Safari Van Tow Capability?
cvdell
weight) to a new Jayco Kiwi 23. The Kiwi weights 3600 lb dry, likely
4,000 lb as towed. My 97 Safari is rated at 5,500 lb tow capacity (3.77
rear end). With 1,000 lb in the Safari (5 people & gear), I will be
under the 5,500 lb figure by just 500 lbs. Is this combination
realistic? Will I be able to climb passes & Southern Calif. mountain
roads?
Thanks,
ps - any opinions on the Jayco Kiwi?
Jim Redelfs
cvdell <cvd...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I'm considering upgrading from my Palomino Mustang DD (1900 lb tow
> weight) to a new Jayco Kiwi 23. The Kiwi weights 3600 lb dry, likely
> 4,000 lb as towed. My 97 Safari is rated at 5,500 lb tow capacity (3.77
> rear end). With 1,000 lb in the Safari (5 people & gear), I will be
> under the 5,500 lb figure by just 500 lbs. Is this combination
> realistic?
Just barely. (Remember: *EVERYTHING* you read on the internet is
opinion!)
After trading our popup for a full-sized travel trailer, we towed it for
two seasons with our 1997 S10 pickup. It was probably configured
exactly like your Safari.
We had a good, stable lashup, but were towing *AT* the truck's maximum
rating. This disallowed for comfortable towing. Don't even mention
safety: There was NO margin. We were MAXED completely.
It wasn't the WEIGHT (we were several hundred pounds BELOW the max TOW
rating), it was the FRONTAL area of the trailer - its HIGH profile.
After much experimenting, I determined that 55 mph was the max I could
roll and achieve torque converter lockup and use the cruise control.
The 4.3L V6 turned in a jaw-dropping 7.6 mpg. :(
> Will I be able to climb passes & Southern Calif. mountain roads?
Sure. But probably in first gear (20 mph) and putting your transmission
at even more risk.
> any opinions on the Jayco Kiwi?
It's a good camper made by a good, reputable company.
Good luck!
:)
JR
Jim and Linda King
We just got finished extensively comparing hybrids, and are buying a Bantam
B23SB. The Kiwi is one of the heavier hybrids. The one we saw had a weight
tag in the kitchen cupboard of 4046. This is empty, after options. I believe
you can figure a Kiwi 23B weighing around 4400-4500 lbs. after you load it.
Are you familiar with the Yahoo hybrid club? They are a bunch of great people,
very helpful. There are at least two families there who tow Kiwi 23B's with
Astros. I'm sure they would be very helpful.
Linda King
Fleetville, PA
'93 Chevy Suburban
'99 Coleman Bayside (for sale)
2001 Bantam B23SB (soon I hope)
meldx
been there, done that... I tried to pull my 3600# dry TT with the Astro...
was OK on flat land but that,s it... once you get hill and mountains...
you'll miss some power. Plus, the Astro has a very short wheel base, not
the best for towing.
Mel
http://www3.sympatico.ca/meldx
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