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Old 01-31-2017, 09:20 AM   #1
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Port Saint Lucie , Florida
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First Timer Nervous and Super-Excited

Hi everyone! I'm new to forum and binge-reading all the kind and valuable information it holds. Last month I jumped in and purchased 2005 25 FB Safari. By the way, I'm 60 year-old fit woman with an adventurous spirit. I've been researching alternative lifestyles for past year and half and after finally committing to AS, I bought the first one I looked at because the size, and floor plan appeal to me, and also because the very motivated sellers were relatively close to me (Jacksonville FL). So I'm shopping for Tow Vehicle and will appreciate all suggestions for what is appropriate in my situation. I'm thinking about a Ford 250 or comparable late model. I have intention to RV full-time, there's so much of this country I want to see and my daughters live far, this gives me flexibility to have extended visits and then move on. Thanks in advance for reading this long-winded intro and your suggestions
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Old 01-31-2017, 09:29 AM   #2
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Hi Aemers, greetings from central Kentucky and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your acquisition and good luck with the TV, you'll get plenty of advice on that plus tires and many other things. There's all kinds of advice here, use it but do your own research too.

If you you've not towed a big trailer before you should check to see if you can attend some towing classes. Most of all, enjoy the ride, take your time, not too fast.

Post some pics of your AS, we love pics
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Old 01-31-2017, 10:32 AM   #3
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Hello and welcome! How fun and exciting! An F250 is plenty and you may be very happy with it. Happy camping!!
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Old 01-31-2017, 03:05 PM   #4
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Welcome, and congratulations on your new-to-you Airstream.
If you are considering an F250, I know that will be a great tow vehicle that you can enjoy.
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Old 01-31-2017, 03:26 PM   #5
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Fleming Island , Florida
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HI and welcome to the cult, and the forum. A Safari 25 was our first Airstream three years ago. We towed it first with a 2006 F-150 but found it a little lacking due to its 4 speed transmission and lack of a tow/haul mode. We replaced it with a Ram 2500 diesel and love it. Several on here are reporting good results with the F-150 EcoBoost trucks and with Toyota Tundras. With the "half ton" trucks you have to be careful not to overload the truck from a payload perspective. Most will have adequate towing capacity, at least on paper.

If you are unfamiliar with RVing and Airstreams, The Newbies Guide to Airstreaming is a good resource and is available in paperback and e-book format.

Welcome Aboard!

Al
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Old 01-31-2017, 06:42 PM   #6
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2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Eugene , Oregon
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How exciting. You're going to have all sorts of wonderful adventures!

There are plenty of threads regarding your proposed tow vehicle (a great choice) and other tow vehicles so I won't repeat all of that information here. If you've been bingeing on the Airstreams prepare to binge on the trucks now!

Congratulations!
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Old 01-31-2017, 08:01 PM   #7
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Congratulations and Welcome Aemers22! I hope you enjoy your new trailer as much as we have ours. There's a lot that goes into the decision for a TV so shop long and hard and familiarize yourself with tow package and terminology. There's a lot of information fueled by both knowledge and testosterone that you can wade through. I'm pretty happy with my choice both as a day driver and as a tow vehicle. We bought it specifically for both. All the best in your new adventures!
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Old 02-01-2017, 11:39 AM   #8
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The F250 will do a great job, but...
Any modern 1/2 ton truck will do it, too.
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Old 02-01-2017, 11:56 AM   #9
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My wife is 60 and I am 62. We have been full-timers in our 1971 Sovereign 31' for about 5 months. We are loving the simpler lifestyle. Good luck, and have fun.
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Old 02-01-2017, 12:11 PM   #10
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Welcome to the forum. I would recommend a rear camera on the AS. The new ones have them and ours has one. It will give you a very safe feeling as you motor down the highway. No blind spot!
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Old 02-01-2017, 12:22 PM   #11
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2017 30' Classic
Stuart , Florida
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Newbie to AS also

Aemers: Welcome to the AS family. We too just purchased an AS - a 2017 Classic and are awaiting delivery. Can't wait to get on the road. We will tow it with a Chevy Silverado 2500 diesel. We are neighbors to you as we live in Stuart. Best of luck.
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Old 02-01-2017, 01:03 PM   #12
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2011 25' FB International
Gunnison , Colorado
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Welcome, Aemers!
We got our first AS last March, a 25' International FB. We love it. As the female of the couple, I recommend learning all you can about hitches and weight distributing hitches. This is very important in calculating weights, and is most helpful if towing with a half ton vehicle. Just remember, have fun and take your time.
Marsha
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Old 02-01-2017, 01:34 PM   #13
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F 250 is a fine choice
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Old 02-01-2017, 01:45 PM   #14
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Get a 2500 gmc dura max diesel ...get a pilot flying j credit card and u can fill up where the 18 wheelers go...much easier no stress and plenty of room to turn
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Old 02-01-2017, 02:03 PM   #15
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2014 25' FB Eddie Bauer
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Congratulations, and welcome to the Airstream community! There are a few of us AirForums folks here on the Treasure Coast. Feel free to private message if you have any questions that need local assistance. (Same to you, roadwarrior.) Adventure is soon to be yours!
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Old 02-01-2017, 02:08 PM   #16
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I agree with M.hony. A lot of AS'ers will tell you to go ahead and buy an F-250 because you need a TV that large. However, an F-250 is "overkill" for your trailer. You don't need a TV that big; any properly set up 1/2 ton vehicle will work just fine. For several years I pulled a large tandem axle utility trailer with a 6 cyl Tundra, including into the Sierra Mtns. The engine worked hard, but I could maintain 50 mph uphill. What more do you need? I'm not saying this to suggest you do the same. It's only to point out the fallacy of the oft repeated slogan here that bigger is better. In your case, since it sounds like your TV will be your only vehicle, you may want to consider one of the full size SUVs also.
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Old 02-01-2017, 02:42 PM   #17
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Welcome
I have a 2012 F-250 King Ranch 6.7 Liter Diesel. Heated and air conditioned seats are great to have. Stay with the 2012 or newer if possible, stay away from the 6.0 Liter engine in older trucks. The truck has a nice ride and plenty of power for higher altitude towing. Next is a anti sway / weight distribution system for safe towing.

Thomas
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Old 02-01-2017, 04:26 PM   #18
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2015 16' Sport
Jacksonville , Florida
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Congratulations on your purchase. I live in Jacksonville and am a single traveler. Looking forward to attending a rally and gleaning more Airstream knowledge. Still haven't mastered backing. You will find the Airstream community very helpful. Safe travels.
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Old 02-01-2017, 05:51 PM   #19
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Sherwood , Oregon
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Congratulations and welcome aboard! From your post it sounds like you are going to be full timing or close to it. If so, your thinking F250 is a good choice mainly for the payload that you will need more than someone going out for a weekend or week at a time. With a 1/2 ton you will use up nearly half your payload with just the tongue weight and WD hitch. If you run across a good late model F350 don't discount it as it rides the same as the F250 but has much more payload. The only difference is 4" spring riser blocks as opposed to 2" and an extra leaf spring that doesn't come into play until the payload demands it. Go to the Tow Vehicles threads and search the threads with F250 for more information and opinions than you could wish for. Safe travels.
Steve
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Old 02-01-2017, 05:57 PM   #20
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2005 25' Safari
Argyle , Texas
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I am an 82 year old female. We owned a 25 foot Airstream which I successfully pulled from Texas to Maine with a 1/2 ton Chevrolet Z71 with 4 wheel drive and a tow package. I never had one bit of lack of power and never used the 4 wheel drive. My husband is an old hand at driving heavy equipment and he did guide me to the tow package a time or two. I did not pull the 25 ft into the Northwest mountains. And, I believe to do so one would need a 3/4 ton and my choice is the GMC. My best wishes to years of pleasure in traveling to you. We love it.
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