Towing an Airstream?

[NREVANS]

Alright y'all. I've had my gorgeous Telluride since the end of April and I love it. My wife and I are thinking about getting a travel trailer, and we are leaning more towards the Airstream because of longevity and looks. Obviously I don't want to overdo the weights or anything...so hear me out and give me some opinions on this set up:

The Airstream in question has a max GVWR of 5000 lbs...so that checks out.
The tongue weight is 525...this does NOT check out.
The tongue weight issue can be resolved by a weight distribution system, can it not? I've also go the self leveling shocks, so it's a bit more of an annoyance, but from what I understand it can be done. My question is: Is the extra 25 lbs going to be a make or break situation if I use the WDS?

We've also got to install a 7pin, because Kia done f^%#*d up and only put a 4 pin in on the 2020 models, and we need a good brake controller, and obviously the WDS/sway control.

So IIIIIIIFFFF the 525 tongue weight isn't an issue, what are some good recommendations for all the things I listed that I need?

Thanks for y'alls help.

 

[alexdrums]

The weight distribution hitch isn’t going to change the tongue weight of the trailer, it is just going to move it around the vehicle. Not saying it isn’t doable, but you are over spec and pushing the envelope.

 

[NDBlackEX]

Alright y'all. I've had my gorgeous Telluride since the end of April and I love it. My wife and I are thinking about getting a travel trailer, and we are leaning more towards the Airstream because of longevity and looks. Obviously I don't want to overdo the weights or anything...so hear me out and give me some opinions on this set up:

The Airstream in question has a max GVWR of 5000 lbs...so that checks out.
The tongue weight is 525...this does NOT check out.
The tongue weight issue can be resolved by a weight distribution system, can it not? I've also go the self leveling shocks, so it's a bit more of an annoyance, but from what I understand it can be done. My question is: Is the extra 25 lbs going to be a make or break situation if I use the WDS?

We've also got to install a 7pin, because Kia done f^%#*d up and only put a 4 pin in on the 2020 models, and we need a good brake controller, and obviously the WDS/sway control.

So IIIIIIIFFFF the 525 tongue weight isn't an issue, what are some good recommendations for all the things I listed that I need?

Thanks for y'alls help.

If you're going to tow a camper regularly and any kind of distance, I wouldn't buy anything that was much more than 3000 lbs.

I run into people at campgrounds all the time that are towing way too much camper for their vehicle, even though it's under the max tow rating, you have to figure people and gear. If I were going to tow something regularly, I would max out at 60-65% of max tow capacity. If I were going to travel full time with a Telluride and camper, I wouldn't go over 2500 lbs.

For example, I have a 3200 lb Trailmanor that I tow with my V8 F150. The guy I got it from used his 3 row crossover to tow it. He killed his transmission and he got like 6-8 mpg at best. It's a low profile pop up style camper and I get 14-15mpg at 60 mph with my pickup and like 10mpg at 75mph. I'd tow up to the max rating for a short distance on occasion but if you are looking to travel regularly, buy an appropriately sized camper or vehicle.

That's just my two cents. I don't know what your needs are or how you plan to travel but if you're looking for something that's easier towing, check out the Trailmanor and also Scamp. Those Scamps hold up well over time. The Trailmanor takes a little work to set up but it's nice once you're set up. Tag makes some pretty sweet bigger teardrop campers too as well as A-Liner.

 

[alexdrums]

If you're going to tow a camper regularly and any kind of distance, I wouldn't buy anything that was much more than 3000 lbs.

I run into people at campgrounds all the time that are towing way too much camper for their vehicle, even though it's under the max tow rating, you have to figure people and gear. If I were going to tow something regularly, I would max out at 60-65% of max tow capacity. If I were going to travel full time with a Telluride and camper, I wouldn't go over 2500 lbs.

For example, I have a 3200 lb Trailmanor that I tow with my V8 F150. The guy I got it from used his 3 row crossover to tow it. He killed his transmission and he got like 6-8 mpg at best. It's a low profile pop up style camper and I get 14-15mpg at 60 mph with my pickup and like 10mpg at 75mph. I'd tow up to the max rating for a short distance on occasion but if you are looking to travel regularly, buy an appropriately sized camper or vehicle.

That's just my two cents. I don't know what your needs are or how you plan to travel but if you're looking for something that's easier towing, check out the Trailmanor and also Scamp. Those Scamps hold up well over time. The Trailmanor takes a little work to set up but it's nice once you're set up. Tag makes some pretty sweet bigger teardrop campers too as well as A-Liner.

Solid advice

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[NREVANS]

If you're going to tow a camper regularly and any kind of distance, I wouldn't buy anything that was much more than 3000 lbs.

I run into people at campgrounds all the time that are towing way too much camper for their vehicle, even though it's under the max tow rating, you have to figure people and gear. If I were going to tow something regularly, I would max out at 60-65% of max tow capacity. If I were going to travel full time with a Telluride and camper, I wouldn't go over 2500 lbs.

For example, I have a 3200 lb Trailmanor that I tow with my V8 F150. The guy I got it from used his 3 row crossover to tow it. He killed his transmission and he got like 6-8 mpg at best. It's a low profile pop up style camper and I get 14-15mpg at 60 mph with my pickup and like 10mpg at 75mph. I'd tow up to the max rating for a short distance on occasion but if you are looking to travel regularly, buy an appropriately sized camper or vehicle.

That's just my two cents. I don't know what your needs are or how you plan to travel but if you're looking for something that's easier towing, check out the Trailmanor and also Scamp. Those Scamps hold up well over time. The Trailmanor takes a little work to set up but it's nice once you're set up. Tag makes some pretty sweet bigger teardrop campers too as well as A-Liner.

Do you have recommendations for sway bar/wds/brake controller?

 

[NDBlackEX]

Do you have recommendations for sway bar/wds/brake controller?

I don't personally, my pickup has trailer brake controller and trailer sway control built in so I've never had to research any of that stuff. I've never felt the the need to use the weight distribution set up that I received when I bought the camper.

 

[machtig]

Do some googling and look at some of the towing setups done by CanAm RV Centre. They have been setting up folks to safely tow with passenger cars and minivans for decades and know their craft. What you describe is extremely doable. I am working with them to set up our Telluride EX AWD to tow our 25ft Airstream.

 

[G-Man]

Do some googling and look at some of the towing setups done by CanAm RV Centre. They have been setting up folks to safely tow with passenger cars and minivans for decades and know their craft. What you describe is extremely doable. I am working with them to set up our Telluride EX AWD to tow our 25ft Airstream.

So what your saying is a trailer that rates at 5000 lb. GVWR can safely be pulled by AWD EX?

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[maddmike]

There is no way that towing any Airstream (besides maybe a basecamp) would be a good idea with a Telluride. Remember that you need gear when you camp and all that adds to the weight. I would not go over 75% of rated tow rate as a loose rule of thumb.

I would not tow anything significant without a body on frame setup. We just sold our Nucamp T@B 400. Great trailer, extremely high quality and a company that stands behind their product and I would highly recommend them. Dry weight is 2947. We only sold it because we had our second child and will need something bigger or a camper. I would check them out. Ironically, we sold it to long-time Airstream owners as they were downsizing and Nucamp was the only company they considered as their build quality is on par with Airstream.