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12-08-2008, 03:16 PM
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#41
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Well, from the posts in this thread, it looks like ALL tow vehicles are good....that is all except that 1990 F150!
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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12-08-2008, 07:13 PM
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#42
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Vagabond
1973 31' Sovereign
1991 34' Excella
Fort Meade Md. RV park slot 8!!
, Motorsports Photographer
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 239
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The bigger the better!!!! That's my two cents....
__________________
Never has so few. Done so much, With so little, That now we can do anything, With absolutly NOTHING!!!! AIR# 300
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12-08-2008, 07:39 PM
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#43
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,501
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DIMMER
The bigger the better!!!! That's my two cents....
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I am more of a Goldilocks user.
Looking for something not too small and not too big.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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12-08-2008, 07:44 PM
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#44
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Vagabond
1973 31' Sovereign
1991 34' Excella
Fort Meade Md. RV park slot 8!!
, Motorsports Photographer
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 239
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I love my 1991 SUBURBAN with the 8.1l and the Allison trans..
__________________
Never has so few. Done so much, With so little, That now we can do anything, With absolutly NOTHING!!!! AIR# 300
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12-08-2008, 08:02 PM
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#45
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DIMMER
The bigger the better!!!! That's my two cents....
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I like the way you think. I was thinking though, you probably don't need the ramps to get the jeep in the back That could be the fun way.
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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12-08-2008, 08:05 PM
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#46
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DIMMER
The bigger the better!!!! That's my two cents....
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Yup, that's big. Better not let David Suzuki see that one.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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12-08-2008, 09:17 PM
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#47
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Rivet Master
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1956 30' Sovereign of the Road
1963 16' Bambi
Southeastern Area
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,116
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Completely Happy
I like my Nissan Titan just fine (5.6 liter, 4x4, big tow pkg). Been towing both my coaches with it for 18 months now without any problems. No sway even with the Sovereign. However, neither trailer is over 5500 lb. when fully loaded. It's given me plenty of pulling power when I needed it, topping 90 mph before I knew it.
Interestingly, the original sales flyer for my '56 SOTR says, and I quote, "It is big, roomy, beautifully designed, 4-wheel tandem yet can be towed with ease by any car. Only recently an impartial national automobile magazine road-tested and clocked this trailer at over 90 mph, towed by an ordinary medium-priced car -- proof that the Sovereign tows like a dream at any speed."
I guess my Titan is an "ordinary medium-priced car".
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12-09-2008, 10:14 AM
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#48
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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Happy .
We use an old station wagon. A 70 Chevelle is in the completion stages as alternate.
It does restrict us to relatively good roads but that makes the trailer happy too.
Barry
__________________
Barry & Donna
Life is short - so is the door on a '51 Flying Cloud (ouch)
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12-09-2008, 01:59 PM
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#49
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Rivet Master
1999 23' Safari
Perrysburg
, Ann Arbor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 916
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You Betcha!
'08 GMC 2500 Duramax, Allison, Crew Cab, 4wd, standard bed, etc.
I'm only pulling a little 23 foot Safari, but the truck does other (e.g. farm) duty. The torque is astounding, the huge disc brakes are terrific, the integrated brake controller is a delight, and the transmission does WHATEVER I WANT it to do, not what it wants to do. I've only been doing this for a year, so it gives me a lot of confidence ... and if I wanna' trade up in size in a few years (probably not), she'll tow anything I can afford to any site I'm brave enough to try. This thing has the "irresistable force" feel of a railroad locomotive!
Only drawback I can see is that with the standard bed, you only get a 29 gallon fuel tank - my old Suburban had 40! And of course, I wish diesel were on a par with auto gas on a BTU / $ basis, but I knew that when I bought her - I've been driving diesels for more than a decade.
And I do use low-weight (650#) WD bars and set em' pretty soft so as not to upset the "delicate" Airstream. Recently left a site with two hard plastic water glasses loose on the top of the vanity by mistake. At end of day at a new site about 300 miles away, they were still sitting in the same places as when I left. So I guess vibration and bounce aren't too bad back there!
AWESOME tow vehicle!
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12-09-2008, 04:19 PM
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#50
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Rivet Master
2009 27' FB Flying Cloud
1982 31' International
1991 35' Airstream 350
Jay
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,706
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I have been pleased with my Chevy 2500HD Duramax. PLENTY of power, great MPGs, and very comfortable. Until today. It is only used to tow the trailer, as I keep a sedan for work. I do drive it one day a week so it doesn't just sit. But, after only 65000 miles, it is in the shop for an new set of injectors.
__________________
Jeff & Cindy
'09 27FB Flying Cloud;'82 31 International
'91 350 LE MH; '21 Interstate 24GT
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12-09-2008, 05:30 PM
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#51
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 689
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Yes, we've been really pleased with a 'little truck.'
With a bit of improvement in parking and maneuverability and a slight increase in mileage over a full-sized pickup, I have a body-on-frame TV, with a small block V8 and factor tow package. The owner's manual states a 1200 lb payload and 7100 lb max towing capacity, and we're doing about 3600 loaded. Does fine in the Rockies and on the plains, with a towing MPG range of 12-15.
The newer Explorers are a quite capable tow vehicle for a smaller TT.
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12-09-2008, 05:31 PM
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#52
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Warranty
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdalrymple
I have been pleased with my Chevy 2500HD Duramax. PLENTY of power, great MPGs, and very comfortable. Until today. It is only used to tow the trailer, as I keep a sedan for work. I do drive it one day a week so it doesn't just sit. But, after only 65000 miles, it is in the shop for an new set of injectors.
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Jeff,
Should still be covered under the 100k warranty. Check with the dealer.
We have replaced a few at the store, most caused by contaminated fuel.
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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12-09-2008, 05:57 PM
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#53
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2 Rivet Member
2001 31' Excella
Bluffton
, South Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 62
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GM Duramax and 31' Excella
I've driven this unit over 55K in four years and it's just now broken in. Pulls like a mule, gets 10-11 towing, and rides like a dream. It pulls my Excella with a HaHa like it wasn't there but stops on a dime with hyd. brakes.
I have a short box but a big covered topper to hold all my camping gear. I have an over head rack for my canoe and universal rack off the topper to carry the bikes. Can't get much more that on this wagon!! O-yea, the parrot gets the back seat.
__________________
Fred Bartlett
30' S/O 01 Excella, maple floors in Galley, HA Hitch, Hyd. Disc Brakes, P3 Controller, SS Kit. Bk Splash, LED RL's, 2K/Tri Fuel Gen's & RV on TT
04 Chevy HD, CC, D/A, Curt Magnum V Rec., Full Amsoil Syn.,Dual Filters, ARE, MX Topper with lift Gate Door, Bed Rug, TPS & Bk.up Camera.
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12-09-2008, 06:31 PM
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#54
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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We like the '07 Tundra 5.7 L double cab fine. I wish Toyota could have worked on better gas mileage—this ain't no Prius. I wish the seats were more comfortable (makes me wish we bought the leather seats—maybe more comfy). The oil filter is the worst to change in my experienceof many motor vehicles. The front end isn't too pretty, but generally I'm in the cab and don't look at it.
But it has more than enough power, handles much better than the 1st generation Tundras, has plenty of room in the cab, appears to be a very beefy 1/2 ton, tows very well and we like Toyota reliability. I've fixed many a car and truck and I don't ever want to again (still change oil, grease, rotate tires), especially thousands of miles from home.
So I would redesign a lot of things—more 12 v. plugs for TPMS, radar detector, cell charger, etc., a dashboard material velcro glue would stick to for the TPMS monitor, one of the grease zerks is hard to get to, damn oil filter—but given all the alternatives, this is what works for us.
Gene
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12-09-2008, 07:09 PM
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#55
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4 Rivet Member
1994 34' Excella
Mount Vernon
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 261
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I currently pull my 34 footer equipped with a HA HA behind a 2000 F350 Powerstroke dually........forget it is behind me. I love it.
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12-09-2008, 07:40 PM
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#56
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs
, West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,637
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I pull a 34' Avion triple axle behind my 2004 Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel, quad cab long bed 4x4. I bought it new and have 27,000 miles on it.
The Avion grosses at 9600lbs. The Ram has 305hp and 555 ft-lbs. I can do burnouts while towing. I know some trucks have more power, but I've not needed anymore than this. I've not hit a hill yet I cannot accelerate up.
Towing, I get about 12mpg running 70-75mph (I-95) . If I slow it down to 62mph, I can get a little better than 14mpg. It's got a 3:73 diff ratio and it likes 1800rpm for best economy, so if I keep her under 68 or so, I get a lot better mileage. But you get run over on 95 going that slowly...
The long wheelbase truck rides nicely and tracks very straight. I was going to buy a short wheelbase truck, but it didn't ride nearly as nicely, so I got the 8' bed with the 4-door. No regrets at all.
I've had no problems at all with this truck. Just turn the key and drive. Very reliable, very powerful, does the job well.
On the diesel vs. gas comment; you make a good point. Diesels in general average 30% better on fuel economy. The fuel is cheaper to make than gasoline too. When i bought the truck, it was cheaper than gasoline. So cheaper fuel plus 30% better mileage, what's not to like. Now that diesel is $1.00 per gallon more than gasoline, i wouldn't buy one new.
But, I really like the way the Cummins performs. It's a big inline six, which gives you perfect primary and secondary balance which means it runs very smoothly. It's just a great engine. I get "Diesel Power" magazine, and lots of guys in there put Cummins engines into non-Dodge trucks.
The only thing I think I'd really like better would be if Dodge had built a "Cummins powered Suburban." That'd be really sweet!
__________________
- Jim
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12-09-2008, 08:19 PM
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#57
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
So I would redesign a lot of things—more 12 v. plugs for TPMS, radar detector, cell charger, etc.,
Gene
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Gene I'm ashamed, Useing a radar detector
Just joking We have one in both vehicles .. Saved my butt more than once... When I forget to look at the speedometer and speed by accident of course
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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12-09-2008, 08:25 PM
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#58
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3 Rivet Member
2008 27' International FB
Shoreacres
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 130
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Just the facts
2008 27ft. fb Intnl CCD- 5700lbs dry, pulled with a 2004 GMC Sierra Denali extended cab with 6 liter, 3.73 rear, all wheel drive, quadrasteer, heavy duty towing package (factory rated for 10,000 lb towing cap).
10-11 MPG towing, lifetime average of 14mpg, My daily driver.
No Hensley, no sway bars, pulls like a dream with plenty of power to spare. I would not want to trade for anything else.
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12-09-2008, 08:46 PM
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#59
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Rivet Master
2008 28' Safari SE
Placitas
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,068
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We're not thrilled
We're pulling a 28' Safari SE with a Ford F-150. It has a 5.4L V8, tow package etc etc. It's tow rated at 9300 lbs and the trailer is 7300 loaded so in theory it should be fine. It isn't. We live in the Rockies and the F-150 just isn't enough. It really bogs down on some of the big hills. We plan to upgrade to the F-250 diesel next year.
__________________
Jim & Rod
Air 10899 since 1/06
WBCCI 2484
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12-09-2008, 09:55 PM
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#60
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
2016 30' Classic
Southeast
, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,987
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OK, I have to chime in. We love our Hummer H2 as a tow vehicle. We bought it specifically for that purpose, but do occasionally do some light off-roading, too. As a tow vehicle is does better than anything else I have personally towed with (not to say there aren't other great tow vehicles out there). It has a high driving position and a very smooth ride no matter whether the trailer is attached or not. Fuel economy is not as bad as many fear, at least when vacationing - I get 9-12 mpg when pulling depending upon which trailer I pull and get 13-15 mpg touring the countryside when not pulling (but don't expect to get anywhere near those numbers in rush hour traffic).
I have never had even the slightest hint of sway with any of the 4 Airstreams I have pulled with it. I attribute this somewhat to the mass and large tire contact patches, but mostly to the very short rear axle to hitch dimension that makes it as close to a 5th wheel as you can get with a conventional ball hitch (and yes Hensley's and Pullrite's get you closer to a 5th wheel by moving the pivot point even closer to the axle, but this truck doesn't need them).
An H2 is not for everyone, but we love ours and will consider another one if we ever wear this one out. But since it's currently only at 36,000 miles and only a little over 4 years old we've got a long time until that happens.
__________________
Joe
Wally Byam Caravan Club International Historian
Vintage Airstream Club Historian
WBCCI/VAC #702 & #6768
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