Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-25-2017, 08:50 AM   #1
New Member
 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Natick , Massachusetts
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
Newby question

Hi:

I'm new to the site. This question has probably been asked before but is there an SUV that can pull a 27' airstream?

Thanks
Matt Kehoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2017, 10:21 PM   #2
3 Rivet Member
 
2018 30' International
2016 28' International
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
St Augustine , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 179
Sure but a lot of consideration needs to go into what SUV and what anti-sway device you get.

Power to pull is one item, hitch weight is another, towing capacity, and where are you going to pull it (mountains you'll be going down or flat lands), all need to be considered.

I haul my 28ft with a Range Rover Sport but that is in relatively flat Michigan and with a ProPride hitch. Larger mountains like the Smokey's, Rockies, etc., I use a truck as you can get pushed around pretty easy going down big hills using an SUV.
ArkFortyCal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2017, 10:28 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Boxite's Avatar
 
2008 22' Safari
Spicewood (W of Austin) , Texas
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,919
Yes,...the bigger the SUV the better.
Boxite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 05:07 AM   #4
ShinyPete
 
ShinyPete's Avatar
 
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Bushnell , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 413
Matt-

Check out the "Towing & Hitches" subforum from the pick list at top left of the forum, and once in, there is a Tow Vehicles tab as well. Lots of good reading there to start your research.....

Hope this helps, and welcome to AirForums!
ShinyPete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 09:00 AM   #5
Moderator
 
moosetags's Avatar

 
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,153
Images: 5
Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. As to your question, we have extensive experience in towing Airstreams all over the United States with SUV's. Our 25FB's weigh around 7,400# with a 900# tongue weight.

We have had two Airstream 25FB's (a 2005 and a 2015) over the past eleven years. We have towed them primarily with two Suburbans, a 2004 and a 2005. Both of these suburbans are the 2500 (3/4 ton). We still have the 2005 and tow our Airstream with it regularly.

Unfortunately, there are no more new 3/4 ton SUV's. Ford's last Excursion was made in 2005. GM discontinued their 2500's in 2014.

Our 3/4 ton Suburbans always did an adequate and comfortable job of towing our Airstreams. The 2500's have a more powerful engine (6.0 liter), heavy duty leaf spring rear suspension, and heavy duty brakes. The half ton SUV's that are still available are marginal tow vehicles for the larger Airstreams.

As our 2005 3/4 Suburban approaches 200,000 miles, we are hopeful that the suburban will soon get the new 6.2 liter engine and the eight speed transmission. The current Suburban's 5.7/6 speed falls short for towing heavy trailers adequately.

Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
moosetags is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 09:11 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Currently Looking...
Mantua , Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
Blog Entries: 2
Moose tags, excellent comments!
xrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2017, 09:44 AM   #7
4 Rivet Member
 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Granbury , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 412
The only one I know of currently that comes close is the Ford Expedition EL.

We used a Ford Expedition EL 3.5 ecoboost to pull our 23FB. It did a decent job but I'm not sure I would have been comfortable with any larger Airstream. The problem is the tongue weight and receiver hitch. Even with a weight distribution hitch I felt maxed out.

The Ford Expedition EL gives you added wheel base and independent suspension which helps. Ours had the tow package which now has a built in brake control and 31 gallon fuel tank.

We really liked the Expedition because of all the room inside and comfort. They are pricey and cost more than many trucks with better towing ability.

When we moved up from the 23FB in Airstream size we discontinued use of the Expedition and moved to my Ram SRW 3500 4x4 Megacab Cummins. That was a truck I already had and does a excellent job towing our 26U.

The pros say anything over 6000-7000 lbs should be towed by a 2500 /3500. Moosetags post above confirms that. Shame they stopped making that 2500 Suburban. That would have been a perfect SUV choice for your 27'.
cabinetmaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Newby question , exterior water drip Jackcat2 2006 - 2010 Classic (all lengths) 15 07-05-2013 11:50 PM
Newby question- cable input Jackcat2 Electronics & Connectivity 7 05-13-2013 07:25 PM
Newby Hitch Ball Height Question kscherzi Hitches, Couplers & Balls 8 02-14-2013 12:07 AM
Newby with roof question. AIRmason Clearcoat, Exterior Paint & Trim 2 10-16-2012 05:17 AM
Newby question, electric brake problem howco Brakes & Brake Controllers 5 06-11-2010 04:33 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:04 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.