[VAC] Re: Bambi is a heavyweight

[donhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Empty weight of a vintage Bambi is about 1600 lbs.  At the low end of 
the scale (11-15% of total weight), the tongue weight would be 176 lbs. 
 Add 1000 lbs of stuff, and the range becomes 286 - 390 lbs.  

Weigh the trailer fully loaded for travel, and then distribute the load 
so that aout 12% is on the tongue, and see if you still get 400 lbs. (Of 
course, you could still get that, and more, if the trailer is heavy 
enough).  

I briefly towed a '65 Caravel with a Rodeo, and wouldn't recommend it to 
anyone.  You're right about the Bambi myth.  A lot of people with small 
SUVs are looking for them.  I think most folks who follow this list for 
a year wouldn't say that the Bambi is perfect for towing with a Rodeo or 
Cherokee.  I'd say borderline at best, unless you keep both the trailer 
and the SUV very lightly loaded.  Sherry says she does fine with an 
Astro van, but that's a slightly different beast.  A later model 
Explorer with a V8 might be OK too, but I'd prefer a 1/2 ton pickup or a 
full size van, even with a Bambi.    

Don