Best Tow Vehicle for 27' Serenity

[jklotz13]

Hi everyone! I am looking now at buying a 27' International Serenity. Do any of you have this airstream and what do you use to tow? I am looking at the F150, but wondering what the best and most reliable tow vehicle would be for the 27'. Any input would be helpful! Thanks in advance!

[moosetags]

Some will say that a half to pick-up is just fine for a 27' Airstream. I would prefer a 3/4 ton for the payload capacity.

Brian

[Daquenzer]

You will get tons of responses. I pull 28’ with F150 Ecoboost with max tow haul package (2017). Has plenty of power. But I use my F150 for a daily driver and don’t pull that much in a year. If I was pulling months out of the year I would go with F250 for payload reasons not for power reasons. I also use a Propride hitch for better stability. If I was doing lots of pulling in mountains I’d go diesel. But I wouldn’t buy a diesel just for regular use. Too expensive. So ask yourself, “How much towing do I expect to do?” If not that much F150 will work. If you are going to pull a lot, then probably F250. IMHO. But the F150 has plenty of power. That’s not the issue. Payload will be the issue if you are taking lots of stuff. Short-run Solution: Put more stuff in the trailer if you have F150.

[Wconley]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

You will get tons of responses. I pull 28’ with F150 Ecoboost with max tow haul package (2017). Has plenty of power. But I use my F150 for a daily driver and don’t pull that much in a year. If I was pulling months out of the year I would go with F250 for payload reasons not for power reasons. I also use a Propride hitch for better stability. If I was doing lots of pulling in mountains I’d go diesel. But I wouldn’t buy a diesel just for regular use. Too expensive. So ask yourself, “How much towing do I expect to do?” If not that much F150 will work. If you are going to pull a lot, then probably F250. IMHO. But the F150 has plenty of power. That’s not the issue. Payload will be the issue if you are taking lots of stuff. Short-run Solution: Put more stuff in the trailer if you have F150.

This is great advice!!! Take it from one pulling a 27FB with a F150 EB.

[tommym1]

RAM 1500 5.7 for sure.

[moosetags]

All half tons can present payload issues. A lot will depend on your camping style and use of your Airstream.

Brian

[jklotz13]

Thank you all for your responses! I plan on using it as my primary residence. I'm a travel nurse and will be towing it often. Contracts are usually 13 weeks at a time and camping in between. I was thinking about the F150 eco boost for the 27'ft Serenity, but have been debating on whether or not to go diesel. I am worried about the expense of going diesel, but also want to be smart about not putting too much strain on the vehicle I choose. I too will be using my tow vehicle as an every day vehicle as well.

[pteck]

Before buying, it would be useful to familiarize yourself the payload capacity concept that is being alluded to. Each vehicle has a sticker on the doorjamb, listing the actual payload capacity of the specific vehicle. For example, not all F150s are created equal in this respect. Depending on the configuration and options (with more options generally eating into a chassis's carrying capacity), the vehicle will have different capacities. It can vary greatly.

The stickers look like this and can be found on the drivers door jamb on any vehicle sold today. In this particular picture, it's the 1962 lbs number

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by jklotz13

Thank you all for your responses! I plan on using it as my primary residence. I'm a travel nurse and will be towing it often. Contracts are usually 13 weeks at a time and camping in between. I was thinking about the F150 eco boost for the 27'ft Serenity, but have been debating on whether or not to go diesel. I am worried about the expense of going diesel, but also want to be smart about not putting too much strain on the vehicle I choose. I too will be using my tow vehicle as an every day vehicle as well.

You do not need a diesel. A gas F250 is plenty for a 27’ if you need extra payload. The only reason to get a diesel is if you might be in the mountains a great deal. If I were you I would get an F250 gas. They have a towing capacity greater than an Ecoboost. It’s less expensive up front, fuel is less expensive, repairs will be cheaper, and you won’t have to worry about DEF. Oil changes on a diesel are over $100.

You’ll also save a ton of upfront costs. A F250 diesel is about a $9,000 upcharge in cost.

[Daquenzer]

By the way a 4x4 SuperCrew Cab with a short box and 3.73 differential can tow 12,600lbs. That gives you way more towing capacity than necessary for a 27’ AS. A diesel can tow 15,000lbs. Do you really need that extra 2400lbs of towing capacity?

[brick1]

I am towing an International Serenity 28 with an Expedition, rated to tow 9200 lbs. No issue towing, but I am right at max payload. It may become an F250 diesel...
brick

[jcl]

Originally Posted by jklotz13

Thank you all for your responses! I plan on using it as my primary residence. I'm a travel nurse and will be towing it often. Contracts are usually 13 weeks at a time and camping in between. I was thinking about the F150 eco boost for the 27'ft Serenity, but have been debating on whether or not to go diesel. I am worried about the expense of going diesel, but also want to be smart about not putting too much strain on the vehicle I choose. I too will be using my tow vehicle as an every day vehicle as well.

Not sure whether you are referring to the new F150 diesel, or a 3/4 ton diesel. You don’t need to worry about strain on the vehicle. A properly equipped F150 with an Ecoboost can tow the trailer you are considering just fine, over any hill. The bigger issue is payload capacity. An F150 can handle the tongue weight, but it matters how much other stuff you want to take with you. Do you have a large collection of anvils? Do you want two generators, a paddling boat, and so on? Or will most of what you want to take fit in the trailer?

An F150 is a better everyday vehicle than a larger truck.

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by jklotz13

Thank you all for your responses! I plan on using it as my primary residence. I'm a travel nurse and will be towing it often. Contracts are usually 13 weeks at a time and camping in between. I was thinking about the F150 eco boost for the 27'ft Serenity, but have been debating on whether or not to go diesel. I am worried about the expense of going diesel, but also want to be smart about not putting too much strain on the vehicle I choose. I too will be using my tow vehicle as an every day vehicle as well.

Originally Posted by jcl

Not sure whether you are referring to the new F150 diesel, or a 3/4 ton diesel. You don’t need to worry about strain on the vehicle. A properly equipped F150 with an Ecoboost can tow the trailer you are considering just fine, over any hill. The bigger issue is payload capacity. An F150 can handle the tongue weight, but it matters how much other stuff you want to take with you. Do you have a large collection of anvils? Do you want two generators, a paddling boat, and so on? Or will most of what you want to take fit in the trailer?

An F150 is a better everyday vehicle than a larger truck.

I agree.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by jklotz13

Thank you all for your responses! I plan on using it as my primary residence. I'm a travel nurse and will be towing it often. Contracts are usually 13 weeks at a time and camping in between. I was thinking about the F150 eco boost for the 27'ft Serenity, but have been debating on whether or not to go diesel. I am worried about the expense of going diesel, but also want to be smart about not putting too much strain on the vehicle I choose. I too will be using my tow vehicle as an every day vehicle as well.

Ok I think this info helps and might answer this.

How much “stuff” do you need to carry for work plus camping fun plus living stuff etc. do you need to keep the stuff protected? A cap does that nicely but it does weigh a bit.

The “stuff” factor can help prevent you from under buying or over buying.

Good luck.

Gary

[vintageracer]

Always remember that "Pulling" a trailer is a lot easier than "Stopping" the Tow Vehicle and Trailer combination.

I understand that many folks here get concerned about Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings and Trailer Towing Capacity and yes the OEM's do design the vehicle with that performance in mind HOWEVER "I" have always been more concerned with STOPPING (Brakes) capability as most folks tend to Overload or Load To Capacity their tow vehicle and trailer combination. This means they tend to run at the limit of weight capacity for their tow/trailer combination and therefore their braking capability is average at best when in perfect new condtion! Throw a few miles of wear and tear on the combination and braking capability becomes less and less.

IF you purchase a tow vehicle with Big Enough BRAKES to STOP your tow/trailer combination you will easily take care of meeting the towing capability ratings of the tow vehicle and trailer combination you choose.

[RandyNH]

I'm pretty sure that braking is part of the calculation for all of the capacity specs.

F150 brakes front 13.8" rear 13.7"
F250/350 brakes front 14.29" rear 14.29"

F150 GVWR 7,000lbs
F250 GVWR 10,000lbs
F350 GVWR 11,500lbs

Not being any kind of engineer, can someone tell me the stopping power comparison between these configurations.

Full disclosure - I have the 350 PS but don't believe everyone needs one

[TG Twinkie]

If you stick with the base models of a 1/2 ton truck instead of the fancy dancy models the load carrying capacity is usually greater. The fancier the heavier which subtracts from the carrying capacity.
Highly recommend models with "tow/haul" capability.

[sbowman]

Just my 2 cents.

Tow vehicle weigh's more than what you are towing and/or may tow in the future. If you have never experienced being pushed during a hard stop or a quick/fast evasive maneuver, trust me it is not good.

Best regards and safe travels

[RioMimbres]

So you'll be towing every 13 weeks? Or will you change locations during your 13 week contract? The F150 might be fine for towing 4 times per year. It's also a comfortable vehicle for around town with a nice ride. Plus decent fuel economy.

[LY007]

I tow a 27 with a Crewmax Tundra 5.7. Never feel like I need more power, never have had the pedal to the floor. Did s small brake upgrade; using soft Greenstuff pads on the front brakes.