I have a "Magnum" 5.9L SMPI V-8 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, and it's GVWR is 6,600 - GCWR is 12,500. The trailer weight on the sticker is 7,150 with payload of 1,390. Is it adequate to pull a 25 foot Safari, year 2003, model A?
I am also new to this. Thanks.
Originally posted by rtierney I have a "Magnum" 5.9L SMPI V-8 Dodge Ram Quad Cab, and it's GVWR is 6,600 - GCWR is 12,500. The trailer weight on the sticker is 7,150 with payload of 1,390. Is it adequate to pull a 25 foot Safari, year 2003, model A?
I am also new to this. Thanks.
I think you're looking at the specs for a 25' Classic. The dry weight of a 25A Safari is only 4920 lbs. with a GVWR of 6300 lbs.
Your Dodge has more than enough capacity for this trailer.
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Steve Heywood
Ferndale, WA
2005 Ford F250 CC Powerstroke
1997 30' Excella (SOLD)
Last edited by Steve Heywood; 07-02-2003 at 11:55 AM.
My 2001 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4 is rated to tow 7100 pounds. The Safari 25C, which I am considering, is listed at 6300 GVWR. I've read some other threads that have me pretty nervous about buying this much trailer to tow behind my Tundra. Has anyone pulled a Safari 25C with a half-ton pickup? How did it handle? Should I be thinking 22 foot International instead?
I have a '01 Expedition which is similar. You have the advantage of about 9" more wheelbase which will help.
I have had mine on the interstates at 60-65 and feel in control with the reese dual cam set right and trailor level. I have an older brake control that works but just replaced it with a Tekonsha Prodigy which I hear is great (not used it yet).
I have towed across the US with a smaller unit and have good experience. But with this Excella, I am in the market for a 2500 Burb to have more relaxed and confident control. I haven't taken it to the Eastern mountains and don't think I will with this Expy.
One thing you could do is get an '70s or '80s 23 or 25 foot unit. The newer ones started putting in more heavy cabinet woodwork significantly increasing the weight. I think they increased gradually over the years thru 1995. In '96 the weights jumped up significantly with the advent of the Wide Body (extra 5-6").
John (Pahaska) actually shaved off some of the bottoms of drawers and backs to lighten the wt. Can't think he took off more than 10 pounds or so.... Or did you John?
My '90 looked nearly unused when I bought it. Have heard others say the same thing. Do you need 'brand new'?
Steve, thanks for the info. I've pulled a 24' 5th wheel with my Tundra, but never a bumper pull. It handled the 5th wheel just fine. I'm thinking it should handle a Safari 25C okay, too. I'll be in Atlanta this weekend and plan to visit an A/S dealer while I'm there.
I tow a 6300 lb GVWR Safari 25C with a Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 - tow rated at 7,000 lbs. It tows fine - although the Rocky Mountains will be slow going, it's done fine on long grades at lower altitudes.
The Dodge Ram should be good towing a Safari 25 - assuming you won't have the truck itself loaded to it GVWR at the same time that you are towing.
The Toyota Tundra V8 also sounds like it should do okay with a Safari.
Dan from Minnesota, thanks for the info on pulling the Safari 25C. It sounds like my Tundra is rated about the same as your truck and should be able to handle it.
Danny, you're right about the A/S Dealer in Lithia Springs, Ga., just outside of Atlanta. I'll be checking it out this weekend.
According to the Airstream Website there is a dealer in Atlanta (Lithia Springs):
ATLANTA AUTO BROKERS INC
521 Thornton Road
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Telephone: 770-745-1115
Looks like they a full line dealer for AS trailers and motorhomes.
Atlanta Auto Brokers has been around a while. I think they had a SOB dealership. I noticed the listing yesterday as well. I will be in the area possibly on Monday an may swing by and see them.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
The new Explorer has a tow rating of 7,000 lbs and GCWR of 11,600 lbs when equipped with the 4.6 V8 and 3.73 axle w/class III/IV tow package, see Explorer Specs.
The new Expedition is rated to tow 8,950 lbs and a GCWR of 14,500 with the 5.4 V8. With the 4.6 engine its rated at 5,000 lb tow and 10,500 GCWR. See Expedition Specs.
I suspect that the difference between the Explorer and Expedition tow rating using the 4.6 is related to the extra mass and size of the Expedition. However, my Explorer is no speed demon when towing. It is a very acceptable compromise between daily driver and tow car though. Besides, it's my company car and beggars can't be choosers
I drove Taraus sized company cars for years and appreciated the benny.
My Expy is a '01 with a meager 5800 tow cap. Bought it to tow a 1963 Globetrotter (about 3000lbs) which I later sold to upgrade coaches.
Probably next year I'll up to a '99-'01 Burb 2500 for tow. Have to go slow for now and avoid them bigger hills. (Although I have not tried the eastern Smokies with this small block Expy.)
Seems that many on this list argue against the shorter wheelbase SUVs including mine for towing over say a 24 footer.
But you can't argue against a 'company car' to tow being mindful of the "control issues".
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