Let's see your Tacos in scenic places!

Im in Sherman Oaks, so its not too far of a drive. If I can convince the wife to camp with these cold temps at night, I'd love to do an overnight stay.

 

I'm in Encino neighbor! Canping isn't my wife's thing, so these trips are generally solo (with a short bed it is appreciated). I left our area @ 9am yesterday and was there by 11:30. Although a little chilly @ night it really wasn't bad. I fired up the propane heater for 5-10 minutes a few time overnight but it really wasn't necessary

 

Id probably just let my wife take my warm sleeping bag and I'll use our less warm ones. She loves to camp, just not a lover of the cold.

Do you know if they let you have fires out that way?

 

Quick drive up Rampart Range in CO Springs, great views!

 

Mazama, WA for some summer mountain biking. Sry taken in June, just getting around to uploading.

 

Yes, no fire restrictions there. I went up to Cuyamaca last month (by san diego), and didn't know they had fire restrictions until I arrived. Needless to say I froze my ass off with no fire.

 

WNC

 

Utah West Desert

 

Heading out to the SoCal deserts to get some riding in.

 

Ocotillo Wells

 

Headin out to the SoCal deserts

 

What headlights are those? Look cool. Do they throw any light?

 

I dunno why... I feel like I’m playing Oregon Trail

 

Keechelus Lake, Wa. Got the Lexus stuck

 

Nice set up. What is your trailer weight, and how does your truck handle it? I'm thinking of trailer options, and want to get an idea of real world towing performance.

 

Nice setup - can you share details on the front spare tire mounting? Any issues with cooling, visibility, handling?

 

Love the Airstream. I’m assuming by your username that it’s a ‘55 model. Have you remodeled the inside? Do you have any pics?

 

My little '55 Airlight 15' trailer weighs about 2800# (wet). The 2012 Taco with its 4L V6 engine does a great job as a tow vehicle (says it's rated to tow 6000#, but that might be a little like the tail wagging the dog.) I tow at 60 MPH, pus or minus a little depending on the terrain. But my ST tires aren't rated for speeds above 65MPH (most trailer tires aren't). I tow in 4th gear, avoiding issues of towing in overdrive. When I'm pulling a long grade, I might drop down into 3rd where I make about 3000 RPM at 50 MPH. I'd be okay in 3rd making 40 MPH, but I like to keep the revs up around 2500 RPM. The truck is strong and even more comfortable now (after 65,000 miles) I put new shocks on.

The front tire mount carries the trailer spare because on vintage trailers, there's no place for it. I used a bolt-on Kurt Front hitch receiver. And the tire carrier has a 2" square draw bar. Easy set up. The bolt on "receiver" requires removing the end caps from the frame rails. The engine breathes fine with the spare in front. On a 90º day (recently) towing the trailer whilst pulling a long grade at 60 MPH in 4th, the engine temp reached 212º but cooled off to 190º immediately a few minutes later when I crested the pass. The weight of the hitch and tire doesn't noticably affect handling. In fact, with the trailer hitched up, if anything, it helps to load the front a little bit. But the weights are trivial seems to me. Visibility isn't an issue, although in town, yes, it makes the Taco a little longer, I need a slightly bigger spot to parallel park since the nose is extended a certain amount. However, it's been a great solution for me in carrying the spare, getting it out of the short bed which makes it easier to carry my camping gear.

 

Even to Airstreamers, my Airlight looks like an Airstream (sort of) but she's definitely not. For starters, she's 15' overall -- and Airstream only made two models for a couple years (a long time ago) that short. And for another thing, she's got her door in the desirable rear entry position, which opens up real possibilities for the floor plan, including having a commode (no shower) in a forward closet. It's tight in there, but it's essential.

This little trailer has been remanufactured, which is like restored, except it has new mechanical elements (new Pex waterlines, new propane piping, new electrical (120VAC and 12VDC) new waste lines, new blackwater tank, 200w solar on the roof, 300Ah lithium battery bank under the bed, new axle, and much more (flatscreen TV with Blu-ray player)... You can see pix at <
https://imgur.com/a/IjH5c3Y>