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jhnquest · 03-09-2009, 06:52 AM

I am looking at 2008 27fb and 25 fb international and would like to know if there is much difference in towing. I have a ford expedition with 300hp with heavy duty towing pkg. Also is there any outside storage on these trailers.

**moosetags** · 03-09-2009, 07:22 AM

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

The difference in towing between the 25FB and the 27FB should not be significant. The difference would be seen in the close quarters movement of the trailer. You have to decide how much bulk you want to handle in a tight situation.

The outside storage on both these FB's is somewhat limited. This is true of Airstreams generally.

Also, research the towing capabilities of your tow vehicle thoroughly. The Ford Expedition is a 1/2 ton truck. Some do not find any half ton truck sufficient for a 27FB. It depends on how much and where you plan to tow. It also depends on the range of your towing comfort zone.

Brian

Silvertwinkie · 03-09-2009, 07:38 AM

Brian pretty much summed it up. Without knowing specifics of your 300hp Ford (model, etc), it's hard to say since towing is so much more than just horsepower. I see you currently have a 22' Airstream. The towing aspects of a 22 vs a 27 or 25 are significantly different. For example, I had a 300+hp Chevy sedan. I now have a 300+hp Suburban. Towing has been night and day not only between these vehicles, but also in the general characteristics of the trailers. One was a 4000lb Bambi (19'), then a 25' Safari (6300 lbs in 2004 and now up to about 7300lbs from mid 2005 on).

jhnquest · 03-09-2009, 07:50 AM

Thanks Moosetags. I have researched my vehicle and it is rated at 8600 lbs towing capacity. The 25 fb is 7300 gvwr and 27fb is 7600 gvwr. hicth wt is 30 lbs more on 25 fb. Is there anything else I should be looking at.

Silvertwinkie · 03-09-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhnquest

Thanks Moosetags. I have researched my vehicle and it is rated at 8600 lbs towing capacity. The 25 fb is 7300 gvwr and 27fb is 7600 gvwr. hicth wt is 30 lbs more on 25 fb. Is there anything else I should be looking at.

Be careful jhnquest, a lot of folks follow the 80% rule, meaning that they take 80% of the total tow rating as usable and the other 20% as reserve for mountainous and hill type towing. Wheelbase also really starts to come into play at the widebody 25ers.

Using that 80%, adding fuel, passengers and cargo to the tow vehicle, you are pretty close to the max rating, and have exceeded rule of thumb most use. Is that rule set in stone, not really, but it is a guide that should be considered and taken seriously.

Road Ruler · 03-09-2009, 08:03 AM

As you probably already know jquest Airstreams by nature are an easy tow.

The key to safe and pleasurable towing is heavily weighted to the connection (design, set up, and details).

A properly adjusted, quality hitch system will make a night and day difference in your towing experience. For Suv's the Hensley is a popular option although many have found units like the Reese Straight Line, Easy Lift and Equalizer good bets.

Also pay attention to your vehicles receiver. Many factory models are too weak to effectively transfer weight and need to be replaced or reinforced.

jhnquest · 03-09-2009, 08:29 AM

I have a Equalizer brand hitch system. I guess my real question is 25fb and 27fb going to tow about the same. The 27 has 30 lbs less hitch wt.

**moosetags** · 03-09-2009, 08:30 AM

Great point on the receiver. The OEM receivers are generally Class III's. These are marginally sufficient for a large Airstream with a weight distributing hitch system.

I have replaced the OEM Class III's with aftermarket Class IV's on both of my Suburbans. I did this when the welds began to crack on one of them.

I have not seen anything on this problem with Fords or Dodges, but it is chronic with the GM's.

Brian

Road Ruler · 03-09-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhnquest

I have a Equalizer brand hitch system. I guess my real question is 25fb and 27fb going to tow about the same. The 27 has 30 lbs less hitch wt.

For many years we towed a lightweight Coleman pop up with a Nissan Mini Van. We just used a basic class II hitch. It towed fine.

We then upgraded to the 23' Airstream with a reinforced class III receiver and a Reese Dual Cam hitch with a modified shortened shank.

As far as towing was concerned there was not much difference. The heavier Airstream took a little while longer getting up to speed but other than that, easy sailin.

Gene · 03-09-2009, 10:18 AM

My experience is with a Safari and I thought the Interrnational had all the same weights, including tongue weight. On the '08 Safari's the difference is 70# more for the 27' FB over the 25' FB. Check those numbers because there are different 25's and all have different weights and the standard 25' was significantly more than the 27'. It gets confusing.

Our choice was the 25' and we thought the 27' was too close to the maximums and we have a truck with more capacity than yours. Remember also the SUV's generally have less payload than the pickups because of additional body weight, so you may be over the payload limits with either a 25' or a 27'.

Gene

pixiehat · 03-09-2009, 11:47 AM

Howdy,
I'm not a seasoned airstreamer by any means. I picked up my new (74) 27 footer a month or so ago and have only towed it once. That was from the mountains of central Oregon down to Grants Pass. That was about 250 miles half of which was in high elefvations and some on a bit of snow/ice. She towed like a dream and if it wasnt for my paranoia, I wouldnt have known she was there. Once we got home, backing into our crowded back yard through too narrow gates wasnt as easy as it would have been had i less help. During the trip down we had ocasion to maneuveer her a bit as well and it wasnt that god awful difficult to do.. If you're set on the larger one, I wouldnt let tow difficulty be a determining factor.. By the way, our tow rig is a Yukon GMC (chev eq is the Tajo)
Cant wait for spring to get here so we can take her out..

I origonally baught her to serve as a Ham radio shack but havent done much except gather equipment.. Too cold and I havent got around to cleaning here furnace..

enjoy your choice, whichever it turns out to be

Lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhnquest

I am looking at 2008 27fb and 25 fb international and would like to know if there is much difference in towing. I have a ford expedition with 300hp with heavy duty towing pkg. Also is there any outside storage on these trailers.

Silvertwinkie · 03-09-2009, 11:55 AM

Vintage units weigh less like yours Lee are not an apples to apples type comparison to that of the much heavier and wider new(er) units. It's somewhat night and day differences.

wheel interested · 03-09-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhnquest

I am looking at 2008 27fb and 25 fb international and would like to know if there is much difference in towing. I have a ford expedition with 300hp with heavy duty towing pkg. Also is there any outside storage on these trailers.

I towed a 2006 25'FB from Michigan to Oregon and towed home a 2007 27'FB back home with our 2000 Expedition. The 27' however is a Classic and heavier than the SE and International models, but the hitch weight being heavier was apparent. Pulling up a long steep grade was slower and harder and making u-turns takes more room as does getting in and out of tight gas stations. Backing up or finding camping sites too small have not been any issue. We still have the Expedition but we also have a 3/4 ton Suburban that accelerates faster and pulls easier up steep grades. Breaking seems quicker and shorter but the 2007 AS has disk brakes and the other did not. The Expedition was always a bouncier ride affected more by wind and passing vehicles. Check your hitch and combined vehicle ratings. Expys weigh alot and Airstreams seem to weigh more than expected.

I'd still get the model Airstream you want. You will adjust to towing with what you have. The 25' is a great size, kind of a sweet spot for caravanning.

InsideOut · 03-09-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhnquest

The 25 fb is 7300 gvwr and 27fb is 7600 gvwr. hicth wt is 30 lbs more on 25 fb. Is there anything else I should be looking at.

Keep in mind, the GVWR weights declared are "dry weight" - which means:

No water
No propane
No clothes
No food
No dishes
No bedding
No options - like remodeled interiors, extra shelves, A/C, awnings, etc
No extras - like TV, microwave, BBQ, chairs, ice chests, etc

These "conveniences" make your trip a little more enjoyable ~

Shari

wheel interested · 03-09-2009, 09:45 PM

I think the uvw unloaded vehicle weight is empty and the gvw is what you could weigh with stuff. Need to subtract the

unloaded from the gross and weigh only that much worth of effects and water and gas, etc. right?

Gross is the big number like isn't that a "gross'

amount of stuff! but what you actually can hold or "net" is your net carrying cargo amount.

UBW (Unit Base Weight) w/o Options or Fluids 25' =5,410 OR 27'= 5,813
Hitch Weight, w/o Options or Variable Wt. 25'=820 or 27'= 790
NCC (Net Carrying Capacity) w/o 25'= 1,890 OR 27'= 1,787

The Expedition might weigh with one driver and gas 5600 pounds and its combined vehicle weight rating of what the truck and the trailer and all its goods filled together might be in the neighborhood of 12500 or 13000 pounds.

xonvldz · 03-10-2009, 06:40 AM

i agree with the comment on selecting the correct hitch setup.my 31 pulls and manuvers much easier with the hensley then my previous 28 safari with the dual cam setup.i am towing with a diesel excursion and had previously had a navigator.the bigger trucks have increased cooling capacities,which put less stress on the drivetrain components.the navigator showed the stress of towing with the tranny first.also on hills it would struggle.mine was a 1998 whichs i beleive was rated around 235 horse power.yours is probably a 3 valve setup which should be plenty capable for pulling ,just make sure you have the increased capacity tranny,or add an extra cooler.i would always nurse my navigator up hills,with the diesel i hammer ever hill that comes along.7-8 mpg with navigator with a range of 200 miles,11-13 mpg with excursion with a range of 500 miles.

Gene · 03-10-2009, 09:28 AM

Carol, he's looking at FB's. Hitch weight for the 25' FB is 720, not 820. Those are '08 numbers, but I doubt they've changed.

Gene

jhnquest · 03-10-2009, 12:06 PM

Gene the specs show the 2008 25fb as 820 hitch wt and the 2008 27fb as 790 hitch wt as carol stated.

InsideOut · 03-10-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

I think the uvw unloaded vehicle weight is empty and the gvw is what you could weigh with stuff. Need to subtract the
unloaded from the gross and weigh only that much worth of effects and water and gas, etc. right?

Right. My point was that the GVWR needs to include all those things (variables) and they need to be taken into account when calculating GWVR & towing capacity of a tow vehicle. As I recall, one model in particular next to nothing allowed for personal effects once A/C, water, gas and propane are accounted for - in other words, you can't take anything with you and be "okay" with the GVWR &/or axle ratings.

Shari

Gene · 03-10-2009, 01:50 PM

I got my numbers on hitch weight from the Airstream booklet for '08 Safari's that I picked up at the dealer when we were looking at trailers. When I just checked on the Airstream website, looking for 2008 specs, it sent me to Flying Cloud and I guess they were 2009 specs, even though it was supposedly for 2008 Safari's. Anyway the FC hitch weight for the FB's is stated as 760 for the 25, 775 for the 27, from the Airstream website.

We are looking at different specs for the same things. It looks like Airstream is giving different numbers depending where you look.

Gene