What would you buy???

[slantflat]

Dennis how funny you mention a van. I've been pondering towing with my 90 G20. I just don't think it's up to the task. It's considered a 3/4 ton but has 5 lug wheels and a 308 rear. And it's a 350 and has marginal brakes. I have no knowledge of other mfg's vans.


If I were to get another van in this similar vintage, I'd look out for the ever rare 1 ton with a big block. Eight lug wheels, bigger trans, bigger brakes. In the something newer department I'd get the latest Express I could, though I wish they came with a bigger engine than the 6.0 .

[gypsydad]

Once again, you REALLY need to shop around....I purchased our new AS, below invoice, and by talking directly with service/parts guys at 2 dealers, was able to get them to match Amazon price for add on options; now, installation prices can get you, I agree...~$135-140/hr., but cost of options came down substantially when I dealt direct vs through sales. For instance, hitch: BlueOx 1000 new; Dealer original cost installed was $1090; Amazon unit cost was $564...ish....ended up getting it installed $700ish.

[rlandis]

gypsydad, I sent you a PM.

[jwp]

Darn you guys! All this TV chatter got me researching, and then wanting a new F350 diesel V8 all decked out. Too bad it would cost as much as the new AS!

[switz]

On our first trip in the 2013 25FB International Serenity, we realized the error in my selection process (the wound was rubbed daily with salt by the wife to remind me of that short coming). We also discovered that the vehicle I had (2007 Mercedes ML320,CDI diesel) was okay bringing the new empty trailer home, but was overloaded ready for camping.

Thus I decided to go with a 2012 Dodge 2500HD Cummins diesel automatic to have all the towing power and weight capacity for any Airstream except older 34' models. The Cummins engine history has shown it will out last both the Ford diesels and GMC Duramax diesels nearly two to one for time and miles. So now the 2014 Classic model 30 and truck weigh just over 18,000 pounds (about 9,000 pounds each) almost ready to camp. Both vehicles have additional weight capacity for more "stuff" and there is lots of head room on the combined towing weight limit of 20,000 pounds.

Since we start out from Phoenix for nearly every trip, nearly any direction we go to get out of town puts us in the mountains, so we converted the trailer to disc brakes while adding a substantial solar system on the roof.

This setup works well for us.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by rlandis

gypsydad, I sent you a PM.

did you get my reply?

[J. Morgan]

When I am towing 26k gross with one of my work trucks a big engine is helpful on the grades, but Airstreams are relatively light and aerodynamic, even the newer ones,

IMHO, a gigantic engine in a truck pulling an Airstream might be considered a luxury, but isn't needed.

My 5.3 Chevy truck will pull my 6,500 lb 31 footer 70 MPH between Little Rock and Tucson on ANY grade, even up Texas Canyon and get between 10 and 12 mpg on the trip. (12 at 60, 10 at 70)

If a person can pull 70 MPH on more least 99% of the roads,,, how bad do you need a gigantic engine to attack the other less than 1%?

I own a couple of Dmax trucks, a few Ford V 10s, and I have owned a few 454 equipped trucks, a Dodge Cummins,,,,

I have worked with little trucks hauling loads to the under CDL limit for a long time, and my experience says that while a big motor can be nice from time to time, it is not a requirement, or even always the smart move for towing an Airstream.

[J. Morgan]

My little single cab <$21K 08 only weighs about 5,500 lbs vs. what,,, about 8.5K for a crew cab loaded Diesel?

This makes a difference, in a few areas.

[switz]

For us, the Dodge 2500HD is a dedicated tow vehicle as we have more efficient Mercedes diesels as daily drivers.

The Cummins is still breaking in. I have seen 18 on the highway not towing and even 13+ when towing. I use pencil and paper to figure the mileage as the lie-o-meter is always optimistic, but never based upon reality.

[J. Morgan]

The Dodges are great trucks, I would proudly pull my AS with one, my point was that monster trucks are not NEEDED to pull an AS,

And these trucks are monster pullers.

I really would be proud to pull with one of these.

[switz]

The Cummins reflects the "Get 'er done" phrase completely.

[paiceman]

My two cents:

We pulled a 25' with the EcoBoost - loved it, Platnum Crew Cab. Then sold the 25' and bought a 30', took it on one trip and sold the Eco F150 and bought an F250 6.7 F250 Diesel, love it EXCEPT for the diesel maintenance is a total pain to me - adding and remembering DEF, oil changes $115.00. Dual fuel filters, draining water from the fuel so on and so forth. If we keep the AS (might sell it and get a gas motorhome, we are going to sell the Diesel and go to an F250 Gas. Will not consider GM or Chrysler for political reasons. So, for you, I would go with an F250 GAS. In my opinion it's always better to make the mistake of going to big than too small. And the price is not much higher.

[rlandis]

Thanks for your responses. I have purchased a 2014 F-150 Ecoboost Platinum, with the Max Tow Pkg. I will have very little in the truck, so not having the Max Payload Pkg was not much of an issue for me.
I get my '15 27FB, w/2 ducted A/C units, at the end of this month.
Regards,

[rodsterinfl]

Excellent choice. Super truck ! Good efficient engine and with that tow package you are set. Look inside the door at your payload limit.

[switz]

Not really mentioned with emphasis is the difference in braking capacity between a vehicle designed as a 1/2 ton capacity vehicle and one rated 3/4 ton capacity. Also, the eco-boost is a gas engine which will provide very little back pressure when the throttle is released going down a mountain. Thus the 1/2 ton brakes have to do the entire job.

Our 3/4 ton Cummins diesel has around 22 to one compression and an engine exhaust brake. I do not need to touch the brake pedal coming down the mountains.....

Just saying....

[pappy19]

Your statement regarding no back pressure on the Ford Ecoboost is wrong. The new Ford Torqueshift transmission has a Tow/Haul selection that does just that. Tap on the brake and it downshifts to assist in braking. The F-250's have had that since 2004. My 2008 gas rig does just fine down steep hills towing our AS; the Torqueshift works perfectly.

[switz]

The 3.0L gas engine compression ratio is about 10 to 1 versus 6.7L and roughly 22 to 1 on the diesel. The engine is doing the braking. Which one provides more drag when power is removed?

[rodsterinfl]

Pappy and Switz, you are both correct. A diesel has more engine back pressure than a gas so it can be used on hills to slow decent. The Ford transmission in the gas trucks has the tap twice "take over" circuitry to provide a geared decent. It is part of their towing ability, a standard feature but activates its full feature set when actually towing. There are two videos, one on how to activate it and this one on it actually demonstrated in use. Here is the video describing the Ford tech. Go to 2:19 on the video regarding decent. He calls it engine braking but you can hear it shifting so it is transmission braking more specifically:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQp2ZIlXK3k

[HeadWest]

For what it is worth I've been very happy with the engine/transmission in my F150 Echoboast in the mountains pulling a '13 28 International. In tow/haul mode the transmission downshifts appropriately and I'm never riding the brakes coming down mountain passes. Not a lot of miles out west but still quite a number of decent passes in MT, CO and other western states.

[Thiss]

I have a friend who has tried to tow with a 1/2 ton Ford. He is now looking for a different rig. I am a Cummins fan through and through. Good milage, dependability, power. I personally would buy a new Ram 3500.

My advice, stay away from short wheelbase, make sure your power plant can handle the heat, literally, EGT will burn things down, and buy something with big brakes. A lot of rigs can get the Airstream moving, but can they get it stopped, or keep it from doing a 180 on a freeway?

Nissan and Toyota are both coming out with the V8 Cummins option; check them out.