Is YOUR tow vehicle too small?

[Roger H]

Crashed Airstream 27' Overlander

[b]Vehicle Description

I was trucking along I-88 outside Binghamton when a gust of wind showed me that my little truck was not strong enough to pull a 27' trailer. We went into a sway, and I couldn't pull out. We flipped over the side of the highway, totaling my truck and the trailer. I'm thinking that someone somewhere might want the trailer. Most of the cabinets on the driver's side ripped off the wall. The beds were in great shape and seem fine now. The toilet was almost brand new. There is a spare LP tank in the bathroom as well as a spare tire. I took the plastic drawers when I tried to get my belongings out, but I don't want them, and I can send them to you if you buy the trailer for actual packing and postage. I think there are some kitchen supplies in there that I couldn't get at easily after the accident. I'm not sure what else there is. It might be salvagable for a frame-off restoration, but I'm not making any promises. I just don't want to see it scrapped. The tow yard where it is in Binghamton wants it off their property as soon as possible. They are available to tow it wherever you need it to go. It still rolls fine, but they didn't test the electrical, so I don't know if the lights work now. No reserve, quick auction. I just don't want to see her squished and recycled into aluminum foil. I didn't even have it long enough to get the new title back from the state (Pennsylvania). It should be arriving in the mail soon, and I will send it to the new buyer. I had to basically do a salvage title on it after I bought it in Maine, which doesn't title old trailers.

Roger

[Cam A]

Why it is important not use a tow vehicle larger than you need: Where the air is unhealthy to breath
Flame-proof coat now on 8-)

[Byron Kinnaman]

Is YOUR tow vehicle too small?

OR is your trailer too large?

[Pete Dumbleton]

Well, in the case of the Airstream, it looks like the SUV won't be doing any pollution for a while...

[Brian B-P]

The tug appears to be a first-generation Nissan Xterra. The current Xterra is substantially bigger and more capable, and has a tow rating under ideal conditions of 5000 lb.

I don't know about a 1973 (as in the ad), but current 27' Airstreams listed on their website weigh from 5400 lb to 6500 lb, dry and empty.

Time to turn on the brain and read the vehicle ratings? I do not advocate excessively large tow vehicles, and run mine to its rated limits, but this is just stupid.