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07-13-2008, 06:15 PM
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#1
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The Silver Schooner
2007 28' Safari SE
Dover
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
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Will truck I love pull the A/S I Love?
Hi,
I'm new here and have been looking for an RV for full-timing. It's just me - an almost retired woman and my black Lab. Today I fell in love with the 23' Safari - when I went to look at some class C's. I really like the A/S - it's so classy and high quality as opposed to the lesser construction and decor in the others. I currently have a 2002 GMC SLE shortbed 4x4 pickup with a 5.3 liter V-8 engine and a factory tow package. I love my truck - she's a cream puff, quick, plenty of power (empty) decent mileage and turns on a dime - I'd like to keep it. Is this adequate to safely tow the 23' Safari?
I don't know what the hitch on the truck is - it's whatever was part of the standard package GM put on when the truck was built.
I don't have a lot of experience with trailers - a few U-hauls over the years and a boat trailer - but it was all short distance and the boat doesn't weigh much. But how hard can it be to learn?
Any opinions and advice will be appreciated - advance thanks.
Louisa
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07-13-2008, 06:37 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
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I'm not an expert on tow vehicles, but just wanted to say welcome and ask you to post pics of your labrador in the pet section. Not only are we Airstream lovers, but a good number of us are pet lovers as well. Again, welcome!
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
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07-13-2008, 06:49 PM
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#3
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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You should have no problem with the truck, as long as it has a tow package (includes things like a transmission cooler). I would consider a new receiver for the truck, as some of them suffered rust problems, to the point of failure.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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07-13-2008, 06:50 PM
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#4
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,606
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Is it a new 23 foot Safari or a vintage Safari?
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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07-13-2008, 06:52 PM
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#5
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
Is it a new 23 foot Safari or a vintage Safari?
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Oh, yeah, they did start making those again, didn't they?...
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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07-13-2008, 06:57 PM
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#6
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The Silver Schooner
2007 28' Safari SE
Dover
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
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Dumb question - what's the receiver? the hitch has a removal ball - mounted on square stock which goes into the square "receiver?" on the truck and is held in place by a maybe 1/2 inch pin which is secured with a spring clip. It had a bit of surface rust - which I brushed off and repainted it just this week - it's not missing any metal from rust - just paint.
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07-13-2008, 06:58 PM
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#7
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The Silver Schooner
2007 28' Safari SE
Dover
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
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It's a new safari - but I may look for a used one - I'm in no rush.
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07-13-2008, 07:04 PM
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#8
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Yes, the receiver is the part that bolts tot he frame of the truck, and the head is the piece that slides into it, and holds the trailer ball.
It being a new(er) Safari, it should still be within rating for your truck. You would have to check the GVWR of the trailer, and the tow weight rating for your truck (usually found in your owner's manual under "towing").
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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07-13-2008, 07:40 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pudentane
Dumb question - what's the receiver? the hitch has a removal ball - mounted on square stock which goes into the square "receiver?" on the truck and is held in place by a maybe 1/2 inch pin which is secured with a spring clip. It had a bit of surface rust - which I brushed off and repainted it just this week - it's not missing any metal from rust - just paint.
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The ball is mounted on a hitch bar. The hitch bar fits into the receiver and there is a removable pin that allows removal of the hitch bar. The receiver should be a 2" square. Also look for a 7-pin connector at the rear bumper. That tells you the truck is more than a basic model and set up for an adequate hitch. The remaining question is the presence of a tranny cooler.
5.3L? 23' Airstream? No problem mon... er, m'am!
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07-13-2008, 07:46 PM
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#10
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Welcome...
Glad to have you here..
If it looks at all like this..It would be a good idea to replace.
Not just for the rust, I have seen them fail with a lot less corrosion.
Your truck should do just fine with that great little AS.
Good luck
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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07-13-2008, 08:08 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
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Welcome Pudentane
Definately if your hitch(receiver) looks like the one above I would replace it. There was a recall on some receivers that General Motors installed on some vechiles and they replaced them free of charge with a better one.If it comes out of your pocket,U mentioned UHAUL. They have Draw-Tite /Which is identical to Reese. I not sure what ball height U need but get the correct Drop Drawbar(thats what the ball is mounted on) and while U are there get a Weight Distrubition or Straight Line hitch. U Haul has probably the best prices of anybody. I did shop around before I bought mine.
Oh the question about the Shortbed 4x4 It will do a good job for ya.
Best of Luck on what ever you deceide. Have fun Streamin'
Roger
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07-13-2008, 08:19 PM
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#12
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The Silver Schooner
2007 28' Safari SE
Dover
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
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Just before dark tonight I went out and crawled under the truck and had a look at the hitch - it's in what I would call great shape - looks brand new - I've never pulled anything with this truck - and yes I believe the receiver has a two inch opening - although I didn't measure - just eyeballed it.
The fellow at the dealer's said my truck would pull it but I would need a "brake package" - but sometimes salesguys tell women what they want to hear - ya know what I mean?
Thanks for the info and the reassurances.
Louisa & Jasper Joy
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07-13-2008, 08:28 PM
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#13
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,606
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I think what the guy was referring to is a brake controller. It sends power to the trailer brakes when the truck brakes are applied. Your truck is most likely pre-wired for this and installation is fairly simple. There are several brands of brake controllers on the market. Tekonsha makes the prodigy and now the P3 model. These are the most popular units today. I have an older prodigy and am very satisfied with it.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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07-13-2008, 08:45 PM
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#14
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I had to have our brake controller installed on our current truck,as well as the 7 pin plug relocated to use for our trailer. If you find a trailer repair shop, they should be able to sell you a quality controller, install it, and install the connector for the trailer wiring. Most GM trucks have a blank fuse in place of the one that should go in the charge line for the trailer, it would need to be replaced with a real fuse. Location is under the hood, left side, in the fuse/relay box.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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07-13-2008, 08:46 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2005 19' Safari
Duluth
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
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Welcome Louisa!
Your truck will pull fine!!! Just remember to leave plenty of room when pulling into traffic, and that you need to be thoughtful about how fast you start up or when pulling up hills. Your truck most certainly will be up to the challenge, but will require more time to get you up to speed...
You may want to consider new a new trailer if you are like me... Either time-challenged, or have limited skills in mechanics (I qualify in both). The new trailer warranty has value! FWIW...
I also just put the Prodigy on my new Toyota Tundra and it works great. Went on in a few minutes...
All the best!
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07-13-2008, 08:48 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
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I tow a '69 23foot Safari with a V-8 2001 Tundra with no problems. Total loaded weight of the trailer is around 4000 lbs, but new ones would weigh more. I like vintage trailers and not only because they're lighter, but that's just me. good luck!
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07-13-2008, 08:55 PM
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#17
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,153
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Welcome from the Florida Panhandle
Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.
Your truck should be good to go. You may want to replace the OEM receiver. Not a big deal. You can get a class IV for $200. The factory receiver is a piece of junk. I had the welds fail on 2 of them.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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07-14-2008, 04:27 PM
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#18
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Consider replacement..
Lousia,
What Moose-man speaks is true.
I have worked at G.M. Stores for quite a few years now and have some personal experience on this subject. It's not so much about rust and how the unit looks as it is about poor design and fabrication.
I have just replaced the factory hitch on my new to me 06 Suburban for just those reasons. As you can tell from the photos there is a big difference between the two. Notice how much longer the bars at either end are, better to transfer weight to the front axle. Notice also how much heavier the cross bar and receiver opening are. Both important safety considerations. The replacement is a Reese class five, probably a bit of overkill, but I've always felt it is better to have more than you need, than to need more than you have..
Good luck in your new adventure..
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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07-14-2008, 07:33 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1986 25' Sovereign
Southern Middle
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,319
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Robert,
Who manufactured your replacement hitch and was there any height change up or down from the ground as compared with the factory hitch.
__________________
Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
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07-14-2008, 08:16 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Limited
1976 31' Sovereign
1983 31' Excella
Greeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 529
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GMC Tow Vehicle
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pudentane
Hi,
I'm new here and have been looking for an RV for full-timing. It's just me - an almost retired woman and my black Lab. Today I fell in love with the 23' Safari - when I went to look at some class C's. I really like the A/S - it's so classy and high quality as opposed to the lesser construction and decor in the others. I currently have a 2002 GMC SLE shortbed 4x4 pickup with a 5.3 liter V-8 engine and a factory tow package. I love my truck - she's a cream puff, quick, plenty of power (empty) decent mileage and turns on a dime - I'd like to keep it. Is this adequate to safely tow the 23' Safari?
I don't know what the hitch on the truck is - it's whatever was part of the standard package GM put on when the truck was built.
I don't have a lot of experience with trailers - a few U-hauls over the years and a boat trailer - but it was all short distance and the boat doesn't weigh much. But how hard can it be to learn?
Any opinions and advice will be appreciated - advance thanks.
Louisa
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX
Louisa,
Dont worry, your truck can pull the 23' without a problem. That particular truck has a 6000# bumper pull rate, and 8000# if you are pulling a gooseneck or fifthwheel trailer. I have the newer version a 2007 GMC same set up and it is rated at 7000# bumper, 10,000 gooseneck/fifthwheel. I currently pull a 31Ft Soveirgn with mine.
I do have 3 friends who all have the same truck you do except for different years, 02,03,04. They did say that they did have to change their reciever hitch because it was not rated for what it was suppose to be, theirs was a class III, and they needed a IV or V and they had the same cracking problem the others have mentioned on here, so I would suggest you look at a new reciever hitch with at least a class IV rating. If you have a Tractor Supply, or any trailer dealer, camper dealer, they would have the proper hitch and then any licensed mechanic or repair shop can properly install it. A camper sales is going to be the most expensive with U-Haul behined them.
You will definately have to install a brake controller if it is not already there, it is a little box inside your truck to control the trailer brakes. If there is not one you can get one from many places from Tractor Supply to a place like Cabellas.
Hope this is of some help.
Sarge
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