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Old 06-02-2013, 04:32 PM   #1
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2006 25' Safari FB SE
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25' Airstream, F-350 4x4 TV ProPride P3 or AirSafe+Reese DualCam

We are looking to purchase a 25' Airstream. We would be new to Airstreams but not to towing or RVs.
Already have the F-350 tow vehicle. It's a 2005 Diesel Supercab (half backseat) regular bed (6.75') 4x4 with the the snowplow package (stiffest springs Ford had front and rear).

My initial plan was to just hitch the trailer and go...plenty of truck ...no worries...then..

While doing research here I have seen lots of posts about the dangers to the Airstream of "too much" TV. I think the combination of this tow vehicle and a 25' trailer would fall into this category.

It seems to me that the AirSafe hitch plus proper weight distribution and sway control would be more than adequate for this combination while effectively isolating the trailer from the harsh ride of the tow vehicle.

While I really do like the engineering of the ProPride P3 better, I'm concerned that the truck may beat the Airstream to an early death with any system that doesn't provide some form of isolation between TV and trailer.

Any input would be appreciated.
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Old 06-02-2013, 05:29 PM   #2
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I use the AirSafe and Reese Dual cam set up. I like it. I have a Chevy Dually 3500.
Trailer never gets beat up by the truck. The AirSafe makes sure that the trailer has a soft ride and the Reese keeps it all on track.
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Old 06-02-2013, 05:47 PM   #3
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I tow my '69 TradeWind (25-footer) with a '97 Chevy Dually, straight on the ball. No damage at all after several thousand miles that way. Because of the fact that it is a dual rear wheel truck, it tends to do better with some weight on the tail and any sort of load leveling hitch would only compound the stresses on the trailer. And no, it doesn't sway, not even if I go out of my way to try and make it. Just because this works for me doesn't mean it would be ideal behind your Ford. Every combination has different dynamics and calls for a different setup.
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Old 06-02-2013, 09:35 PM   #4
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ProPride and you will be good to go!
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Old 01-22-2014, 03:44 PM   #5
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Can Airsafe and ProPride be used together?
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Old 01-22-2014, 04:12 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billtrev View Post
While doing research here I have seen lots of posts about the dangers to the Airstream of "too much" TV. I think the combination of this tow vehicle and a 25' trailer would fall into this category. .
I gotta believe that is for older Airstreams! The frame and coupler on my 5500 lb 25' Safari is beefier than my 10,000 lb utility trailer.

I have been pulling for years with a 3/4 ton diesel, 3/4 ton gas and even my 1/2 ton has upgraded rear springs.

The Reese Dual cam even has 1200lb bars,, needed for the 1/2ton but I also use them on the 3/4 ton. No problems.

With HD springs on a 1 ton F350, 700 lbs of tongue weight seems like a pretty light load. You may well be able to skip the WD and just go with anti-sway. Would remove the WD stress completely and make a nice cushy perch for a 25' Airstream
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Old 01-22-2014, 05:32 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
Can Airsafe and ProPride be used together?
I emailed Sean about that last summer when you asked in the Forum in another thread. For some reason, I was in his Spam folder ( guessing I any him? :-) ). When he finally got back to me, I forgot to post his response. Here it is;

"I don't know of any customers using the 3P hitch with the AirSafe but there is no reason it would not work with the hitch bar adapted to fit the AirSafe hitch."



Here's my email to him including your question and my uneducated guess from the forum:


One guy asked a question that's kind of intriguing but would need your input. With caveats, I attempted some guesses but could you address this one? Here is the question and my (uninformed) response...

I didn't include AirSafe's site but you can see the pic I'm talking about here:
http://www.airsafehitches.com/accessories1.html

Thanks!

Originally Posted by m.hony
Not to confuse the issue any further, but...Airsafe looks awesome. I wish I had one for I-20 through Louisiana. Is something like the Airsafe necessary or beneficial when used along with Hensley/ProPride?
It does look great! We should get a read from Sean on this.

WARNING: unofficial and uniformed opinion to follow - don't implement anything I say here!!

I'm not sure whether it can be used with a PP/HA due to the stinger setup, although, there's a pic on their site that looks like you could bolt the PP/HA stinger to their Weight Distribution drop bar and continue from there. Their site says you would have to derate your hitch's tongue weight capacity by 25% if using that adapter. My hitch has a 1500 lb capacity so that would mean 1125 lbs max and my tongue weight has been near that mark - too close for comfort for my taste. I also don't know if inserting an airbag at the hitch messes with weight distribution capability. Last, I'm having trouble imagining how this would actually be physically compatible with the PP/HA hitch.... Take with a huge grain of salt - I literally have no clue what the heck I'm talking about here!! :-). Has anyone ever asked Sean about this?
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