What do you tow your 30 ft with?

[jsimplytx125]

We are wondering what your suggestions are for towing a 30 ft 1994 Excella Classic 1000? Its GVWR 10,000.

We have a 1/2 ton Chvy Silverado 5.3 l V8 with towing package. Axle ratio of 3.42. Truck owner manual suggested max weight is 6,600. GCWR 12,000.

We plan to use a tow stabilizer.

[GStephens]

We use an F-250 Diesel and a Hensley to pull our 31' which weighs 2,000 pounds less than yours. I wouldn't pull ours with a 1/2 ton ever.

GStephens

[Harry W]

I agree with GStephens. I tow a 31' AS with a diesel Excursion and a 3/4 ton F-250 before that. In a previous life, I towed an 800 lb (loaded) box car trailer with a Suburban, 350 cu in. It handled the trailer well and as long as the road was flat it was OK. The slightest hill (and I mean slight) it was immediately in 2nd gear at 3400 RPM just to do 40 mph. Wheelbase and torque make for a pleasant experience. WD hitch and anti sway are absolute requirements.

BTW, welcome to the forums.

[flyfisher]

I towed my 30' Classic Ltd with a 7.3L F250 diesel, and although I was within the weight limits overall, and had a weight distributing hitch, I was still often overweight on my truck's rear axle - that's something you rarely hear about in these towing/weight limit discussions.

I had a fiberglass cap on my truck's 8' bed, and carried a variety of items there whenever we went camping, which undoubtedly contributed to me being overweight on the rear axle.

I sure wouldn't want to tow your trailer with a 1/2 ton pickup - the biggest concern isn't whether the truck will pull it, but whether it will stop it.

John

[lsmith]

We tow our 1995 30' Excella with a Dodge 2500 with the Cummins diesel. Last year we went inti the mountains 10,000+ feet with 10% grades and NEVER had a problem at all. We use only a standard WD hitch

Our traveling companion was towing a 2002 25' with a truck similar to yours, he made it but at less then 30 mph in low gear and the transmission temp close to overheating

Good Luck

[goutes]

I just picked up our 2009 30' classic and towed it home ~200mi with a F150 FX4, 3.73 axle, tow package. It did great with LD hitch and brake controller. Of course, it is relatively flat here on the east coast. I will definitely get a larger TV before heading west.

[jsimplytx125]

Oh my, a bunch of early birds here. I love it!
OK well, that is sombering news. I suppose we could borrow a 3/4 ton diesel until next years big truck purchase.

Thanks for the welcome, I feel right at home.

[Mainstream]

I know a guy who tried to pull a 30 ft AS with a Toyota Tundra and was sure it would do fine. It didn't take him long to trade it in for a 3/4 ton to tow with. My first camper was a 28 foot with a slide out that weighed about 8000 and I tried to tow with a 1/2 ton GMC with the 5.3 engine. I knew I needed a bigger truck before I got the new camper home from the dealer.
I wouldn't tow over 6,000 lbs with any 1/2 ton no matter what the tow rateing is on it.

[n2916s]

I have towed my 31' Sovereign 40,000 miles over the past four years with my Nissan Titan. Never had a problem, tows great, no maintenance issues. Just clicked over 100k on the truck and it has (knock on wood) never been in the shop other than for routine stuff and the infamous brake service bulletin.

BUT -- my trailers gross is 8600# and it has been weighed at #7900 (we probably average about 8k) and the truck is rated for 9500#. You are talking about exceeding both your towing capacity and your GCWR and, frankly, I wouldn't do it. For one thing, should there be an incident your insurance company could refuse to cover it.

I suspect a 3/4 ton is in your future.

mike

[xonvldz]

our trailer is gvw 10000 lb.tow it with a diesel excursion with a hensley hitch.

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

We tow our 7400# 25FB with a 3/4 ton Suburban. We tried it with our 1/2 ton Tahoe (5.3/3.73) and were not at all impressed. I doubt very much that you will be thrilled towing a 9000+# Airstream with a half ton Chevy, especially with a 3.43 rear end.

If you give it a try with the half ton, start researching quality weight distribution/sway control hitch systems. A cheapo system will probably not cut it in the situation. You should also consider adding transmission fluid and oil coolers to your truck. You will also need to check your truck's tires. You will need at least load range D or E light truck tires to handle the weight that you are talking about. Many light duty half tons come with load range C car tires.

Good luck.

Brian

[sailors]

We tow our 94, 30ft. classic with a f150 4X4 5.4 with tow package and tran. cooler. No problems yet. We were at 8950lbs on our weigh in. Using a Reese WD hitch. Good luck.