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DianePhx · 01-04-2014, 05:34 PM

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forums but have been busily lurking this last week and absorbing as much as I can. We are previous sailboat owners who have sold the boat and are planning on buying a 27' AS (Flying Cloud I think) in the next few months.

We are also buying a tow vehicle, and this is where my first question on the forums comes in: Is an F350 overkill? We found a 2006 with less than 30K miles on it, and it is a dually. That's what I think might be too much....wouldn't a regular old 350 or 250 pull a fully-loaded 27' trailer, and be cheaper to boot?

Thanks for the help!

**blmitch5** · 01-04-2014, 05:38 PM

A 250 would be a better size but if the 350 is the right price etc be sure to buy an Air Safe hitch. A 350 is could beat the heck out of the Airstream.

http://www.airsafehitches.com/receiver_hitches.html

AnnArborBob · 01-04-2014, 05:46 PM

Hi Diane, A F350 dually is definitely overkill for a 27 foot Airstream, but if the price is right, it will work just fine. We use an F250 (diesel) and that is also a bit of overkill as well. The difference between the F350 and F250 is strictly the suspension and the load capacity. I've driven both and the F250 is somewhat more comfortable than the F350 but the difference on regular roads is subtle.

switz · 01-04-2014, 06:16 PM

I migrated from a 2007 Mercedes ML 320 CDI diesel to a 2012 Dodge 2500 diesel pickup to tow a 2013 25FB International Serenity as the Mercedes was overloaded. We were unhappy with the 25FB so it is on the lot in Mesa. We initially thought we would go with the 27FB Classic but changed our minds and I am now in the Jackson Center area watching our 2014 Classic 30 be built.

Having a little over capacity is a lot better then not having enough capacity. One can tame that suspension with many options so it does not beat the trailer to death. My solution was the installation of a complete self leveling air suspension front and rear on the truck.

Reducing the rear tire pressure when empty softens the ride for running around town. Since the Ford 250 diesel could tow the 27FB with no issues, a spring shop can remove the overload spring that makes it a 350 and you can store the spring "just in case" you get the urge for 2 more feet of trailer.

Selecting the proper spring bars will also help. You do not need the strongest ones for the 27FB Flying Cloud or International models with a GVW of 7,600 pounds. The 27FB Classic with a GVW of 9,000 pounds is another story.

DianePhx · 01-04-2014, 06:46 PM

Thank you all! The price for the dually does seem right, and the mileage is pretty low. It had one owner who probably used it as we will - for towing! We've had Carmax transfer it in and we'll go drive it in the next week or so when it shows up.

Switz, we were on the Mesa lot today and probably saw your AS! I liked the 27FB Flying Cloud, but did not see the interior colors we are wanting, so we'll keep looking. Since we're buying the truck first, we need to wait a few months and save up for the downpayment on the AS. I'm hoping to buy it by May or June so we can travel during the month of July.

DianePhx · 01-04-2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blmitch5

A 250 would be a better size but if the 350 is the right price etc be sure to buy an Air Safe hitch. A 350 is could beat the heck out of the Airstream.

Receiver Hitch, Hitches | Trailer Hitch, Hitches

My husband is checking out this website - do we need the anti-sway system in addition to the air safe hitch?

Thx!

**blmitch5** · 01-04-2014, 10:26 PM

I would. We have a friend with the same size Chevy and he has the Air Ride and Reese set up and has been very happy with it.

AnnArborBob · 01-05-2014, 06:24 AM

I definitely recommend the anti sway setup. If all goes well, you won't notice it working, and if you do notice a little bit of sway with the setup, you'll be very glad you have it!

AnnArborBob · 01-05-2014, 06:25 AM

Oh, and switz has a good idea for "de-tuning" the F350 suspension if you find it overly harsh.

DianePhx · 01-05-2014, 10:44 AM

Thanks, I think we'll definitely go with anti-sway. In further researching the 2006 F350, it seems there are several known failures that are very frequent (and expensive), including oil cooling and a few other things my husband told me that I can't recall. ;-)

He's now found a 2009 F250 crew cab (non-dually) that doesn't seem to have these problems, and we're going to have CarMax bring this one in as well.

Getting the AS is going to be the easy part!!

SStar · 01-05-2014, 04:02 PM

The 350 dually is way overkill for what you are planning to do. Very stiff suspension, rough ride, 2 extra tires on the ground to maintain, decreased fuel efficiency. At some point you will want to park the trailer and use your TV to drive around. A dually can be difficult to park, and to get thru the drive-in banks and drive up windows. (it's not at all unusual to see one with a fender torn off) Dually's have their place but there is a trade off in owning them. The 250 non-dually will get the job done fine.

DianePhx · 01-05-2014, 04:42 PM

Thanks, we're hoping the F250 will work out. CarMax should have it here next week. I just want to move on to the exciting part - getting the AS! ;-)

**blmitch5** · 01-05-2014, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DianePhx

Thanks, we're hoping the F250 will work out. CarMax should have it here next week. I just want to move on to the exciting part - getting the AS! ;-)

Did you order one or looking at one locally? You must be excited!

kscherzi · 01-05-2014, 05:46 PM

I pull my 27FB with a 11 year old Ford Expedition. In my opinion this trailer does not require a F-350 or a F-250 for transport. A half ton truck, or larger SUV, is adequate unless you also intend to haul really heavy things along like motorcycles.

DianePhx · 01-06-2014, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blmitch5

Did you order one or looking at one locally? You must be excited!

We have Carmax bringing it in from CO. I'm excited, but not nearly as much as I'll be when we get the Airstream!

DianePhx · 01-06-2014, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscherzi

I pull my 27FB with a 11 year old Ford Expedition. In my opinion this trailer does not require a F-350 or a F-250 for transport. A half ton truck, or larger SUV, is adequate unless you also intend to haul really heavy things along like motorcycles.

Funny you mention that, because we do have a BMW 1200GS motorcycle that is quite heavy. That's one reason we want a truck bed, because sometimes we'll want to take the bike, too.

switz · 01-07-2014, 12:22 AM

The BMW R1200GS even with full saddle bags is a lot lighter than a full dresser Harley at 950 to 975 pounds or more that some folks load aboard using the Rampage hoist system