Bigfoot owner wannabe

[Bob Miller]

Maybe there were trying to follow the Wal-Mart business model "after" Sam died.....

[oregonswede]

I was just checking the GVWR/UBW and NCC of a 25 foot Airstream Flying Cloud and a 25 foot Bigfoot with the front bed. I thought that the Airstream would be very light compared to the Bigfoot, but here are the numbers...Airstream GVWR 7300, UBW 5540 and NCC 1760. Bigfoot 25 foot front bed GVWR 7500, UBW 5450 and NCC 2050 pounds. I checked the specs on my 1993 Suburban with a 5.7 liter engine and it's rated to pull 10,000 pounds. Is it possible that I just don't know how to pull a trailer? Maybe I need to gear down more. I do put it into the gear above D for the hills, but mostly I have pulled the trailer on the flats in D. How does everyone else use the gears for pulling a trailer? I was quite surprised to see the weights come in very comparable to an Airstream for the Bigfoot. Maybe I just need to learn how to drive the Suburban. What can I say? I never took driver's ed since I got my license in Alaska and they didn't offer it there.

[cpaharley2008]

John,
The first place I would start is your owner's manual. It has a wealth of information about your vehicle and how to tow with it and what gear to tow with.

[Bob Miller]

I don 't know about towing 10,000 with a 350/210 hp engine, all the weight of a suburban+ 10,000 lbs. A 454 would do the trick, but a 350 will be straining at that weight. And 7500 lbs isn't going to be a picnic.

We have a Denali w/454 and it pulls the 3500 lb Coleman hybrid without problem, but you feel it a bit on grades and a lot at the gas pump.

[Bruce H]

I believe the later model 25 ft. Bigfoot rear queen with the small love seat and the optional outside front storage box. is the best possible layout. The rear bed model has more windows. When I am camped in a scenic spot I like to open the shades enjoy the outdoors. I looked at the front bed models but I did not like the lack of windows. There is no front window and the bath (while nice and big) goes across the entire rear of the trailer. So when you are in the living area the only views are out the sides. I would not care for the optional generator mounted under the trailer. I carry a 70 lb Yamaha 2800 watt portable. I found an older 25 RQ without the front tool box and I really like it. I do very long cross country trips with the water tank full and lots of stuff. It tows really well with an F-150 with the heavy tow package. Oh, and my Trailer weighs 6,500 lbs fully loaded.

[MC1]

Good day John.

We were in the same boat as you 10 years ago. We were always a big fan of Bigfoots and looked at many on the used markets. In the end we followed our hearts/life long dream and bought a 30 year old 23' Airstream.

It is an easy tow with our mid size sport sedan and because of the aerodynamic shape we get great fuel mileage towing and solo. With trailer in tow the car's 3.5L V6 has power to spare.

The Airstream has served us well over the last 10 years it's value has increased well over the $6,000. we paid for the trailer.

Wish you luck with your trailer search. You are considering two of the most desirable trailers on the market today.

[Tony Nowak]

Our 17 foot BF weighs about 3500 lb loaded and we tow with an older F-150 (2005). Since it only has a 4 speed auto I have found that it's a lot easier to just lock out 4th and pay the penalty at the pump. The truck has a tow rating north of 9000 lbs, but I was told we would need a 1/2 ton truck to pull this trailer and that has proven to be true. We get about 12 MPG.
Tony

[Jared J]

I'm running 350hp, and 10k makes it grunt. I'm sure you can tow it, but you'll be taking your time. I wouldn't tow in overdrive at all.

[oregonswede]

Thanks for the further comments. I appreciate all the time that you have devoted to helping me with this. I will look at the rear bed model again. The point about fewer windows in the front bed model was a good point to keep in mind. Thanks again.