Ease of Towing FC26U vs FC28 vs Classic 30?

[Joellen]

Earlier I asked about a tow vehicle of a F150 vs F250 for a Classic 30. Sounds like it is possible but not the best option. I am not sure that I can or want to drive a F250...it is just too big for me. That being said, maybe I should not consider the Classic 30. How different does a FC 26U tow vs a FC 28 vs a Classic 30?

[kscherzi]

Personally I'm with you not wanting a F250 or equivalent truck. As a daily driver and urban runabout it's just too much to deal with. I only have experience towing a 27FB with a Ford Expedition. It works just fine in the pulling and stopping department. I'm guessing the various trailers you list mostly tow about the same, especially on a flat freeway. The biggest difference is the weight of the trailers and especially the tongue weights. The lighter the tow load the more options you'll have to tow it with.

[dasams]

Originally Posted by Joellen

That being said, maybe I should not consider the Classic 30.

If you want a 30 footer, consider the FC or International as both have a base weight ~1,000 lbs lighter than a Classic. AS gives the weights as 6,382 vs 7,365 lbs. Dave

[NorCal Matt]

We tow a 25'FB with an F150. It tows great. All of the above hitch weights, including the 30' FC have hitch weights within 100 or so pounds (published). If you're willing to settle a little on the truck (getting an XLT as opposed to a Platinum) you should be fine with any of them. The hitch weight is always the rub with a 1/2 ton. Mine has a stickered payload of 1760 lbs.

Keep in mind that it will be easier and less costly (in my opinion) to switch out a tow vehicle than a trailer. So you can always get a 30' and see how comfortable YOU are towing it. I know a lot of people tout their tow vehicle as being SO good that they don't even feel the trailer. I know what they are trying to relate, but if you don't feel the trailer, you aren't paying attention. Don't be scared off by folks you don't know telling you not to do something well within the capabilities of your truck. Do your homework and if the weights all work, go and enjoy it!

All my .02 of course, so good luck!

[KJRitchie]

One of the features of my 2015 Ram Crewcab 4x4 Cummins is the length is only about a foot longer than my previous 2010 Tundra and it has a 6' bed. I can even park it in my garage with a few inches to spare. With the back up camera to help backing out its not difficult to drive around and it has a pretty good turning radius, much better than a 2014 F150 with 157" wb we test drove a year ago. I feel its no worse than our Tundra to drive around solo.

Kelvin

[Caffeinated]

I would urge you not to be afraid of the larger truck. About twenty years ago I started driving a schoolbus. It seemed insanely huge at first. But you do get used to it. Enough so it just feels normal. With modern trucks and electronics, front and rear view cameras, they drive fine, and the extra visibility from sitting a little higher is a plus. Free advice: find the trailer you really love, then pick the right tow rig for it.

Mike

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by dasams

If you want a 30 footer, consider the FC or International as both have a base weight ~1,000 lbs lighter than a Classic. AS gives the weights as 6,382 vs 7,365 lbs. Dave

This is good advice. The Classic is a nice trailer for sure, but it has 1000 extra pounds of nice in it. The FC and International are also very nice, and we even preferred the styling and lighter colors of the FC.

We looked at the 27/28s a lot, and your just giving up a couple of feet of interior living space. You lose the big wardrobe, a little counter space, I think you get a foot smaller fridge. We decided it was 30' or bust.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Joellen

. . . How different does a FC 26U tow vs a FC 28 vs a Classic 30?

They all cut the same size hole through the air going down the road, on essentially flat grade hardly noticeable.

Add grade changes to the mix and there will be more transmission down-shifting for heavier trailers.

Add steep grades and there will be more transmission down-shifting and slower speeds, as well as more downhill brake usage for heavier trailers.

If you are concerned about stability in crosswind and bow wave push of semi's, get a Hensley/ProPride style hitch to eliminate the issue.

If you are concerned about vehicle loading, manage your loads, properly set up a good weight distribution hitch to distribute the loads, or get a vehicle with larger load carrying capacity.

As for hitch weight on all those trailers, they will all load to about 800-1000 lbs hitch weight, with 1,000 lbs being the limit specified in the Airstream Owners manual. After the weight distribution hitch is set up (properly), figure 800 lbs give or take will be added to the truck's load.

[DC Bruce]

I agree with the advice to buy the trailer you want (if you have the $$$!) and then buy the right vehicle to tow it. In our case, fall 2014 just couldn't see the utility of the extra 3 feet over anFC 27. So we bought the 27. Having spent a year full-timing in it, we're happy with our choice and we've covered 35k miles including two coast to coast trips. We like to go to National Parks, and some of them limit to 27. There have been several places where we were glad to be no longer than we were, including Kings Canyon NP and the KIRK Creek campground on the PCH, which is fabulous. We have a 2015 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton with the max trailer tow package and 420 hp 6.2 liter gas engine. It has a payload of 1960 lbs per the door sticker and gets 11-13.5 mpg towing. It has a short box that still holds enough for two of us including Honda generator, 3-gallon gas can, grill, satellite dish and boxes with out of season shoes and clothes plus a big, heavy toolbox. Like you, we drove the 3/4 tons and found them a little ponderous. We never felt limited by the size of the closet or refrigerator, which are a bit smaller than 30. Of course we are only 2 people and one big dog. See our blog at thegoldenyear.com for lots of photos.

[Bgibbs]

I don't see any real difference in driving a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. I've had a 2500HD Duramax since '06 and it was my daily driver until I retired 2 years ago. I have friends with an F150 and a Tundra and they are no easier to drive around town than my 2500 and my 2500 will fit in my garage if I fold the mirrors in. My other cars are a Mini and a 1M BMW and I still enjoy the truck in town or on the highway. Better visibility and safer. Buy the trailer you want and get the proper truck to pull it. Better to have too much truck than not enough.

[dkottum]

I like a well-matched tow vehicle. That way we can carry what we need without hurting our backs or shaking our Airstream apart, or spending money that we can otherwise use for enjoying our travels.

[AIRHEDS]

Originally Posted by Bgibbs

I don't see any real difference in driving a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton ... Buy the trailer you want and get the proper truck to pull it. Better to have too much truck than not enough.

Ditto here ... I've now had an F250 with 7.3L Turbo Diesel, F150 5.0L V8, RAM 1500 5.7L Hemi V8, and now RAM 3500 w/ Cummins Turbo Diesel ... there's no difference to speak of between each of the trucks assuming the same configuration. My preference has been a Crew Cab with a standard 6' bed for daily driving ... it's a touch long, but not an issue. That said, there is a major difference in springs/stiffness. The 3500 is too stiff. I "needed" it for the boat I want to buy but if I had it all do do over again, I'd have gone with a 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel, MegaCab, and Long Bed and then add a cap and a truck bed sliding "cargo drawer."

That said, the 3500 softens up considerably under the load of my 2017 Classic 30 ... I pull with a Pro-Pride hitch. I need to hang a length of paracord from my visor, directly in my vision, as a constant reminder that the trailer is connected because it's too easy to forget it's back there... And that extra room for just the two of us is pretty awesome...