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Old 03-10-2012, 07:59 AM   #1
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1995 34' Excella
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tow vehicle

New on this scene in this stage of life. Need information from experienced on tow vehicle for 34 footer.Have been reading lots but overwhelmed with all that is out there and hope to get a condensed version from someone that has actually lived it. Thanks so much. Peace
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Old 03-10-2012, 08:20 AM   #2
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

We have a 2005 Safari 25FB that weighs 7,400# with a 850# tongue weight. A 34 foot will probably got as much as another 25% above that. Accordingly, you're probably in at least 3/4 ton territory. We pull our 25FB with a 3/4 ton Suburban with the 6.0 liter gasoline engine. We also use a Hensley Arrow Hitch System.

I believe that a gasoline engined 3/4 ton tow vehicle could probably do the job with a 34 footer, but may be a little shallow in the pull power department. A diesel powered tow vehicle would most likely be more satisfactory.

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Old 03-10-2012, 08:57 AM   #3
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We have a 3/4 ton GM diesel and are extremely happy with the way it handles our 34' AS. Have taken it from Seattle to Las Vegas and back and never had to take it out of cruise control in the mountains...exhaust brake works great as well and the built-in trailer brake controller has been fine.
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Old 03-10-2012, 09:18 AM   #4
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We have finally got a 1996 Ford F250, and will be trying it out here soon. But I swear you sure need to get something thats going to pull. Our Airstream is a 27 footer.
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Old 03-11-2012, 07:41 AM   #5
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1995 34' Excella
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Thanks for your quick reply and warm welcome. Just purchased a 95 34' 10,000 dry weight so will be turning to the forums for all my info from those so willing to share their experience. Pick it up tomorrow and he has a heavy duty van to sell that he pulled it with so will have time to get exactly what I need. Lots to learn and do to get her back into shape and become responsible and proud AS owners. Thanks again.
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Old 03-11-2012, 09:30 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jleric View Post
Thanks for your quick reply and warm welcome. Just purchased a 95 34' 10,000 dry weight so will be turning to the forums for all my info from those so willing to share their experience. Pick it up tomorrow and he has a heavy duty van to sell that he pulled it with so will have time to get exactly what I need. Lots to learn and do to get her back into shape and become responsible and proud AS owners. Thanks again.
You'll want to do some reading around here. Easiest questions are:

1] How long will you own it?

2] How many miles do you expect to cover in that time?

3] How many nights of use?

4] How important is fuel economy (as a trade-off)?

5] Will you be full-time or part-time?

A good range of vehicles can tow a 34' A/S, but that range is only narrowed by the above questions, and how much gear one expects to take along.

.
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Old 03-11-2012, 01:31 PM   #7
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We pull our 91 34' Excella 1000 with a 99 Ford F250 7.3 diesel and have been pleased. Congratulations on your purchase and good luck on the tv search!
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Old 03-18-2012, 10:08 PM   #8
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I would strongly suggest F250/F350 or 2500/3500 Diesel with either ProPride or Hensley hitch - PERIOD.
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Old 03-19-2012, 05:52 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jleric View Post
Thanks for your quick reply and warm welcome. Just purchased a 95 34' 10,000 dry weight so will be turning to the forums for all my info from those so willing to share their experience. Pick it up tomorrow and he has a heavy duty van to sell that he pulled it with so will have time to get exactly what I need. Lots to learn and do to get her back into shape and become responsible and proud AS owners. Thanks again.
From the above, do I understand that you HAVE the van? and a WD hitch set-up. If so it will help a lot in determining exactly what may be necessary to get you where want to be.
If it's a "short" van without the extended rear overhang it may be quite capable 'til you decide on the up-grade.

I would recommend at least a 2500 anything, with a HD towing package and a quality WD hitch with sway control along with a quality brake controller.

We use a 2500 06 Burb with Hensley Arrow and TruControl Brake controller.

Bob
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Old 04-12-2012, 10:32 AM   #10
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Hi again,
Still looking for that right TV.So afraid to make wrong decision.Have heard many,many,suggestions.Bought the van that came with it and it does the job for now with all the extras.An 87 ford upgraded to 7.3l ,brakes towing package etc.and mechanic says another 200,000 miles.I just can't get past the diesel smell. Has been suggested a V10 f250/350. My AS weighs,I'm told 9700 lbs dry.Will this v10 be enough? Will not be full time but maybe 3-4 months/ yr up to Tenn.,Carolina's etc. Thanks in advance.You all were incredibly helpful last writing.
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Old 04-12-2012, 11:08 AM   #11
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I tow with a Ford Excursion 6.8L V-10 4x4. I cant say much for fuel economy, but torque/HP are right up there with the diesel. I have been very pleased with the Ex; I am about to flip 200K miles- it seems to be built well and I have had no major problems with it. Plenty of power and stability with the AS. Without the third row seat I have about 6' of cargo space behind the back seat.
I would think with the fuel prices going up, you might be able to find a good used 3/4 ton truck or SUV at a decent price.
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Old 04-12-2012, 11:24 AM   #12
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I pull my 1993 Classic Ltd 34" with a 2008 Dodge Ram 5.7 Ltr. 1500 Mega Cab. It seems to do the job.
Once again you will need to determine how often you will be pulling your trailer.Where you are pulling it . Are you full-timing in the future?
This forum will help you!!!
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Old 04-12-2012, 11:39 AM   #13
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Stay with the van, or at least try it for awhile. jim
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Old 04-12-2012, 12:05 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jleric View Post
Hi again,
Still looking for that right TV.So afraid to make wrong decision.Have heard many,many,suggestions.Bought the van that came with it and it does the job for now with all the extras.An 87 ford upgraded to 7.3l ,brakes towing package etc.and mechanic says another 200,000 miles.I just can't get past the diesel smell. Has been suggested a V10 f250/350. My AS weighs,I'm told 9700 lbs dry.Will this v10 be enough? Will not be full time but maybe 3-4 months/ yr up to Tenn.,Carolina's etc. Thanks in advance.You all were incredibly helpful last writing.
"My AS weighs,I'm told 9700 lbs dry.Will this v10 be enough?"

Congrat's on your new Stream.....Welcome!!

Go Camping....loaded, stop at the CAT's, get a baseline to work with and go from there.

Bob
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Old 04-12-2012, 12:36 PM   #15
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In the process of hunting down a good used TV. Was told by most to haul my 1985, 31 Limited I'd need a 3/4 ton (250 or2500). Won't tow all the time, maybe three or four times a year. Live south of the Adaks but the road up is pretty easy. Could I get away with a good used 1/2 ton (150 or 1500)? The smaller ones are easier and cheaper to come by of course.

Thoughts?
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Old 04-12-2012, 02:00 PM   #16
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Try hypnosis to handle the diesel smell... have them leave a post-hypnotic suggestion that that diesel smell is the same as crisp new $20s. Now that regular unleaded is closing in the on the price of diesel and my gas mileage isn't going up like the price, diesel would sure be nice. *I* just have to keep reminded myself how much less I spent on the truck vs. a somewhat comparable diesel and convince myself that's the money I'm spending on $4 unleaded.
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Old 04-12-2012, 02:05 PM   #17
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I tow with a Ford Excursion 6.8L V-10 4x4
And just a reminder, that "SUV" is on a Ford Super Duty F-250 platform....

An Excursion in either Diesel or V-10 Gasser with nice ProPride or Hensley hitch would work well I would surmise...
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Old 04-12-2012, 03:29 PM   #18
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And just a reminder, that "SUV" is on a Ford Super Duty F-250 platform....

An Excursion in either Diesel or V-10 Gasser with nice ProPride or Hensley hitch would work well I would surmise...
Yes it would.
I have had the F-250 with the 7.3 Turbo Diesel also. I like both. It is a matter of whether you like interior or exterior storage space.
I also found (in regards to used vehicles) that the excursions are usually in better condition than the F250 counterpart (probably because they don't get abused as much for utility/construction purposes like the pickups do). I assume this will probably be true with the 2500 burb/ pickup setup in the GM variety as well.
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Old 04-12-2012, 04:55 PM   #19
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Cummins Power!

I pull my 34 footer with a Dodge Ram 4-door long bed 2500HD 4x4 with the Cummins Turbo Diesel (CTD). With a few more descriptors I'll rival NASA

I really like the way the diesel has the torque right off idle. It pulls the trailer very well. I've towed mine through the Great Smokey Mountains up some very steep hills and I've never hit a hill I could not accelerate up. Further, the long wheelbase makes for a nice stable towing platform.

My engine is stock, as is my 4-speed auto tranny. I have not "chipped" the truck yet. Mine is rated at "only" 305hp, but it's the 555 ft-lbs of torque that gets the work done. I have been super happy with it and have had zero problems.

If you do start hot rodding a diesel, typically the first thing that happens is you blow up the transmission. ATS will build/rebuild you one that you will never tear up, but it will cost you $7K. But if you want to pull 800hp out of your street driven Cummins, you need a tranny like that to take it.

But at any rate, they do fine stock. And the diesel truck will get overall about 20-30% better fuel mileage than a gasser (all else being equal...aka a 2500HD 4x4 4-door long bed with a Hemi vs. the same with the Cummins). You just pay more to get it initially. It took me six long years to pay mine off (I bought it new) but I love it. For towing, the weasles are hard to beat.

See ya on the road,
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Old 04-12-2012, 06:09 PM   #20
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To fix the diesel smell,, I just started to make my own fuel out of sunflowers,,

Now I cant stand going to a burger joint.. GO figure,,

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