buying a towing vehicle

[Chrisy]

So much info out there and it is conflicting! A lot of people using adequate motors but not adequate tow ratings. The towing vehicles need to carry a certain amount of weight. Our AS dealer and Car dealer were willing to sell whatever. We want to have control and be able to stop. Just bought an Eddie Bauer 27FB .Looking at GVWR,hitch weights, Payloads,tow ratings etc,etc,etc
We feel if we are going to bring stuff with us kayaks,bikes,dogs(three golden retreivers),2 generators,water,whatever we need a bigger vehicle.

[Wayward]

You did not say what you are towing with now.

A half ton truck or SUV with the largest payload, axle ratio and towing capacity you can afford is a great place to start.

There are other SUVs that will work if you do not want a half ton, but you will have to do much more research here on Airforums - lots of choices but the dogs and generators limit you a lot on interior space.

If you go up to a 3/4 ton truck you can handle the Airstream and pretty much everything else you want within reason. Plenty of room for the retrievers with a crew cab.

[Jukeboxfun]

Just upgraded our tv from 2009 dodge ram 1500 to a 2012 Ford F250 diesel super duty. May be overkill, but now I can join the "You need a 3/4 ton truck" choir.

[Ponyfvr]

We had a Toyota Tundra which was fine for towing but we traded it in on a Ford F250 Diesel. We feel much safer going up and down hills with the F250. You don't even notice that you are towing the AS. It might be overkill but we are very happy with the F250 Diesel

[DHart]

Chrisy... as mentioned in another thread with this same question... take a good close look at what your cargo weight requirements are. It's very simple... add up the weight of all the people, the dogs, the generators, fuel for generators, camp chairs/recliners, camp table, kayak, tongue weight of the trailer, weight of the hitch, weight of a tonneau cover or camper shell, tools, bikes, spare bottled drinking water, air compressor?, some camp fire wood?, back-up dog food, fishing and/or hunting gear, and whatever else you might desire to carry with you in the back of the truck/tow vehicle (you may not want to carry generators & fuel in the back of an SUV). Don't forget to add in the weight of a 2nd AC unit and streetside/rear awnings, if you are able to enjoy those added features on your Airstream.

Once you have that number (your required cargo weight), compare that total number to the cargo capacity (payload) listed inside the driver door jamb of the individual tow vehicle you are considering. My preference is to choose a vehicle which does not load the tow vehicle to the max (or beyond) and would have at least a couple of hundred pounds of excess capacity, beyond my weight requirements.

After doing so myself and doing a close study of 2015 trucks, and a lot of test drives at local dealerships, our favorite was the Sierra Denali HD 2500 (3/4 ton) with Duramax/Allison. And we are absolutely delighted with the choice and how it has all worked out.



So... just determine your cargo capacity requirements, then spend a good long time visiting dealerships, evaluating and test driving potential tow vehicles, and checking the cargo capacity (payload) ratings for each vehicle. BIG BONUS for trucks with great towing MIRRORS factory installed! Don't overlook that.

Then... pick whatever vehicle works best for your particular and unique towing requirements and budget.

[Molinari47]

I have a question similar to chrisy's. I'm making the jump from a 23 foot FC to a Classic. I will be fulltiming and spending time out west at altitude (5000 to 7000 feet). I know altitude affects engine efficiency and thus towing capacity. I currently tow with a Silverado 1500 with the 5.2L v-8. It tows well and would probably tow the Classic but with little cargo capacity (canoe, kayak, bike etc.). I have decided to move up to the 3500 and the only question is gas vs diesel. Both versions of the 3500 have a similar trailer weight rating and cargo capacity, but the diesel has a GCVR of 24000 and the gas 20400. I think I could live with the 20400 even though I would lose some payload capacity (4300 on the gas 3500). Is anyone currently pulling a classic with a gas 3500 and if so what is their experience out west at altitude. Thanks for any hints and advice.

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by Jukeboxfun

Just upgraded our tv from 2009 dodge ram 1500 to a 2012 Ford F250 diesel super duty. May be overkill, but now I can join the "You need a 3/4 ton truck" choir.

Pretty snappy tune to my ears! And, a pleasing aroma of diesel in the air!

[Chrisy]

thanks to all of you we are going to provide the three-quarter ton Silverado Duramax Deisel

[Chrisy]

3/4 ton Silverado Duramax Deisel

[m.hony]

I am still comfortable towing with my Tundra, but I live in flat area geographically. Up and down hills isn't an issue.
I have towed in the hills of Tennessee and Kentucky comfortably, but that isn't the same as the Rockies or the Tetons.
I won't purchase a $65,000 truck based on that one trip to Colorado or not even an annual trip to Colorado. I can just pull up the hills at 45 mph that couple of days-

[m.hony]

I can't imagine trading my sleek, modern Toyota with the large back seat and bigger opening rear doors for a Ford with styling from the 90's and a smaller back seat and smaller doors.
I am a Toyota loyalist and have never been a fan of the "big 3" or diesel.
As far as I'm concerned the "big 3" is Toyota, Honda, and Nissan-
The flip side of that coin is "to each his own" and "it's your money" and "it's your choice".
I have a buddy with a Ford 350- a 1999 that is still in excellent, nearly new condition with the 7.3 engine. Of all Fords, That's THE Ford. Too bad they don't have that engine anymore.

[DHart]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I can't imagine trading my sleek, modern Toyota with the large back seat and bigger opening rear doors for a Ford with styling from the 90's and a smaller back seat and smaller doors.

m.hony.... then don't!

I'd say stick with what serves you well and be happy. If you don't want a 3/4 ton diesel truck, you don't HAVE to buy one! SO, why are you even considering it, if it isn't something that is somewhat on your radar?

It is your choice, and your choice alone, to stick with what you have with your unique needs... and be content with that. Other people's needs are different than yours.

On the other hand, the 3/4 ton diesel truck is the perfect solution to many people's needs in terms of cargo capacity and towing capability.

And trucks like the Silverado and Sierra 2500 with Duramax are THE absolute favorite of countless owners.

Everyone's needs are different and will be differently met.

[megster]

Chrissy I went through this earlier this year. I didn't want a pickup truck so I ended up buying a LR4 Land Rover with their tow package. It is a Wonderful tow vehicle and a great ride when not towing!! I have a 22 foot Bambi.

[DHart]

Originally Posted by Chrisy

3/4 ton Silverado Duramax Deisel

Chrisy.... CONGRATULATIONS on making your choice! It is a very good match with your choice of trailer and your stated cargo capacity requirements!

I know the truck you're getting and I'm sure you will be absolutely thrilled with the decision. These are awesome trucks. You will be thrilled with the fuel mileage, as well. We're getting 20 mpg general driving and 14 mpg towing the 30' Serenity and all of our stuff through the Rockies in Colorado. The Duramax is smooth, quiet, and exceptionally capable. With the Allison transmission, it is also a time-tested and time-proven engine with well over a million in use. We are very, very happy with our GMC-sister truck choice!

[coveredwagon]

Does anyone tow with a Lexus GX470?

[FishinHatteras]

I second what Mr. Hart says. Wisdom speaks in his post. LOVE my Duramax.

I wish you were my neighbor Mr. Hart. We would be going camping all the time!
Sea ya down the road,
Gavin

[xrvr]

A three quarter ton with a gas engine may get less mileage than a half ton with the same engine because of weight and additional payload used. Now if you add the diesel.......

[DHart]

The OP has done their homework and happily chosen their tow vehicle. It is a great truck, especially given their mentioned cargo requirements, which certainly includes more than we here on this forum are aware of, in detail.

Gavin... let's go fishing, bud! Cheers to you. BTW, we were sure impressed with Asheville, NC when we were there a couple of years ago... gorgeous place. Loved the view off of the Biltmore's back porch!

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by DHart

m.hony.... then don't!

I'd say stick with what serves you well and be happy. If you don't want a 3/4 ton diesel truck, you don't HAVE to buy one! SO, why are you even considering it, if it isn't something that is somewhat on your radar?

It is your choice, and your choice alone, to stick with what you have with your unique needs... and be content with that. Other people's needs are different than yours.

On the other hand, the 3/4 ton diesel truck is the perfect solution to many people's needs in terms of cargo capacity and towing capability.

And trucks like the Silverado and Sierra 2500 with Duramax are THE absolute favorite of countless owners.

Everyone's needs are different and will be differently met.

Not considering it-


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[m.hony]

I do agree that the GM Duramax/Allison are the best pick of 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks.
I am a fleet manager of 400 or so mostly GM fleet vehicles, which includes maybe 25 GM Duramax/Allison pickups.
My boss has a Chevrolet Silverado High Country 2500HD Duramax/Allison. It is a beautiful, smooth, quiet truck, but I'm not impressed enough to want to trade.
It is all personal choice. I am a Toyota fan for life. If it ain't got a Toyota emblem on the grill, I don't wanna ride in it!
To each his own, different strokes and all that.
Another thing is: what did you have before purchasing the Airstream?
Nothing? Buy a 3/4 ton diesel.
1/2 ton truck? Use it.
Yes, diesel pickups are a good choice/good fit for many, but so are 1/2 ton trucks-


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