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J. Morgan · 03-20-2014, 10:09 PM

I was thinking the same Pappy.

xrvr · 03-21-2014, 07:02 AM

Go slow, no overdrive, down shift manually to a lower gear, towing is not racing. Patience. Jim

m.hony · 03-21-2014, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

A 4:30 rear ratio should be way plenty to tow almost any AS except for a 34', IMHO. Maybe the auto tranny is slipping or the torque converter is going out.

Touring Dan tows a 34 with his Tundra-
I tried to buy a 34 and intended to pull it with this truck-

andreasduess · 03-21-2014, 07:45 AM

You don't need much power to tow an Airstream. I have measured hp output at the wheel with my 34' in tow, on a couple of occasions. On a straight and level highway, at 60mph, between 40 and 60hp were required, depending on wind and traffic conditions.

The highest number I've ever seen was 148hp accelerating up a hill from a standing start.

andreasduess · 03-21-2014, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

A 4:30 rear ratio should be way plenty to tow almost any AS except for a 34', IMHO. Maybe the auto tranny is slipping or the torque converter is going out.

Length ≠ weight. The 1980's 34 models are lighter than a modern 27' trailer. Worth keeping in mind.

simonsays_73 · 03-21-2014, 07:55 PM

Thanks for all the replies, love it! This forum is great! (I am new here...)

I am not super mechanical so not sure about the ratios or how to determine if the tranny is slipping or the torque converter is going out. It scares me to go to a mechanic to have them see if they can figure out if there is a solution for my truck. Sadly I don't know any mechanics that I can call on for a hand. The other thing is speed, I am in Canada so the highway speed limit is 110km/hr (68mi) and most people where I live drive at 120km/hr (74mi). I was driving at 110, so maybe that is part of the issue and I need to slow down to a better speed. It does concern me to be driving at say 90-100km/hr (55-62mi) with everyone just flying past me as I would be by far the very slowest one on the road. A lot of the hills in the mountains have the trucking lane so I can take that were available to not get in the way of the other traffic...

I checked out upgrading to a 2014 5.7L equivalent to the one I have now and it was $25k, so that is a little steep

Thanks!

mocus · 03-21-2014, 08:15 PM

I have a Toyota Tundra, 2012, 4.7, 4x4, V8, and have no problem at all towing my 19' Bambi, except......gas. Average 12/13 mpg while pulling--I guess there are worse. 17/18 without trailer. I believe if I was wanting to pull a much larger trailer, I would go with the Toyota 5.7 TV. Welcome..

jcl · 03-21-2014, 08:19 PM

Drive at 110, learn what gear you are in on various hills, and try it out. You won't hurt it. Decide over time if you want to trade up. If the gearing is too high with the standard gear spacing in your five speed automatic, consider changing tires to lower the effective gearing slightly.

simonsays_73 · 03-21-2014, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcl

If the gearing is too high with the standard gear spacing in your five speed automatic, consider changing tires to lower the effective gearing slightly.

It is an automatic but also has the manual option so I can manually manage the gears too, so I can play around with that too and see if I can find the sweet spot!

dkottum · 03-21-2014, 08:44 PM

You are driving too fast for your truck. And your Good Year Marathon trailer tires which are rated for 65 mph maximum speed. You should be in the range of 55-65 mph, low side in head wind, high side for tail wind. Low side for cross wind.

Use the transmission to keep in the 2400 rpm range on flats, 3500+ as needed for steep hills. Use lower gears to control speed in descents.

Don't wreck you truck and trailer to keep other drivers happy.

truckasaurus · 03-21-2014, 08:46 PM

I can't help with any mechanical diagnosis obviously but nearly all my Airstream towing either started or ended in Airdrie, Alberta and 110 km/hr or above was still no problem. Your trailer is wider and flatter than mine but I doubt there's a huge difference there. It might be worth calling Lone Pine RV (in Airdrie). I think it was Chris who helped me out last time I was there as they have AS experience and might be able to take a test ride with you to see if there's anything glaringly obvious like trailer brakes causing trouble for you. Their rates were also much less painful than the Fraserways of the world.

dkottum · 03-21-2014, 08:49 PM

I don't think you need a mechanic, you just need a lighter foot.

AldeanFan · 03-22-2014, 05:47 AM

I tow with a 2005 Tundra 4.7L 5speed auto. My trailer is shorter and lighter than yours but it still punches a hole in the air.

I can tow anywhere up to 110kph in 4th gear (overdrive locked out) beyond that and the truck is running at too high RPM for my liking. I can go up any hill, but not at top speed. There was a very steep hill in the finger lakes, we started out from a stop sign at the bottom and climbed to 55mph, not easily but she did it. Towing my 13ft 1500lb Trillium trailer also makes the truck come out of high (4th) gear on any significant hill. Remember it's a 4 cam engine and it likes to rev,

Just take it easy and your truck will be fine, towing for me means vacation, and vacation means relaxing and slowing down.

purdiferis · 03-22-2014, 06:32 AM

Simon, I know the feeling.
We base at 9540 feet in the rockys and it can be a pull to get home. My chevy 08 half ton 5.3 l V8 did not like it at all, it was the tranny in my case. Now Dad gave me his '91 F250 w/460 V8 and I have replaced issue with a gas hog!

Wm

xrvr · 03-22-2014, 06:34 AM

It us important to be comfortable and confident in your tow vehicle. If you are and are within towing limits then go for it. Jim

willapus · 04-06-2014, 07:49 PM

The 4.7 should be around 3/3.2k rpm at 65 mph. Last summer I towed my 28' across the Colorado Rockies. I didn't fly up the hills and the curves kept the speed down too. I did all this with my old 2002 sequoia with the 4spd trans and standard 4:10 rear that had 194k on the odometer. I've since upgraded to a 2005 sequoia 4x4 with a 5 spd the top two gears are the same as my previous one. I have been happy with the 4.7. I would guess something that is dragging or sticking.

__________________
Will
'67 29' Streamline Empress
'05 Toyota Sequoia 4x4
'65 Buick Electra 225 convt.

carl2591 · 05-19-2014, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonsays_73

Thanks for all the replies, love it! This forum is great! (I am new here...)

I am not super mechanical so not sure about the ratios or how to determine if the tranny is slipping or the torque converter is going out. It scares me to go to a mechanic to have them see if they can figure out if there is a solution for my truck. Sadly I don't know any mechanics that I can call on for a hand. The other thing is speed, I am in Canada so the highway speed limit is 110km/hr (68mi) and most people where I live drive at 120km/hr (74mi). I was driving at 110, so maybe that is part of the issue and I need to slow down to a better speed. It does concern me to be driving at say 90-100km/hr (55-62mi) with everyone just flying past me as I would be by far the very slowest one on the road. A lot of the hills in the mountains have the trucking lane so I can take that were available to not get in the way of the other traffic...

I checked out upgrading to a 2014 5.7L equivalent to the one I have now and it was $25k, so that is a little steep

Thanks!

don't worry about what speed everyone else is going. they are not towing some 6000 lbs. Especially, going up hill trying to "keep up with the Jones" will KILL your MPG. if you watch the over the road truck you see them get in the slow lane, find a good speed that the truck is climbing good and just ride to the top. When you get on the crest get off the gas and coast down the other side.. best way to keep MPG up.

If your truck has the on-board instant MPG use that as a good guide on how hard to mash the gas. It will teach you the best way to use throttle. In my 2008 impala, i sold, with 4 people a trunk full of luggage and cargo carrier off the back with golf clubs, cooler and chairs heading up black mountain on I-40, I would let the car get in a good torque range in third gear running some 45 mpg getting 13 MPG going up hill.. try to bump speed up to 50 and mpg drops to 9 real quick..

I see all the bone heads racing up the hill, with all the sulfur smell, knowing they are using more gas from bottom to top than i used getting there from exit 300 in I-40.. ps black mountain is at mile marker 73.

always remember to have lights on and its NOT a race. when pulling get to the right lane and put flashers on if it makes you nervous having everyone blast past you..

Luigi123 · 05-19-2014, 07:12 AM

Finally gave in to compromise and bought a GMC 3/4 Diesel. Duramax-- torque is where it is at in the hills of Colorado where we hang out--equipment is a process, you find your way as time progresses. The key is you own the best product long term, an Airstream. Roll on.