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Old 04-07-2007, 11:19 AM   #1
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1970 31' Sovereign
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tow vehicle for 31ft 1970 Land Yacht?

anyone with a Land Yacht...we are buying a new truck possibly and getting a tow package put on...Need to hear from owners of 31ft land Yachts...What is your tow vehicle...how much power do you really need? Thanks
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Old 04-07-2007, 11:29 AM   #2
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My 1975 31' Sovereign tows great behind my F-250 diesel.

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Old 04-07-2007, 11:52 AM   #3
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tow

My 25ft Excella tows nicely behind my Chev. 2500 Diesel.
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Old 04-07-2007, 11:57 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happydaze
anyone with a Land Yacht...we are buying a new truck possibly and getting a tow package put on...Need to hear from owners of 31ft land Yachts...What is your tow vehicle...how much power do you really need? Thanks
In 1970, the tow vehicle of choice would have been a full size car or a suburban. You don't state whether or not you want a vintage vehicle. The dry weight is 4900 lbs and I would guess the gvw is 7000 lbs, it should be on the data plate on the front of the trailer. I would say you want a tow rating of at least 8,000 lbs and a long wheelbase of 130" or greater.

Just my personal opinion,

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Old 04-07-2007, 12:08 PM   #5
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Thanks guys...what about the Toyota Tundra 2007?
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Old 04-07-2007, 12:26 PM   #6
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tundra

I think if you do a search, there is a fairly lengthy discussion on the Tundra.

Again, I have the diesel and really like the power and the fact you are not lacking in it. Mileage is good. I get 14-17 towing. I don't need all the power the diesel offers but it is nice that it is there. Picked up my diesel used and at a decent price.

I previously had a Toyota T-100 and a Tacoma. Both were great trucks. Expect the new Tundra to be the same.

You have a difficult decision.
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Old 04-07-2007, 01:04 PM   #7
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Tow Vehichle for 31'

I tow a '74 31' Land Yacht with a 2006 Chevy Express (full size) Van w/tow package. Van is awesome with 5.3L V8 (300 + HP) and 3.73 HD rear-end. I have no issues with power, handling, or braking, and I have lots of room for 3 kids and 2 dogs plus all the gear.
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Old 04-07-2007, 04:07 PM   #8
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At that gross weight, a half ton would probably do the job. I think that I would prefer a 3/4 ton as being more within my comfort zone.
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Old 04-07-2007, 04:32 PM   #9
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The new Tundra would probably be OK. But you would be alot safer and probably happier with a 3/4 ton tow vehicle. Especially if you are towing through mountainous areas, a diesel 3/4 ton will put a smile on your face.
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Old 04-07-2007, 04:44 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happydaze
anyone with a Land Yacht...we are buying a new truck possibly and getting a tow package put on...Need to hear from owners of 31ft land Yachts...What is your tow vehicle...how much power do you really need? Thanks
I can and do tow with an F150 on occasion, BUT it has the factory tow package which includes some goodies like a lower ratio rear end, limited slip rear end, as well as heavier duty cooling. We also have the smaller V-8. We are fine towing on the fairly flat land between our home and the coast. However for mountains or longer trips the crew cab F350 wins out. The F350 is over kill for the 70's vintage Sovereigns. A well set up F150 can do the job, but is going to be much closer to the safety limits than a F250 with the heavier brakes and suspension. BTW I am using the F in a fairly generic manner. I just happen to own and drive Fords. Chevrolet, Dodge and GMC all make similar and suitable trucks. I have not towed or even investigated towing with a Toyota or Nissan so can't really comment on those.

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Old 04-07-2007, 05:40 PM   #11
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Well,

I'll probably get jumped on but I towed my 31' Sovereign 4500 miles last Summer behind my 1/2 ton Nissan Titan. No problems whatsoever.

Granted, I did not do the Rockies but I did see some serious grades in the Poconos and Appalachians. I just had to accept the fact that I was going to be climbing/descending at 45.

I would be delighted to have a big, honking 3/4 ton diesel but I just can't justify the $$$ - my Titan SE was $28K with goodies. The lowest quote I got for a diesel (Ford or Chevy) was $33.8 and that was pretty naked.

Another issue is longevity -- that $6000 diesel will be running like a champ in 15 years and 250,000 miles but what shape is the rest of the truck going to be in? Don't know about you, but most of my vehicles have looked pretty tired at 150k miles........

However, if the Tundra had been available I may well have bought one considering the manufacturer's reputation for quality.

Anyway, this particular subject is one that is endlessly hashed over on the Forum (another that inspires mass conflicting posts is towing equipment). One of the best things about this place is that you get lots of disagreement but very little rancor.

Have Fun,

Mike
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Old 07-20-2007, 07:11 PM   #12
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The obvious answer is a 1970 Chrysler Town & Country. 3.23 gears, 480Lb/Ft Torque, front & rear air-conditoning, cruise and all the goodies. 122" wheelbase. Great tow vehicle. Easily tows 7,000.

http://www.fuselage.de/chr70/70chr06b.jpg
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Old 07-20-2007, 07:22 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happydaze
Thanks guys...what about the Toyota Tundra 2007?
I'm not sure what the tow capacity of the 2007 Tundra is, but if the weight and tow capacity are comparable to a one of the US Big 3 3/4 ton, it should be OK. Toyota makes great a great truck.

My father had a earlier version of a Tundra and was towing his 25ft Classic with it. He felt is was just fine until I towed his trailer with my GMC 2500 Duramax. He traded his Tundra in for a GMC with a Duramax in it.

Sam
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Old 07-20-2007, 09:53 PM   #14
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Chevy Astrovan is a great, underated tow vehicle

Hello, before my current Airstream we towed our 1977 31' Excella 500 and then a 1977 Soverign with a 1990 Astrovan.
We now tow a 34' Excella 1000 with a 2000 Astrovan. Check out Can-Am-Rv in London, Ontario. They are truly the towing experts. They set me up years ago.
We have been all over the USA and Canada with our rigs. Just returned not long ago from a 3+ month 16,000 mile trip to Alaska after going to the Salem Or. International Rally. Good luck Joe.
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Old 07-21-2007, 07:11 AM   #15
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Toyota Tundra

We have been very happy with our 2007 Tundra. We got the 5.7 L engine and factory tow package with the weight distributing hitch. When it came time to pick up our AS in North Carolina, the Tundra had no problem getting our 29 foot Ambassador through the mountains back to Illinois.

Our dealer did not provide a brake controller as an option, other dealers may be a bit more aware of towing requirements. Because our garage is small, we did not get the towing mirrors, and have found that good add-on mirrors for the Tundra are not easy to find.

We were very happy with our 2000 Tundra that we traded in, never had any trouble with it at all. There are lots of good choices out there, best of luck.
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Old 07-21-2007, 09:41 AM   #16
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You guys with Tundras just got me to check out the new offerings on the web. The truck seems a lighter than one of the US big 3 at around 5300 pounds, but, the engine at 5.7L seems to have what it takes.

It certainly isn't my fathers old Tundra.

Sam
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Old 07-21-2007, 05:51 PM   #17
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I tow my 1978 31' with a 2000 Ford Excursion V10. Comfortable as heck to cruise in for many hours, gets 12-14 MPG towing at 60MPH and 16-18 Highway not towing.
Best part is these are available used for great deal.
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Old 07-21-2007, 09:06 PM   #18
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hey guy, if you want a true tow vechicle the ford F350 4x4 2006 model is the only choice for a tow vechicle the electrical break is built in and it has a tow gear that takes grades going up and down with no skip in the tow. I'm towing a 34 ft 1000 excella 1988 model, 8900 lbs dry. I am currently cruising from florida to montana using the back roads no interstate. I have nothing but a smile on my face when towing. I got the 2006 F350 used its a 4x4 King Ranch addition and had 18000 miles on it. I got a great deal for only $37000 why the 4x4, hey you have it if you need it
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Old 07-21-2007, 10:12 PM   #19
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tow vehicle for land yacht

Owned a 1974 31' rear bedroom Sovereign. Towed it with a 1987 Suburban 1500 (1/2 ton) with the 350 motor. Seemed to do the job even here in Colorado. Think the weight on the scales was somewhere under 6000 lbs loaded.
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Old 07-22-2007, 02:52 AM   #20
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maccamper, What kind of MPG are you getting. I looked in Perry few weeks ago for new tundras pulling 27 footer or bigger to find MPG. I pull with a 92 suburban with 350 and tow package and got only 8.34 MPG towing for 450 miles.
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