mel
Senior Member
1964 Shasta Airflyte
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 523
Currently Offline
|
Post by mel on Apr 6, 2018 13:47:17 GMT -8
I know there are so many towing posts on here so I hate to start another. I really dont want a large truck so please dont suggest that. I have been looking at smaller trucks, Chevy Colorado capacity 4000lbs, V6 Silverado capacity 4500lbs, dodge dakota 4500 capacity. So they all should tow the compact just fine but Im going to be working on the Airflyte this summer. Airflyte dry weight is listed at 1840. If I do get one of the smaller trucks I will plan to get a break controller installed and probably a sway bar. I know someone on here tows with a smaller truck or a similar tow rating suv. I cant remember who. If anyone does please tag them on this post. Was it danrhodes ? 1) Do you think with the break controller and sway bar it would be safe to tow the Airflyte? I really only camp in the summer, so not that many times a year. As of now im planning on just staying in MI over the next few years, then after ive seen the sights of MI I may venture out farther. 2) Members with similar rated tow vehicles, how do you feel like they tow?? 3) Do you have a friend that tows with something similar?? what do they say about how it tows? I have been towing the Compact with my parents Ford Edge(3500lb rating) and it tows good, I hardly feel the compact behind it. My stepdad towed the Airflyte with it on the way home and he said it towed it good no sway or anything but we also wernt on the free way, just county roads max 55mph. So I am kind of using that for reference since it is the only thing I have towed with. So to me I think well all those trucks have a better rating than the Ford Edge and I think the ford tows fine. But like I said i am not experienced so I want your thoughts. Sorry I am just babbling my thoughts, ill stop now
|
|
shastatom
Full Member
I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
Posts: 745
Likes: 419
Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by shastatom on Apr 6, 2018 14:08:27 GMT -8
I pulled an Airflyte from Idaho to Minn with a volvo xc90 and was stable, easy to pull and never had an issue. It had a 5000lb towing capacity but a colorado would be find I think.
|
|
strange1
Active Member
Posts: 159
Likes: 103
1965 Shasta Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by strange1 on Apr 6, 2018 15:08:11 GMT -8
I'm headed out in 2 weeks. I'm towing my '65 Airflyte with our Chevy Colorado. I'm sure others will chime in before then...but this will be our maiden voyage and I'll be happy to report how it goes. Here's looking to the weekend of April 20th.
|
|
speak
Member
Posts: 37
Likes: 8
1959 Shasta Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by speak on Apr 6, 2018 16:07:06 GMT -8
I have a 59 Shasta Airflyte and i towed it with a 2008 Chevy Uplander. It towed very well but my lack of experience towing made it a little nerve racking. Also, I live in Michigan and the hills I have had to tackle have been minimal. I intend on taking the restored Airflyte out west and i thought that the full size truck would be better for a journey like this. I have been thinking of the smaller Chevy Colorado as well but since my trailer is in the restoration phases, I'm in no hurry with that decision.
|
|
Ten
3K Member
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 1,467
70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Ten on Apr 6, 2018 16:12:36 GMT -8
As always, properly loading the trailer is essential, just to stress an already stressed point.
That being said....again.... Personally I do not think you will have any problem with any one of those mid-sized trucks. The Compact is light enough to tow easily, and the Airflyte will depend more on what you take with you than the trailer itself. A long time ago I towed an older 16SC with a six-cylinder S-10 pickup. It was before I knew ANYthing about towing. I pulled it loaded haphazardly about 70 mph down the expressway. It's a wonder that one didn't end up upside-down. I pulled that same trailer with a 4-cylinder Nissan pickup (before the Frontier pickup was introduced). That trip was up the highest hill to a county park, the next county over. That was enough of a struggle that I never wanted to tow with an underpowered vehicle again.
If memory serves me, our member universalexports was towing his Airflyte with a Colorado.
As far as handling is concerned, the brakes on the trailer, when adjusted correctly, and your controller will give you lots of stability in the tow. The addition of the swaybar is helpful. I would also suggest using an equalizing hitch setup. It will balance the weight over the rig as a whole. You may find it stabilizes the rig enough to not really need the sway bar.
Your driving habits can effect the handling a lot also, so like they say, "your results may vary".
|
|
mel
Senior Member
1964 Shasta Airflyte
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 523
Currently Offline
|
Post by mel on Apr 6, 2018 16:34:48 GMT -8
I'm headed out in 2 weeks. I'm towing my '65 Airflyte with our Chevy Colorado. I'm sure others will chime in before then...but this will be our maiden voyage and I'll be happy to report how it goes. Here's looking to the weekend of April 20th. What year is your Colorado? Please do report back after and have a wonderful time on your maiden voyage in that pretty camper.
|
|
mel
Senior Member
1964 Shasta Airflyte
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 523
Currently Offline
|
Post by mel on Apr 6, 2018 16:45:49 GMT -8
Thanks for the info Ten, I havent really thought too much on how I load my trailer, I just know to not put heavy stuff in the back. The airflye closet is right over the wheel well so I should be fine to load up stuff in there right? And I was planning on putting the food in the kitchen cabinets and stuff in the lower too, so it should be loaded more even that my compact. In the compact the closet is usually laded so im guessing that side of the trailer is a little heaver, at least the weight of the stove on the other side of it makes up for some of it.
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on Apr 6, 2018 18:16:46 GMT -8
Towing my lightweight trailer with my 6cyl Tacoma is not very fun. Even loaded as far forward as possible, it's pretty bouncy. I'm looking at load stabilizers and anti bounce hitches before any summer trips.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Apr 6, 2018 18:50:10 GMT -8
I think the vehicle should be rated at 5K capacity to tow the Airflyte. It's been my experience that trailers tend to weigh a LOT more than is listed. First step would be to weigh the trailer. When you have that, then you can plan on how you might load it as well as what you plan on taking with.
I tow with SUVs rather than pickups, lots more room to stuff "stuff" in there. Our 08 Trailblazer is rated at 5K and has a V8. From what I've been told, a lot of people have been OK with a V6 but not me.
Also, it's not just the weight of the trailer that should be taken into consideration. It's the STABILITY of the whole rig. In other words, if you're towing with a short wheel base vehicle, it won't be as steady on the road as a longer one. The ability of the vehicle to handle trailer sway is related to suspension and whether or not it has a FACTORY tow package. That includes proper wiring, the hitch, a big enough engine and a tranny cooler.
I've used sway bars with bigger trailers and they really help. Not sure on the load levelers; they weigh a lot and may not be necessary.
Hope this helps.
|
|
CorvettCrzy
Full Member
Posts: 934
Likes: 273
'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
Currently Offline
|
Post by CorvettCrzy on Apr 6, 2018 18:51:34 GMT -8
What causes the bounce? When I towed the Franklin and Monitor a couple of weeks ago I noticed the "bouncing". I know that it wasn't the weight because my Flex can tow 4500lbs. and the trailers were completely empty.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Apr 6, 2018 18:54:46 GMT -8
Sometimes the 'bounce' isn't the whole trailer but the BODY bouncing off the frame... Been there...
|
|
Ten
3K Member
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 1,467
70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Ten on Apr 6, 2018 18:56:43 GMT -8
Just try to balance the load around the center point of the trailer as best you can. The heaviest points that are in the design of the Airflyte are the stove and the water tank, both on the streetside and more to the front. If anything you want more forward of the axle than behind. It kinda naturally falls balanced by the location of cabinets and closets.
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on Apr 6, 2018 19:18:18 GMT -8
I think the trucks are available with a tow pkg that would have your needed tow accessories included and it might increase the tow rating. I had a 96 full size Chevy short bed standard cab v6 5 speed 3:73 gears that I towed with I pulled my tandem axle flatbed trailer with a gross load of 7000 lb. in flat country, but I have 60 years of towing experience behind me. With that said when I put a camper behind it it pulled it but every now and then I felt like I was courting disaster. I now have an extended cab Silverado with a V8 6 speed automatic trans & tow pkg that uses less fuel than the V6 did and tows fantastic. Plus it is wider which allows better rear vision in my mirrors around a trailer. My thoughts are do your homework before making a purchase. Many people say how their vehicle tows but do they have experience with all size vehicles. Body style makes no difference, wheelbase, width, and weight is the three main keys. Brand is also a personal choice as long as you compare apples to apples. Over the years I have towed with Chevies, Fords, Dodges, Internationals, Macks, Peterbuilts, Westerns, a several others all were fine as long as they were pulling what they were designed for or less. Another thing before purchasing make sure your family is comfortable in it as the saying goes ,if mommy ain't happy nobody is happy.
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on Apr 6, 2018 19:45:22 GMT -8
My Tacoma is rated at 6500 lbs. I feel its marginal at 2000lbs. The suspension has been recalled several times, including having the rear springs replaced because they snap off and puncture the gas tank. Modern small truck suspension is tuned for a softer ride which is not conducive to towing. maybe the Colorado is better, but I'd try for a full size...they get better milage anyways. I get 16-17 mpg mixed with no trailer at all.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Apr 6, 2018 20:12:46 GMT -8
I love my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Rated at 6200...
|
|