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UAPachyderm · 03-06-2011, 01:12 AM

I have a 2004 International CCD 28' as well. Weigh yours ... it probably weighs 7300-7500 pounds. If so, you'll be fine with a long wheel base TV rated 8500 #s or above. However, a 3/4 ton Suburban would certainly make travel a pleasure! I previously owned a GMC 2500HD Diesel crew cab. I now have a 2009 Yukon. I miss the 2500.

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Andrew T · 03-06-2011, 06:12 AM

Hi Serena

If you want to save a whole bunch of money you can likely make some simple changes to the 2007 Yukon and have it tow better than the 2001. They are almost the same vehicle so your difference is in shocks tire size and axle ratio. Which engine axle and tire size do you have on the 07? Is it Yukon or Yukon XL?

Andrew T

pappy19 · 03-07-2011, 09:29 AM

Regardless of which vehicle you choose (I am in the Ford F-250 at least club), you should lease instead of out-right purchase. Leasing makes sense even if you plan on putting lots of miles on the rig. Say you go with a 2 year lease. At the end of the 2 years, if you like the vehicle, you can buy it for the "residual" value listed on the lease. This is the purchase price no matter what the mileage is at the end of the lease. Another advantage in sales tax states is that you only pay sales tax on the monthly payment. Some smart folks take out a 2nd or LOC and pay the 2 year lease up front and thereby your payment interest is all a tax deduction, plus you get an even better deal on the lease when you pay it all up front. If at the end of the lease you are unhappy with the rig, you just turn it in. Even with some over-miles you are probably better off than if you bought the rig and are now so upside down that you'll never get ahead. I have been leasing since 1993 and have never regreted it.

SteveH · 03-07-2011, 10:52 AM

Whenever you ask "what's the best tow vehicle", and leave the brand open, it becomes nothing more than a poll of brand popularity.

However, I will say that if you ever tow with a Diesel of any brand, it will be very hard for you to go back to any gasser.

srobison · 03-07-2011, 07:09 PM

Thanks everyone for your interest - many very kind and informative responses- I think we will go out and test drive a few vehicles and go from there- we thought about the van but probably not our first choice- the truck is cheaper than the suburban but we really like our existing one and it fits in the neighborhood a little better- a little concerned about the noise from the diesel - any additional comments/thoughts always appreciated

au_ee · 03-07-2011, 07:19 PM

I would recommend a F250 Powerstroke Crew Cab. The diesel does great at towing and gets good mileage. Crew cab is just as comfortable as an SUV. The bed provides a lot of flexibility for carrying just about anything you can dream up. I don't know if you have the electronic over hydraulic disc brakes. If you do, I understand the built in controller that Ford uses will work with the AS brakes, whereas, the ones installed in the Chevy and Dodge don't. I read this about a year ago so you might want to confirm this before purchasing.

rock60 · 03-07-2011, 07:30 PM

dodge , chev , ford ,toyota , what ever gets the job done.

newroswell · 03-07-2011, 08:04 PM

Don't rule out a diesel over noise just yet. The Chevy/GMC is probably the quietest (outside), then the new Ford, then Dodge. But, it's extremely quiet and comfortable inside my new '11 F250. All the new diesels purr real nice going down the road and they all put out the HP/Torq in the lower RPM's.

On a recent trip with by B-I-L, he has a 2010 Silverado and an SOB that's 3000 lbs lighter than my Airstream. We had radios and was comparing gear/RPM's going over a long mountain range. He was in 3rd at 3600 RPM's and I was in 5th at 1800 RPM's. We coasted down the other side and pulled in for fuel, he had gotten 8mpg and I was at 12mpg over the last 140 miles (not all, but several good long hill climbs).

DanielB · 03-07-2011, 08:07 PM

This question was already settled on another thread. The best tow vehicle is a passenger van.
</thread>

Lifestreamer · 03-07-2011, 09:18 PM

Hi and welcome! If you plan on keeping your TV for the long haul I'd go with the diesel. We put a camper shell on our CHEVY 2500HD DURAMAX and haul the kayaks and canoe on top. Plenty of room in the bed for bikes, grill, generator, beach chairs etc. If you decide to buy a generator or have one you don't want to be traveling with a gas can in the trailer or in the back seat of the suburban. My vote is go for the TRUCK! CHEVY TRUCK THAT IS!!!

J5MM · 03-07-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFScheck

Best TV for any and all Airstream models? That's easy - look at the pic & my signature below

That is a SWEET TV! We just upgraded to the same (albiet white). I am really loving it but really wish I could drive it on a daily basis (does NOT fit into my parking garage at work

). Hubby gets to be the lucky one to drive it around...

pappy19 · 03-07-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Whenever you ask "what's the best tow vehicle", and leave the brand open, it becomes nothing more than a poll of brand popularity.

However, I will say that if you ever tow with a Diesel of any brand, it will be very hard for you to go back to any gasser.

Until your fuel cost is 1/3 more than a gasser, or your sootbag croaks at $1500 a pop, or your urea tank malfunctions at $2,000, etc, etc.Not to mention what one dirty fuel fill can do to your $2500 injector system. How about all those $300 oil and fuel filter changes?? My V-10 gasser can haul any AS made and I would not ever go back to a diesel, but I am happy for all you diesel guys as it keeps the dealership shops in business.

J5MM · 03-07-2011, 09:48 PM

Yeah, it figures that we just upgraded to a diesel TV and the prices went up to $4.00 per gallon. The same thing happened when we were boaters. Sold our gas boat for a diesel and bam -- prices sky rocketed. Go figure!!

newroswell · 03-07-2011, 10:29 PM

Diesel is ONLY 10% more than gas here in CA. The urea tanks holds $35 of urea which is good for about 5000 miles. All the diesels have really nice fuel filter systems that make that mini dixie cup filter on the V-10 look silly. I had a V-10 for a while, didn't like the 6 mpg and, oh yeah, they don't make them anymore. Give me a diesel Ford/GM/Cummins...

JFScheck · 03-08-2011, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

Until your fuel cost is 1/3 more than a gasser, or your sootbag croaks at $1500 a pop, or your urea tank malfunctions at $2,000, etc, etc.Not to mention what one dirty fuel fill can do to your $2500 injector system. How about all those $300 oil and fuel filter changes?? My V-10 gasser can haul any AS made and I would not ever go back to a diesel, but I am happy for all you diesel guys as it keeps the dealership shops in business.

Are you serious? You are so out in left field here. It's ok to be proud of what you own - but to put up such bogus info trying to sway others to the benefits of your V-10 or choice of TV is uncool....

But opinions are just like another body part - everyone has one....

crispyboy · 03-08-2011, 05:50 AM

Serena,
There are a lot of vehicles out there that will do the job of any brand flavor etc...
I would first start with the weights involved to find out if your in 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton territory whether it be a pickup, van or Suburban.
Second, think about what gear you hope to bring with you on each trip. It adds up quickly (generator, grill, bicycle etc...).
Third - how many miles do you plan to travel each year. If your not doing that much then the gas engine from any of the manufacturers are more than able to pull the weight. If your doing a lot of miles then consider a diesel engine.
There will be more costs associated with the diesel but there are trade-offs (power, longetivity). There is potential for big repair bills - they are much more complex than just a few years ago (injection system, emissions equipment), though today's diesels are much more civilized than in years past.
I was recently able to swing a deal for oil changes for my Dodge diesel. I found out there is an extended service contract sold by Chrysler and apparently the prices can be negotiable for these. I pre-purchased 6 oil changes for $210 which must be used within the next 3 years at any Dodge dealership. That won't be a problem since this vehicle is my daily driver. Heck, it was costing me $60 just to do the job myself. I often get coupons in the mail from the dealership for $80 oil changes.
Point being - try to negotiate some maintenance into the deal. I'm certain other manufacturers have the same contracts.

pappy19 · 03-08-2011, 06:12 AM

If nothing else will impress you, just start reading the TSB's(Technical Service Bulletins) for diesels in the past 10 years vs gas engines. Have you had your latest re-flash lately??

SteveH · 03-08-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

Until your fuel cost is 1/3 more than a gasser, or your sootbag croaks at $1500 a pop, or your urea tank malfunctions at $2,000, etc, etc.Not to mention what one dirty fuel fill can do to your $2500 injector system. How about all those $300 oil and fuel filter changes?? My V-10 gasser can haul any AS made and I would not ever go back to a diesel, but I am happy for all you diesel guys as it keeps the dealership shops in business.

Lets see here, it apears to me you are an unhappy past Diesel owner....that didn't happen to be a Ford 6.0, or 6.4 did it?????

Anyway, to answer some of your "questions", Diesel fuel is about 10% more than regular gasoline, here anyway...don't know what it is where you are.

I haven't had my Diesel but about 35K miles, but so far, no problems. By the way, it's a Duramax.

It does not have a urea tank.

It has a fuel filter large enough to take care of a "dirty fuel fill", I change it when the computer tells me to (about every 15K miles), and I carry a spare, just in case.

I'm sure your V10 can haul your Airstream, but at what fuel mileage, and at what RPM going up the hills? I know your V10 has lots of torque, for a gasser that is, but it only has about 2/3 the torque of my Diesel, and your V10 has to turn about 4K RPM to get it, and it's just guzzeling gasoline while doing it.

If Ford V10's were so great, they'd have one in every 18 wheeler on the road, but last time I looked, they just weren't there.

newroswell · 03-08-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

If nothing else will impress you, just start reading the TSB's(Technical Service Bulletins) for diesels in the past 10 years vs gas engines. Have you had your latest re-flash lately??

My favorite TSB is the one about the V10 spark plugs that only have 3 threads holding them in an aluminum engine head.

Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And before all you Chevy/Dodge/Toyota fanboys pile-on, your brand has issues also. But over all, there are a lot of great vehicles from all these brands.

pappy19 · 03-08-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newroswell

My favorite TSB is the one about the V10 spark plugs that only have 3 threads holding them in an aluminum engine head.

Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And before all you Chevy/Dodge/Toyota fanboys pile-on, your brand has issues also. But over all, there are a lot of great vehicles from all these brands.

Yes, that problem was in the 1999-2001 V-10 and that's about the only TSB you will find on the V-10. Would you like to go through the 6.0 diesel engine TSB's? It will take you a while. And the fellow with the Duramax and no urea tank means he has the infamous sootbag. You diesel dudes love your diesels and that's great. I am sure you can justify the added $8,000 you paid for all that power. That's OK and I am glad for you, but a diesel engine pickup isn't the almighty king of everything, sorry.