Thanks very much for this. I know this is a naive question but do they make a suburban like vehicle with a diesel? Appreciate the point about suspension. Will keep that in mind. Also, I've wondered about the "dually" thing. Is there anything worth thinking about there or is that hype and/or overkill? When did GMC start with Durmax engine? We can spend between $5,000 up to around $13,000 for a tow vehicle. In fact if anyone on the forum is selling don't hesitate to contact us...
Marc
Originally posted by Marc Marenco Thanks very much for this. I know this is a naive question but do they make a suburban like vehicle with a diesel? Appreciate the point about suspension. Will keep that in mind. Also, I've wondered about the "dually" thing. Is there anything worth thinking about there or is that hype and/or overkill? When did GMC start with Durmax engine? We can spend between $5,000 up to around $13,000 for a tow vehicle. In fact if anyone on the forum is selling don't hesitate to contact us...
Marc
For the price range you looking to spend I would look at the F250 before the body change. That's the ONLY 4 door pickup in that price range with a good engine. The after mid 94 has a better version engine that gets better MPG. Problem is they were not made with a short bed like the newer body so your talking a 25ft truck with a battle ship turning radious. Dodge didn't start sell the Quad till the last year (part of the deal when Chrysler bankrupted). You can get the extended cab in those years but the back seat is pittiful.
You can find 454 Burbs in that price range no problem. The Durmax is new but the 6.5 Turbo deisel was available in your price range.
__________________
1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
There's a crew cab 250 with powerstroke diesel down the road for about $15,000 with 90,000 miles on it, a 97 I think. Its pretty darn long and the Ford's have the worst turning radius as it is so I'll keep that in mind. I wish now I hadn't sold my 89 ford 7.3 liter non turbo diesel. That was a great engine and pulled my 68 airstream just fine.
In deference to my wife I'll check out the suburban with diesel possibility. She'd like that.
When you start asking about the GM 6.5 tubos the semi informed will tell you to stay away because of "problems" and low power. If you spend some time on the internet you will find the causees and solutions to those rumers.
The engine has a throttle by wire system. The solonid that acutally controlls fuel flow was mounted on the side of the pump. It throws off a lot of heat and contributes significantly to pump failure. Of course there is an outfit selling a kit to relocate it.
GM designed it's deisel to run with about half the boost that Navastar and Cummins use in the engines they sell to Ford and Doge. One outfit rebuilt a GM with lower compression and upped the boost to the same level as the other two and wouldn't you know it, the hourse power matched.
I do not beleive in the "efficient market" theory of pricing. I think the older diesel suburbans and pickups are a relative value compared to the price of similar vintage Ford.
__________________
Dick & Karen Menz
85 Sovereign 25
03 Expidetion 5.4
I forgot to say that while I think the GM is a bargain the Fords are a really great vehicle if you can swing the bucks. My neighbor buys a new powerstrock 4 door every three years. He has had very few problems, and the only reason he trades is his accountant. He tows a 30' SOB all over Idaho, frequently going east over the desert where he tows at 90 mph in 100 degree plus heat for several hours at a time !
__________________
Dick & Karen Menz
85 Sovereign 25
03 Expidetion 5.4
My wife and I purchased a 75 Sovereign in June of 2002 and we really like our vacation house on wheels, "Conastoga".
If I remember correctly the manuals I have spec the trailer at around 6000 plus dry and 6700 wet ready for the road. We pull our trailer with a F-150 Supercrew equiped with tow package and a 5.4 V-8. With equalizing hitch this truck seems to handle the trailer very well. The only distance test was from Lafayette In to Mitchell (approx 180 miles) using two lane roads on the way down and four lane (I-65) on the return trip. During the four lane return trip the truck ran in over drive at 70-75 mph on flat road. If you have manuals from the year the trailer was made the tow vehicles were sedans and station wagons you don't need a monster truck to pull these trailers.
Hello from another new member.
My Wife and I purchased a 75 Sovereign in Jul of this year. It is our first AS and our first travel trailer. It is pulled with a 2003 F150 4x4 with 5.4L and towing package. We have close to 1000 miles on it and the F150 has had no problems. The AS pulls like a dream.
We picked it up in IN and brought it home to KY. After a couple of days of cleaning and repair, it was off to TN for 5 days. I have replaced the power converter, water pump, and the thermostat and pilot assembly on the water heater. Now all systems are working. I think I have tail problems and will take it to Jackson Center this winter for repair.
I have learned a lot from this forum. The members are all helpful and the subjects are great. We are looking forward to many years of fun from this wonderful product. I wish we had discovered AS much earlier.
GM designed it's deisel to run with about half the boost that Navastar and Cummins use in the engines they sell to Ford and Doge. One outfit rebuilt a GM with lower compression and upped the boost to the same level as the other two and wouldn't you know it, the hourse power matched.
Having just replaced my original 6.5T diesel with a "brand new" Hummer diesel in Jan. I'd like to know more about this outfit that reworked the engine..Any leads as to who, where and when this was done?
BTW, after nearly 8 months of breaking in period, I towed my 32' A/S for the first time last week. Much better in all respects..Even the mileage was an impressive 16.7 mpg. Without the A/S, we're looking at slightly over 20 mpg.
Until we called Airstream for the owner's and service manuals, we thought we had purchased a '75 Sovereign two weeks ago. ( It was built in Oct. '75 .) The serial # is a '76 we were told.
1975 or 1976, Joe and I are pleased and excited new A/S owners.
Originally posted by old_silver Anyone else out there have a '75 Sovereign?
Add us to the list of 75 Sovereign owners Just closed the deal today on one. Course the TV is in the shop so it has to sit at the dealers for another week or so It is the rear bath, twin bed model, (not my first choice) but the price and general condition made it hard to pass up. It is a 31' International. DW is already planning the new color scheme for it As long as she doesn't use white carpet I am happy
Add me to the list of this 1975 owners. Purchased a somewhat of a fixer upper and still working on it. Has a lot of potential, just need the time and funds to get it all done.
I purchased my 31' Sovereign in 2001 and it was basically very sound structurally but needed cleaning. I have stripped the painted interior back to the original finish, replaced the twin rear bunks with a queen bed, new ref, new water heater, curtains, and oak flooring from the kitchen back. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
My question for my fellowing 75 A/S owners, is there a way to adjust the entrance door pitch? The doors gap in relationship to the door frame tends to widen closer to the bottom on the striker side.
Quick Links
Weight and Truck size
Like to know more
Just closed the deal today on one.
It is the rear bath, twin bed model, (not my first choice) but the price and general condition made it hard to pass up. It is a 31' International. DW is already planning the new color scheme for it
As long as she doesn't use white carpet I am happy
Linear Mode
