Camper Trailer Discussion - Airstream

What's up guys?! I attended our local RV show at the Austin Convention Center this weekend. Most of the camper trailers were the same cookie-cutter, cheap plastic, slapped together crap that you see at all of the highway sales lots. But a few caught my eye. Namely, the small 16 foot to 19 foot "Bambi" Airstreams.

Have you ever towed a camper with your 1st Gen Tacoma? Did you enjoy it? What is your setup? I love camping at the National Parks in the western US during the Texas summers. My favorite spots are Grand Teton, Yosemite, Glacier, Glen Canyon, Arches, Grand Canyon, etc. I've never gone out on the slick-rock in Moab, but I think that would be cool (probably couldn't tow the camper out there though ).

Any tips, help, advice? Thanks!

16 foot Sport Airstream w/ "wet" bath. 3,500 GVWR





19 foot Flying Cloud Airstream w/ full bath. 4,500 GVWR




For reference, I have a 1999 Tacoma extended cab with 3.4L, 4WD, MT, full OME lift, and 33" BFG ATs. The GVWR tow capacity is 5,000 lbs., so either of the trailers would work with my current truck.

 

Many towing threads on here. 3,500 is a reasonable amount of weight to tow, it will be reasonably enjoyable if you have weight distribution hitch and trailer brakes. Airstream really needs no comment, you know they're good.

 

This is not a totally comparable experience/setup, but I'll share it anyway.

I towed a 1500lb dry teardrop with my old 3.4 5 speed over the Sierras routinely and to Utah and back. It was portably 1750 "wet" plus I had a bed load of gear in the truck of at least 400 lb I would guess Don't forget your truck load! Pulled like a champ, and that 5-speed is key with the 3.4. However, in a strong headwind returning from Moab on Utah 6 toward SLC, we had an extremely strong headwind and a slight overall upgrade that made it virtually impossible for me to accelerate from 65 MPH, and my trailer sat flush with or lower than my cap. So, with that Airstream and the high profile, a similar situation could really bog you down badly.






I love that Airstream, and perhaps we will have one in our future for our growing family and to pull behind my 2nd gen.

 

I pull a lance 1575 with mine. The 5speed is key as I can hold gears while climbing and descending.
It keeps a good pace on inclines as I am usually passing the struggling rv's. I have towed it in strong winds and just keep my speed down for safety.
Recent trip to lake casitas,ca.

 

My mistake, I didn't realize there was a dedicated tow section. I'll check that out. Thx!

Awesome! How did you like the teardrop? Did you rent it? I also want to look at the Moby1 Trailers before I make a decision/purchase. I was leaning toward the Airstream because it has a shower/bathroom, and you can stand in it. But the teardrops out there are pretty badass.



With the 33" tires, I'm worried about pulling power in the mountains. I've debated doing a supercharger and 4.56 gears before the trailer purchase.

 

Cool! The Lance 1575 has a dry weight of about 2,650 lbs, right? With the slideout, it looks like a really functional floor plan.

 

I just ordered a t@b outback edition.....It's pretty cool.....More for looks than actual "outback".....Dry weight is like 1700 lbs

 

There is a new airstream also.....Called the basecamp.....It's cool as shit but 40 grand.....Weighs 2000 and something....You can prob look it up...

 

Yep and i t is a very good floor plan. It is light enough for me to tow with my 1st gen, not overkill for wife and I, yet offers flexibility for when grandkids go. We have slept 7 in it, me on floor. It is very well equipped, Fridge, oven, microwave, DVD, TV, hot water, and a ton of storage. Use wisely though as it is a single axle,another like as it forces us to pack light. What sold us on it was Lance Quality, access to fridge when slide out is in, well lit and vented thanks to European style windows, and a queen bed at the ready.
There are a few sacrifices made in order to keep it light but nothing that can not be mitigated. Small tanks(use park hookups or carry water in truck), access to bathroom while slide is in is possible though inconvenient, and bathroom is small but gets job done.
Another nice thing to us was it is about a foot narrower than most, making towing a little easier on Tacoma and getting down narrow drives easier.

 

We had it built
. We love the darn thing. It is so well designed and efficient. I looked at many, and no one could top their quality and aesthetics, IMO.






Still gotta do nearly everything outside, but isn't that the point of the great outdoors? Granted, in California and the Southwest, that is usually pretty easy.

It is definitely a road version, but it did great on the well maintained gravel byways in Utah. I'm looking at also getting a 3-man RTT for using a supplement on top of the teardrop, and/or for mounting on top of the truck so we can do some dedicated trough-trail ventures. It would give us flexibility.

I was still on some 265/70/16s, so I hadn't robbed myself of any power yet. Yeah, with the 33s you might want to do the gears first anyway. Much more simple and I believe cheaper than a SC, which can lead you into some A/F issues, not to mention a long-term commitment to 91 octane. If you find that the regear isn't enough, then you could escalate to the SC later.

 

Here is mine with a new timbren suspension on it' maiden voyage to the mountains running on 30" tires. It is about 900# and pulls great.

 

That's my dream setup. I already have the street legal '08 CRF250X. What model is yours? We currently have a popup but I really love your hardside. My main question though is how are you keeping the back somewhat level? The dirtbike alone squats mine pretty good.

 

We also had a pop up before this, weighed just as much too!! We like the connection with nature of a pop up, but with ladies me grandkids we needed a shower and clean toilet.
As for keeping it level I installed hellwig helper springs. They are the smallest ones they make as tongue weight is low and rear doesn't squat much. I also haul up to 3 dirt bikes on any given weekend so they help.
I too ride a 2008 CRF250x plated. Only way to go around here with roads connecting trails.

 

I saw the T@B teardrop trailers at the RV show. I thought they were cool, but I wanted something a little more substantial. I'm also considering a Moby1 trailer. Their headquarters is near Provo, and I have a place in Salt Lake City, so I will probably go check them out this summer. Plus, you can rent them. So I may take it for a "test-drive." They just have so many cool features. And the build quality looks top notch. I'm just not sure about not being able to stand in the camper. I'd like to be able to change clothes without any acrobatics.



I also looked at the Basecamp Airstream. You're correct about the price - they retail for $40,000. With no bathroom, shower, or dedicated bed. At that point, you're really close to a 16' Sport Airstream, which could easily be towed with the 1st gen. I think their main selling point for the Basecamp is that you can tow them with a car or Subaru-type vehicle.

I was seriously considering the teardrop route. I like that most of them have a full size bed. I'm 6'2", and I hate sleeping in a short bed. But in Texas, air conditioning is a requirement. On some of the models I looked at, the A/C was a separate unit that you had to haul in and out of the teardrop every time you wanted to use it. That's a PITA. I'd like it built in to the cabinetry.

If I do gears, I'm going to do the full Harrop E-lockers at the same time. At that point the price difference is a wash. But you're right, with a supercharger, you're committed to 91 octane. From what I have read, with the 7th injector modification, that pretty much eliminates any A/F issues, but I haven't researched it a whole lot.

I think the Lance may be a little too big for me. And I can appreciate the extra room of a slide-out. I just cringe at the though of having to maintain/repair one.

 

Well shit if I were 6' 2" I would mot want a teardrop. My wife and I are both well under 6, but you still need extra space for duffels, outer layer clothing, and stuff. If you need A/C, then fuck it!

 

I too was leary of the slide out, but it seems issues are far and few in between. Another nice option from them is the 1475, no slide out, full access to trailer, however really only sleeps two, maybe 3 with a small one.
If our future shows just wife and I, we will downsize to the 1475.

http://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/1475/

 

Have you seen the R Pod trailer? My neighbor has one and they are pretty nice.
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=173&ShowParent=1

 

Really? It seems like most teardrops come with a full size bed. BTW, how do you like this ARB cooler/fridge?

I'll check them out. I definitely need to look at it in person to get a real feel for it. Thanks for the help!!!

My neighbor in Salt Lake has an R Pod. I always thought they were a good design, but never stepped inside one.

 

no worries. We were also doing the same bounce, started with pop ups, then huge toy hauler, then back to pop up before out final decision to where we are today. I was initially looking at Tear Drop for me as I do alot of 4x and could tow behind Jeep. Then we scored the Tacoma and it opened out world up a little more. We started looking at Airstreams and R pods when we ran across Lance at local dealer. One step inside and wife was hooked. We even thought about going bigger but decided we did not want a new truck payment for a half ton to tow with and we really like the Tacoma. We said we would do a maiden run with trailer and bike loaded up to Big Bear lake, which has a long grade and decide from there. Needless to say Tacoma performed flawlessly and averaged just shy of 15 mpg!!