My husband and I need advice on what tow vehicle is best for the CCD we ordered recently.
The dealer in Orange County recommended a 3/4 ton Suburban or Yukon XL.
We are finding either impossible to find(3/4 ton) either new or used. We are planning to travel full-time in 2008 across the US and don't want to make a mistake with the choice of tow vehicle.
Some GM dealers have told us that if the 1/2 ton has a 4:1 axle ratio, we will be okay. What do you experienced Intl CCD owners use as a tow vehicle?
Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.
We tow Lucy (our '05 Safari 25 FB) with Olivia (our '05 Suburban 2500 4x4x4). We have driven the combo 25,000 miles. We have also towed Lucy with Matilda (our '04 Tahoe). The Tahoe is marginal, at best. The 3/4 ton Suburban gets the job done. You will probably not be happy pulling a 28' Airstream with a 1/2 ton Suburban. Even with the 4.10 rear end, the 1500 Suburban is not up to the task. The GM dealers who told you that a 1500 can handle it have probably never towed anything.
The 2500 Suburban has rear leaf springs; the 1500 doesn't.
The 2500 has a transmission cooler; the 1500 doesn't.
The 2500 has the 6.0 liter V-8; the 1500 has the 5.3.
The 2500 has an oil cooler; the 1500 doesn't.
The 2500 has truck brakes; the 1500 has car brakes.
The 2500 comes with Load Range E tires; the 1500 comes with Load Range C car tires.
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
A 3/4 ton diesel powered pickup is the best choice. Whatever brand you like as long as it is a diesel. I am partial to Ford, having owned a 3/4 ton Super Duty Super Cab 8 foot bed for ten years. You will get better mileage and much better towing performance with the diesel. I towed with a '94 3/4 ton Suburban prior to the Ford, and I wouldn't go back for anything. I was towing an enclosed car trailer, and hills that were 40 mph in 2nd gear with the 'burb were 65 mph in 3rd with the diesel. Mileage was improved by 50-60%.
Since you will be fulltiming I'd suggest a 3/4 diesel. You'll get tons of performance. Going and stopping. A diesel pick up is no more difficult than a suburban to drive. Good fuel prices at Flying J and other truck stop R/V fuel centers. Also get higher mileage over a gas engine and go up hills at the same speed you gon on the flats.
If you were only going locally I think a suburban 3/4 would be ideal. I'm not saying anything against 3/4 Subs. I've had two of them and they are really good at towing but a diesel is great at towing.
Even though i tow with a 3/4 ton suburban, i agree with the aforementioned respondents. many of the experenced drivers in these discussions try to follow the 75% rule,thusly,a 3/4 sub. with 4.10 gearing, and a 6.0lt. engine should reasonably expect to tow around 7500lbs.,give or take some.
I forgot to welcome you to the forums. We're glad your here.
As you've found out you can ask any question you may have about any aspect of Airstreams and tow vehicles and we're more than willing to give you our opinions.
Since your currently in So Cal. I'm inviting you to join us the California Streamers for our rallies. No membership required. Just join in and have fun.
On the Portal page you'll see Calstreamers threads for rallies, notreallyarallyrallies and spons. Spon =spontanious rallies. We go somewhere about every month. Hope you'll join in on one.
Even though i tow with a 3/4 ton sub. i agree with the aforementioned respondants. many of the experienced drivers ~follow the 75% rule, so a 3/4 ton sub. should reasonably tow a ~7500lbs., and the tow rating is based upon only two people and 200lbs. cargo. The 28ccd is a hefty bit of weight to tow. With the demise of the big-cubic inch,high torque gas engines, The diesel has taken over heavy load towing. Alas,...That I could buy, a diesel sub. My wants are few in number,but certain of desire.
Everyone is correct and the vehicles described will perform well.
Some more food for thought, I pull a 30 ft classic, dry 8,000 lbs.
I prefer the Dodge trucks. I am presently using a 2007 RAM 2500 (3/4 ton)with 6.7 ltr Cummins diesel, I have the 3.73 rear axel ratio. It has plenty of pull power and is not as thirsty as the 4.10 when not towing. I also went to the short bed, this will make backing and manuvering less labor intensive.
Give some serious thought to your hitch. Many good ones on the market. I use the Hensley, some what pricey but a very good interface between tow vehicle and trailer.
I use a 3/4 ton 07 Burb and am very satisified, but would suggest the advice about a pickup may be more in line with your needs. Come over to our Rally and visit 29 Nov to 2 Dec at Guajome Regional Park Oceanside Ca. We would enjoy metting you and could answer most of your questions. the park is off RT 76 about 6 mi. east of Hwy. 5 El Camino Real Unit 12-014 WBCCI. Welcome aboard and hope to see you.
We have had both an 05 Suburban and an 05 Avalanche. Both were 2500 with the 8.1 gas engine and 4x4.
Yes, they are hard to find-I think I read that one in 10 is the 2500, 8.1. But we loved our Suburban and now the Avalanche. The Sub pulled a 28' AS, and now we have travelled 18,000 miles this year towing either a 23' AS or a 25' AS with the Avalanche, with no problems on two trips to the west coast. 06 was the last year to buy new either the Suburban or Avalanche with the 8.1.
We bought both thru cars.com. Both were sold by a Chevrolet dealer.
Welcome Judith and Bob
I am afraid I have to echo the above comments. No matter what brand you decide on 3/4 ton or above defineatly diesel power train 3:73 gears work good for me. No matter what U decide, a good wieght distrubution, Straight line hitch, will do the trick,U dont need a $3000.00 hitch either.People will say anything to sell U something. Remember "The only Stupid Question is THE ONE U DONT ASK" There is always someone here with yrs of experience with AS and Towing that will be more than glad to answer your Questions.
Hope we see Ya out there.
Roger
Go with the 3/4 ton truck. We have the new 2008 Ford 250 with a diesel. GREAT truck! The tow command, integrated brake control and best of all the electric extended side mirrors. We had a 2007 GMC Yukon XL and found it wasn't enough to pull our 25' SS. I just didn't feel comfortable (a little nervous at times) pulling with it. It didn't have the "reserve power" the truck has.
Just remember...... a sales person will tell you anything you want to hear.
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