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PW Tows Airstream?

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wzj519

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Hello Folks Here,
I asked around in the Airstream forum, but didn't hear anything there. Decide just ask here since you know PW better than anyone else.
I own a 24' PW Level 3 with a payload of 1359 lbs. Currently, I use it to tow an AS Bambi 22 FB with a Dry weight of around 3500 lbs and a GVWR of 5000 LBS. The tongue weight of the TT should be around 500 - 600 Lbs.
The PW towed it fine, even though the rear end was not stable to my liking at some highway joints.
I am looking to upgrade the 22 Bambi to a 25 FC with a dry weight of 5650 lbs and a GVWR of 7300 Lbs. The real-world tongue weight should be around 900 to 1000 Lbs.
Will my PW be able to pull the TT without any problem?
PS: I am going to swap the stock suspension with the Carli system with r2 spring now. So, anyone tow with Carli installed can give any kind of input will be appreciated.
THX.
 
As you are finding/know the PW lacks in payload making it not the greatest tow vehicle. What type of hitch are you running? Weight distribution? Air bags are an option to help with towing stability the PW folk can help more there.


BTW….as a life long camper lots of love to the AirStream group. They are very nice and wouldn’t hesitate to own one.
 
Thuren rear track bar will help with the backend shimmy over expansion joints. Airbags will help with squat. Plenty of power and brakes on the PW.
 
whitexc said:
As you are finding/know the PW lacks in payload making it not the greatest tow vehicle. What type of hitch are you running? Weight distribution? Air bags are an option to help with towing stability the PW folk can help more there.


BTW….as a life long camper lots of love to the AirStream group. They are very nice and wouldn’t hesitate to own one.
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thanks for the reply.
I am using Husky hitch with WD and sway control.
The PW definitely pulls my current Bambi, but I just kind of feel the rear end is less stable to my liking.
 
wzj519 said:
Will the track bar stabilize the rear end as well?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
What do you mean “stabilize” is it side to side motion? Airbags would solve most things a trac bar wont do anything the OEM one cant do the only reason to upgrade would be to go with an adjustable trac bar when lifting the truck to recenter the axle.
 
As a long time RVer, adding those suspension upgrades is a good idea but it won't increase your 1359 payload capacity. If the hitch weight of the new trailer is 900-1000 pounds, the payload capacity is now reduced to 359 pounds. Add a driver, stuff in the truck, the weight of the hitch and you'll be over the rated payload capacity. Can the truck do it, sure... but can it do it safely?
 
My first thought is that airstreams aren’t too fond of the types of roads that PW’s like. Have you heard of Outdoors RV?


2024RAM0wner said:
As a long time RVer, adding those suspension upgrades is a good idea but it won't increase your 1359 payload capacity. If the hitch weight of the new trailer is 900-1000 pounds, the payload capacity is now reduced to 359 pounds. Add a driver, stuff in the truck, the weight of the hitch and you'll be over the rated payload capacity. Can the truck do it, sure... but can it do it safely?
Click to expand...

Payload is a marketing and registration based number, there are far more relevant and important numbers.

The PW can easily, and safely, tow the trailer in question. Some mods, such as airbags, will improve the OP’s experience but it will tow it without them just fine.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
What do you mean “stabilize” is it side to side motion? Airbags would solve most things a trac bar wont do anything the OEM one cant do the only reason to upgrade would be to go with an adjustable trac bar when lifting the truck to recenter the axle.
Click to expand...
I had 1500 Revel prior to the PW. The 1500 comes with Air suspension on 4 Corners.
When I was using PW to tow my TT, I just found the rear end is not stable like my rebel once it hits a highway joint or something similar.
On flat pavement, the PW does pull better than the rebel.
 
AH64ID said:
My first thought is that airstreams aren’t too fond of the types of roads that PW’s like. Have you heard of Outdoors RV?




Payload is a marketing and registration based number, there are far more relevant and important numbers.

The PW can easily, and safely, tow the trailer in question. Some mods, such as airbags, will improve the OP’s experience but it will tow it without them just fine.
Click to expand...
I feel this way too.
IMO, the only thing limiting PW to tow is its super soft suspension compare with the regular 2500.
 
Have you tried towing without the WD on the hitch . Air streams are very stable in crosswinds . Not that it will do anything for your towing but you might consider the 3 “ lift kit . doesn’t sound like much but it sure helps to keep it from dragging . Put it on mine you can also add 16” wheels and give yourself a bit more .
 
wzj519 said:
I had 1500 Revel prior to the PW. The 1500 comes with Air suspension on 4 Corners.
When I was using PW to tow my TT, I just found the rear end is not stable like my rebel once it hits a highway joint or something similar.
On flat pavement, the PW does pull better than the rebel.
Click to expand...
The WDH should be set to help with that. Is the trailer level when towing? But bags will also help/ eliminate it too
 
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H3LZSN1P3R said:
The WDH should be set to help with that. Is the trailer level when towing? But bags will also help/ eliminate it too
Click to expand...
Yes, everything is perfect level when towing. I haven't try the bag yet.
 
Nick said:
Have you tried towing without the WD on the hitch . Air streams are very stable in crosswinds . Not that it will do anything for your towing but you might consider the 3 “ lift kit . doesn’t sound like much but it sure helps to keep it from dragging . Put it on mine you can also add 16” wheels and give yourself a bit more .
Click to expand...
No, I haven't tried it yet. Will the lift help the towing experience?
 
When you buy a PW you buy it for its off road capability, which includes that soft suspension. If you are going to modify the suspension to tow, why did you buy the PW in the first place? You have just destroyed what makes a PW a PW. Should have just purchase a Rebel or any regular RAM 2500. It just does not make any sense!
 
JohnandDonna said:
When you buy a PW you buy it for its off road capability, which includes that soft suspension. If you are going to modify the suspension to tow, why did you buy the PW in the first place? You have just destroyed what makes a PW a PW. Should have just purchase a Rebel or any regular RAM 2500. It just does not make any sense!
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Does a regular 2500 have lockers and elctronic swaybar disconnect? Sure the rebel might but they are overpriced for what they are IMHO
 
JohnandDonna said:
When you buy a PW you buy it for its off road capability, which includes that soft suspension. If you are going to modify the suspension to tow, why did you buy the PW in the first place? You have just destroyed what makes a PW a PW. Should have just purchase a Rebel or any regular RAM 2500. It just does not make any sense!
Click to expand...
I understand your point. I do love power wagon and use it for off-roading as well. However, this is our only truck and we love camping a lot. We use it for everything. I used ram 1500 rebel with air suspension to tow our current camper without any problem, the payload of it was similar to the PW too. I just feel the PW rear end moves more than my old rebel when towing.
 
I found when I added a Thuren Rear track bar ( Carli should offer the same benefit) the waggle in the rear end over highway joints went away. I think the rear track bar replacement is the secret to getting rid of that uneasy feeling over highway joints.
 
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