Another new guy looking for tow vehicle

[kkid]

I'm seriously looking at a new Serenity 27FB and need tow vehicle. I know a lot of people promote F250 or equivalent trucks, but I would like to hear some feedback from people who tow this size trailer with an F150 or equivalent truck. Is there anyone satisfied towing their Airstream with an F150?

[westcoastas]

We pull(ed) a 28' International with our 2012 Tundra 5.7L 4WD the last two years and it did fine through Colorado and all the other western states. Our particular model also had the tow package which included a tranny cooler. So I'm pretty sure a F150 would also do just fine.

[FCStreamer]

You could also do a Tahoe or a Yukon. Just sayin...

[Caffeinated]

I tow a 27 ft FC FB with a 2009 Chev crew cab shortbed 4x4 with a Allison tranny and a 5.3 V8 and the tow package. Going up steep hills, grades 6% plus, it's pretty slow. It works but in the next couple of years I'll be trading up to 3/4 ton diesel.

Mike

[dkottum]

You can certainly tow a mid-size Airstream with any of the trucks or SUV's in this class, IF they are loaded appropriately and have a high quality sway control or sway elimination hitch that is set up and adjusted properly.

I cannot stress loading and hitch setup enough. We have been towing Airstreams all over the country in our retirement years, and it has been a learning experience. On our third half-ton truck and third w.d. hitch, we couldn't be happier. The trucks have never been the issue, it's the loading and hitch setup.

[Mattirs]

We tow our 2016 25ft rear bedroom FC with a 2012 Ford F150 3.5L Ecoboost Supercrew cab with tow package and love it. Rides smooth, plenty of seating, more than enough power. Having a Prius as the other car makes the 22mpg on the freeway hard to take.
Sometimes I forget the trailer is back there.

[Mattirs]

P.S. We use a 14k Equal-i-zer hitch

[field & stream]

I swore I would never enter another one of these discussions, but you need to consider two things beyond the good advice above regarding hitches:

1) Calculate your payload needs -- only you know how many people and how much "toys and stuff" you want to bring along, and

2) There are many members who are satisfied with it and many who are not, but only you know your personal standards for adequate performance like acceleration when entering highways or passing, hill climbing at elevation, etc. (It would not satisfy us.)

[rlhendren]

Originally Posted by field & stream

I swore I would never enter another one of these discussions, but you need to consider two things beyond the good advice above regarding hitches:

1) Calculate your payload needs -- only you know how many people and how much "toys and stuff" you want to bring along, and

2) There are many members who are satisfied with it and many who are not, but only you know your personal standards for adequate performance like acceleration when entering highways or passing, hill climbing at elevation, etc. (It would not satisfy us.)

Agree. It really comes down to opinion on this and there are thousands of opinions. F150 will have the power to pull the trailer. Payload will be the more limiting factor. And remember, just about any vehicle has the power to PULL an Airstream. What is more important is stopping/maneuvering the Airstream in emergency situations.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by rlhendren

Agree. It really comes down to opinion on this and there are thousands of opinions. F150 will have the power to pull the trailer. Payload will be the more limiting factor. And remember, just about any vehicle has the power to PULL an Airstream. What is more important is stopping/maneuvering the Airstream in emergency situations.

Your trailer has its own brakes. Be sure to plug it in to the TV.

[rostam]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Your trailer has its own brakes. Be sure to plug it in to the TV.

Still, the tow vehicle brakes have to work harder than usual when towing (your brakes will not last as long when towing compared to when solo). As an extreme example, if a bicycle had a brake controller installed, would you go down a grade with a bicycle towing a trailer? Trailer has its own brakes and you just have to stop the bicycle.

[rlhendren]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Your trailer has its own brakes. Be sure to plug it in to the TV.

Is that what I've been doing wrong? I'll try to make sure it's plugged in next time.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by kkid

I'm seriously looking at a new Serenity 27FB . . . but I would like to hear some feedback from people who tow this size trailer with an F150 or equivalent truck. Is there anyone satisfied towing their Airstream with an F150?

This is a pretty straight forward question.

[ShinyPete]

KKid-

First, welcome to the AirForums, as I see this was perhaps your first post! A lot of knowledge here. We get spun up here sometimes about a few things, which tow vehicle is best is one of them, followed by what hitch you should buy, what tires to run on the coach, etc., etc. But it's all good, and there is a huge resource of knowledge and experience on here, yours for the reading.........

For what it's worth, here is our story, towing a sister ship to the coach you are considering:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...le-141137.html

It's a bit of a read (I blab too much), but it makes the point that we are incredibly happy with our current '15 F150 (spec'd very carefully) towing our Pete, a '14 Flying Cloud 27fb twin. Hope this helps.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by kkid

I'm seriously looking at a new Serenity 27FB and need tow vehicle. I know a lot of people promote F250 or equivalent trucks, but I would like to hear some feedback from people who tow this size trailer with an F150 or equivalent truck. Is there anyone satisfied towing their Airstream with an F150?

Yes I am doing it with 2011 F150 ecoboost with max tow. I have had no problems. I have 1870# for payload. You have to be aware of payload as your hitch weight will be around 1000#. If you have large family, dogs and a need to carry a lot of stuff, perhaps a 3/4 ton would be more comfortable. Besides increased payload, a 3/4 ton diesel has an exhaust brake which provides a bit more assurance slowing on down grades. I will be shopping for a new 2017 truck soon. Leaning towards a 3/4 ton diesel, but we'll see...they ain't cheap!

[m.hony]

Been towing with a Tundra for over 6 years and 47,000 miles-
First a 28' sob trailer than an Airstream Classic 30.
I love my truck!

[Malli35998]

Originally Posted by kkid

I'm seriously looking at a new Serenity 27FB and need tow vehicle. I know a lot of people promote F250 or equivalent trucks, but I would like to hear some feedback from people who tow this size trailer with an F150 or equivalent truck. Is there anyone satisfied towing their Airstream with an F150?

We tow our 2016 AS Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk with a 2016 Ford F150 King Ranch Crew Cab 5.0L V8 FFV 4x4 6-speed Automatic 5.6 ft. Bed. We have been all over Texas including West Texas (Big Bend, Davis Mountains) and recently took a trip to the Morgantown, West Virginia area. We have had no issues hauling our AS. Very comfortable ride.

[spclkaz]

The previous advice has all been good, but I have some other questions for you to consider...

Is your choice based on affordability vs. capability... ie ... are you trying to find the least expensive solution to your towing requirement?

Do you only tow in the flatlands of the East or do you plan to one day tow in the Mountainous West as well?

Will the truck also be used as a daily driver by you or someone else in the family... if so, how long is your commute.

Do you ever plan to get a bigger or heavier trailer?

Do you plan to keep the truck for a long time?

Not knowing the answers to any of my questions, I'd still give you following advice. Do the research and get a 3/4 ton diesel from the MFG of your choice.
Get one with a long wheel base and an 8 foot bed. Put a bed topper on it. Get a truck with a towing package and a heavy duty transmission cooler. 4WD is nice if you can afford it, but when you need it... you need it...

Back in 1999 I needed a new truck to pull my 10,000 pound 1994 Excella. I could not afford a diesel at the time, but did find a GMC with 300 HP with a towing package and transmission cooler. I live in Phoenix and pull all over the mountainous West. I am REALLY envious of the diesel guys who fly by me on the long 9% grades out here in the Western mountains when I am crawling along at 30 MPH. I am really thankful at those moments when the outside temps are 100* or better for my heavy duty radiator and tranny cooler. I also envy the diesel guys who get 18+ MPG when I am get 10-12 when towing and 12-14 when not. I do not envy the much higher acquisition cost and long term maintenance costs they endure. Gas powered trucks are much more powerful and more efficient these days... I do not and never have had to use my truck as a daily commuter... it only has just over 100,000 miles on it... just broken in. I always planned to keep it a long time and it's been paid off for over 15 years... insurance costs are lower too...

So... all that said... I'd still say ... get a long WB 3/4 ton... and... get an equalizer hitch too... you'll have more peace of mind going down the road...

Good Luck...

[cazual6]

Had the same discussion with a friend. Lease an F150 until you can justify an F250. With the F150 max tow is 12500lbs, like all things, you don't want to push that to 25% of its capacity.

I'm 40 now, plan on leasing an F150 till im 55, then purchase the F250 for the long ownership. The F150 transmission will be taxed heavily, especially on inclines which will shorten the life of the truck. Having it leased will get me out of that jam.

Anyway, that's my plan.

[m.hony]

Paid for, 57,000 miles, and $31 tag and registration in a somewhat modern 1/2 ton...


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums