Foiled AGAIN Starts AGAIN

[GAStreamin]

I am just glad you are alright!

[A W Warn]

Glad to hear you are back in the saddle!

[Foiled Again]

Need a tow vehicle soon! Living at Extended Stay America - and ain't crazy about it. So please go to my new thread "SUV - Stupid Useless Vehicle?" and help me sort out the pros and cons. Would a 1500 Suburban do it? How about a Tahoe? Does Ford make anything other than the Expedition that I should consider? Pretty sure I can't afford a Lexus or Mercedes.

Don't want a Rolls-Kanardly (rolls down one hill, can hardly make it up the next)

Paula

[dirigible25]

Nice trailer, glad you are back into it, and we'll see you on your new thread "SUV"

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Peter Botticelli is very easy to work with.

That's actually Patrick, and yes - as I've said many times over the years (and after three Airstream purchases via Colonial Airstream) they are great folks and their service side of the house is the best, don't even think the Mothership can do better!

Congrat's again - can't wait to see you out on the road, now for the 25FB, as a former owner of a 25FB Classic who towed with a TDI Touareg, do yourself a favor and get a 3/4 ton truck.

[switz]

My 2007 Mercedes ML320 diesel "legally weight wise" towed the new 2013 Serenity 25FB home to the Phoenix area from the Los Angeles dealership . I had plenty of power to maintain 55 mph even climbing out of Palm Springs east bound.

When I got home and loaded the water tank, our stuff, my wife in the car and some supplies in the car, the CAT scales reported the front axle was overloaded, and the GVW of the car was exceeded. While the numbers of pounds were not large, they were legally exceeding the door tag. Could I have pressed on? Yes, but in the event of any incident, I would have intentionally been driving an overloaded vehicle, which is usually considered reckless behavior.

Thus I migrated to a 2012 3/4 ton Dodge diesel which can handle the current unit and the heavier Classic 27FB when it comes next year.

The go part of towing can be handled by almost any vehicle, it is the stop mode with a trailer brake failure going downhill that has to be considered. Also, if the TT is much heavier then the TV, then issues on wet roads, windy conditions etc can make the back of the TV light and squirelly.

It sure was not your day to go. More of the incident may reappear from memory over time. We are most happy that your injuries were minor and you are getting back in the saddle, so to speak.

[m.hony]

I would think a Suburban or Tahoe would do it. I tow my 30' with a Tundra.

[RAH]

For those who mentioned in this thread what speeds they are comfortable towing at, pic below shows mine - 55. My intent with the sticker is to remind other drivers that there may be a reason I'm driving my FC 30 at 55.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Need a tow vehicle soon! Living at Extended Stay America - and ain't crazy about it. So please go to my new thread "SUV - Stupid Useless Vehicle?" and help me sort out the pros and cons. Would a 1500 Suburban do it? How about a Tahoe? Does Ford make anything other than the Expedition that I should consider? Pretty sure I can't afford a Lexus or Mercedes.

Don't want a Rolls-Kanardly (rolls down one hill, can hardly make it up the next)

Paula

I went through some of the same issues you are going through after I wrecked both my truck and trailer in 2010. Both were a total loss.

I could not find a SUV that met my needs.

To answer your question regarding the Suburban: This is a link to the 1/2 ton Suburban's capacities. 2013 Chevy Suburban Half Ton Capabilities | Large SUV | Chevrolet
Even the heavier rated Suburban would not work for me, because the 1,580 lb. payload is too light. If it would be at the 7,400 lb GVWR, the trailer could only weigh 6,600 lb, because any heavier would exceed the 14,000 lb GCWR.

Because of the payload issues, I now tow with a 2500 Silverado. I'm thinking of going back to a 1/2 ton Silverado pickup with the maximum tow package, which can have a payload of close to 2,000 lbs. With the maximum tow package the GCWR of a 1/2 ton is close to that of a 3/4 ton Silverado. I have looked at the 2013 Dodge and Ford vehicles. They do not have the payload rating I need. I will wait until I find out the rating on the 2014 Ram with the diesel v6 to make my choice. I hope the diesel engine will weigh less, to allow the Ram 1500 to up it's payload rating for the 2014 model!

edit:
You said you were looking for used; If you find a Silverado with the 6.2L gas engine and 6 speed auto it will most likely have the maximum tow package. The 2010 model I had pulled my 1999 30' Excella like a champ, though close to it's rated payload with all my gear in the bed.

If you are looking for another 2500, but a gasser, I know where there is one with less than 10,000 miles that can be had for the blue book value. Warning, it's thirsty ;-)

ps: I am more apt to drive 55 mph than to go 65 mph since having that accident.

[Foiled Again]

A local dealer has a TRUCK or two configured to answer all of my objections to trucks. A rack system to deliver the cargo out (limited usefulness when hitched) and a bed cover and Line-x already done.

So I'm considering them again, and the price is right. For some reason there is a lot more "below NADA" pricing on trucks than on SUV's. (And I've got to be a bit conservative what with the new payment book for the trailer.)

Paula

[gypsybanker]

I love towing with my 1 ton!!

[millvalleyca]

Hi Paula
Congratulations on a beautiful trailer.....You're gonna love towing with the Hensley! Good luck on your TV search.
Dennis

[mutcth]

I know I'm bridging threads here - but the idea of an Avalanche (2009 or newer with the 6 speed automatic, preferably the 6.0 or 6.2 liter) bridges the truck and SUV worlds very nicely. Nicest truck I had ever driven before the 2013 Ram Hemi with the 8spd automatic.

I also assume you're shopping both new and used. High truck resale and generous new incentives complicate things.

Tom

[lonewolf1977]

Sorry to hear about your accident, but congrats on your new trailer. Certainly an eye-opening thread for me. Glad you're okay!

[xrvr]

Before you decide, consider what would have happened if you had been towing with a lighter or smaller vehicle.! The new hitch, of course will be a great help no matter what tow vehicle you choose. Good luck, jim

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

Before you decide, consider what would have happened if you had been towing with a lighter or smaller vehicle.! The new hitch, of course will be a great help no matter what tow vehicle you choose. Good luck, jim

A better-handling vehicle with a lower center of gravity may have had a much better outcome. TV weight is a penalty, not a benefit, when it comes to keeping tires from breaking traction (once we get past 4000-lbs and 120" of wheelbase). The reason tires used on both cars and trucks are de-rated for trucks is precisely because of the rollover propensity of pickups and related SUVs. This vehicle type is the weak link in this chain of TT & TV when the TT is an Airstream and the goal is to remain upright and lane-centered under all circumstances.

Big payload capacity is the only real reason for a pickup. Distributing TW is not a problem here, especially at only 850-lbs. What the owner carries with her in the TV is the only caveat. Thus the recommendations to consult with Mr. Thomson as to the best considered range of possibilities in a TV.

.

[slowmover]

It's a numbers-match:

Dodge Durango R/T

[dirigible25]

Paula, I was wondering, once the dust settles and you find out more regarding the insurance settlement, would you please give us some perspective on how the insurance was handled? Not details, but what you learned about coverage, was it adequate, or any other details you are comfortable in sharing. Again, I am not looking for specifics to your settlement, but in general, what you would recommend to the rest of us as far as coverage goes.

[xrvr]

Slow over, much of what you say is only opinion, regardless of what the Canadian dealer says. Repeating the same Opinions about tow vehicles enough times and many then accept them as facts, and the dealer in Canada gets rich. Just my opinion. Jim

[Tater]

We have towed a/s 22' safari sport, 25' fc, and now 30' classic with our 05 Silverado. We'll trade next year for a 15 silverado and will most likely go with the 1500 with trailer package. May stick with 5.3 engine or possibly up to 6.0/6.2.