List of tow vehicles for larger Airstreams

[warbler5]

Originally Posted by LJH

Suburbans have a longer wheelbase than Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade.

Yukon XL has the same wheel base as a Chevrolet Suburban....it's just the GMC version. The Escalade also comes in two versions, long and short wheel base.

[warbler5]

I tow a 30' Classic....currently, with a GMC Yukon XL with the 8.1 (no longer in production), which I love. However, if I were going to buy a new (or used) vehicle today to tow my silver behemoth, it would be a Chevrolet/GMC 2500 (or 3500) Duramax Diesel.

The convenience of the Suburban/Yukon XL is wonderful, but the Duramax is a superior vehicle for towing.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Aviator

No piece of equipment should be regularly operated at it's maximum rating for an extended period of time. This is as true for tow vehicles as it is for pumps. That said, I have noted that in the race to be "best in class" for towing all of the trucks have been bulking up like they are on steroids! I parked my 2009 F150 next to my friends older F250 the other day. Guess which one was larger......you got it, my newer F150.

When towing my 34' AS with my "half ton" (max payload 17300#), I have an approx 20% margin under my max tow weight of 11,300#.

I don't think the blanket classification of half-ton, three quarter-ton, etc. are very accurate any longer.

By "bigger", do you mean the body is bigger? That may be, but the important stuff, like chassis, suspension, brakes, axles, wheels, and tires, are not rated to carry the same weight, or tow the same.

Neither is the 5.4 Liter gasser capable of towing any where near what the Ford 7.3 Diesel will. If you don't believe it, hook that sucker up and give it a tow across the Rockies. THAT will show the weaknesses of the 1/2 ton.

The current towing ratings of the Ford F150 are exactly what I was talking about when I said "manufacturer's engineer bowing to the marketing department". It may sell trucks, but that don't mean they will really do it.

[Aviator]

By bigger, I meant in all dimensions. Size of body, as well as larger wheels, beefier suspension, higher horsepower, and torque.

I am NOT trying to say that my 5.4 gas engine will outpull a diesel engine.

What I AM trying to articulate is that the blanket statement of five years ago that a F250 is the smallest truck you would want to tow with has changed. Primarily because today's F150 is equal to or better that the F250 of old. I haven't looked at the numbers, but today's F250 diesel may equal or exceed yesterday's F350 etc.

While it is easy to continue following the wisdom of previous days, one must keep an eye on the current design and engineering which constantly strives to improve the capabilities of the products produced.

[SteveH]

Sounds like you've bought Ford's story hook, line, and sinker.

Just do one thing when you get a chance....compare the GVWR on both trucks. It's on the sticker in the door frame.

Oh, and good luck.

[Aviator]

The Ford line was an example. I haven't studied GM or Dodge, but I expect the same is true since they are following the same playbook. It is very reminiscent of the hp wars in the late 60's.

[aausland]

Jammer - I must tell you that you clearly didn't check "hitch weight capacity" when you made this list. Half those vehicles won't work when you take this into consideration. I just went through this with my purchase of a 28 foot Serenity a month ago....

[YW846T5]

Here's my .02 cents...

We looked at Ford, Chevy and Dodge as a new tow rig for our 28' Safari, as well as towing our open car trailer when not towing the A/S. After some research we decided to go with a fully loaded 2010 Chevy Duramax 4x4 diesel. The Dodge 2500 would be our second choice. Well, when we went to the Chevy dealer that had what we were looking for in stock, he said it was being held for a repeat customer who was trying to get creative financing? even though good credit got you 0%, ie. us!
So we walked away, and glad we did!

We bought a Dodge 2500 Cummins diesel 4x4. Dodge met the California "new" smog requirements 2 years ago, Chevy Duramax is doing another engine change in 2011 that the dealers could only explain as "looking to meet the new smog req. in Ca." We got a fully loaded Dodge and then some for less then we could neg. on the Chevy.

The 2010 Dodge also has a built in "exhaust brake". Push a button on the dash and a valve closes off the some of the exhaust and helps retard the engine, thus slowing it down on downhills, flat land etc. and saving your brakes. We bought it in Mar. and have logged 3K since then. I've towed our open car trailer with our race car (weighs more than the A/S) and we've taken the A/S to the Calif. coast (Bodega Bay) a few weeks ago, It towes great!

I had a 96 1500 Dodge that I logged 160K in towing another car trailer. I replaced the Alt., 3 sets of brake pads and the tires and batteries both twice. I always did my own maintence, Mobil 1, splitfire plugs etc. and it ran like a champ.

The Dodge replaces our Chevy Tahoe. We also own a Ford another Chevy and a Honda, so were not bias. The Tahoe was not enough for the 28' A/S in the hills. And we were always traveling with empty tanks if any hills were involved, so a change was in store for us. Were leaving tomorrow morning for a 900mi. r/t to Long Beach, Ca. If your on "I-5", you'll see us. We'll wave back!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by eddiejenn

They run off a lubricant, and have half the moving parts (more in some motors).

Hi, I have gone over this, on this forum, once before. So I would like you to answer your own statement. Please name all of the moving parts in a gas engine and then list all of the moving parts in a diesel engine. And to keep it somewhat simple, use V-8's on both. The only way I could come up with half the moving parts was using a four cylinder diesel and a eight cylinder gas engine.

[Action]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Sounds like you've bought Ford's story hook, line, and sinker.

Just do one thing when you get a chance....compare the GVWR on both trucks. It's on the sticker in the door frame.

Oh, and good luck.

2010 F-150 4X2 145" wheel base 5.4 with 3.73 gears and properly equipped -

11,300 # towing capacity
16,900 to 17,000 GCVWR
2010 Ford F-150 | View Towing Specifications | FordVehicles.com
4X2 Super cab would be a 7500 # GVWR
http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f...tions/payload/



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Mexray]

Take a good look at the 2004-05 (last year built) Excursions - they're built on 3/4 ton pickup chassis, and with the V-10, you'll pull your AS with ease...

You can find some sweet deals on these rigs, and most all of them are decked out in grand style - the 04,05 units have the newer 3-valve cylinder heads and a bit more HP and torque...you can also find these rigs with diesel power - but I don't think they're worth the additional cost due to higher maintenance as they age...

We love our HEAVY 2001 4x4 Excursion - it handles the AS with ease and complete control...and it was really 'cheap' compared with the high-priced new stuff! We get about 9.5 - 10 mpg overall average up in the hills - 55 mph most times...on the flats the Excursion wants to giddy up and go, but we try to rein it in to around 55-60 mph most of the time...

Ray

[Not Done]

Regarding the subject of TV for larger AS; Length does not mean weight, weight means weight. Length might mean sway, like when a flat nose semi or tour bus wizzes past. Point is my '73 31' is light compared to a newer AS of the same size. Interesting to note that my owner's manual shows car as the TV. The cars at the time were built like trucks. However, they were still cars. I have a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton truck. The 1/2 has more horse power and torque but I can haul more campfire firewood in the 3/4. I'm not suggesting that the wrong TV be used. I'm suggesting that AS length is not the only criteria, might not even be good criteria except for how one intends to address sway. I think my stiffer 3/4 does a bit better regarding sway.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Aviator

I don't think the blanket classification of half-ton, three quarter-ton, etc. are very accurate any longer.

Agree, way to many variables to pigeon hole and label.

[slowmover]

In re aero aluminum trailers:

I think of a TT GVWR of 7,000-lbs as being a dividing line as my point of departure in TV choices.

A fulltimer can dial in the TV choice more exactly than the family man . . . a few thousand miles per year versus 20,000 while towing.

A turbocharged diesel is the optimal TV engine no matter the vehicle it is within for economy and longevity.

AWD is attractive, 4WD not so much. Independent suspension obviously trumps live axle.

But, there seems to be a point in trailer size (and gear to accompany
extended travel) where only a 130" plus wheelbase truck, van or SUV fits the bill.

Until that point, there are a number of good choices.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

...................................

AWD is attractive, 4WD not so much. Independent suspension obviously trumps live axle.

.................................................. ...

An observation:

It depends a lot on where you camp.

I have found 4WD very helpful for backing up a gravel incline, for instance.


Regards,

Ken

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Action

2010 F-150 4X2 145" wheel base 5.4 with 3.73 gears and properly equipped -
11,300 # towing capacity
16,900 to 17,000 GCVWR

You know, I've actually been there, done that. Will the 1/2 ton tow it? Yes. Will it do it safely in all situations? Maybe. Will you enjoy the experince? Don't know if you will, but I didn't.

Originally Posted by Rednax

A turbocharged diesel is the optimal TV engine no matter the vehicle it is within for economy and longevity.

For towing performance? Definately. For longevity? Probably. For economy? Not so much anymore if the Diesel you get is later than mid year '07. The gas trucks actually do as well, if not better now, and this is from experience, not the manufacturers fairy tale stuck to the window.

[Wisco]

Do you think he knows I am going to make him my next tow vehicle?

[RLS]

Originally Posted by w7ts

An observation:

It depends a lot on where you camp.

I have found 4WD very helpful for backing up a gravel incline, for instance.


Regards,

Ken

I'll second the 4WD. Just last month up at DeSoto SP in Alabama, I had to put it in 4WD to back up on an asphalt drive with a good step incline. In the past 2 yrs. I've had to use 4WD 5 times. Every one was while backing up. Step inclines, wet grass and some lose sand will do it!

[Andrew T]

I have driven pretty much every tow vehicle imaginable in a lot of different condtions. Hands down this is my favorite. Towing a 34' it goes through a 100' slalomn 10 MPH faster than a 3/4 ton pick up, rides like a cloud, is so quite you can hear a wisper and easily turns in 14 MPG. When you get there it runs mid to high 20's solo. Plus you have a conversation piece every where you go.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

Towing a 34' it goes through a 100' slalomn 10 MPH faster than a 3/4 ton pick up, rides like a cloud, is so quite you can hear a wisper and easily turns in 14 MPG. When you get there it runs mid to high 20's solo.

That is one sweet rig Andrew. What a great way to travel around the country.

With so many folks wanting a vehicle with a "bed" can you see the day when the truck designers will offer a truck that can match the performance, quiet, and quality ride of the Jag?