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Absalom · 09-06-2016, 06:21 PM

@cory-can... You hit it out of the park with that reply, hope you don't mind if I copy and paste that every time my friends ask about tow vehicles....right now all I do is shrug and say my duramax seems to do okay😬

phann · 09-06-2016, 06:35 PM

I thought you might like to hear about the weights we have encountered with our 2016 Classic. Fully loaded, including the tanks, our Classic weighed 8715 lbs. So you could likely stay below your current truck's towing limit if you pack like we do. You will also have to be sure the combined weight of a loaded Classic and your loaded Ram 1500 stays below your Ram's GCWR.

BTW, we had to move some weight (i.e., water gallons) to the front end of the Classic to get the tongue weight up to at least 870 (10%). (Initially, with tongue weight outside the recommended 10-15% range, we experienced some sway even with our 2500 Ram/Cummins diesel.

If you plan to buy a 2500, be sure you check the actual payload on the drivers side door sticker, which may be well under the payload that the manufacturer reports for that base model. In our case, we added lots of options (e.g., 4x4, Rambox, chrome package, etc), so our actual payload (1930 lbs) is 450 lbs less than the reported payload for our base model. Therefore, in our case, we have only 1060 lbs of remaining truck payload for "people and stuff".

ROBERT CROSS · 09-06-2016, 07:22 PM

Try it with what 'ya got, consider other folks 'opinions, make up your own mind.

My 'opinion'....an 8.1 Burb.

BTW..its not the TV that prevents sway.

Bob

eawotr · 09-06-2016, 08:16 PM

Hi,

My wife and I had the exact same dilemma this spring, I had just leased a 2015 Ram 1500 and we than decided to get a 2017 Classic. After a few sleepless nights we decided that getting a Ram 2500 Turbo Diesel was the right thing to do. We live in CO and traveled through WY, MT, ID, WA, OR and UT this summer. The 2500 made pulling our Classic so easy. I seriously had to slow myself down at times because the Ram 2500 pulled that AS like it weighted 10-lbs not 10,000. I think the smartest decision we made was to become a two Ram family.

Stay safe and hope this bit of information helps.

dkottum · 09-06-2016, 10:05 PM

phann, thanks for the weight information of your Classic 30, useful information.

Bob, good advice as usual.

Cory Can, did you ever actually tow your Classic 30 with the EcoDiesel, or with a Hensley/ProPride equipped EcoDiesel 3.92 axles? It's not clear in your post.

eawotr, did you ever actually tow your Classic 30 with your Ram 1500, and is it an EcoDiesel?

I'm becoming more encouraged about the EcoDiesel/Classic 30 combination for our own use. phann indicates we would probably be towing about 1400 lbs more Airstream than we have now, with less hitch weight. Knowing how well our EcoDiesel handles our present Airstream, we might do well and even stay within the factory (suggested) ratings.

Remember, we did the Ike Gauntlet with 60 air-cooled horsepower in our VW Camper Van many, many years ago and thought nothing of it, so our point of reference may be a little different than others here.

Adiredneck · 09-06-2016, 10:08 PM

Well, as usual, you've gotten useful and conflicting info!

My 2 cent's worth? On a steep climb/descent or an emergency stop/evasion/correction no one has ever said "Gee, I wish I had less truck!"

My story is that I have a 27FB Classic - 9,000# GVW. For the first year we had it, I towed it with my 15 year old Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4 Reg Cab/Long Box. More than adequate; but, as it was set up to be a farm truck, it rode like a deuce and a half. Two long trips and my wife cried foul. Replaced it last year with a '15 Ram 3500 CTD Crew Cab/Long Bed. Rides like a Caddy and doesn't seem to know that there is a large trailer following it. The improvements between the 2001 Dodge and the 2015 Ram are amazing. I went with the 3500 because, once I spec'd it out, it was around $200 more than the 2500 - and gave me much more load and towing capacity (4200lbs payload!). Second reason was that the 3500 still used the Hotchkiss leaf springs in the rear, and the 2500 now has coil springs on all 4 wheels. With heavy loads and towing, I prefer the leaf springs. The payload is as much a consideration as the towing capacity. A couple of previous posters have mentioned the challenges of traveling "light" or "heavy" - and that depends on the type/length of your planned trips and how self-contained you prefer to be. We usually travel light now that I am limited to vacation time; but want the option of being able to go heavy for long trips when I retire next year. So, we got a truck we could "grow" into.

Ford/GM/Ram - all are good and all have their faithful followers. I preferred the Ram for several reasons: 1. I had yeoman's service from my previous Dodge/CTD; and the Ram/CTD is the last pickup in America that you can still get with a stick shift. Love my 6 speed "handshaker".

One caveat and recommendation if you go with a 2500 or 3500 is to protect your vehicle and trailer investment with an AirSafe hitch. It allows the TT and TV to "float" independently of each other, and not transfer road shocks back and forth. I got a Class VI AirSafe and use it in conjunction with an Equalizer weight distribution/anti sway hitch (I do not think that you can combine the AirSafe with a Hensley or some of the other premium hitches). My combo has seen us through some heavily shelled sections of interstate with nary a cabinet opened or pillow displaced.

Final thought, which Cory has already stated eloquently, is the level of comfort a big truck gives you on a big trailer. We buy these toys to have fun; not to endure 5,000 mile white knuckle rides. I *really* enjoy my TV/TT combo. Get whatever will make you the happiest... See you on the road!

eawotr · 09-06-2016, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

phann, thanks for the weight information of your Classic 30, useful information.

Bob, good advice as usual.

Cory Can, did you ever actually tow your Classic 30 with the EcoDiesel, or with a Hensley/ProPride equipped EcoDiesel 3.92 axles? It's not clear in your post.

eawotr, did you ever actually tow your Classic 30 with your Ram 1500, and is it an EcoDiesel?

I'm becoming more encouraged about the EcoDiesel/Classic 30 combination for our own use. phann indicates we would probably be towing about 1400 lbs more Airstream than we have now, with less hitch weight. Knowing how well our EcoDiesel handles our present Airstream, we might do well and even stay within the factory (suggested) ratings.

Remember, we did the Ike Gauntlet with 60 air-cooled horsepower in our VW Camper Van many, many years ago and thought nothing of it, so our point of reference may be a little different than others here.

Doug,

We did tow with the Ram 1500 from Boulder to Grand Lake. The route we took takes up I-70 through Eisenhower Tunnel and than up and over Berthod Pass into Winter Park and than to Grand Lake. We made it in the 1500 but we struggled to maintain speed on 70 and on the pass. We also got pretty hot coming down the other side of the pass.

It was after that trip that we bought the 2016 RAM 2500 Limited with the 6.7 turbo diesel. There is no comparison between the two trucks. I can maintain 65-70mph uphill on I-70 with the 2500 and have no issue with heat build up. The 1500 I was pushing it to maintain 45-50. Also the automatic exhaust brake on the 2500 is just amazing. Slows you down without overheating your transmission. The ride in the 2500 when loaded up and pulling is amazing, I love the factory airbags, like I said you can almost forget your towing the AS it does such a great job.

Stay safe and keep the rubber side down.

Beth

dkottum · 09-07-2016, 06:23 AM

Thanks Beth. Was your Ram 1500 an EcoDiesel or 5.7 gas Hemi (we've had both)? Also what was the axle ratio, 3.55 or 3.92 (we've had both of these as well)?

For another poster here I would point out our two Ram 1500 experiences with a ProPride hitch have not been "white knuckle" for 5,000 miles. We've driven far more than that and I would describe it as perfectly relaxed with two fingers on the steering wheel needed (although I prefer three) no matter what the wind conditions or semi's blowing by. One of the many reasons we prefer this size tow vehicle.

rostam · 09-07-2016, 07:03 AM

Reading this thread it seems folks who have actually towed a Classic with Ram 1500 think its inadequate (too little payload, pulling/cooling capacity maxed out on grades, etc), and folks who have NOT towed a Classic with Ram 1500 think its perfectly fine...

jeff4506 · 09-07-2016, 10:56 AM

I'm sure many will cringe, but I've been towing my 2016 Classic since March (5000 miles) with a 5.4L F-150 Super Crew. It was more than adequate for my former 25' Safari. I went to the CAT scales with full water (trip-ready) and it weighed in at about 8600 lbs. My truck is rated for 9600lb tow and 15,500lb GCWR. Mine came in at 15,050 (trip ready). With 1400lb payload rating, hitched up I came in at 7200 which coincidentally is the GVWR. So, yes, I'm pretty much at the manufacturer ratings.

I use an Equal-I-zer distribution/sway. I added bolt-on Helwig springs for added stability. From a tow/ride perspective I feel confident. I can see where a 3/4 or 1 ton would instill more confidence, but I'm feeling fine where I am. Power wise, my gas engine is rated at 310/365 hp/torque. That just seemed OK, but I could use a smidge more as it wanted to shift out of top gear more than before. Instead of a newer truck, I flashed in a MaxEnergy 2.0 program that added 34/34 and now it doesn't call for down-shifting anywhere near as much with the added lower-end torque. I can maintain 65 on 7 degree inclines (in 4th gear, out of 6). I've never seen my water and oil temps deviate from normal driving.

I'm NOT advocating a 1/2 ton truck or a Ford... just some insight into my experience with a half ton towing a Classic. Personally, I just didn't want to get into a 3/4+ truck if I could avoid it.

dkottum · 09-07-2016, 11:43 AM

Thanks for the good report Jeff, more encouragement, our EcoDiesel capability is similar. I agree on staying with a half-ton truck when we already have one that performs very well in all towing conditions, and one that we like of all our daily needs.

The strongest case against the EcoDiesel I have seen is needing to use the transmission and brakes wisely when towing in maybe 2% of our travels. And more load capacity than we ever need.

Which suggests it's not suited for everybody, but highly capable for many.

capnttom · 09-07-2016, 03:07 PM

All,

I didn't mean to start a religious war, but clearly there are different points of view on my question. At any rate, I'm really grateful for all of the constructive input. You folks are awesome!

It makes some sense for me to try and pull the Classic with my current EcoDiesel. If I'm not comfortable I'll likely buy the 2500. My wife, on the other hand, has her mind made up on the 2500. It's likely she will have the last word, but she'll let me have my day in the court of trying!

Thanks again!

dkottum · 09-07-2016, 03:49 PM

Well capnttom, wait 'til you ask about hitches.

Anyway enjoy whatever you have and we are all here to help.

BAB · 09-07-2016, 03:57 PM

So hard to get away from emotion when it gets to TV/Airstream combos. I do find it unsettling that someone with a 25' trailer and an ecodiesel and is clearly delighted with it would advise someone with a new 30' Classic that a 1500 is the right truck. I disagree. I've put just under 50,000 miles on my '14 Ram 2500 w/Cummins. All but 3,000 (approx) have been towing, and for the past 19 months, with a '15 Classic. Prior to the Classic I had a 2012 28' International CCD. I towed that trailer for about 9 months until my Classic was delivered. I cannot imagine -- at all -- towing up and down the Rockies, the Appalachians, the Berkshires, the Tetons, etc. and being "delighted" with the performance of an Ecodiesel. Particularly, the performance going DOWNHILL when the exhaust brake kicks in and saves the disks on the truck and the drums on the trailer. Not in a million years would I tow my Classic with a 1500.

FCStreamer · 09-07-2016, 07:03 PM

And you are certainly entitled to your opinion. And for some people, a 1500 is not the right truck.

But for some, it is the perfect choice. So we should respect their opinions as well.

dkottum · 09-07-2016, 07:53 PM

BAB (Barry), the was pretty sharp. I responded to the original poster based on our excellent experience with our EcoDiesel, that he already owns one and asked about it, and the Classic as he intends to load it is within EcoDiedel specs. I also recommended a 3.92 axle (which he has) for better power and engine compression braking on steeper grades, disc brake conversion on the Classic for safe braking on long descents, a ProPride hitch for absolute stability, and reduced speed climbing and descending grades as the ultimate safety margin.

I am not an unsafe person; my military career was aircraft maintenance and I managed a squadron's Quality Assurance/Safety Division. It has stuck with me.

I completely agree with one point, the EcoDiesel is a delight to drive and tow an Airstream with.

Bigventure · 09-07-2016, 08:16 PM

Subscibing

dkottum · 09-07-2016, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigventure

Subscibing

Jump in, I've done the best I can for the o.p. and I'm done.

Jaxon · 09-07-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m rafferty

Those are some excellent replies without anyone getting into "my trucks better than your truck/car" discussions, just sticking to facts. And the fact is, a 2500 diesel, for towing, is very difficult to improve upon for all the stated reasons coming from experienced people.

.
Indeed! We have an '08 Classic limited 34' with slide so the decision to go with a 2500 diesel was easy (especially coming from a 2500 gasser). The ability to tow was significantly improved uphill as well as having exhaust brakes for the downhill side...

The newer 30' Classics weigh a lot, not as much as our 34' but close. With a 2500 diesel, you won't ever wish you had more power going uphill nor will you worry about your brakes going downhill... With a 1500 (or 150), you will.

We've had five Airstreams (22', 23', 27', 30' & 34'), towed with both F150 Ecoboost, F250 diesel & now, a 2500 Duramax diesel.

The difference IS comforting with a larger truck & load. Also, with the heavier tow, having a heavier Diesel engine up front helps balance the load with a standard bed truck.

And now, I'm quite partial to a tri-axle Airstream!
.

Naper · 09-08-2016, 03:40 AM

After reading the entire post and the several others on this topic hers is what it boils down to. A properly equipped 150/1500 will probably do the job and you may or may not be comfortable driving it. A 250/2500 (diesel) will definitely pull anything Airstream has ever made with ease. The Ford vs Dodge vs GM debate will continue forever.