towed 5200 lbs with the gladiator twice recently.
I have no idea why anyone would want to do it. It's a horrible towing experience. Jeeps are just not really made for towing. I mean they have 800-1000lbs load ratings. 500-700 on the tongue and forget about extra people, much less luggage in the truck.

It's just not what it's made for. Buy an F150 or F250 and get a proper toy hauler and tow the jeep behind it. Or get an RV and tow the jeep behind it, like it's made for that, pop the transfer case in neutral and gone with the wind.

The gladiator is great, but towing over 4k with it, meh just a terrible towing experience. The 3.6L is just not it for towing. Yes, it'll do it. Yes, mine towed 5200lbs just fine. Was it fun? no Did it feel underpowered 70 on the freeway, absolutely. Like i could see towing 2500-3500lbs maybe, but over 4k and ugh I'd hate to go cross country or even across state.

I'm too spoiled by towing in f250, towing in the gladiator is just laughable to me.

Sponsored