Towing

[parrotheadrv]

Any thoughts on 2500HD, 3500HD vs diesel

[dkottum]

Towing what?

[StreamNTyme]

F150, F250 or F350

[ROBERT CROSS]

2500 works very well for us....

I don't think your rig requires more. (1973 27' Overlander?)

You will get many opinions, do your research and decide.

The softer the ride the better for your Airstream.

Bob

[andreasduess]

You've got a tongue weight of 515lbs, empty, trailer weight of 4578lbs. That's one of the benefits of an older trailer, they are light to match the capabilities of the tow vehicles available at the time.

I tow a 1984 34' International with a tongue weight of 625lbs, total weight just above 6000lbs, with a Honda Odyssey. Hensley hitch, not a problem.

The important numbers to keep in mind when making your decision are the permitted total payload of the TV and the gross axle weight rating (GAWR).

My personal opinion? You won't even need a 2500. Most decent SUVs these days would tow that trailer just fine, for as long as you don't plan on carrying hundreds of pounds of generators, gas, firewood etc.

At the end of the day, you will need to decide what you're comfortable with and what meets your needs best. My next TV will definitely be a diesel, either the VW Touareg, the Mercedes ML 350 BlueTEC or a Grand Cherokee.

[SARGE/AF]

Originally Posted by parrotheadrv

Any thoughts on 2500HD, 3500HD vs diesel

Most of your half ton trucks can pull this trailer if they are newer than 1995 as they are rated above 8000lbs, for stability the 3/4 ton would most likely be best. Most of your SUV's such as Ford expedition, some explorers, Chev & Dodge mid size and up,can pull this trailer with very little effort.
As far as a mini van like Andy has, and in Canada they get away with more than we do in the U.S. it may pull it but you are asking for trouble as it is only rated at 3500lbs tow/ 400lb tongue with the Honda tow package, and your trailer is a 1000 above that empty and then by the time you add your goodies you are going to add another 1000 to 1500 to that.
Remember and anyone will tell you that it is better to be on the side of safety and enjoy your trips rather than take chances on the opposite.
add trailer weight empty plus 2000lbs and that should be your starting tow capacity.
Yes I know that many are going to jump all over me for I just said but, at the end of the day who is going to be responsible for what you do?

Sarge

[A W Warn]

I bought a 2500 6.0L gasser last year. This truck is the least liked of any truck I have ever owned. It will carry all the weight I want to put in the bed, but it is sluggish while towing with the bed loaded. I should have bought the diesel.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by parrotheadrv

Any thoughts on 2500HD, 3500HD vs diesel

Great for towing a big, heavy 5th wheel that have bad aerodynamics.

Airstream's tow real nice. For a TV there are better choices out there considering performance, comfort, and safety.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by parrotheadrv

Any thoughts on 2500HD, 3500HD vs diesel

2500 HD, 2012, 4x4, Duramax. 30500+ miles.
Wow, this truck is fine.

Tow, just point and click. Tow mode, exhaust brake, brake controller, 7way and hitch are all good. And good ride, too.






Although it eats DPF fluid, since dealer upgraded engine and tranny software, it has run even better!

[parrotheadrv]

Thx for all the input..My Yukon XL tows it pretty well even without the wd hitch (though I plan on getting one) and may just get a newer xl but I sure like having the truck bed......decisions decisions

[BAB]

I've been towing with an Infiniti QX56. Plenty of HP and torque, but I just ordered a Ram 2500 Laramie CC 4x4 with the 6.7L Cummins. REASON: carrying space for two Honda generators and other gear that I can't fit into the SUV. Also, 850 pounds of torque sounds really good for mountains, as well as a standard engine brake for downhill. My tongue weight is 950, and the Ram set up for 2014 includes coil springs on the 2500 -- which should help the ride. My learning was the SUV did exactly what they said it would in terms of towing power. The issue was additional space for gear. So, add that to your "something to think about" dilemma!

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by BAB

I've been towing with an Infiniti QX56. Plenty of HP and torque, but I just ordered a Ram 2500 Laramie CC 4x4 with the 6.7L Cummins. REASON: carrying space for two Honda generators and other gear that I can't fit into the SUV. Also, 850 pounds of torque sounds really good for mountains, as well as a standard engine brake for downhill. My tongue weight is 950, and the Ram set up for 2014 includes coil springs on the 2500 -- which should help the ride. My learning was the SUV did exactly what they said it would in terms of towing power. The issue was additional space for gear. So, add that to your "something to think about" dilemma!

BAB, you may recall I towed our 27ft International Serenity with a QX as well but having previously pulled with a Cummings I just couldn't get use to the constant downshifting necessary to keep the V8 in the power curve. Great vehicle but just had to have a diesel again so we traded for a GL350 Bluetec....unbelievably better towing experience. Great fuel mileage (it is very thrifty on the DEF, 10K service rolled around and never even got a low level warning). For those times that we need 2 generators, the three dogs and lots of gear we need to revert to a large truck. I'll be very interested to hear how your 2500 RAM experience goes, know you'll love the power but interested in what mileage you get with the improved Cummings they are touting this year.

[SARGE/AF]

[QUOTE I'll be very interested to hear how your 2500 RAM experience goes, know you'll love the power but interested in what mileage you get with the improved Cummings they are touting this year.[/QUOTE]

I would also like to know, so far the few friends that I have that have one says it is better than the other Cummings, but not as good as my ford 6.7, close but not as good. (NOTE: fuel comparison/usage taken from actual trips together, not guesses).
I can tell you for sure the new Cummings is quieter than my 6.7 by just a tad.

Sarge

[BAB]

Overall, I've really loved the Infiniti...but agree with the downshifting dilemma, particularly on hills. It does get busy. I did a LOT of research before ordering this truck, including a survey of everyone at Alumapalooza a few months back who was towing with a RAM. Not a negative comment in the bunch. In terms of mileage, that'll be something I'll be interested in as well. The QX got 11-12, and I think my rig is well set up with the ProPride, scale visits, etc. While most of the new generation diesel owners are unhappy about the EPA's insistence on choking off the power, most of what I've heard is that the DEF thing isn't all that cumbersome. Depending on how you drive you can get up to 10,000 miles on 9 gals. What I expect to gain is the extra torque (I can't contemplate 800 pounds....the QX has 440 and pulls great!) The other plus will be the exhaust brake which most folks say is awesome going DOWN hills. And, being able to carry all the gear in the truck bed instead of in the back of the SUV is a primary motivator. Carrying gas inside the QX for the generators has not been my preferred style. Finally, Rhoda (my basset hound) will have some space to turn around in as the other gear will be safely in the trunk bed under the electrically retractable tonneau cover. Oh, and I ordered the Ramboxes, so all the trailer gear (hitch/unhitch stuff, tools) will be handy at the push of a button. Oh, and you can fill the Ramboxes with ice and put adult beverages in there!

[daveswenson]

Ok, the Rambox decides it. I'm getting one!

[Msmoto]

I think I will jump back onto the Airstream Forum as I am planning on returning after having a huge motorhome for over three years.

So, I towed a 2007 25' International with a 2005 Porsche Cayenne Turbo (450 hp, 460 ft lbs torque) and while it had adequate power the issue was downshifting from 6 to 5 on any little hill. Maybe I needed to just hold it in 5th????

So, I bought a 2008 Dodge/Cummins 2500, Crew Cab, Long bed and the 21 feet of truck pulled my 2009 International 27FB with no issues. I think I got about 14 mpg towing about 60-65 mph. The Dodge has about 70,000 miles now, and it is waiting for me to sell the motorhome and get a new Flying Cloud 30.

I towed my 27FB from North Carolina to California, into Idaho, through a blizzard in Wyoming, and a couple times to Texas.

My opinion is, if possible, get a diesel tow vehicle. The low end torque is so nice, especially in mountains.

And, I look forward to being back in an Airstream......

[parrotheadrv]

Welcome back to the AS forums and thanks for your input...I'm def leaning towards the 3/4 dies eng just not sure of the brand....but have also peaked an interest in the Toyota Tundra 4 Dr...over 10k towing and really I'll max out around 7500-8000 at the most and I like it as a daily driver also