Towing an Airstream Bambi 16 (3000lb) without a WDH?

[pookguy88]

I've got a 2024 Flash (no Max tow) and wondering if I would be able to tow this, or something of similar weight, without a WDH?

First time tower and though I like the security of a WDH, I feel like it would be a real hassle to uncouple every time I need to charge.

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[Firn]

Fwiw I was disappointed in the stability of the Lightning when the rear is heavily loaded. Both with weighting the bed, and with an improperly setup WDH. Imo the independent rear causes a bit of wandering when its loaded.

Personally I would look to get a WDH on it.

 

[Henry Ford]

A couple times a year I tow my ski boat, which is probably between 3000-3500lbs. On a 55mph road with a lot of curves I can hardly tell the trailer is there.

I suggest trying towing without a WDH. If it doesn't cause handling issues you've saved money and hassle. If you don't like the way it handles you can buy the hitch.

 

[hturnerfamily]

my '22 PRO SR with Max Tow(7,700lbs) towed my son's new 35' 7,250lb camper over 200 miles with no issues and nothing to worry about - you would almost not know it was there, and certainly no additional hardware or sway control needed.

 

[RickLightning]

A wdh is specified when tongue weight exceeds the limit of the receiver, usually 500 pounds. At 13% tongue weight, a 3,000 pounds trailer would not need one for weight reasons.

The truck has built-in sway control.

 

[pookguy88]

A wdh is specified when tongue weight exceeds the limit of the receiver, usually 500 pounds. At 13% tongue weight, a 3,000 pounds trailer would not need one for weight reasons.

The truck has built-in sway control.

that's what I thought too but then the listed tongue weight for that trailer is 430lb for some reason, and AI (yeah yeah yeah) is telling me that in the real world, once I put water/clothes/bags in it, it will be over 500lb...??

 

[RickLightning]

that's what I thought too but then the listed tongue weight for that trailer is 430lb for some reason, and AI (yeah yeah yeah) is telling me that in the real world, once I put water/clothes/bags in it, it will be over 500lb...??

475 with lp and batteries...

GVWR is 3,500. 15% would be the heaviest tongue weight. 3500 x 15% = 525. 14.3% is 499. Simple weight distribution and tongue weight scale.

https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/bambi/specifications/

 

[pookguy88]

475 with lp and batteries...

GVWR is 3,500. 15% would be the heaviest tongue weight. 3500 x 15% = 525. 14.3% is 499. Simple weight distribution and tongue weight scale.

https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/bambi/specifications/

so you're saying I should a WDH?

 

[RickLightning]

so you're saying I should a WDH?

I am saying you should carefully distribute the weight, checked witha tongue weight scale (or bathroom scale and pipes, see Google), and check your receiver limit (stocker on it), and not exceed it.

Or, get a wdh.

 

[Dan C]

I towed my trailer with and without a wdh. The tongue weight is about 500 lbs with the trailer about 5k. Without the wdh the trailer porpoised badly. Bad enough to throw things around inside. The lightining has no trouble with the weight but the suspension is to compliant to be stable.

 

[Farafield]

My Lightning does have Max Tow. I have been very happy towing my 16' Airstream on all kinds of roads last summer without a WDH. I do use a sway bar, especially on the highway or long trips.

 

[JMD359]

Fwiw I was disappointed in the stability of the Lightning when the rear is heavily loaded. Both with weighting the bed, and with an improperly setup WDH. Imo the independent rear causes a bit of wandering when its loaded.

Personally I would look to get a WDH on it.

You may want to have your alignment checked especially the rear , my lightnings so well planted hauling heavy or towing maxed out . It’s more planted and stable than my 11F350 srw 6.2L was towing the same trailers .i think it squats less too

 

[pookguy88]

My Lightning does have Max Tow. I have been very happy towing my 16' Airstream on all kinds of roads last summer without a WDH. I do use a sway bar, especially on the highway or long trips.

Sorry, new to the world of towing, how's a sway bar different than a WDH? I thought they were the same thing?

 

[Farafield]

Sorry, new to the world of towing, how's a sway bar different than a WDH? I thought they were the same thing?

No worries. Between the Airstream and the Lightning, I have been on a steep learning curve the past 8 years! A sway bar just reduces sway, doesn't redistribute the load.

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