GMC Sierra 1500 + 30FB

[Python]

So question time.

I’m looking at upgrading our RV to a flying cloud 30FB and I’m seeing some mixed feelings on if I’ve got enough truck for the trailer. What’s everyone here feeling on this setup?

GMC Sierra 1500 3.0L
Mods include Fox Factory 2.5 coil overs and struts with Air Lift 5000 Bags.

Hitch: looking at the Andersen

Here’s the towing specs from the sticker
GVWR 7200lbs
GCWR 15000lbs
TWR 9000lbs
Max Tongue 900lbs

[SeaLevel]

I believe the hitch weight on that trailer is over 900 lbs, so once you put cargo in the trailer and bed of your truck, that could be an issue.

The tongue weight rating is based on 10% of the tow rating. My Chevy 1500 with max trailering option is 12,000 and 1200 lbs.

[sterlinghick]

Following...we have an F150 5.0L V8 4x4 and we are limited by tongue weight more than anything else.

[jaybauman]

Tongue weight on my 30FB was just over 1200 lbs.

That's 33% higher than your limit. You should consider a beefier tow vehicle.

[Hans627]

Welcome to the forum. It's a good place to learn and share.

If the max TW on the 1500 is 900# then you are already exceeding your limit with the 30' AS. WD will help somewhat but I don't think it will be enough.

And regrading WD, with a 30' AS I doubt you will be able to transfer enough weight with the Anderson WD hitch. They seem to work better with smaller trailers. You may need to look at something else.

FWIW I towed my 27' AS with a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton. The 3/4 does the job better IMHO!

Wishing you the best as you determine what works for you.

[Dennis C]

I tow a 23 FB with a GMC 1500. It has a dry tongue weight of only 439 lbs. and a loaded tongue weight closer to 650 lbs. I have to pack carefully to keep from exceeding my max payload rating of 1,479 lbs. In my opinion, the 30 footer is too much trailer for a 1500 series truck.

What’s your max payload rating?

[Trowbridge]

You won't be happy with that combination. It's too much trailer for a 1/2 ton truck. Consider a smaller trailer (< 27 feet) for a 1500 OR invest in a 3/4 ton diesel for the Flying Cloud 30. You'll be much happier.

[Ed Brownfield]

I have a good friend who just moved up from a 28 FC to a 30FC thinking that he would be OK towing it with his Ford 1500. After a few trips he traded the 1500 for a Ford 2500 Diesel. I have a 2015 28FC that I tow with a GMC 2500 diesel, I have never regretted the decision. I suggest a 2500 truck (3/4 ton)as the minimum for a 30 FC. Diesel runs the cost up quite a bit but personally I think that its worth the extra $'s. I hope that this helps.

[moosetags]

Most half ton pick-ups are not an adequate match for a 30' Airstream. A 30 footer has a significant tongue weight (probably 1,200#) ready to camp. That will leave you with about as much payload for a couple of boxes of Ritz Crackers in the bed of your truck.

A minimum of a 3/4 ton truck is in order here.

Brian

[drbrick]

Nope - not enough truck to pull a 30FC

[Gibson3798]

It’s not a truck I would feel comfortable with for many reasons. Why press the limits with your family’s safety? It’s not a risk worth taking.

[Hermes]

Airstreams can be towed with all kinds of vehicles, if you are towing on level ground on dry pavement. But in real life we tow on all kinds of grades with varying loads (depending if its a short or long trip) and we generally prefer not to be overly stressed when we are accelerating onto a highway ramp or when we are going downhill on mountainous roads. For these reasons (and others which are discussed in many previous threads on the topic) and based on experience I would move to a 3/4 ton TV with an engine built to haul, that is a diesel (until long range equivalent electric vehicles are available...!)

[LNBright]

I have a 1500 Sierra, not the 3.0, I have the 5.3. The 3.0 is (so far) rated for towing less than the 5.3. GMC has said they're working to improve the cooling on the 3.0 so that they can tow more, but as-of-yet, they're needing to keep the towing ratings down below the gas engines in the 1500s.

I have a 20FC, much smaller than a 30FB. A 23', the 1500 would still be fine. A 25', the 1500 is starting to be marginal IMHO. I probably would tow a 25' w/ mine, but, I think that's about as far up as I'd be comfortable with. If I had a 27', or your 30', I'd switch up to a 2500 instead. Tongue weight eats up too much of your payload on the 1500.

[switz]

Our 2013 25FB International Serenity's literature tongue weight of 833 pounds turned into 1,150 at the dealership after adding a Hensley Arrow weight distribution hitch and a Tekonsha Prodigy RF brake controller. The fresh water tank and both propane tanks were full. With very judicious work loading the 25FB, we managed 1,175 pounds tongue weight camping ready and scaled 6,900 pounds out of the allowed 7,300 pound GVW..

The 25FB became a 2014 31' Classic. After modifications and four 300 amp hour lifeline GSM batteries on the "A" frame, the tongue weight was 1,375 pounds. Later after upgrading to one 600 amp-hour lithium battery under the front sofa, Tonge weight decreased to 1,175 pounds. The Classic scales 9,200 pounds camping ready.

Our 2012 Ram 2500HD Cummins does a nice job in the mountains of the Southwest where we are based.

The GVW of a 30' FC is 8,800 pounds. That is a lot of tail to wag the dog, so to speak, if the tow vehicle is too light and or underpowered for the load

[RivetED]

There's pretty much a consensus here and I will join in with saying a 1/2 ton pickup is not enough truck for a 30'FC. Look at a 3/4 ton w/diesel. Besides, when you have to navigate a 5% or greater downhill grade road the engine/exhaust brake will make life a lot easier and safer.

[wulfraat]

If you ever want to install a cap or drawers or put anything in the bed to take camping you won’t be able to and that would bite.

Looks like you need to consider a truck with more rear GAWR as others have pointed out. Future proof your purchase...

[oldenavy]

Concur with what others are saying. We have a FC30 and it tows beautifully with our 2500 RAM. I would not tow our trailer with a 1500 truck. Don’t have it in front of me, but I believe our loaded tongue weight is around 1100# or so.

[Huskerlaws]

I towed a 25’ International w/ a GMC 1500 AT4 for a year. While it did the job OK, when venturing out on the road, I could not do another year stopping for fuel every < 2 hours. We travel the lessor highways and I look for fuel with just less than a 1/2 tank. Moved to a 2500 Ram Diesel.

[PC Conner]

We have 27' FBQ with a Silverado 2500 Diesel 4x4. Tows the AS without thinking about it.
Last summer, moved back to FL from CA, with a trip to Denver. Due to fires, interstate was closed--detour to CO state highways. The grades on HWYs are steeper than interstates. We pulled everything with ease, only noticing the trailer in the review mirror.
You never know when your route will be changed. Too little truck may become profound.
Also, as is frequently mentioned, the TV is also a braking vehicle. Too little truck may become an issue when executing an emergency stop. Another thing out of your control.
If I was buying a new TV, I would consider the 3500 just for fun. Things to consider, the 3500 and 2500 cost difference is not significant, it will provide more towing capacity, but will be a stiffer ride ALL THE TIME.

[ttrout]

Pulled my 30 ft Classic home with a 1500.Felt like too much trailer behind me. Traded for 2500 the next day