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 09-08-2016, 05:49 AM   #41
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
Tow Vehicle for 2016/17 Classic

Gee, went all over the country in a car pulling an 8k Silver Streak in the 1970s. Slow up the hills. So what? The rest of the year it was the better choice.

So, let's see. An average of 5k annually pulling a trailer. 15k annually otherwise. A few ascents at wide open throttle, be it Wolf Creek or Cabbage do not dictate what's best the other 99.7% of the time.

It's the braking power, not the engine power. And in that instance, it is the trailer brakes that matter. After that it is the tire contact patch on the TV. More initial weight psi isn't to the better.

And, unless a Diesel TV has brake controller that applies trailer braking in conjunction, using it alone on a descent is damn near as stupid as using it or cruise control in the rain. The slack at the hitch makes the combo more vulnerable to crosswinds than at ANY other time.

A one ton really is nice when you e sold the house and everything is in truck and trailer. It's a trade off. Not a performance boost. You want that then equip the trailer with antilock disc brakes and its own electronic antisway.
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2016, 07:20 AM   #42
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
Images: 1
Wink

Quote:
Originally Posted by capnttom View Post
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!
"Last Word".....

An illustration......DW just got a new DD.



We have an October road trip planned.(WO the AS).
I was really looking forward to driving it on the open road.

I was recently informed that it's not going to happen as she set on taking the Burb.
Something about more room for the dog, plus it seems we are transporting some 'stuff' I know nothing about.

It brings to light the old adage ........"she's not Happy, 'til your not Happy"

Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2016, 11:56 AM   #43
BAB
Rivet Master
 
BAB's Avatar
 
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro , North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
The OP clearly identified concerns if the Classic approached it's max of 10,000 lbs vs the ECO's capacity was 8800. Doing "weight reduction" by watching what you put in it and taking your trailer to the scales before a trip are surely an option. But, why would you want to always have a nagging doubt because you may have skimped on the initial decision for a TV? I wouldn't, didn't, and made the right choice for myself. This forum is a place to express experiences with trailer/TV combinations. The OP will have to decide how to best equalize cost/safety and purchase accordingly.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
BAB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2016, 01:37 PM   #44
Rivet Master
 
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A , N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
Images: 1
My personal opinion: A TV's tow rating should be at least equal to the GVWR of the trailer -- or preferably greater, as no TV would be performant when maxed out.
rostam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2016, 01:54 PM   #45
1 Rivet Member
 
2016 23' International
Chicago , Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 13
Question: I'm considering buying up from an 23 to a 27 International Signature. I'd like not to also have to buy a bigger TV. I have a 2016 Ford F150 with tow package. Anyone drive similar AS with this TV?
Drcrow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2016, 06:33 PM   #46
Capnttom
 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Cypress , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 20
Case closed

Quote:
Originally Posted by Naper View Post
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.
Amen!
__________________
Tom & Cathy
2014 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel
capnttom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2016, 07:09 PM   #47
2 Rivet Member
 
abone's Avatar
 
2017 27' International
Richmond , British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 68
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drcrow View Post
Question: I'm considering buying up from an 23 to a 27 International Signature. I'd like not to also have to buy a bigger TV. I have a 2016 Ford F150 with tow package. Anyone drive similar AS with this TV?
I'm not answering your query directly but I just took delivery of a 2017 27FB Int Sig. My TV is a 2014 Ram Laramie Ltd., EcoDiesel, 3.92 limited slip, air suspension, 4WD.

On spec the F150 has better towing #'s than the Ram EcoDiesel but real world towing they are probably pretty much equal. There are lots of reviews out there to confirm that. The Ram has an unusually low payload rating, and only Chrysler knows why that is.
I just completed a 1280 km trip through the rockies and the truck handled the trailer fine. Even up 20 kms of 8.5% grade it never went below 80 kph, and that was only for a couple stretches. My fuel mileage was 13.9 L/100 (16.9 us mpg) average for the trip. I used tow/haul mode the entire trip and let the transmission select the right gear. Never turned on cruise.

But, and this is a big but for me, the truck is pushing pretty much all the parameters for this size of a trailer. Tongue weight, payload, GCVW...they are all right at the outer edge of the envelope. We pack light, lots of people don't. It can do it, and tow quite comfortably, but without much reserve. I've started the process of warming up the wife for a 3/4 ton.

To the OP, I'd say a 30' Classic is too much trailer for the Ram 1500. Take your truck over the scales, with full fuel, wife and whatever you would load into the truck for a trip. That will determine your real payload, not what is on the Ram builder site or even your VIN decoder.

Can you tow it? Yeah, but you are over pretty much every tow rating parameter. It's a personal choice.
__________________
2017 27FB Intl Sig
2017 F350 Super Duty
abone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2016, 07:20 PM   #48
E Pluribus Aluminus
 
Jaxon's Avatar
 
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment , New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
Images: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by abone View Post
But, and this is a big but for me, the truck is pushing pretty much all the parameters for this size of a trailer. Tongue weight, payload, GCVW...they are all right at the outer edge of the envelope. We pack light, lots of people don't. It can do it, and tow quite comfortably, but without much reserve. I've started the process of warming up the wife for a 3/4 ton.

Can you tow it? Yeah, but you are over pretty much every tow rating parameter. It's a personal choice.
.
Sure, one can tow an Airstream easily... they’re aerodynamic and all that... but try going up a mountain or back down without the proper equipment...
.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Airstream-1947 w:bicycle pulling.jpg
Views:	408
Size:	41.5 KB
ID:	271671  
__________________
.
Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
Jaxon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2016, 07:22 PM   #49
Rivet Master
 
FCStreamer's Avatar
 
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Tampa , Florida
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,364
Blog Entries: 1
As long as the ratings are not exceeded, he can go up the mountain just fine.
__________________
2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 30 Recliner - WBCCI #4850 - AIR #110821
2018 Nissan Armada SL Tow Vehicle, Equal-i-zer Hitch
Visit Our Flying Cloud blog for my latest adventure!
FCStreamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2016, 07:53 PM   #50
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
And "ratings" are the axle/ tire limits.
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2016, 09:50 PM   #51
2 Rivet Member
 
abone's Avatar
 
2017 27' International
Richmond , British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 68
The Ram EcoDiesel axles are rated at 3900 lbs. I'm at 3700 rear axle weight with a 27FB, so I'd think a 30' will be tough to keep under 3900 lbs carrying any payload? Empty spec weight is over 7300 lbs for the new ones.
__________________
2017 27FB Intl Sig
2017 F350 Super Duty
abone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2016, 06:42 AM   #52
Rivet Master
 
FCStreamer's Avatar
 
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Tampa , Florida
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,364
Blog Entries: 1
I weighed in at 3980 lbs on my 30'. My rear axle is rated at 4200 lbs.
__________________
2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 30 Recliner - WBCCI #4850 - AIR #110821
2018 Nissan Armada SL Tow Vehicle, Equal-i-zer Hitch
Visit Our Flying Cloud blog for my latest adventure!
FCStreamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2016, 07:09 AM   #53
2 Rivet Member
 
abone's Avatar
 
2017 27' International
Richmond , British Columbia
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 68
Yup, and the OP was inquiring about the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. It will be tough to keep it under axle ratings.
__________________
2017 27FB Intl Sig
2017 F350 Super Duty
abone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2016, 08:14 AM   #54
Rivet Master
 
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A , N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by abone View Post
Yup, and the OP was inquiring about the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. It will be tough to keep it under axle ratings.
Right, also 30 Classic is heavier than a 30 FC.
rostam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 08:30 AM   #55
Capnttom
 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Cypress , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 20
We've found a '16 Classic that, according to the selling dealer, was traded in on a bus. He claims that it was only used twice. We'll see, as we're going to look at it on Monday. The dealer is motivated to do the deal before the end of the year.

If we end up pulling the trigger on it the moment of truth will arrive. As I mentioned in a previous post, we will initially pull it with our ED and a Propride or Hensley WDH.

In the meantime, we've been looking at the 2500 with the Cummings. Some good year end deals are available, but I'll lose too much money if I trade my ED. We love the ED for many of the reasons that have been stated ad nauseam on these forums, but if it doesn't get the job done, then we'll probably sell the ED privately to minimize the loss.

Decisions...decisions. 😬

Happy holidays everybody!


Tom & Cathy
Looking for a new AS
2014 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
2015 Ram EcoDiesel
__________________
Tom & Cathy
2014 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel
capnttom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 11:57 AM   #56
E Pluribus Aluminus
 
Jaxon's Avatar
 
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment , New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
Images: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by capnttom View Post
We've found a '16 Classic that, according to the selling dealer, was traded in on a bus. He claims that it was only used twice.
In the meantime, we've been looking at the 2500 with the Cummings. Some good year end deals are available, but I'll lose too much money if I trade my ED.
Decisions...decisions. 😬
Happy holidays everybody!
Tom & Cathy
Looking for a new AS
2014 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
2015 Ram EcoDiesel
.
I pm’d you guys...
.
__________________
.
Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
Jaxon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 12:20 PM   #57
Rich and Kat
 
AIRHEDS's Avatar
 
2017 30' Classic
Alexandria Alexandria , Virginia
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 275
Hi all. My lessons, FWIW. Wish I had done a Mega Cab, a long bed, and RAM Boxes, with a cap and sliding bed drawer. Considering I have only had the 3500 for ~6 months after trading a 6 month old 1500, I won't be changing this truck anytime soon. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Cummins ... if I didn't truly need a 3500 for other toys, the 2500 would have been a more comfortable ride with our new Classic. Merry Christmas!
__________________
Rich
2017 Classic 30', ProPride 3P Hitch, 2016 RAM 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 SRW w/ 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel and Retrax Pro MX Tonneau Cover
KB2ZMF
Save
AIRHEDS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2016, 12:45 PM   #58
Capnttom
 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Cypress , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by AIRHEDS View Post
Hi all. My lessons, FWIW. Wish I had done a Mega Cab, a long bed, and RAM Boxes, with a cap and sliding bed drawer. Considering I have only had the 3500 for ~6 months after trading a 6 month old 1500, I won't be changing this truck anytime soon. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Cummins ... if I didn't truly need a 3500 for other toys, the 2500 would have been a more comfortable ride with our new Classic. Merry Christmas!

Yep, love the megacab. We have critters and need the extra space!


Tom & Cathy
Looking for a new AS
2014 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
2015 Ram EcoDiesel
__________________
Tom & Cathy
2014 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel
capnttom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2016, 07:29 AM   #59
Rivet Master
 
paiceman's Avatar
 
2020 28' Flying Cloud
Upper St Clair , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,943
Images: 1
We have had lots of different tow vehicles. Cost us switching to larger and larger tow vehicles. As Pappy suggested I would check the Ford Super Duties. We've had two, an F250 Diesel and now an F350 Diesel, only because my wife would not let me buy an F450 Diesel. The new 2017 F250 is a fabulous truck, it, like the newer F150 is setting the benchmark for the others. Such as Aluminum body, I read recently that now Chevy and GMC are going to switch over their lines. Saves weight which improves payload capacity and increases fuel economy.

The real advise would be consider how and where you are going to travel. If going full time or out for a long time, you will need storage and payload capacity, you simply don't get it from a 1/2 ton. We carry a lot of stuff, chairs, grills, sometimes bikes, kayaks, ladders, tools, spare hitch parts etc. Weight. Our F350 tows like a dream and in the mountains of the West you will appreciate the Diesel engine brake as I often only touch the brake at the top of a hill to set the speed and let the engine brake do the work.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all - Enjoy the Airstream Life.

Bud
__________________
2020 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2021 F350 6.7 King Ranch
USAF Master Training Instructor (TI) & (MTI)- 68-72
Volunteer K9 Rehabilitator & Trainer
paiceman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2016, 10:25 PM   #60
3 Rivet Member
 
Milford Center , Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 105
Quote:
Originally Posted by AIRHEDS View Post
Hi all. My lessons, FWIW. Wish I had done a Mega Cab, a long bed, and RAM Boxes, with a cap and sliding bed drawer.
I love that idea, but is that even possible?

All the caps I've looked into would cover up the Ram Boxes and make them impossible to use, thus defeating their purpose (unless traveling with the cap off). If there's a way to have a cap and the Ram Boxes I'd love to hear it!
DPRoberts 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
Tow Vehicle and Hitch Advice for 2016 Flying Cloud 28' Smashke Towing, Tow Vehicles & Hitches 36 03-19-2017 01:14 PM
Tow Vehicle/STOW Vehicle for Full-Timers Foiled Again Full-Timing 13 06-28-2014 12:55 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 04:01 AM.


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