Can my tow vehicle handle it?

[Silvertwinkie]

I think a GMC 2500 w/ Duramax and Allision would be great, but as a kid that grew up camping (and from what I read, you have young ones) with the way back availible to us in the Suburban, I would think twice about going with a pickup based on my exp. I know that the new vehicles all have DVD player and such, but at some point kids like to play and that way back area was king for us....gave my parents many thousands of miles of peace, since we didn't have DVD players or Game Boys to plug in.

Your mileage may vary.

[dpandorf]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

I think a GMC 2500 w/ Duramax and Allision would be great, but as a kid that grew up camping (and from what I read, you have young ones) with the way back availible to us in the Suburban, I would think twice about going with a pickup based on my exp. I know that the new vehicles all have DVD player and such, but at some point kids like to play and that way back area was king for us....gave my parents many thousands of miles of peace, since we didn't have DVD players or Game Boys to plug in.

Your mileage may vary.

We have two boys 11 & 8 and our crew cab F250 has tons of room for us. The boys are very accustomed to traveling in our mini van and have adjusted very well to the pickup. Yes we did get the DVD system and yes they do have their game boys and such. So far its working for us.

[millvalleyca]

Thanks guys for all your suggestions and comments....
I guess it's a toss up between the GMC and the Ford....everyone has their favorite...
bottom line is... both will do the job.
I'm gonna take my time (this time) and test drive both this weekend and base our decision on comfort and style!
Buying our Airstream is the best thing we ever did for our two boys age 7 and 9. Gonna have fun fun and more fun this summer.
Thanks again!

[millvalleyca]

Well we did it! We traded our Yukon XL for a Ford F250 with a diesel engine.
We're headed to Disneyland next weekend....can't wait to try it out.
Next question......
The hitch set up.
Do you think we'll have to adjust the height? I just spoke to the AS service dept. and they said there are several height adjustments on our hitch.
The Yukon was pretty high off the ground but the Ford is really high off the ground. To avoid frustration....any suggestions? Lower the ball one notch?
Thanks again for all your help and comments.

[2airishuman]

congrats millva' on the new truck!

07 or 08?

that new 08 is one sweet truck...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...now-30023.html

you might get more specific help by offering up the hitch brand/model.

no doubt the drop will be different

and with the 3/4 ton suspension less weight distribution is needed.

so depending on brand/design that may require new spring bars, or less tension on the current bars.

as i recall ford suggests 500 miles of break in b4 towing.

mine got about 3k of exercise before hitch'n up...

enjoy and safe travels!

cheers
2air'

[millvalleyca]

Thanks 2air' for the quick response.
We got a 2008.
I'll get the info tonight on brand/model of the hitch. I think it's a Robin hitch but I don't know the model. The dealer set everything up the first time around. The bottom line is to get the trailer "as level as possible" and be able to get the ball to a height where the trailer will attach itself to? What are spring bars??
The next thing we're gonna have to figure out is the setting for the brake controller!!! any ideas?

[cosmotini]

A word of caution with your new TV. Watch your speed.

You won't have any problems with power as you mentioned in your earlier posts.

This truck will give you a much more enjoyable towing experience. It's easy to forget the trailer is behind you.

I use Tow/Haul mode anytime the trailer is attached and use cruise control whenever I can.

Enjoy.

[dpandorf]

Originally Posted by millvalleyca

Thanks 2air' for the quick response.
We got a 2008.
I'll get the info tonight on brand/model of the hitch. I think it's a Robin hitch but I don't know the model. The dealer set everything up the first time around. The bottom line is to get the trailer "as level as possible" and be able to get the ball to a height where the trailer will attach itself to? What are spring bars??
The next thing we're gonna have to figure out is the setting for the brake controller!!! any ideas?

The Ford F250 Manual describes the basics on setting up the integrated brake controller. (I assume the F250 you selected has this installed and you're not talking about an after market model) Basically you want to set the controller so that the trailer brakes come on before the truck brakes do. If the truck brakes come on first you would feel a bump from the trailer.

[thecatsandi]

My manual stated I need to break in for at least 500 miles before towing. Furtunately it was a dealer transfer and had nearly that before it got to me.

You will most likely have to adjust the height. I did even going from an 04 F250 to and 06 F-250. The o6 is higher and I need to drop the head to the bottom of the shank.

Did you get the factory installed tow package with tow comand?
Your towing supplement should have the info on setting the tow comand. Mine is set to 6.0 for my electric hydraulic brakes.

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by millvalleyca

What are spring bars??

The steel bars of the load distribution hitch. I presume you now have one of these. Come back to us if you're not sure. Putting "load distribution hitch" into the search box at the top of the screen will give you more information than you thought you needed.
Nick.

[Don Cook]

The Saab is not enough TV for a 25CCD and you really don't want to find that out from experience because it would likely negatively affect your attitude about towing for a long time. A great choice for towing yours or a bigger trailer is a 3/4 ton diesel truck. If you do that you will likely not ever have to change tow vehicles no matter how big an AS you move up to.
DC

[2airishuman]

ok millvalleyca

now it's time for YOU to share...

we need some details like what model truck, color, options and so on...

AND HOW ABOUT SOME PHOTOS!

come on show us your ride!

we'd like some a/s photos too...lets see that tiki hut in action!

as nick has explained the w/d bars (spring bars) are those 2 crow bars on the bottom of your hitch...

huh? ya say...

it may be better to have the a/s dealer or a local hitch pro sort this out.

but our online hitch'n pros are standing by...

you'll save a lot of key strokes and make some of us smile with a few photos...

the setup for your brake controller is explained pretty well in the ford manual.

find a vacant road/lot and take the time to properly dial in the controller.

once your hitch is rigged correctly and the brakes are dialed in,

you will be ready to handle that crazy left coast traffic!

cheers
2air'