Newbie needing towing vehicle

[Budmart1]

We purchased our first AS - an '85 Excella which is 34 ft in length and weighs 5,800 lbs. we're looking for a new truck and would like any suggestions that might guide us to a truck that could handle this size of camper. We currently have a 95 Chevy Silverado and it's days are numbered.

Thanks,
Bud

[JimGolden]

Bud,

You will probably see that you'll open a big can of worms with this post....you will get answers ranging from a bicycle to a Kenworth.

A 34' triple can be towed with a front wheel drive Chrysler LHX or similar if it's set up properly. But I wouldn't recommend it.

I pull a 34' triple axle Avion (very similar to Airstream). I use a 3/4 ton pickup and it's been just fine. That is what I would recommend to you.

With the 34's, you get into several things: First is tongue weight. Second is gross weight. Third is how much stuff you want to take with you on top of pulling the trailer (do you want to take your Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV in the back of the truck?).

The triple axles track very nicely. I would argue that they are the most stable of any of the Airstream travel trailers. They pivot about the center axle and you must "scrub" the fore and aft axles to turn sharply. If you make a really sharp turn on a blacktop parking lot, you will see some blackmarks. Don't worry about knocking the tires off the bead...that is essentially an old wive's tale unless your tires are down to 10psi...

But, to answer your question, based upon my experience pulling a 10,000lb gross weight triple axle 34' trailer (actually Avion's are 36')....I recommend a crew cab long bed 3/4 ton pickup. I use a Dodge 2500 with the Cummins Turbodiesel. I've gotten 16mpg on level ground running 60mph or slower, 12mpg on the slab running 75mph (forget ST tires...they are junk; use LT's...but that is a whole 'nother topic that you can find on here).

So: 3/4 ton truck with long wheelbase and big motor and you will be fine.

See ya on the road,

[andreasduess]

There are many, many threads worth reading on this.

First off, congratulations. The big triple axles tow beautifully. We've got a 1984 International, with a similar weight.

We are, happily and safely, towing with a Honda Odyssey van which we'll replace next year with a Dodge Durango. You don't need a huge truck for these trailers, for as long as you have them decently set up.

[Budmart1]

Thanks for the input. Except for a couple bicycles, we'll probably only be hauling clothes and food for my wife and myself along with our daughter when she's home from college. Our 3/4 ton Silverado seems to handle well enough and will probably look for something similar. Thanks again.

[CBWELL]

I pull our 34' with a 3/4 Chev diesel. I like the power and the mileage of the diesel. Everyone has their opinions of tow vehicles and set ups. Bigger truck is my preference, because I do not have to worry about any overload problems, or tongue weights. Chris

[87MH]

Prior to doing anything, I would suggest loading the trailer for camping, then obtaining an actual weight of both the trailer and the truck.

The results may surprise you.

Please post back to this thread with the actual weights.

[BoldAdventure]

Congrats. Can of worms, yes. First, ask what you want. Then find that in what meets your needs.

[cwf]

See my avatar. 2012 Duramax 4x4 crew cab. 9-12MPG below 62MPH. PROPRIDE antisway hitch, Goodyear 15" LT tires, tire pressure and temp sensor.

Also, consider Centramatic static balances. Will reduce vibration significantly.

The rigging is key.

Congrats!

[PaulnGina]

i agree 100% with this post.

Anything less will be a disappointment.

Originally Posted by JimGolden

Bud,

You will probably see that you'll open a big can of worms with this post....you will get answers ranging from a bicycle to a Kenworth.

A 34' triple can be towed with a front wheel drive Chrysler LHX or similar if it's set up properly. But I wouldn't recommend it.

I pull a 34' triple axle Avion (very similar to Airstream). I use a 3/4 ton pickup and it's been just fine. That is what I would recommend to you.

With the 34's, you get into several things: First is tongue weight. Second is gross weight. Third is how much stuff you want to take with you on top of pulling the trailer (do you want to take your Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV in the back of the truck?).

The triple axles track very nicely. I would argue that they are the most stable of any of the Airstream travel trailers. They pivot about the center axle and you must "scrub" the fore and aft axles to turn sharply. If you make a really sharp turn on a blacktop parking lot, you will see some blackmarks. Don't worry about knocking the tires off the bead...that is essentially an old wive's tale unless your tires are down to 10psi...

But, to answer your question, based upon my experience pulling a 10,000lb gross weight triple axle 34' trailer (actually Avion's are 36')....I recommend a crew cab long bed 3/4 ton pickup. I use a Dodge 2500 with the Cummins Turbodiesel. I've gotten 16mpg on level ground running 60mph or slower, 12mpg on the slab running 75mph (forget ST tires...they are junk; use LT's...but that is a whole 'nother topic that you can find on here).

So: 3/4 ton truck with long wheelbase and big motor and you will be fine.

See ya on the road,

[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by Budmart1

Thanks for the input. Except for a couple bicycles, we'll probably only be hauling clothes and food for my wife and myself along with our daughter when she's home from college. Our 3/4 ton Silverado seems to handle well enough and will probably look for something similar. Thanks again.

The choice of tow vehicle has as much to do with how you plan to travel as how big your trailer is. While a gas powered 1/2 ton pickup with a standard bed is capable of pulling ANY Airstream ever made provided you don't overload the bed, and many larger SUV's will do the same, and it's even possible to tow most Airstreams with a large four door sedan, if you are a full timer (or long term traveler) you will appreciate the benefits of larger and more capable cargo space that a 3/4 ton pickup will provide. In your case, it appears that you are still employed and will be a "weekender" and "working person vacation" kind of traveler in a relatively flat part of the country for the foreseeable future so you can err on the side of a smaller and less powerful tow vehicle than a 3/4 ton if that is your preference.

[cwf]

BTW.. Dry weight.. empty... over 6000# by the time I loaded batteries, spare tire, etc... essentials and a full fresh water tank, I was around the 8500# on the Airstream...

[mrawson1]

We have been towing a 28' Interntional CCD with LOTS of stuff in trailer for about 60,000 miles with 2005 2500 Diesel Silverado. Plenty of torque even for Rockies and the hills of Baja California. Truck now has about 220,000 miles. Rebuilt Transmission at 180,000 (it was those hills of Baja that did it in I think). We have the long wheelbase crew cab model which was a pain to park in an apartment building. But would definitely recommend the long wheelbase for our trailer.

[m.hony]

Drive the '95 till it dies and get a newer truck. A newer half ton is more capable than your '95, but if you can afford a 3/4 ton-
Weight distribution and anti-sway are a must, even if you choose to tow with a mini van.
I tried to buy a 1988 34' from a guy who towed it with a Lincoln Navigator. My plan was to tow it with my 1/2 ton pickup.

[CentralAir]

You indicate 5800 lbs. The factory document shows GVWR at 8900 lbs.
A 2500HD Silverado is a great choice and even better with the optional diesel.
Be careful on towing the 34' with a truck that is not rated for the true packed weight with tanks full. Good luck!

[Bill M.]

"Our 3/4 ton Silverado seems to handle well enough and will probably look for something similar. "

Good plan in my opinion unless you have a reason to want a 1/2 ton and are willing to give up some longevity and payload to get it.

[spclkaz]

As CentralAir suggested, 5800lbs. sounds a little light for an '85 34ft. Excella. Maybe that is the DRY weight. Not the GVWR. As others have noted, there are lots of choices. Mine would be... at least a 3/4 ton truck with a long bed. As a solo traveler with a dog, I prefer an extended cab to a crew cab. Even then, these L O N G trucks are a pain to park in tight spaces... BUT... the long wheel base, along with a weight distribution hitch provide much better stability when the 18 wheelers pass you out on the freeway...

And then... do you ever tow in the mountains? My 99 300HP 6.0 liter GMC gasser will do it on the 9% grades here in the West, but it has to work at it (remember to turn off the AC on those hills!) and I only go up at 30-35 MPH on some hills in 2nd gear with tow haul on. The diesel boys just fly by me on those hills... I wish I had gotten one at the time, but GMC was in engine transition back in 99 when I got the truck and... with only 85K on the truck after all these years... I am reluctant to upgrade till I have to...but if I had to trade today... a diesel would be my choice for sure...

So... do your research... pay your money, make your choice...

[NavyCorpsman]

In the past, when working for a boat dock construction company, I had the opportunity to use several HD Ford and Dodge trucks. My personal favorite was the 2002 Ford F250 Superduty Crewcab 4x4. I used it daily to pull building materials, my work barge, all on a 34 ft gooseneck triple axle flatbed. I drove that truck for 5 years and was running great with over 220,000 miles when I left.
Gobs of torque more than sufficient to tow your Airstream. Unless you have to have a new one, there are many great used 3/4 -1 ton fords out there at a great price.
The bottom line, A TV that makes a lot of torque.

[m.hony]

I don't know what axles are under the 34'. It may have a 10,500# GVW (three 3,500# axles) or a 15,000# GVW (three 5,000# axles) or some other possibility, maybe a 13,500# GVW (three 4,500# axles. Only the first possibility should be attempted by a half ton. The other two possibilities would require a 3/4 ton or possibly a 1 ton.

[SteveH]

An '85 34' has an 8,900# GVWR.

[andreasduess]

The mid-80's 34' models are really light and a total joy to tow. Beautiful trailers.