|
|
04-07-2007, 11:19 AM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
1970 31' Sovereign
palm springs
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 50
|
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
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 11:29 AM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1973 23' Safari
1977 23' Safari
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Palmer Lake
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,092
|
My 1975 31' Sovereign tows great behind my F-250 diesel.
Zep
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 11:52 AM
|
#3
|
2 Rivet Member
1996 25' Excella
Tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 59
|
tow
My 25ft Excella tows nicely behind my Chev. 2500 Diesel.
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 11:57 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
|
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,
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 12:08 PM
|
#5
|
2 Rivet Member
1970 31' Sovereign
palm springs
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 50
|
Thanks guys...what about the Toyota Tundra 2007?
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 12:26 PM
|
#6
|
2 Rivet Member
1996 25' Excella
Tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 59
|
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.
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 01:04 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1974 31' Sovereign
1970 23' Safari
1956 26' Cruiser Overlander
Lambertville
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,174
|
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.
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 04:07 PM
|
#8
|
Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
|
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.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 04:32 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
NE
, Indiana
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 620
|
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.
__________________
Hi Yo Silver, Away II?
looking for our next AS
TAC IN-3
AIR 7185
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 04:44 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
|
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.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
|
|
|
04-07-2007, 05:40 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
|
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
|
|
|
07-20-2007, 07:11 PM
|
#12
|
Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
|
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
|
|
|
07-20-2007, 07:22 PM
|
#13
|
2 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Burien
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 76
|
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
|
|
|
07-20-2007, 09:53 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member
1992 34' Excella
riverhead
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 72
|
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.
__________________
Joe Colao 50th Anniversary President of Metro NY WBCCI # 30916
KC2RAR
|
|
|
07-21-2007, 07:11 AM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
1974 29' Ambassador
1966 20' Globetrotter
Southern
, Illinois
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 698
|
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.
|
|
|
07-21-2007, 09:41 AM
|
#16
|
2 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Burien
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 76
|
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
|
|
|
07-21-2007, 05:51 PM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
|
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.
|
|
|
07-21-2007, 09:06 PM
|
#18
|
1 Rivet Member
1988 34' Excella
Marianna
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11
|
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
|
|
|
07-21-2007, 10:12 PM
|
#19
|
2 Rivet Member
1972 Argosy 20
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 94
|
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.
|
|
|
07-22-2007, 02:52 AM
|
#20
|
3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 159
|
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.
__________________
Live and LET live
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|