|
|
04-24-2017, 09:55 AM
|
#1
|
jeffndaile
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Clarkston
, Washington
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 145
|
MAKE , MODEL , YEAR (no diesels please)
I have a 2013 flying cloud 28 feet rear queen model. My wife and I live on a extreme low budget and we would like to find out what other people are driving to tow their 28-34 ft airstreams (nothing shorter please).
I don't want to offend anyone here, but I'm not interested in why you chose it or its features or the price tag or anything else. What we want is a list of "make, model and year" of what you chose and what you're currently using to tow your beast up and down that 6% grade. If you use your tow vehicle to tow mainly on flatland, I'm sorry but that's not the information I need. We live in mountainous country and the uphill grades are steep and winding.... we own a diesel pick up which I love but I am finding out that a replacement for that truck is going to be "over the top" expensive, not only initially but repairs are brutal. So knowing this, what I'm interested in seeing just gas vehicles only....
More than likely the outcome of this thread will simply tell me that I don't make enough income to afford this lifestyle and should be considering other options. But this list will tell me if there's any other options out there for us. Just Make, model and year please...
If I need some elaboration, I will reply. Thank you!
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 10:05 AM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
|
What's your budget?
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 10:06 AM
|
#3
|
jeffndaile
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Clarkston
, Washington
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 145
|
10,000
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 10:11 AM
|
#4
|
jeffndaile
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Clarkston
, Washington
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 145
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
What's your budget?
|
We paid 10,000 for our current truck, a 10,000 budget is a joke really, that's what I'm finding out.
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 10:11 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffndaile
10,000
|
purchase price or in addition to selling the current truck?
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 10:12 AM
|
#6
|
jeffndaile
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Clarkston
, Washington
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 145
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
purchase price or in addition to selling the current truck?
|
Have to trade it in....
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 10:17 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
|
I'd say a 2500 6.0L Silverado or Sierra. A 1500 would do it, bu all you're going to find in that price range are 5.3L. If a 1500 had a tow package and 3.73 gears, it would work.
An older 3/4 ton Suburban would work, as well. They're hard to find though.
6.0L 2500 Express van is a great tow vehicle.
My experience is in the GM line, others will have suggestions for other makers.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:08 AM
|
#8
|
4 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 282
|
If your truck is in good shape, why not a new long-block from the factory?'
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:16 AM
|
#9
|
Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,493
|
My 26U is the same gross weight, 6 lb lighter on claimed empty weight and about 70 lb less on claimed tongue weight compared to a 28' trailer.
I tow it with a Ford F150 Ecoboost (2017) with the Max Tow package and the big mirrors. And the truck happily hauls it along at 68 mph uphill and down. I averaged over 11 mpg that that speed from New Jersey to Texas.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:20 AM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
|
I have a 2008 F-250 with the 6.8 V-10 gas engine and 4.10 rear end, 4X4 Super Cab. I think it's the best gas tow rig ever made, although the new Ford 6.2 V-8 has as much or more HP than my V-10. I did put a Mike's 5 Star SCT programmer on it with the 89 performance/tow tune. Wow, what a difference.
I think if you look around you can find a decent 2006-2011 6.8 V-10 3-valve that has the Torqueshift transmission for close to your $10,000. If you go on the Ford Truck Enthusiast forum, you can ask questions on any Ford trucks made.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:25 AM
|
#11
|
Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,153
|
We have had two 25FB's over the past twelve years. They weight 7,400# with a 900# tongue weight. We have been towing with a 2005 3/4 ton Suburban. Even thought we bought this vehicle new, the current book value is around 10 grand. Old Suburban 2500's are not easy to find in decent shape, but you might do some looking around.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:28 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
|
All over the US and Canada with our AS, love our Ram with the Cummings,
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:31 AM
|
#13
|
Rivet Polisher
1973 31' Sovereign
Mt Pleasant
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 169
|
I recently bought 2009 Chevy Express 3500 extended cargo Van w/6.0L for $9000 to tow our 31ft and so far we haven't found any downside.
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:36 AM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
|
We have a couple in our unit who are no longer able to Airstream - they've sold their trailer and still have their TV van available (or did a couple days ago).
It's a GMC 3500 Savannah, 8 passenger van, 3.73 axle, factory installed tow package, rated to tow 7,700 lbs. 150,000 miles - asking $5,500.
PM me if you'd like me to put you in touch with them.
Good luck!
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 11:55 AM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
Lighter weight means more effective use of available power and braking, we used this 2012 Ram 5.7 Hemi (probably 2500 lbs lighter than a diesel 2500) to tow through every Western State extensively. Manage speed according to downhill grade with engine, transmission, and truck and trailer brakes. Very capable and reliable and a good, economical daily driver, this model started in 2010. Find one with the axle ratio for towing and mountains (3.92), very important for best power and engine braking.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 12:14 PM
|
#16
|
2 Rivet Member
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Manassas
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 67
|
Although not an Airstream, we towed a 29' TT all over the Blueridge Mountains between VA and NC with a 2005 Ford Excursion V10. They are a little old now, but if you find one in good shape they are excellent tow vehicles built in the F250 chassis.
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 12:27 PM
|
#17
|
Retired paddler
1993 29' Excella
Brighton
, Ontario
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 48
|
[QUOTE=Jeffndaile;1940279]I have a 2013 flying cloud 28 feet rear queen model. My wife and I live on a extreme low budget and we would like to find out what other people are driving to tow their 28-34 ft airstreams (nothing shorter please).
/QUOTE]
1993 29' AS Excella, rated at 6800, usually around 7500 actual weight
2011 GMC Sierra 2500 HD 6.0 Vortec V8 trailer pkg 125000 kms.
Bought it used to replace my 2006 Ford Exploder that used to haul the AS to Yukon, Alaska, Newfoundland and Labrador. Although a larger engine, the GMC gets better gas mileage and no more problems going up or down steep grades.
No regrets.
__________________
Cathy and Hans
1993 Excella 29' w/Hensley
2011 GMC SIerra 2500HD SLT
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 12:31 PM
|
#18
|
"Hey, I know you!"
Chapin
, South Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 225
|
2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
8.1 liter gasoline engine, Allison transmission, 4.10 rear axle
I've towed 23' thru 26' Airstreams, but it would have no problems with any length.
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 01:08 PM
|
#19
|
2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 21
|
We live in NW Montana, so know about hills and passes. We use a 2015 Tundra, double cab, 5.7 liter engine to pull our 28' Flying Cloud. Very pleased with it. Hasn't met a hill it couldn't handle with ease. A pleasure to tow with.
|
|
|
04-24-2017, 01:22 PM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
|
2007 Dodge 2500 diesel. 32 ft Airstream.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|