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Andrew T · 12-09-2013, 06:04 PM

The empty hitch weight on a 23FB is usually around 480 pounds. For this short test we just removed the batteries and spare tire.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 12-09-2013, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew T

Here is an interesting one for this thread. This is a 23FB with the hitch weight reduced to 400 Pounds. I only drove it about 15 miles but the handling was amazing and the acceleration better than most solo cars.

During the time it took us to figure out how to hitch this neatly the owners decided they would rather have a 27 Eddie Bauer which had too much hitch weight for the vette. The vet has extremely soft springs with massive computerized shock control. It was fun while it lasted however.

Andrew T

Hi, as someone who has worked at new car dealers since 1968, [now retired] and also worked on Chevrolet Corvettes, it would be very interesting just seeing and knowing how you made a hitch for this car.

Andrew T · 12-10-2013, 03:54 AM

I had some photos of the hitch but I can't seem to find them at the moment. The corvette has a very strong steel frame in it up fairly high in the body at the back end. There was room to put a cross member on top of the frame just behind the axle and it already had a very beefy cross member across the back. The receiver comes out between the exhaust pipes just a little above them. We actually tried to figure out a way to make a round receiver tube so it would match the tail pipes but we could not find the right steel. The hitch is still on it and I have offered to lend them a smaller trailer to take to one of their Corvette meets sometime. They also own a 63 split window which is very nice.

Andrew T

graysailor · 12-12-2013, 06:31 AM

I think if Ford put a Cummins in their trucks then that would be a perfect combo.

jornvango · 12-12-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysailor

I think if Ford put a Cummins in their trucks then that would be a perfect combo.

Very true: the Ford looks and finish-out combined with the reliability of a Cummins.

We had that exact dilemma when we bought ours (which was yesterday by the way

): we had to choose between a Ford F350 King Ranch with the nice interior but the 6.0l diesel versus a Dodge Ram 3500 with the 'ok' interior but the 6.7l cummins diesel engine. The mind (Dodge) won over the heart (Ford) ...

mojo · 12-12-2013, 09:19 AM

You can always customize that interior with some Mexican blankets for the seats and dingle balls around the windows. You'd be stylin' south of the border.

JustSomeGuy · 02-20-2014, 08:08 PM

Resurrecting a 2 month old thread here...

I know there will be some skeptical people, but here's another minivan towing a 25 foot Airstream. Just got both this month: 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Touring-L (the luxury version of the Dodge Grand Caravan) towing my 1990 Airstream Excella 25. I bought the van partly on the recommendation and long standing track record of Can-Am RV using these vans quite successfully as tow vehicles with a reinforced hitch, factory transmission cooler, weight distribution and sway control. Towing components and Airstream from Can-Am RV. Just picked up the Airstream today. So far so good!

mstephens · 02-20-2014, 08:17 PM

We're sort of brethren here. I have a Chrysler 300 which I am setting up to tow my 25 Flying Cloud. All based on Andy's setups for that car. I will be interested in your experience.

JustSomeGuy · 02-21-2014, 06:54 AM

I was seriously considering a Chrysler 300. Very nice cars that I would probably have never considered had it not been for looking for a new tow vehicle and Can-Am's experience with them. In the end, I decided I just could not live without a minivan for all of its extra space and cargo room, plus the full stow & go seating was a big thing for me.

I don't recall what year your Chrysler 300 is, but I believe I saw it in another thread and it looks like either this year's model or at least a 2011 or newer. So it could have the same Pentastar V6 engine, although you probably have the 8 speed automatic whereas I have the 6 speed automatic. If so, we have a similar drivetrain. So far I've only driven about 150 miles in which there were a few smallish hills, but the kinds where many semi-trucks can't make it uphill at the speed limit and go up anywhere from 50% to 80% of the speed limit.

Once I got the hang of manually shifting into 4th gear (normally in 5th for towing on level ground), I was OK. My digital display shows coolant temperature but not transmission fluid temperature (not that I can find anyways). I've got a factory transmission cooler though. My plan is to go out west in the next few weeks, although I may take a long, scenic route to Key West, FL and then across AL, MS, LA, TX, AZ, NM, etc, up through CA, OR, WA, etc. Despite assurance from Can-AM that my 2012 Town & Country will be fine towing my 1990 Airstream Excella 25, I'd rather take the least steep hills possible. Once I do that, I'll report back on how it goes. For now, my Airstream will probably be parked until I head out and the van will be used solo without towing until I am ready to head out west.

graysailor · 02-21-2014, 10:48 PM

I found that with my F150 the transmission fluid does warm up in the hills but cools down rather quickly on the down slopes. I don't think I would worry about it as long as you do have a tranny cooler.

graysailor · 02-21-2014, 10:53 PM

Whats that white stuff on the ground?

Lara Me · 02-21-2014, 11:29 PM

RAM 2500 HD 4x4 with Cummins towing 28' FC. Handles the tongue weight easily, has the grunt to tackle the passes with ease, and gets 13-14.5 mpg, and 19mg unloaded. Longer 8ft bed holds motorbikes and gear just fine.

mje · 02-21-2014, 11:59 PM

2013 VW Touareg TDI, reinforced hitch by Can Am, towing 2013 FC 30. Pulls good since ProPride hitch is used. Gets 15 mpg highway (28 hwy solo). There are so many debates whether or not this VW Touareg TDI can tow -- as long as the hitch is reinforced and using ProPride or Hensley WD, it can handle up to 30' (except for S/O and 30 Classic models) without any issues.

My sincere salute to Andy at Can-Am and Sean at ProPride making this dream possible.

mje · 02-22-2014, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lara Me

RAM 2500 HD 4x4 with Cummins towing 28' FC. Handles the tongue weight easily, has the grunt to tackle the passes with ease, and gets 13-14.5 mpg, and 19mg unloaded. Longer 8ft bed holds motorbikes and gear just fine.

Nice combo! It's what I wanted, but VW Touareg TDI will have to do for now until I retire -- my work has a parking garage in downtown so TIGHT that parking a truck is a real pain.

mgriffrus · 02-22-2014, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mje

Nice combo! It's what I wanted, but VW Touareg TDI will have to do for now until I retire -- my work has a parking garage in downtown so TIGHT that parking a truck is a real pain.

Parking? You mean docking! We've got a 2500 megacab 4x4 and sometimes I joke about getting a harbor pilot to get me in some spaces. That truck coupled to our 29' Ambassador makes for an interesting experience, especially in some older and crowded campgrounds.

Still love it, though. Never worry about overloading the bed and the kids have plenty of room in the back.

blumob · 02-22-2014, 08:22 AM

My towing vehicle is a 2012 Chevy Express 2500. Towing is a pleasure. The only downside is lack of 4-wheel drive, I found this out on one of my first outings. I was stuck on wet grass while trying to quietly move into a site at midnight last summer. I had to drop trailer and have a tractor rescue me next day.

pappy19 · 02-22-2014, 09:20 AM

You might consider a new locker rearend in a different ratio, like a 3:73 or even a 4:10 as it will not cost that much and will give you a vastly improved traction for a 2 wheel drive. Here is a good demo on a Chevy-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-rQTHMVAuw

Hibby · 02-22-2014, 11:07 AM

F250 Crew Cab w/ 6.4l Diesel (2010) with a 30' Flying Cloud (2012)

The long wheelbase and seating for six is wonderful, and the engine is wonderful if you can ignore the mileage... My best highway towing mileage is about 10, but usually in the 8-9 range.

dznf0g · 02-22-2014, 04:33 PM

This season it'll be a left over 2013 Silverado HD 2500 extended cab, regular bed. 6.0 gas, 4wd, but 4.10 gears this time.

Sent from my XT907 using Airstream Forums mobile app

JustSomeGuy · 02-23-2014, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysailor

Whats that white stuff on the ground?

Haha, it's what I'm trying to get away from!

And will hopefully never see again. I've had enough snow to last me a lifetime.

As for fuel economy, I am hesitant to report on it yet, as I've only towed one time, the 3 hour drive home from picking up the Airstream. But I have to say, if the trip computer is accurate, I'm quite impressed. Towing on average highways with a few bigger hills (not Rocky Mountain hills, but hills that make semi-trucks go up slowly with their 4-way flashers on), I noticed my trip computer telling me I was getting between 17 and 19 MPG towing through the hills.

That was with my 6 speed automatic in 5th gear most of the time, and in 4th gear when needed to get up steeper hills. I would have been lucky to get that kind of fuel consumption driving solo in my former 2005 Chevy Astro (with almost 100 less horsepower), let alone towing a 25 foot trailer.

I'm sure my MPG's will drop some more going through the Rocky Mountains. Driving solo, without the trailer, and in "economy" mode on the highway, I've noticed the trip computer telling me I'm getting 27 MPG. Sure, a 3/4 ton diesel pickup would make it easier towing through the mountains. But I'll make it. Can-Am has towed a 28 foot Airstream with 4 people in a 4.0L Town & Country to Colorado and back, and they have several Grand Caravans, Town & Country, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger (with similar drivetrain) in their fleet. But what I like, is that I have a nice, comfortable roomy vehicle that fits into most parking spaces and returns excellent fuel economy (considering it's a van) for the 95% of the time I don't need a 3/4 diesel pickup. And when I'm towing, it's nice with the long wheelbase, short rear overhang and lower center of gravity. All-wheel-drive would have been nice, but I can't have everything. As always, I'll just be careful where I go, and park, and worst case, I've got roadside assistance if I need to be towed out. Or I'll pay someone to tow me out and learn from that experience not to do that again, and stick to areas where I won't get stuck.

In any case, I'm only my second tank of gas since buying the van, so it's a bit too early to comment on consistent fuel economy results. In a few weeks or months I can do so. But I can already see I'll be facing a lot of those comments about the ability of this van to tow my Airstream. Even my neighbor, who has a 2012 Grand Caravan, said "are you sure your van can tow that trailer?"