Better MPGs towing an Airstream Travel Trailer?
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- In this video I compare results towing over long stretches of highway with my 23' Airstream Safari vs the more Traditional Lance 1995 and 2375. I've towed all three across country and here are the MPG results. Discussion based on MPGs, brief discussion of subjective handling.
A key immeasurable factor with Airstream is how WELL they tow because of their low centre of gravity and ability to deflect wind which reduces the chance of trail sway. For me, risk mitigation of an accident and overall confidence of staying planted in your own lane trumps mpg. Airstream (aka. “stream of air”) has its exterior design inspiration which comes from airplanes and ex-aircraft machinists who were looking for employment after WWII. From a physics perspective, it’s hard to beat an airplane on wheels. 😊
And Airstreams just look so cool!
Yes they do.
2022 Globetrotter 23 FBT and Nissan Armada, reliably get 11-12 mpgs. Really like your Tundra, I have had three, great trucks, new ones, not so much.
Great explanation video with results included for an apples to apples comparison.
Useful video. Thanks. Will take a look at the ones you have on towing improvements.
Appreciate the comments
Speed makes an enormous difference on mpg. The small hills and dips also make a difference if the truck shifts down on the downhill and then tries t maintain speed on the uphill portion. I usually take it out of tow/haul and never use cruise on small hills. That way I can gain speed down and not force it to maintain on the way up.
monument valley shot is AWESOME! Drivin through there many times, love it in the winter.
Great video. We’ve had 2 Lance trailers and looked closely at Airstream. We now tow a Lance 2375 with a GMC Sierra 3500 SRW Duramax Diesel since going full time in Oct 2021. We averaged 12.5mpg towing from Key West to Newfoundland, back to Key West and up to NJ. Usually drive 65mph, but never had any sway or discomfort towing at 75 or 80 when we needed to.
We do both summer and winter camping and were concerned about the airstream in both extremes. One demo unit felt extremely hot on interior walls on a 70 degree spring day in the sun. I could feel where the aluminum ribs were!as the wall temp changed significantly as I moved my hand along it.
For now we feel the Lance is much more efficient in camp and the airstream better on the road.
I really appreciated your detailed review. I always wondered since I have friends with box campers and they seem to dislike towing. I have had 2 Airstreams, a 25’ which I towed with a Chevy van 20 (got 10-11 mpg) and now a 19’ Bambi with a 2017 Tundra SR5 5.7L. We drove from Florida to California on I-10 and I-40 back home and got between 13.5-14mpg doing 60-70mph
That is some awesome mileage right there. Been toying with the idea of an HD van for toying, but the Tundra is just so darn reliable.
Your on fire, 3 videos so close together. Tundra Limited 2018 got 4 months ago! Use for my Parents RV, but Ultimate goal will be to get into Overlanding!! Not crazy rocket crowling, but just get out into BLM Land and travel around! Would love to get the 600 miles between me and my folks (CA to UT) all on a dirt road!
Haha, been too busty this Spring to do them regular, making up for lost time.
enjoy the channel !!....we just got our Casita....pulling it with the Tundra....would love to send you a pic !!
kedrevs@gmail.com. Wife and I thought real hard about fiberglass before the Airstream, who knows, maybe that will be next.
We’ve owned 2 different airstreams: 1966 24’ trade winds and currently own a 1976 31’ excella. We’ve pulled both with a few different tow vehicles (Silverado, Tahoe, ram 1500, and currently a Tundra SR5 crew max). No significant difference in towing MPG. Heading south or west= 10-11MPG. heading east or north = 11-12MPG. Gotta love a tailwind… it makes a difference.
The Tundda is by far the best towing 1/2ton truck. Only small towing observation with the Tundra is small increase in engine temp when pulling uphill for a significant period. Engine temp rises to 3/4, but never overheats, and goes back to normal after a few minutes when returning to level or downhill grade. Never have seen an issue with trans temp.
Can’t understand when I see online tow reviews that don’t discuss wind resistance/ direction. It really makes a difference.
Very interesting review. I really like your approach to towing. I am towing a Cougar 26RBS which is a fairly heavy and high trailer for its length. CAT numbers not that different than yours for my steer and drive axels, but my trailer axels are at around 6800#. Towing with a F150 3.5Eco, and get anywhere from 8.2 to 11.2 mpg depending on wind and terrain..overall average after about 7000 miles is 9.6. But to do that I keep my speed 65 or below. Get much above 65 and mileage drops quickly. With my weight distribution bars properly adjusted it does tow extremely well. Either meeting trucks on 2 lanes, or having trucks pass me on divided highways are a complete non issue. Heading out for another 3000 mile trip next week.... As always, safe travels......
Thank you, always great comments. I'm impressed with your F150s numbers towing. Maybe that'll be my next Tow Vehicle when I'm ready to leave the Tundra.
This is exactly the information I wanted. We have an F 150, 3.5, and a Lance 1985. Driving 65, I averaged 8.5-9 heading West with some head wind. On our last trip, with mostly up and down hills in New Mexico, we got 7.8 mpg. On our return trip, same route I put 91 octane in the tank and drove the same speed (75), and average 9.6 mpg.
We are thinking of renting an Airstream to see if the mpg is better.
I am doing about 15-18% better towing with Airstream
We changed from a 21’ Little Guy Max, which has a 9-1/2’ tall teardrop shape to a 25’ FlyingCloud Airstream and I believe we are getting better gas mileage and better towing stability. I suspect some of that is due to the dual axles on the Airstream
Thanks for the info, really like those Little Guys
Nice video! We have a 2014 23D Bunk Flying Cloud and it weighs in at 5,480 with full water, and 4,840 on the axle when hitched up with an Equalizer hitch to my 2012 Grand Cherokee 5.7 V8. Towed a 2004 19' Safari before this one. Really not much difference in mileage between them, typically average between 9-10 mpg on most trips anywhere we go.
That's super helpful. I too had a Trailmanor that got 14mpg, and now have a 7000lb Rockwood and I get 8ish on. 4000mi trip. Seems like the front drag and aerodynamics don't lie! Hopefully a 7' wide trailer with a teardrop layout will be closer to the TM and the Rockwood.
I am sure it will be more TM
The Airstream has a rounded rear. The aerodynamic drag is greatly reduced by not having the square boxy rear.
I tow a 25 Foot Airstream with a 1 Ton Ram Dually. It get between 10 and 15 MPG depending on the area of the county, wind, etc... I drive between 65 and 70 depending on road conditions.
Thank you for sharing. I'll bet that Ram dually doesn't even know the Airstream is hooked up.
@@kedrevs4037 Only when I am taking off. After that it is smooth sailing. :)
I just got my airstream 30 rbt about a month ago and made the exact same trip I did last January from north MS to south Florida (2900 round trip). The dry weight on my airstream is about 1800 pounds heavier than my 2016 Winnebago(2250DS). That being said I got about 2mpg more pulling the airstream! Last year I was using a 2017 Ram 3500 and this year a 2022 Ram 2500 both with the Cummins diesel. But based on previous trips with my 2018 ram 2500 I've got a good idea of what the mileage should be. I limit myself to 65 mph just to be a little on the safe side and a little conservative. There is no doubt That the airstream gives you a notable fuel mileage advantage. Previously with the Winnebago I got roughly about 11.5-12 and the airstream 13.5-14. One day of two lane roads was 15! I couldn't believe it. Its a big deal. That's about a $150 difference.
Gteat info, thank you for sharing.
You must be a CPA or CFO with that type of detailed analysis. :) The thing to remember is the cost of an airstream. In most cases, you're paying triple of a similar size typical camper. If you're an occasional camper, you'll never get the ROI w/ an airstream and better off w/ a regular camper. Yes the resale value is huge, but the gas savings won't pay off. Also, the tracking of a trailer is largely dependent on the tow vehicle. We have a silverado 2500hd and tow a 24ft Jayco that weighs 4500lbs and that thing never sways even w/ semis passing. We do use sway bars as well even though in theory, we don't need them but that's stupid not to use them. Your gas mileage is terrible my friend. I got 9MPG with a 29' class C towing a 5k lb jeep behind it going up hills. I currently get 11mpg on straight runs up/down I95 on the east coast. Toyotas are cream of the crop, but wow, that was unexpected. Anyway, great video.
I bought a used Airstream, wouldn't buy a new RV of any type myself. I have no idea about your towing numbers as i don't drive a Class C, but I'll take your word that's good. You should take mine with my setup
@@kedrevs4037 We almost bought an AS but couldn't get past the really uncomfortable seating arrangements. The only model with a true couch is the Classic 33 footer and we don't want such a long rig. Everything else is about them is nice. We still may end up with one.
As a person who has gone east to west and back manty times, the big reasons you get the worst mileage going west is 1) its uphill all the way, 2) The wind is usually coming from the west.But we have had trips where we got a headwind in both directions and that hurts the wallet.
thank you for this video.
Thank you for watching, hopefully Toyota does too.
Just came across this video… how do you manage payload with a half ton? Thanks. I’m thinking of getting a 23 foot airstream and towing it with an F150.
@@milesv5352 you’ll do just fine with a 23’ Airstream and F150, I have a video titled “Payload and Towing Capacity Myths” it should give a good starting point
Keep it between 60-65 and you'll get much better fuel mileage. Going 70-75 you are going to really burn through the fuel, and not save much time. On a 1k mile trip you'll save about $50-$60 in fuel by going 60-65 vs the 70-75.
I think your number is right on, but my time is worth more to me. At 70-75, I can and have covered 1k miles in a day. At 60-65, plus 2additional stops, it just became 1.5 days
Do you use air bags on the Tundra or a Weight Distribution Hitch. I can’t get a good ride from my 2017 Tundra and 3500lbs trailer which is a 2020 Escape 19’, similar to Casita.
Great question, I use my Firestone ride rite airbags in conjunction with my weight distribution hitch. It takes a little bit more finagling to get everything set right. But it is worth it on long-distance rides in tow. The ride rites call Andrea $300 as I recall. I’m pretty easy self install. Typically, I am inflated between 25-32 psi when towing between 5500 and 7000lbs.
@@kedrevs4037 Thanks
good stuff!
Thank you sir.
Nice. Im curious to know how the airstream holds up to similar use that you put the lance through - boondock, weather, unimproved roads, etc. I have both lance and airstream on my list for that sort of use. But I would be going much smaller - airstream Bambi 16 or lance 1675 (I know single vs dual axle is a factor)
I’m curious to find out too. Should know in about a week and a half. September 28 through the October 11, taking it off grid in four corners region. I’ll be Boondocking about half the time, and staying in national parks about half the time. Oddly enough, a single axle trailer, a 2007 Trail Manor, was the least trouble my wife and I ever had on a trip. We took it to Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Moab, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, And Rocky Mountain national Park all in one trip. Never had an issue. Of course, I did both bearings, and check the brakes before we took that one on that long trip.
However, last year, we saw a newer trail manner that had displaced its axle in Montana midway between Badlands National Park and Yellowstone national park.
I have an uncle who travels all over the country 16 foot basecamp with no issues.
@@kedrevs4037 Thats awesome. The 16 is a bit small for my needs - the 20 is just right for me to live and work out of half the year in exactly the sorts of places you mention. Im also looking at the lance 1685. But I will likely be priced back to a 2020 model.
Very much enjoyed your thoroughly detailed data on the towing. However it would have been a little more informative if it was apples to apples comparison, meaning same trip same route just different trailer.
I have done it and tracked it, twice. Surprisingly better, almost 20%
So you're saying that the Airstream Apples to Apples is 20% more efficient to tow? That would seem logical. I ask because we haul a small trailer with our Tesla Model Y LR & I was wondering how much more range an Airstream would give us. And if it's 20% more efficient, that would give me a range from 85-130 miles which is a HUGE improvement. Thanks for the real world testing.
Have you ever tried two wheel drive
All my "road" towing is in 2WD
Back in the 87 my parents had a 20 foot land yacht and a 1500 gmc two wheel drive with a 350 under the hood and on flat lands in North Dakota i got 15 to 17 mpg depending on the wind
0:35... IMHO 70-75mph with ANY RV trailer, (esp a single axle) is on the edge of carelessness & poor mpg.
For us mpg is low on the towing priorities. Safety first.
Streaming 43yrs. 25ft Classic. Hensley PPP.
Ok, but more than your opinion would be nice, an explanation would be great. Have you read the comments from tractor trailer drivers that agree?
@@kedrevs4037 I really don't care if the OTR folks agree or not, we tow at the 'sweet spot' for our Classic & TV, 60-65 mph. Everyone else is free to do as they wish. YMMV
If you have a good tow vehicle, hitch setup and the weather is cooperating - towing at 70-75 is PERFECTLY safe. You do you - leave others alone.
I'm 54 and don't really know how this works...
7.3 power stroke, 5k box trailer, 3.73 rear gears, 4r100 trans... 15-17mpg in mountain or not... 62-67mph...
Got to love that Godzilla engine
@@kedrevs4037 would be interested to know your trans/rear set-up. All tundras do not come the same... Tire size matters, too...
@@jmstew642 I am stock tires, 275/55R 20. Michelin Defender m/s. Mine is the 5.7 L with the 4.30 rear axle. I use firestone ride rite airbags Inflated to between 25 and 32 psi depending on which setup I am using. I used the fastway E2 stabilizer weight distribution hitch with round bar arms for the two Lance travel trailers. 800 pound arms for the 2375, 600 pound arms for the 1995.
For the Airstream, are use a traditional Curt WDH with chains and a separate Curt Sway control arm.
@@kedrevs4037 I think his engine is a diesel. The Godzilla motor is a gas motor.
Excellent video. I think you may be a little over your trucks GVW looking at the Cat scale ticket.
@@BillUtah Sorry missed this comment. I am actually 7200 GVWR. 40 whole lbs to spare.😉
Short answer is no they do not…
I guess you just commented and didn't watch