Towing Airstream

[Okietryon]

Hello
Getting back into the Jeep world with hopefully a new Jeep truck. We bought our first jeep from a dealer located in Pickens SC back in 1977 — CJ7 with V8 and manual wish we still had it and then had a 1984 or 86 Scrambler about 10 years ago. Now we are looking at the new Jeep truck that will be used around the farm in South Carolina, carry our dog in a crate, and pull a 1956 Airstream. Will be looking for a camper shell and getting a truck with brake controller or install a third party unit.

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[Oilburner]

Lotsa different size Airstreams...

 

[KVJ]

@121Ranger has a nice one:

Just picked up our new Airstream Caravel 19 today. She pulled like a dream.

 

[tweak89]

Well, max towing (Sport S with Max Tow Package, any other combination has a lower tow rating) is 7650lbs. I pull a 19' Vista Cruiser RV that weights around 3500lbs with no issues. Judging by the weights of other Airstreams from that era, you should be OK, but if you want more accurate help, actual details would better.

 

[JT-S-Maxi-IND]

In addition to understanding the towing weight specs of Gladiator models, you need to take into total anticipated payload. Payload is impacted by passengers, cargo, the shell will impact that and tongue weight of your trailer. All needs to be accounted for besides “loaded” trailer weight.

here is an excellent reference I found very useful before and after I purchased my Sport S Max Tow. I encourage you to review this and keep some factor of cushion in your calculations.

https://www.curtmfg.com/understanding-towing

 

[Okietryon]

Our airstream weighs less than 2200 lbs loaded. Brand new in 1956 it weighed 1800 lbs. I will look at the link JT-S provided. I plan on installing a platform In the bed so the dog crates can sit on and I can store equipment

 

[KVJ]

I pull a 16' fiberglass trailer made by scamp weighs close to your Airstream. I got the Max Tow package option. Pulls great, no weight distribution hitch needed.

 

[Bobzdar]

No problem towing mine, Rubicon auto with tow package, Unity brake controller with a tekonsha wiring harness.

 

[Geekjeep]

May be a little off topic. But what made you guys choose airstream. I know they’re great quality/aluminum construction. I’ve always loved them But the layouts are snug and they’re beyond expensive. Please By no means Am I knocking them as they are gorgeous with excellent quality. just trying to understand better.

 

[Bobzdar]

May be a little off topic. But what made you guys choose airstream. I know they’re great quality/aluminum construction. I’ve always loved them But the layouts are snug and they’re beyond expensive. Please By no means Am I knocking them as they are gorgeous with excellent quality. just trying to understand better.

Mine is a 1967 - so quality counts for something. There aren't any plain white boxes that will still be around in 50 years, and I wouldn't bet against mine still being around.

That and when we camp, we spend the majority of the time outside, you know, camping, and not sitting inside, so I see little need for more room. When we are inside it's comfortable. We may get a new one when we retire as we plan to travel 3-4 months out of the year, but by then it will just be two of us so we may go to a smaller unit, not bigger.

Plus they tow really nicely.

 

[Okietryon]

Mine is a 1967 - so quality counts for something. There aren't any plain white boxes that will still be around in 50 years, and I wouldn't bet against mine still being around.

That and when we camp, we spend the majority of the time outside, you know, camping, and not sitting inside, so I see little need for more room. When we are inside it's comfortable. We may get a new one when we retire as we plan to travel 3-4 months out of the year, but by then it will just be two of us so we may go to a smaller unit, not bigger.

Plus they tow really nicely.

Agree with what you say. Our AS is a 1956 and we have had it for 5 years and couldn’t be any happier. We took 3+ weeks movi g from Huntington Beach to Tryon N.C. and camped every day except 4. It was the two of us and a golden retriever. Our AS is only 16ft and if we were going to be on the road for months, a larger trails would be nice.

 

[Austingobi]

Love those set ups. Our dream would be an Airstream. Half the dream accomplished with the purchase of the Gladiator. Just have to save s bit more coin. Might get a Geo-pro in the meantime.

 

[whiteglad]

My Airstream is 25 years old, bought new in May 1995. Still tight and solid, tows beautifully, not buffeted by winds nearly as much as my box trailer. Stick and stapled trailers look nice but don't last so well. Just as we buy a Jeep for what is underneath the gloss, that is what we should study on a prospective trailer purchase. Open the access doors and see how it is really constructed.

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