[VAC] Re: Newbies in Taos, NM

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ted,

Welcome to the lists.  We encourage you to join us as an Airstreamer.  It is
a great product and once you use one for a period of time, and swap some
over-the-campfire stories with owners of other brands, you will pat yourself
on the back for your good judgement and understand why all of us appear to
be somewhat fanatical.

Now, I hate to hand out this unwelcome information but in my humble opinion,
and I apologize for saying so, your Explorer is not suited for towing any
travel trailer safely on a full-time basis.  Particularly when you factor in
the concept that you and another person will presumably take along a large
number of items which will add up to a lot of weight for long-term living
comfort.  You could probably get away with towing an Airstream Bambi on an
extended basis but a Bambi is not well suited for full-timing.

The Explorer is relatively light and has a very short wheelbase which will
be subject to the infamous "tail wagging the dog" situation where the
leverage exerted by a longer and heavier trailer could whip the tow vehicle
around in certain situations.  If you have never experienced being passed by
an 18 wheeler running 70 mph against a strong headwind while you are
laboring along at 55 mph, the force of air pressure pushing you aside
followed immediately by suction pulling you into its tracks is awesome.
Many trailers and their tow vehicles end up in a ditch, sometimes with the
wheels pointing at the sky, when this occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.  In
addition, your little V6 engine would be marginal to underpowered for
anything beyond flat land 50 mph towing with no wind.  I say this because
250 ft. lbs. of torque is pretty modest for towing and, more importantly,
the engine develops it's maximum torque at 3000 rpm.  This means that to
obtain maximum torque (load moving power) you will have to spin the engine
at 3,000 rpm, which accelerates wear and consumes fuel.  A towing engine
should develop maximum torque at or near the engine speed it will be turning
at about 60 mph in top gear, the typical towing speed.  The transmission is
a light duty unit not intended to tolerate the stresses of continuous
towing.   Overall, the Explorer with towing package would probably be great
for towing a jet ski and trailer to the lake on an occasional Saturday
afternoon but, I'm sorry to say, would not be a safe or satisfying tow
vehicle for an adventurous guy who is setting off to full-time in an
Airstream.   Believe me, after a few days or weeks, you will not feel
comfortable or satisfied.

Your question about the old photos of large Airstreams towed behind
passenger cars is valid but trailers were lighter, traffic was slower, and
our society was not as generally mobile then as now.  A 4.0 liter engine is
roughly equivalent to 245 cubic inches.  A Ford flathead V8 engine of the
'50s was 239 ci as was the first Ford overhead valve V8 introduced in 1954.
Chevy 6 cylinder engines of the mid-50s displaced 235 cubic inches.  None of
those were strong towing motors.

I checked a copy of Ford RV & Trailering Guide.  If your Explorer has the
standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio, it is rated to tow 4,940 pounds (4,740 if a
4x4) with a maximum gross combined weight rating of 9,000 pounds.  The gcwr
figure includes the trailer, water, propane, groceries, clothing,
miscellaneous gear, your Explorer, fuel, luggage, passengers, tools, etc.
If your Explorer has a 3.73 or 4.10 differential, you can add 1,000 pounds
to each figure.   In my humble opinion, those numbers are optimistic except
for occasional towing.  Even a vintage Safari, with a factory empty weight
of approximately 3,300 pounds, will weigh close to 5,000, possibly more,
when loaded for travel.  A 19' Caravel would be a couple hundred pounds
lighter.

May I suggest...... if you are going to full time and want a little comfort
and storage room, look for a larger trailer, possibly a minimum of 26',
maybe a 28', 29', 30', or 31'er.  And buy a 3/4 ton pickup or one ton van.
As a minimum, buy a long wheelbase heavy duty 1/2 ton pickup with the
largest V8 engine available.

I don't write these words to criticize your choice of automobiles, only to
express an opinion based on my own personal experience and lots of reading
over the years.  Some will understandably disagree, as is their right.  Only
you can decide what is just right for you.

I hope you find the right combination for yourself and enjoy your future
Airstream.

Harvey Barlow
Lubbock, TX
WBCCI # 1171, WDCU, VAC
'94 Ford F250HD w/460ci,
'93 A/S Excella 34', '84 Excella 31', '66 Safari 22'