Sponsored

Towing question

KJB

New Member
First Name
Karen
Joined
Jan 1, 2024
Threads
1
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Location
Seattle area
Vehicles
2024 R1S
Occupation
Retired professor
We are gearing up to take our Airstream Bambi out with our new R1S. Today we noticed that the drop shank for the WDH is not low enough. I am seeing some say it is okay to tow in the low mode, but now I have more questions about the drop shank. Anyone else tow a 16' Airstream Bambi?
Sponsored

 

logan

Well-Known Member
First Name
logan
Joined
May 29, 2023
Threads
2
Messages
148
Reaction score
154
Location
Northern California
Vehicles
Rivian R1T
We have an Airstream Caravel that we now tow with our R1T. You might check to see if your WDH is adjustable. Granted our previous truck also had fairly high clearance but we were able to adjust our Blue Ox to hook it up. Also note that after you hook it up the R1* will adjust too using the air suspension. You might not have to put it in low explicitly. If you have not already you might just hook it up including the electrical harness so it knows it is towing and let it adjust and see where it is at. FWIW.
 

Electrified Outdoors

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Threads
63
Messages
3,683
Reaction score
3,980
Location
Mount Airy, Maryland
Website
EVoutdoors.org
Vehicles
2024 Rivian R1S Quad, 2024 Silverado EV RST First Edition
Occupation
Real Estate
Clubs
 
Make sure the tongue on your trailer is either level or pointed down slightly. The more pitch up the tongue is the more weight will be shifted to the back of the trailer. This is not good. It can result in excessive sway and potential loss of control.

I recommend adjusting your setup for the new tow vehicle using the hitch manufacturer instructions. You could also take it to the dealer and have them adjust.
 

Bob Steele

Member
First Name
Bob
Joined
Nov 27, 2023
Threads
0
Messages
16
Reaction score
6
Location
Bon Air, VA
Vehicles
R1T, Porsche Taycan, 2022 Defender, 2020 Defender
Occupation
Architect
I tow a 25' Airstream International. I have an adjustable drop shank with my stabilizer bars that allows one to set the height properly. A level tow with about 750 - 850 lbs of tongue weight is key. My adjustable drop is 10" and can haul 14K lbs - it matches up with our stabilizer bars. The R1T tows extremely well.
 

Fraslin

Active Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2023
Threads
2
Messages
42
Reaction score
62
Location
Pasadena
Vehicles
R1S
We tow a 16' bambi but are just using a regular ball and not a WDH. From everything I read it is not really needed as the car weighs double the trailer so potential for sway is minimal. Understand why you might want use though as there is always a debate on this topic.

We used to tow with a model y which is much lighter and used a sway bar then and never an issue either.

Will you WDH work with a drop adapter? Have never used but see on other trucks
 

chicagoair

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
106
Reaction score
169
Location
Boise
Vehicles
Rivian R1T Performance Max Pack
Clubs
 
We tow a 16' bambi but are just using a regular ball and not a WDH. From everything I read it is not really needed as the car weighs double the trailer so potential for sway is minimal. Understand why you might want use though as there is always a debate on this topic.
We’ve also been towing our 19 foot, single axle Airstream without a WDH. It tows amazing on just the ball and I love how much faster it is to hitch and unhitch, especially for charging stations.

We did go with the Built Right hitch that has the optional sway ball for high wind days.
Sponsored

 
 








Top