There is no specified restriction from Draw-Tite on the drop or rise. Here is their webpage on the product: Draw-Tite | 76143 | Class III Trailer Hitch.
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wreighven
Member
Thank you @ohmman. Reading your X + Airstream posts over the last few years has been inspiration for me going down the same path (just taken a while for the Airstream part). Appreciate the information. Looks like towing the BaseCamp 20X (tongue weight 535 lbs, gross weight 4300 lbs) with the draw-tite won’t be a problem.
You should be good to go. The Draw-Tite is rated up to 750lbs tongue weight and 5000 gross.
Our Surveyor 19BHLE is 4800lbs gross and tows like a dream.
Will you be using a weight distribution hitch? We have the ReCurve R3 system for the Surveyor and I really like it. Easy to hitch up, does a great job controlling sway, and I can backup without removing the trunnion bars. I rather like it.
wreighven
Member
I do not plan on using a weight distribution hitch since the tongue weight will be well below spec and the X has built in anti sway. If anyone thinks this is a bad idea I am open to being talked into one. I’m just not sure it’s necessary. I also plan to never go above 60 mph when towing.
Technically the Draw-Tite doesn't support WD, and Tesla isn't suggesting they support it either, at least in public-facing communications <cough>. That said, there are benefits to running with WD including stability. There are members who have towed without it for years (@ecarfan and @idoco come to mind). That said, they aren't towing campers as heavy as yours or mine. If I'm remembering correctly, @mengwong used to tow a 22' Airstream without WD and had no trouble.
It's your call, but if you think you'll be in strong crosswinds at any speed, it is worth consideration.
I'll echo what @ohmman said above. I, also, was determined to not go the WD hitch route. Called an audible at the last minute and decided to do so. I'm quite glad I did... the lack of sway and confidence I have when towing was well, well worth it. The ReCurve is a neat design; it's a little different than most.
The ballhead itself swivels with an adjustable friction pad to control sway. The actual weight distributing bars attach "over the top" rather than underneath with a snap plate like most of the other WDH's. I really, really like the design. Super easy to install and remove. It takes me about 90 seconds to dehitch at a Supercharger because it's so easy. No fussing around at all.
wreighven
Member
Got my hitch installed a week ago Friday, and was told by the Airstream dealer this past Friday that my BaseCamp 20X had just arrived (but due to staffing issues they’ll need a week to prep it before I can pick it up). Targeting the weekend of 9/10 for my first Tesla + Airstream adventure.
Thank you all for letting me live vicariously through these and related posts the last couple of years. I plan on giving back to other lurkers through some posts of my own in the future.
Thank you all for letting me live vicariously through these and related posts the last couple of years. I plan on giving back to other lurkers through some posts of my own in the future.
Congratulations!! I can’t wait to see some photos of the Basecamp. I’ve always wanted an Airstream, but we’re starting with a small Surveyor. One day ….
Please start a new thread about your BaseCamp 20X towing experience and your Wh/mi numbers when you have some data. I’ve read up about that new Airstream model and it looks like it has some real advantages over the shorter BaseCamp. Congrats on your purchase!
wreighven
Member
Will do! Picking it up tomorrow. So excited…
Tedkidd
Member
Dying to know wh/mile at 60, 65, 70 and 75!
At 75 with bikes and box on our Y we get 350-400
wreighven
Member
Well, it’s an X so I
Well, it’s an X so I think it will be apples and oranges. I got anywhere between 500-650 Wh/m going between 60-65 in a hilly area of Texas. More to come.
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Same thanks to everyone's generous sharing of information. I'm finally deciding to install the Draw Tite hitch. Right now Autozone has it for 195, plus a 20% off SHOP4FALL coupon. Can't beat it. @gluz24 can you please tell me what the part number for the wiring dongle is? Is it 1046032-00-C? Did you get it from your SC?
Thank you @ShawnA.
I just got the hitch installed tonight. Looks great. Going to the Marietta SC in Atlanta tomorrow. Can't wait to get the whole thing finished.
Hello Everyone,
I'm looking at the etrailer listing for draw-tite. Apart from the "Not Rated for Weight Distributed systems", it explicitly mentions the that it is "not allowed". Is this a newer change? I'm buying a Airstream Bambi 16rb from Bay Area Airstream adventures. @ohmman I see that you mentioned Bay Area Airstream previously. Are they familiar with this set up? I really want to have WD and sway control.
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I'm looking at the etrailer listing for draw-tite. Apart from the "Not Rated for Weight Distributed systems", it explicitly mentions the that it is "not allowed". Is this a newer change? I'm buying a Airstream Bambi 16rb from Bay Area Airstream adventures. @ohmman I see that you mentioned Bay Area Airstream previously. Are they familiar with this set up? I really want to have WD and sway control.
See post #205 by @ohmman on this page.
A web search tells me that trailer has a 2,900 lb dry weight. Add in a few hundred pounds for water and other stuff for a towing weight of around 3,200 lbs. If you have a Tesla 100D it weighs about 5,400 lbs, plus two people and baggage brings it up to around 5,800 lbs. You should use a WD hitch if your trailer weight exceeds 50% of the tow vehicle weight. For more WD hitch info see https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx
My trailer weighs about 2,300 lbs loaded and I tow with the stock Bosal hitch. Have not had any issues. For trailers weighing more than around 2,900 lbs I think that a WD hitch is a very good idea when towing with an X.
towing_newbie - I am also getting a Bambu16rb from Bay Area Airstream adventures, coming in Feb. When I talked with them they did recommend WD and sway control hitches, specifically the Blue Ox of Equalizer. They also had set-up other Tesla's for towing. I have not made it any further than that yet but suggest talking with them. DM me too and we can exchange emails and I can send over some other info they sent me.
Hello Fraslin, I am buying a pre-owned Bambi 16rb. So I'll likely get mine before February. We're shooting for third week of January. I'll DM you with my email.
When I talked to them about how the WD hitch causes deformation of the stock Bosal Hitch receiver, they mentioned that they won't be able to replace the hitch receiver on the Tesla. They said they will be able to refer me to a truck shop that will do it. I'm looking to replace the Bosal receiver with the Draw-Tite that @ohmman has mentioned.
When I talked to them about how the WD hitch causes deformation of the stock Bosal Hitch receiver, they mentioned that they won't be able to replace the hitch receiver on the Tesla. They said they will be able to refer me to a truck shop that will do it. I'm looking to replace the Bosal receiver with the Draw-Tite that @ohmman has mentioned.
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