Joined:
Oct 2022
Posts:
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MT, USA
Posted: 5/11/2023 6:33:00 PM EDT
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I've been thinking about getting an Airstream trailer that I would tow with my 2021 4Runner for my GF, myself and our 5 large dogs (1x great dane, 1x irish wolfhound, 1x black lab, 2x GSD mixes; best case scenario we could leave 2 of them with friends but we would like to have the option to bring all 5). This would be our first camper and I realize i'm limited to smaller campers due to the towing vehicle. The trailer would primarily be used for storing most, if not all of the dogs, while we hike or are out-and-about during the day at places we can't bring a dog or two, and then to sleep in at night. I would imagine our trips would only last 1-5 days. The airstreams, while commanding a premium price, seem to have better build quality and retain their value compared to other campers. So they seem worth the investment. I also like how they look. So is this a good idea or a bad idea? Is there a better brand I should be considering? Are Airstreams overpriced for what they are? Thanks in advance! |
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If I had the money for one I would get it. Last week at the beach when the partiers were blasting accordian music till 3:30am, I was kept awake in our cheaper fiberglass camper, but the neighbor heard nothing in his late model Airstream. His is obviously far better built than our Gulfstream. The only real drawbacks other than price, are the weight and I don't think they come with slides so space might be a little limited. |
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Originally Posted By AWDeity: I have a 2021 4Runner that’s been to the dealer twice now because it can’t tow my GF’s 3100lb camper. The dealer says it’s fine. It stays in 4th gear and revs to almost 3000 at 60-65mph speed. Good luck. I’m selling it next month for a truck or sequoia. Hey I believe your 4Runner has 5 speed transmission just like my 2012 Tacoma . If that’s the case I believe transmission is model 750 or something like that . Toyota says when we tow with this transmission and 4.0 v6 you should have it locked in 4 gear and no faster than 65 mph . Don’t drive it in overdrive aka 5 th gear . Add a big trans cooler change the fluid regularly . I do it every 30k and you should be fine. 2700 to 3000 rpm ain’t nothing to that engine transmission combo . Go to Tacoma world and look up the towing bible . I tow a coachman apex nano 185bh empty it’s 3200 loaded it’s 4000 .I been towing this camper for the last 3 years . |
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Originally Posted By farscrape: If I had the money for one I would get it. Last week at the beach when the partiers were blasting accordian music till 3:30am, I was kept awake in our cheaper fiberglass camper, but the neighbor heard nothing in his late model Airstream. His is obviously far better built than our Gulfstream. The only real drawbacks other than price, are the weight and I don't think they come with slides so space might be a little limited. Will confirm. Not an owner, but have attended indoor rv shows at large noisy convention centers. When i side the airstreams it was immediately apparent the noise level was markedly lower. They stuck out as premium compared to all the other junk. |
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Love my '85 Excella. Swapped all the plumbing for PEX for ease of maintenance, that's about it. Even have a cassette deck in it. That being said, you're gonna have to get one of the single axle models if you want to have any hope of towing it. I tow my 31' with a Ram 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins. They hold their value better than other trailers, and they're quieter if that's a concern. The newer options are pretty slick with solar, LiPo's, and all of the other accoutrement. That being said, if I had to buy mine right now, I couldn't afford to replace it. They come with a price tag. |
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I guess I am trying to imagine any camper big enough for 2 + 5 dogs that big that can be pulled by your 4-Runner. Not to discourage or bust your bubble but if you sink the money in an Airstream you are fighting with to tow to your spot, you will be throwing a lot of money down the tube and will prob end up getting a bigger tow vehicle anyway. That being said I would love to have one, I can't justify putting the money in the size I would need. A couple of our camping friends have new or newer Airstreams, the weak link was the components, Airstreams use supplier components just like everyone else. That is where they had issues, one had a bad AC unit, other had a bad inverter. The rest of the issues were little things, missing screws in cabinets and little things. I really believe your biggest issue is the cargo / tow capacity on your 4 Runner. |
| No, unless you get an older model for cheap & gut it & refit it yourself. Airstreams are cramped & with 5 large dogs you will hate it. There won't be any room for the dogs to lay down & everyone will be on top of each other. I would look at a toy hauler. You have the back end for the dogs to sprawl in & the front for you. You could also get a box trailer & outfit it how you want it. There's a couple of threads from folks who did their own. |
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Originally Posted By AWDeity: I have a 2021 4Runner that’s been to the dealer twice now because it can’t tow my GF’s 3100lb camper. The dealer says it’s fine. It stays in 4th gear and revs to almost 3000 at 60-65mph speed. Good luck. I’m selling it next month for a truck or sequoia. Sounds normal...what are you expecting? For point of reference, I have a full size truck with a 6.0L V8, it can barely tow a trailer that size without dropping down to 3rd. Trailer any bigger and it stays in 3rd gear... |
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5 dogs on a camping trip...................Yikes! As far as Airstreams being worth the money..................that's a personal decision, but.................. Try these - a fiberglass "egg" (top and bottom) well made. Not vacuum formed panels, but laid up in a mold. Lighter than most. They hold their value VERY well. About mid $50k for a well optioned 21NE or 21C. I have a E19 F1 and love it for 2 humans and no dogs. https://escapetrailer.com/  |
| Not being insulting. But five big dogs crammed into a small trailer are going to trash whatever you get including an Airstream. It won’t hold its value like you think it will. Pop ups seem to have the best space to weight ratio. Don’t know if your dogs will try to rip through the canvas however. |