Towing a Airstream Limited 34

[wvollans]

I've been reading this about tow vehicles for a 34 airstream. I'm not very up to date on Fords however they seem to need a heavier truck. My truck is a 2015 GMC 1500 crew cab with a 6'6" box. It is equiped with the max tow package, the 6.2 litre engine with an 8 speed transmission and 3.55 gears. It is also equipped with factory tow mirrors, has a 12000 lb tow capacity and 1900 lbs carrying capacity. I tow my trailer with ease through the mountains, windy flatland and any other conditions that Mother Nature hands out. I get passed by semis all the time with no effect. I do not travel faster than trailer tires are rated for. My truck engine does not run flat out on hills and in tow mode it maintains the down hill at the same speed as at the top except really steep declines that require minimal brakes occasionally

[VernDiesel]

Certainly while the right half ton will do it and it can be done safely I don't recommend an even well equipped halfer for camping with 34 & family. Yes my ED has done 33' floor plan 9,100ish up a 6 percent grade adequately or 52mph & easily controls speed down it's still not ideal as a half ton suspension is soft & requires a good hitch well set up. That's all I'm saying because you are not "working with what you have" you have yet to purchase your truck so get one that will accel rather than just get you by with that trailer.

[DC Bruce]

I know the feeling! My wife drew the line on 3/4 tons, gas or diesel. It's been over 2 years since I was truck-shopping, but if memory serves, the 1/2 ton Rams will be light on cargo capacity. You will want at least 1700 lbs cargo capacity and 1900+ is better. 1000 lbs of that is used up by the trailer's tongue weight; the rest is for the human and canine passengers, "stuff" (portable grill, tools, generator, gas can, ground rug, chairs and so on). GM and Ford both make trucks that hit these numbers in the half ton size. The Ford 3.5 liter Ecoboost engine is very capable and makes gobs of torque at low engine rpm. Because of its relatively small displacement, you will not get as much engine braking as with a larger gas engine or a diesel with an exhaust brake. I can't say much good about the GM 5.3 V8. It's down on power and the throttle calibration is "lazy" making it feel slower than it is. The big 6.2 V8 is a whole 'nother animal. Gobs of power, plenty of torque under 3000 rpm; amazing fuel economy. Only problem is, it's a limited production item, so finding one--new or used--will be tough, and don't expect big discounts. The dealers know what they have, and they're not giving them away. I had to fly half way across the country to get mine, with the "max trailer tow package" that got me over 1900 lbs payload. After 59,000 flawless miles and 2 years, I still love the truck, as does my wife.

[VernDiesel]

DC Bruce. Do you know what both the standard GM 1500 axle ratings and the ratings on your or the heavy halfs or whatever they call the heavier payload 6.2 1500?

[dznf0g]

Regular 1500 rear axle is 3900# and maxtow is 4300#. The maxtow axle housing is physically larger and it is a 9.75" gear as opposed to 9.5". Fronts are both 3950#

[Steve Bryant]

By now, Galena has probably made a decision about buying the 34' Limited.

However, for the record, I want to state that my 2017 1/2 ton GMC Sierra (Max Trailering Package and 6.2L Engine) easily tows and handles my 1991 34' Limited. This truck does a better job with the trailer than my 2000 3/4 Yukon XL which was more than adequate for the job.

[VernDiesel]

I have since towed several new dry 33' Classics at 85 & 8,700 pounds with my Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. Hands down they tow better than a 30 Classic. With some hitch work and shuffling around I got it to meet all of Rams specs on the scales.

[wvollans]

I Concure with the towing of the trailer with a GMC, 6.2l, with the max tow package. I have posted in the past I have been towing mine for two years with the GMC. It’s a towing machine that handles the duties with ease.