34' w/slide - TV needed?

[TomR]

Hi all...I seem to have read on quite a few posts that the current 3/4 ton pick up line up will "handle any current ASs".

Is that quite true?...or would a 1 ton PU be "better".

I don't have either the 34' or the TV so it is hypothetical at this point. My thinking is that I may look for a TV first but would want to be sure it could handle the 34' w/slide...just in case .

Actually, I think my wife want about a 40' 5th wheel ...rolling condo...but may settle for a 34' AS...if the corrosion question gets straightened out ...Thanks...Tom R in Two Harbors, MN

[hookedonclassic]

I wouldn't hesitate to haul the 34' slide with my 3/4 ton Duramax. But I would upgrade the receiver to a Class 5. Plenty of power, braking, and weight capacity with the 3/4. Jack C has 30' slide with 3/4 ton van. Maybe he'll chime in as well.

[2airishuman]

hi tomR...

nilesrob pulled a 34 slide with an excursion last year....

see pics in post 1500 and 1494 here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f288...-27292-30.html

IF i were buying the f-250 psd again, i'd opt for the f-350 srw.

MORE payload and the class 5 receiver is a factory option (not available on the 250), all for a few 100$ more.

i know another fellow in texas who pulls a 34 slide with a haha and a 3500 duramax thing....

2 outta 3 ain't bad....

cheers
2air'

and thor DOES make a 40ft+ trailer with slides and 2? doors; it's NOT a 5th wheel model either...

and it IS long baby!

[TomR]

Hi 2air...yea...that "payload thing" is probably pretty important. Let's see...2 generators...or maybe a four wheeler...or maybe a Harley...or maybe just all the things my wife can't fit in the AS !

Gee...maybe I would need drw's...just kidding!

I think I would target either (250 or 350) if I were looking used...but probably go for the 350 srw if I was buying new. Thanks...Tom R

P.S. New(er) 34' units seem to be available at fairly "good" prices...wonder if the gas thing is having an impact...maybe short-term until our minds adjust?...TMR

[nilesrob]

We pulled our 34' with SO maybe 10,000 miles (a guess) with our diesel Excursion - worked like a champ. I did beef up the rear end with air suspension bags, but it towed great. We don't have either the Excursion or the 34 anymore, but would use that combo again in a second.

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

and thor DOES make a 40ft+ trailer with slides and 2? doors; it's NOT a 5th wheel model either...

and it IS long baby!

Before Thor -- the 40' Airstreamus Rex!

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

Before Thor -- the 40' Airstreamus Rex!

yea but it pulls like "like a dream, u don't even know it's back there"

as a former section hand and brakeman, i follow the train stuff.

there is one of these sleeper cars in searcy arkansas, not far from g's dealership...

i've been tempted to tow it over to his place just for grins...

cheers
2air'

[moosetags]

I would go with a one ton diesel (single rear wheel) for the giant 34 footer. I would also go with a crew cab and 8' box. it comes with a class V hitch receiver (highly recommmended). A one ton doesn't cost very much more than a 3/4 ton. The extra wheel base would make it a more stable towing platform.

I tend to overdo, but why not? Being in the towing comfort zone is worth a bunch.

[TomR]

Originally Posted by nilesrob

We pulled our 34' with SO maybe 10,000 miles (a guess) with our diesel Excursion - worked like a champ. I did beef up the rear end with air suspension bags, but it towed great. We don't have either the Excursion or the 34 anymore, but would use that combo again in a second.

2 34'er's now a 27FB...how do you like the 27' as compared to the 2 34'er's? Love the King Ranch Fords!

Tom R

[TX_Streamer]

I pull a 34' (with slideout) with a '97 3/4 Suburban, 454 gas engine. I recently made a trip from Dallas, TX to Syracuse, NY and, while more power would be a good thing, it tows fine. It was plenty stable, towing between 60/65 mph. Be sure a get a good sway controller

[Silvertwinkie]

Things have changed a bit with GM and the new Suburbans. There is no longer a big block availibe. I think a 454 or 8.1L, be it in a pickup or Suburban, if if you can find either would be a good TV for a 34' slide. I firmly believe that a diesel is a better option, not to slight my gasser bothers out there.

I think, and in this order (based on personal pref) would be good too for a 34' slide:

Chevy Silverado 3/4 ton or 1 ton Duramax/Allision combo

Ford Superduty 3/4 ton or 1 ton with whatever diesel and trans combo they offer

Dodge 3/4 ton or 1 ton cummings diesel and whatever trans it comes with

I'd typically shy away from the 1 tonners but given a 34' slide has a hitch weight of 1150lbs and you may keep items in the truck bed, it might not be as harsh a ride if say you had a 1 ton with a 25 or 28 foot unit. The slide from what I understand adds signficant weight to the hitch and the trailer overall. Looking at the specs off the Airstream website:

34' non slide
Hitch weight 770
UBW (base weight) 7858


34' Slide
Hitch weight 1150
UBW 8247

Not huge differences, but figure after you load 'er up, you could be at or over 10,000lbs GVWR.

[boondockdad]

my '05 suburban 2500 496ci big block, towing 30' s/o is at its limits...

[jcanavera]

The hitch weight on my '04 30' SO is over 1,200 lbs. The 3/4 ton van handles it quite well (although I did upgrade the factory hitch to a class V hitch). Also check the specs on a tow vehicle carefully. Sometimes, dependent upon vehicle, towing capacities on some 1 ton offerings are less than the 3/4 ton. I know that was the case on my van.

Jack

[altamont]

Towing capacity on my 2008 Ford F250 Superduty is 12,500 lbs. More than enough for your needs.

[Brad Hunt]

Whoa: You did say you were buying the TV first? Well a 3/4 ton 10 cyl. or Diesel will easily pull your 34' but if you buy the TV 1st and your lady demands the 40' 5th wheel you have just put the cart before the horse because you will need at minimum a 1 ton dually diesel and even that may be light if you buy the AS quality equivalent like an Excel or better yet New Horizons. Definately PICK THE RV FIRST!!

[TomR]

Originally Posted by Brad Hunt

Whoa: You did say you were buying the TV first? Well a 3/4 ton 10 cyl. or Diesel will easily pull your 34' but if you buy the TV 1st and your lady demands the 40' 5th wheel you have just put the cart before the horse because you will need at minimum a 1 ton dually diesel and even that may be light if you buy the AS quality equivalent like an Excel or better yet New Horizons. Definately PICK THE RV FIRST!!

Good point Brad...you must know my wife! Those New Horizons are really nice...but very heavy...maybe need a medium duty truck for one of those.

I am probably too cautious to buy the TV first...with so much uncertainty...not only what...but IF.

Thanks...Tom R

[PhiDor]

If you need a great truck for towing, this is the one. Great on power, comfortable with extra cab & 6' bed w/ hard tonneau. Very Stable platform. Mine is 4wd.

And the fuel tank is a miser.. Honest. 16mpg towing 34' w/Slide.

Love it.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I don't think Tom has pulled the Airstream trigger yet......must be the corrosion problem.

Bob

[boondockdad]

this one goes back.. how time flies