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07-28-2015, 10:08 PM
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#1
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Whitehorse
, Yukon
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 3
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2012 30' Classic Tow Recommendations!
Hello! I am currently looking to buy my first airstream! I am getting a 30' classic 2012. Is a 2500hd Chevy gas going to be good enough? I am going to be going across canada and down through the states eventually. Currently own a F150 5.4L and am thinking its not big enough.... anyone know what I should have?
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07-29-2015, 04:19 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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The 2500hd will be perfect, but you still need a quality, well setup weight distribution hitch.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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07-29-2015, 04:37 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Classic
2007 25' International CCD
1993 32' Excella
Largo
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 355
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Crizzle,
Your choice of AS model is to be commended. the 2500 HD will work great. If it was diesel it would be even better in my opinion.
>>ron<<
__________________
2015 GMC Denali 2500, 4x4, Duramax diesel, Topper, Pro Pride 3 P, Sendel 16" with Michelin LTs, one Yellow Labrador Retriever (AS security)
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07-29-2015, 07:01 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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the 2500hd is a hoose for sure .. if you are looking at the 6.1L or the duramax diesel either will be adequate. the diesel will be stronger pulling and have the exhaust braking feature the gas will not have.
gas is less upfront for sure and deals for new/used trucks are just around the corner with '16 hitting showroom floors in sept.
__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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07-29-2015, 07:34 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cookeville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 113
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Your ford should be able to pull it with much problem. I use a 2004 suburban with a 5.3 v8. My only issue is I have a 4 speed transmission. If your 150 is newer I wouldn't spend the money on a 2500 unless of course you use the excuse that you need a new truck to pull the Airstream, if you know what I mean.
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07-29-2015, 07:58 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2008 31' Classic
Lake Charles
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 153
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I'm not a GM kind of person but if I had to choose between a F-150 vs. a 2500HD I would by all means go with the HD. Too much is better than not enough.
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07-30-2015, 10:25 AM
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#7
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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Not sure what engine and axle are in your Chevy, but I'm pulling my 30' Classic slide out with a GMC 2500 Savana van. I equipped it with the 6.0 liter gas and 4.10 rear axle. Going with the 6.0 liter engine also gave me a HD transmission which is capable of towing in overdrive. The tow rating is 9,900 lbs. I know I approach 9,100 if I tow with a full fresh water tank (60 gallons).
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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07-30-2015, 10:33 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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More than enough truck.
I have a Tundra and a 30' Classic. It is at or exceeding payload.
The 2500HD will have a little more leeway on towing capacity and payload.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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07-30-2015, 11:04 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1993 30' Excella
safford
, Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 22
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Tow Vehicle
I am pleased that you have selected a GM 2500 HD but if you have not yet purchased I highly recommend the 2500 HD diesel over gas. The difference is unbelievable as far as power and downhill decent.
I have a 30' Classic and also drive a 2007 GMC diesel 4X4 crew cab and love it for the handling, hold back and power.
Nothing wrong from looking at some used models?
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07-30-2015, 11:39 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
2022 Atlas
Homosassa
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 729
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I have the same trailer and I pull it with a silverado 2500 diesel. Fantastic tow vehicle and my wife likes to drive it as well. Hitch setup is very important.
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07-30-2015, 01:06 PM
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#11
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1 Rivet Member
2004 28' Classic
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 18
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I tow a 28' Classic with a 2013 2500HD diesel and love it. Exhaust brake works really well and is particularly helpful if you will be in much hilly terrain.
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07-30-2015, 03:09 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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As you can see from most of the folks who have posted, there IS a lot to recommend the 2500. I can attest to the value of a diesel, not only for the massive torque -- mine has 840 lbs -- but the engine braking is a huge safety factor if you've got up to 10,000 pounds of trailer behind you on a 6-7% grade coming DOWN through the mountains. From personal experience, I can tell you that I have yet to meet a downhill grade where I relied much on either TV or trailer brakes. A mild touch is about all you need. Oh, and there is something kind of neat about going UP a mountain and going AROUND a "Voltage" or a "Predator" or a 45 foot motorhome with 6 slides....
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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07-31-2015, 09:06 AM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
2000 30' Excella
Sarasota
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 212
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have been towing AS since 2005 with diesel Excursion 2005 6L. first towed 30' excella, since 2011 34' classic. torque power is the way to go. transmission breaking is excellent. live in SW fla. have been to Ks thru Ar and ozarks, N Ga mountains, thru the allegheny's, appaliachians, adirondaks, maine, up into the canadian maritimes 7% & 12% grades. uphill acceleration no problem, pass the gassers, downhill transmission braking is very nice feature. would not tow with out it after experiencing it.
Just read an article on 2015 duramax, user stated it is not engine breaking ie. jake break but transmission breaking, they are very different. engine will rev higher with transmission breaking going down very long steep grades.
enjoy your 30' mine was a great one until it was rear ended on I 10 after I stopped for an accident ahead of me. took it to west kansas and pheasant hunted dec 09 thru jan 10. 10 degree wind chill outside on occasion my brother and I stayed warm inside. was the trip of a life time.!!!!
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07-31-2015, 09:51 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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Here's the real world towing comparison using the big 3 all towing the same 5th wheel.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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08-01-2015, 07:39 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
2022 Atlas
Homosassa
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 729
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I believe that you can pick any of the HD diesel trucks and be happy. I love the silverado to pull our 30' Classic but I have friends with a new Ram and Ford both 3500s. Interesting thing is that my wife and I travel with our Classic and they leave their 5th wheels in one place and don't travel with them. If you have no brand preference, I would get the brand I could get the best deal on and hit the road.
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08-01-2015, 08:44 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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We like our dodge 6.7 towing our 31' classic
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08-01-2015, 08:58 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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Here's another real world test.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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08-01-2015, 01:06 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Ford is the most powerful.
The Ram seemed to have more interior noise in the TFL video.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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08-01-2015, 01:37 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
2011 30' Classic
2007 25' International CCD
1993 32' Excella
Largo
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 355
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David,
On my 2015 Denali 2500, 4x4, Duaramx I have the choice of exhaust brake or trans.
>>ron<<
__________________
2015 GMC Denali 2500, 4x4, Duramax diesel, Topper, Pro Pride 3 P, Sendel 16" with Michelin LTs, one Yellow Labrador Retriever (AS security)
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