Do you need a truck?

[geppert]

I am a TOTAL newbie so please have patience.

We live near Toronto Canada and are preparing for retirement next summer 2009. We are moving to the west coast of BC. We are contemplating trying to do the trip the "Airstream way". We like the look of the trailers and have seen a few. So far the 31 classic seems to be making the most sense for us so we are looking for a used one maybe 1999 ish.

Big question I would like to get clear on is the "appropriate" towing vehicle for an Airstream of this size? I am thinking that a car (ie: Grand Marquis) would probably NOT be a good choice? What is the general consensus on this issue, ie: car vs truck?

Also, is a Hensley Hitch a must have or a should have?

[99Limited34]

I'd go for a truck for a 31 footer, if it was me I'd go for at least a 3/4 ton truck for a unit of that size, we have a 99 34 footer and I can't imagine pulling it with a car. We pull with a F-250 with the diesel engine and it does a great job. Hensley is a fine hitch, but not neccesary, we have a Reese and are very happy with it.

[68 Overlander]

I agree. There are not many sedans these days capable of safely towing 7000 lbs but there are a few. Newer pick-ups are actually quite comfortable and the bonus is the additional storage...something Airstreams have always lacked.

[ROBERT CROSS]

We use a 3/4 Burb, thats just "our" preference though and you'll get a lot of opinions on this subject.
It's a great traveler, comfortable, capable and most important, the co-pilot loves it.

[Alumin8]

I have a 31' 1973 Excella and pull this with a 2005 GMC Denali with a 6 liter 345 hp engine and towing package. I have a standard load leveling hitch with new axles and tires (Michelin trailer tire). It tows perfectly straight and true withou t any detectable sway, fishtail or other movement. I do believe that balance, overall weight and tongue weight matters.

Just my 2 cents.

[Wingeezer]

Well,for what it is worth - here is my story!

I live in Burlington Ont,. and last September, I bought a 2005 Airstream Classic 30' (which is actually 31 ' bumper to ball and differs only in internal layout from your Classic 31')

I towed the trailer home to Burlington with our GMC Sierra 1500 extended cab 4x4 with 4.10 diff.

I had no trouble towing it home power-wise, but then, as you likely know roads are pretty flat between Ohio and Ontario.

I did encounter some sway at 65 mph (as fast as I should be going anyway!) which I had never experienced before with our 27 foot Award trailer even at 75-80mph.

That convinced me to buy the Hensley hitch which I had long been considering anyway.

Given that I intend buying a bigger truck (read on!) I might not have needed the Hensley, but I figured it surely couldn't hurt!


I have only recently installed the Hensley and have not yet driven at interstate speeds with it. Up to 100kph on highway 6, driving to our trailer back and forth to our storage spot, it seems rock solid and I think it will be a real plus in terms of safety/relaxing towing.

For my part, I am now actively shopping for a GMC Sierra 2500HD diesel 4x4 short box, primarily to ensure I have enough grunt, but also to further improve stability

From everything I have read, ( and I read a lot!) the 3/4 ton seems to be considered the ideal match to the size trailer that you and I have. I have a lead on one and may buy it next Monday.

If I cannot negotiate a good deal soon, then I will use our present Sierra 1/2 ton 4x4 to pull the trailer to Arizona this winter (we go every year).

I will then order a new truck next year once I know which companies are still in business!

I think that with the Hensley, our 1/2 ton will be fine for sway, and I will just have to go up those long hills in the SW USA a bit more slowly than I would with the
Duramax Diesel / Allison tranny combination that I crave!

I would certainly not want to pull a 31 ft Airstream with anything less than the
1/2 ton/Hensley combination. Despite what the London Airstream dealer advertises, I for one would never consider a car as a TV for a 31 footer - nor a short wheel based SUV.

I am no expert, but I have been towing for quite a few years!

Before towing our previous 27ft Award with a pickup, we used a Safari 4wd minivan. Power was adequate, but I was always gripping the wheel real tight! I couldn't believe the difference when I moved to thelonger wheel based truck.

No doubt other people's opinions may differ from mine, but i am a firm believer in "having too much truck is better than not enough for safety and relaxed driving."

Hope I don't get flamed too much for stating my opinions - and considered opinions is all they are, believe me!


There is only one word of caution I would offer - not from personal experience but from what I have read on the forums.

Many folks say that a really big tow vehicle or oversized spring bars can transmit too much jolting back to your trailer and cause damage such as popped rivets, frame separation, and cracked frames.

For that reason, I plan to stay away from one ton trucks, even though I could get a good deal on one, and I do not intend to tension my 1000# spring bars very much.

Along the same lines I will go for a Chev/GMC as I hear that their ride is softer than Dodge or Ford.

I am even wondering if it might be a good idea to buy a set of 750# bars for my Hensley instead of the 1000# bars.

I think that with a 3/4 or 1ton truck you hardly need spring bars - except that with a Hensley hitch, you do need them to hold all the hitch components properly in place, although you don't need to apply a lot of tension,


Good luck with whatever you decide!

Brian M.......... Burlington Ontario,






For what it may be worth, if I can help at all, please email me!

Brian M
burlington Ont.

[Wingeezer]

As a PS to my last post, just in case you have never owned a truck before, our 1/2 ton Sierra was the first truck we had ever owned - absolutely love it! We use it as our daily driver

Space is great, comfort of the GMC is car-like, has all the conveniences, and my "Mrs" who at first was not no sure about trucks and is about 5'-0", now loves it for the high riding position, great visibility (and probably the bully aspect if truth be told!)

Sure, it costs a bit more in fuel, but we may be the last generation to enjoy it, so fill yer boots!

Great for helping out the neighbours with moving jobs too!


Brian.

[cameront120]

You need to go to Can-Am RV

www.canamrv.ca

in your city and speak to Andy Thompson. He'll set you up. He's a member here, so send him a private message to get things going. His profile is here:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/memb...w+t-23316.html

Welcome and good luck with your search!

[AlbertF]

If you haven't already, you should head down Highway 4 to Can Am RV and test drive the combinations they have available. That way you can make up your own mind as to whether they work or not.

(On edit: Cameron beat me to it!)

[Wingeezer]

I'd be wary - I known what they promote, and I've been there! this kid ain't buying it!

Different strokes for different folks I suppose, it "might" work, but I wouldn't RISK jeopardize my safety and more importantly, that of my wife.

IMHO when towing, there is no substitute for lots of power, a long wheelbase for stability, and HEAVY DUTY BRAKES! You get all that with a 3/4ton truck - you can just relax and enjoy the ride!

You pays your money and you takes your choice! No disrespect intended to folks who believe that towing an 8700# GVW pound trailer with a car is a good idea.

Just my $0.02 .............................. Brian

[hampstead38]

It's possible to pull a '31 Airstream with any number of vehicles. To tow the trailer comfortably depends on a number of factors.

To make a very broad and general statement, I think the "median" break point between a 1/2 ton truck and a 3/4 ton truck is something about 25' and a 5,000 pound dry weight. Sure, you'll find people comfortable pulling a 31' trailer with a 1/2 ton truck and you'll find other insisting you should use a 3/4' ton to pull a Bambi. For the most part, however, I think the further you go beyond '25, the more folks will recommend a 3/4 ton truck.

[WBCCI9898]

go and see CAN AM RV in London Ont They are the airstream towing specialists.. you will get a thousand different opinions on this subject on this forum. We tow a 34ft limited with a dodge magnum station wagon and get the best mileage and performance.....it is nice upon reaching your destination to drive around in the car rather than a big noisy diesel truck. (in my opinion)

Check out my pics and see

Good luck!

[henw]

"We tow a 34ft limited with a dodge magnum station wagon and get the best mileage and performance....."

There are plenty of barely adequate combinations. Always think worst case scenario. Curving downhill emergency stop in the rain. Choose your TV wisely.

Tom

[genearnold]

In my 25 years of towing I've always had pickups. I would never consider towing a large trailer with an automobile. A half-ton would do OK with a 31' but might be marginal in some circumstances (mountains, braking, etc.). I agree with the opinions about the 3/4 ton being the best. Gas or diesel is up to you, but if you go with a gasser opt for a larger engine. Also, have an auxiliary transmission cooler from the beginning.

I do fine with a standard load leveling hitch. There is an art to getting it set up correctly at first, but persevere and you'll have no sway problems.

Gene

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by geppert

I am a TOTAL newbie so please have patience.

We live near Toronto Canada and are preparing for retirement next summer 2009. We are moving to the west coast of BC. We are contemplating trying to do the trip the "Airstream way". We like the look of the trailers and have seen a few. So far the 31 classic seems to be making the most sense for us so we are looking for a used one maybe 1999 ish.

Big question I would like to get clear on is the "appropriate" towing vehicle for an Airstream of this size? I am thinking that a car (ie: Grand Marquis) would probably NOT be a good choice? What is the general consensus on this issue, ie: car vs truck?

Also, is a Hensley Hitch a must have or a should have?

AndrewT here on the forums is a mucky-muck with Can-Am RV somewhere near you. They not only sell Airstreams, they specialize in rigging cars to tow them. He can give you one-on-one advice for a tow vehicle based on your needs and the trailer you want.
(866) 226-2678

[Road Ruler]

Forum member Andrew T from Can Am in London has set up 1,000's of vehicles for towing Airstreams. Many of those vehicles have been cars and he speaks highly of their performance, agility, comfort, and safety as TV's.

I know he test drove our car/airstream combination before we got the keys and from what I have heard he test drives many (5 to 10??) different combinations from cars,to SUV's, to HD trucks, etc on a weekly basis.

IMHO that's a heck of a lot of experience worth tapping into.

[geppert]

Thanks for all the relies. This forum is a great source of information. We have been to Can-Am a couple times. They in fact have a 30' Classic Limited (with Hensley) currently for sale and we really like it. We think it is perhaps a bit on the "steep side" price wise but that is usually the way with dealerships. What really hurts is that virtually the same trailer just sold privately out of Toronto week before last for literally $10K less and also included the Hensley. But all water under the bridge at this point so we are continuing our trailer search. We are moving to a rural area in BC and will need a pickup in any case so it seems to make sense to us to get the truck before we leave and tow the trailer with it. I just have to figure out what "the right truck" should be. The recommendations made in this thread are much appreciated.

This is all a bit daunting for us being first time RV wannabees and with a shrinking timeline (hoping to be on the road after June 30).

Thank you all once again.

[AlbertF]

Moving to rural BC changes the picture somewhat, especially if you want the ground clearance to travel forest service roads (although probably not with an Airstream, ground clearance is likely to become a problem). Import service can be a challenge here too, so domestic may be preferred. (I do most of my own work because I understand our cars better than most of the local shops. My biggest limitation is a relative lack of tools/equipment.)

You should consider the experience Andy has had with the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia. (At least one of those would be a lot quieter than all the diesel pickups around here.)

[cameront120]

Where are you moving to here in BC?

[geppert]

Cam ..... Hornby Island near Comox .... I can hardly wait so see how much they charge for this trailer on the two little ferries I have to take from Buckley Bay .... probably $150 (round trip)! Gotta love BC Ferries! I am also sure to get killed on the ferry to Nanaimo as well .... but hey, it won't happen all that often.

Albert ... the roads are paved where I am going and the trailer can negotiate my driveway I am pretty sure so no worries about logging roads or poor service roads etc.