I would like to know if anyone is towing a 30' S/O Classic with a 2007 Toyota Tundra w/5.7 engine; 381 HP, 401 FP torque. I am considering this but would like input from someone who is towing.
I tow with a 5.7 Tundra and think it is a great truck. It's got a powerful motor and great brakes, but it is still a 1/2 ton truck. The classics with SO have a bunch of hitch weight (1K+) add to that the weight of propane, water and other stuff you will be pushing the limits of the truck. With an empty trailer and no payload in the truck you might squeak in under the limits, but is that how you want to travel?
I concur with the others. You would be at the towing limits of the Tundra. This combo would not be within my comfort zone, but others are not as particular as I am. A 30 SO has a super hefty tongue weight which would not leave a lot of cargo capacity for the truck bed.
Brian
__________________ SuEllyn & Brian McCabe WBCCI #3628 --- AIR #14872 2005 25' Safari FB (Lucy) with HAHA 2005 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Olivia) & 2004 Suburban 2500 Quadrasteer (Daisy)
Andy, thanks for your reply. Yes, I own the Tundra, but not a trailer yet. Am interested in 30' with slideout. The Tundra is 2007 double cab (not the max work cab) w/ 5.7 engine, 6 ft. box with towing package. I will be interested in your take on this. Reply to maxinecharles@embarqmail.com.
I would like to know if anyone is towing a 30' S/O Classic with a 2007 Toyota Tundra w/5.7 engine; 381 HP, 401 FP torque. I am considering this but would like input from someone who is towing.
This is going to be a problem.
Your 30 Slideout is heavier than my 31 Classic. I tow my 31 Classic with a F-250 Diesel. I towed it with a F-250 Gas. That was ok but the truck was under constant load. Flat and level the diesel is just humming along.
The wheel base is ok but the power was just not there.
Andy, thanks for your reply. Yes, I own the Tundra, but not a trailer yet. Am interested in 30' with slideout. The Tundra is 2007 double cab (not the max work cab) w/ 5.7 engine, 6 ft. box with towing package. I will be interested in your take on this. Reply to maxinecharles@embarqmail.com.
If Andrew T can't offer any assistance then I would say no one can...
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I tow with a 5.7 Tundra and think it is a great truck. It's got a powerful motor and great brakes, but it is still a 1/2 ton truck. The classics with SO have a bunch of hitch weight (1K+) add to that the weight of propane, water and other stuff you will be pushing the limits of the truck. With an empty trailer and no payload in the truck you might squeak in under the limits, but is that how you want to travel?
DiTTO
Been there, Done that !
__________________ "Better to have more then you need, then need more then you have because you don't have enough!" AIR #: 8129
I have a 2004 30'w/so and this is a heavy trailer when you get it ready to go camping. I had a 1994 F250 gas (460) when I bought the trailer. It did ok but would really labor in the Mtns. I now have a 2006 F250 with the 6.0 diesel what a difference. It handles any situation with ease.. You defiinitely need a 3/4 ton truck and the diesel to make your towing enjoyable!!
Richg
As others have said, you will be at the limit on tongue weight/pay load and IMO, you will be at the limits with towing horsepower. The consensus here on the forums is not to exceed 80% of your TV's towing capacity. Does a 30' Classic S/O do this?
I'm no expert by any means, but my personal $.02 is that in the Safari line, 25' is the border line for 1/2 ton tow vehicles and in the Classic line, well, they are heavier at all lengths and I personally wouldn't consider a 1/2 ton to be a comfortable towing vehicle for anything in the Classic line. That's my opinion and isn't gospel among anyone else on this forum.
Since you already have the Tundra (a great truck BTW), my recommendation is this: if you are close on the 80% and close on the payload and really want the 30' Classic S/O, get it if YOU are comfortable with the numbers realizing that you will trade tow vehicles long before you trade Classic travel trailers. The 30' is a good compromise size as far as not too long to handle for the novice and not too small for a couple or even family. The slide out will make it feel larger so you won't feel like you should have got the larger one and want to trade up in a year or two. With tow vehicles on the other hand, you will want to trade up in a year or two.
However, if you plan on using the trailer really often, or plan on frequent trips in the mountains, or plan on full timing, you might as well bight the bullet and go for broke and get a nice 3/4 ton tow vehicle and 30' Classic at the same time...you'll be glad you did.
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2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
Family of Disney Fanatics
WBCCI# 4821 streamin across america
Inquiring prior to purchasing your Airstream will save you inumerable headaches for sure. I tow our '04, thirty foot slide out with a 3/4 ton, 4X4, Duramax, crew and can assure you that it's most likely too much truck for the trailer. A 3/4 ton, gas, crew would suffice. The wheelbase rule of thumb for the trailer length would be perfect, the suspension not quite so hard on the Airstream and I'd have ample power. Having said all that, I wouldn't trade down because pulling the hills would be a bear unless I had a 411 rear end and a huge fuel tank. As is, I hardly know our Airstream is back there. Did I mention the Hensley hitch?
My opinion mirrors most of the others here. You won't feel comfy, safe or happy pulling the 30'SO with your truck which is a fine vehicle for most other activities.
Good luck with your research and impending purchase.
Dependent upon the year the trailer, the hitch weight is large. My slide out is around 1,200 lbs or so. I had to upgrade my GM factory hitch to a class V to carry that load. I'm pulling with a 3/4 ton GMC van, 6.0 liter V8 with a 4.10 rear axle. The big difference between the 3/4 vehicle and 1/2 is frame, brake, and wheel related. I can tell you when the road gets rough and you start dealing with the undulations of the road, that 3/4 ton chasis and components make the difference. I've pulled with a 1/2 van with a 27' Safari and it's amazing the difference in suspension and handling.
My towing capacity of the van is 9,900 lbs. and I can't imagine towing with anything smaller. Keep in mind that the 30' Slide is the heaviest trailer that Airstream makes on a tandem axle. My estimate is that without water and normal camping load of food and clothing, I'm pulling between 8,200 and 8,300 lbs.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500,'08 Vespa GTS 250
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Very capable truck......but.
Good luck and keep us posted!!!
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If Andrew T can't offer any assistance then I would say no one can...
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