What do I need to tow an 86 32' excella?

[macofpei]

I know cars and trucks can tow an AS but what do I really need to safely tow this AS? We have a 32 foot Excella, 1986. What size engine and tongue weight should I be looking for? I don't want to buy a car or truck and find out I didn't get one that can do the job. I know about the electric brake set-up but just don't know what to get for a car or truck ( personally, I want a truck)
Much thanks
macofpei
Mac from Prince Edward Island, Canada

[overlander63]

In short, a 3/4 ton, standard cab long bed, or extended cab short bed pickup or Suburban would work well. If you get the truck, a topper (cap, camper shell, whatever it is called locally there) would be a good idea both aerodynamically and to keep your "stuff" secure and dry.
As for the 1/2 ton versus 3/4 ton argument, I'd rather have more truck than I need, than need more truck than I have. Our tow capacity of our Chevy 2500 truck is 8600 pounds, your trailer should have a GVW of around 8,000.

[nohillgrish]

In my opinion, just about any 3/4 ton pickup with a reasonably sized motor (gas or diesel) will do the job. We have a 1987 32' Excella. I opted for a 1-ton diesel with single rear wheel because of what I feel to be little heavier suspension and breaking but again, I have a lot of friends pulling much heavier trailers that get along just fine with 3/4 ton. The heavier vans are also OK if you have the storage need, but the pickup better meets my every day needs. I also have a camper shell, which works great for supplies needed for longer trips and added security for "your stuff".

[Goin camping]

I would go with a 3/4 truck either in gas or diesel.

A truck allows you to carry firewood, gennies and other dirty or oversize stuff that makes your camping so much more comfortable.

[DKDarrow]

Don't forget about getting 4WD. Got rid of a perfectly great F250 cause it wasn't able to do that little task of pulling up a grade on a gravel road. Replaced it with an 04 and could not be happier. By the way, the V10 Ford is one fantastic engine.
Not talking about going back into serious boondocking places (it is a nice capability) but kicking it in even in campgrounds that have gravel pads or perhaps even a snowbank to pull through.........Dennis

[AxelBruijnis]

Hi Mac,

We have the same type and year trailer, and pull it with a 2004 Chevy Suburban QuadraSteer, 4wd , 6.0 liter. tows great , very comfy ride.. we use Reese weight distribution, and tekonsha Prodigy break controller.
We tried a Tahoe for a while, it was powerfull enough on flat roads, but the trailer was in control, especialy with stronger cross wind.

Good luck choosing your tow vehicle !
please let us know what you bought .

Axel Bruijnis

[nohillgrish]

I'm glad Dennis remembered to mention the 4WD capabililty. I know there are those that say they get along fine with 2WD, and if it's bad enough for 4WD they shouldn't be going anywhere anyway. However, I have been in several campgrounds in summer time with a gravel hill approach to site and if I hadn't had 4WD I would have been slinging gravel everywhere. Not good when arriving in the midnight time frame. Also, 4WD has really came in handy on my winter camping trips when we get the unexpected snow. I just like the feeling of security being better able to deal with the unexpected. Don't forget to let us know what you end up with.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by macofpei

I know cars and trucks can tow an AS but what do I really need to safely tow this AS? We have a 32 foot Excella, 1986. What size engine and tongue weight should I be looking for? I don't want to buy a car or truck and find out I didn't get one that can do the job. I know about the electric brake set-up but just don't know what to get for a car or truck ( personally, I want a truck)
Much thanks
macofpei
Mac from Prince Edward Island, Canada

You need a tow vehicle with an 8500 pound tow capacity, or better.

[till]

Abrams, M1A1

Really,

What they said....

[Wingeezer]

I just bought a Sierra 2500HD 4x4 crew cab diesel on Saturday to pull the 31footer we recently bought. I think it will be a good match.

When we bought the trailer a few months ago, I owned a 1/2 ton Sierra. I debated whether or not to keep it.

When I looked at the specs, it marginally was ok for tow rating, (9000# rating vs 8750# GVW for the trailer.)

I wasn't thrilled about being so close to the maximum rating - and as well, when we towed the trailer home I did experience a little sway. Since then, I bought a Hensley hitch.

What clinched the deal was that I looked at the CGVW (combined gross vehicle weight) rating of the the half ton which takes into account both the GVW of the tow vehicle and the trailer.) I found that with the AS in tow, I was exceeding the CGVW rating of the
1/2 ton by 1000#.

I don't have the truck yet, but all the recommendations I got from this forum indicated it should be about the best selection for the trailer.

I'm sure any of the big three's 3/4 tons would do well, I happened to pick the GMC because we were very happy with our 1/2 ton Sierra, and from what I understand, the GMC has possibly a slightly softer ride.

[Sixty3TW4US]

NICE!! that TV should handle any and all of your needs. I had my TV before the AS, and it is only a 2wd. As soon as the economy gets more stable or should i say stable i will be shopping for a new truck. I do like the 2500HD 4x4. There are some places that i will not take my 2WD.

[ROBERT CROSS]

We have been 3/4 4wd Suburban fans for the last 13yrs. Just OUR preference. 4wd has got'n us out of more than one sandy/wet/slippery spot.

As others have mentioned it's better to have more than you need, than to need more than have.

Just keep in mind..you need the room for all the Stream'n stuff you seem to accumulate over the years.

By the way here's a link that all new Forum members should get



https://www.airstreamlife.com/scripts/subscribe/

[romap]

I just bought a Sierra 2500HD 4x4 crew cab diesel on Saturday to pull the 31footer we recently bought. I think it will be a good match.

You're going to love your new truck and the way it tows!

[Mikethefixit]

For Your Safety and Everyone else on the road. I highly recommend heeding the advise given about. 31ft= 3/4 ton .The 4WD is strictly a matter of choice. However I don't really recommend it,because of the extra 1200 lbs or so that U don't need to carry around that for the most part has no usefully purpose.
What ever your decision Please do not be sway by those here that would have have U pull a rail car with a Volkswagon.
Never sacrifice saftey for fuel mileage its not a good trade off.
Happy Camping

[ostream]

When evaluating the truck vs. car/van/SUV, folks often overlook the towing specific features found in most 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks including:

- exhaust brake (engine compression braking)
- trailer towing mirrors (extend out for increased vision)
- integrated brake controller
- tow/haul transmission programming (altered shift points & gear holding downhill)

any or all of these can significantly improve overall safety in addition to reducing travelling stress.

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by ostream

When evaluating the truck vs. car/van/SUV, folks often overlook the towing specific features found in most 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks including:

- exhaust brake (engine compression braking)
- trailer towing mirrors (extend out for increased vision)
- integrated brake controller
- tow/haul transmission programming (altered shift points & gear holding downhill)

any or all of these can significantly improve overall safety in addition to reducing travelling stress.

As ostream and several others, mention..the safety issues is and, should always remain..
The Bottom Line..
SAFETY FOR ALL~!
Happy Thanksgiving to you