Towing truck for 25 foot international

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by KlausWessel

Dear friends,

What is your recommendation for the perfect truck for the 25 foot international?
<<snip>>

Klaus

Not a recommendation for one truck vs: another

A pickup truck is and has been my choice for towing. That's not because it will tow every day, but because it will be driven every day. A pickup truck fit's my needs as a daily driver.
Every few years, for the past 25 or so, I have gone through the process of choosing my next truck. Every time, except one time, I have chosen a 1/2 ton. One time I chose a 3/4 ton. The 3/4 ton was a mistake (since I did not need the capacity).

My signature says how I travel.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by NorCal Matt

I’m wondering how this is helpful. What are the non pickup based SUVs that could handle a 25er? I’m not saying your wrong, but am curious what your recommendations would be.

Excursion and Expedition, properly set up. Suburban. Those would work. But I think the OP said “truck”.

[ExStreamin]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Excursion and Expedition, properly set up. Suburban. Those would work. But I think the OP said “truck”.

Our slightly modified 8,300 lb 7.3L diesel Excursion handles our 30' International with no problems.

[FCStreamer]

So does my bone stock Escalade handle my 30’ Flying Cloud with room to spare.

[switz]

Towed our new 2013 25FB International Serenity from Los Angles selling dealer to the Phoenix Metro sprawl on Interstate 10. It had full propane and fresh water tanks, street side and rear awnings retrofitted by the dealer and a 155 watt solar panel on the roof. Since it was my first towing of experience of this size trailer coupled to my 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI turbo chArged diesel, I drove the posted 55 mph all the way home.

The gearing in the seven speed transmission dropped back to 4th gear on the significant climb out of Palm Springs East bound and maintained 3,000 rpm. No towing issue with the basically empty trailer.

After loading the trailer with our "stuff", drove the loaded rig to the scales on the West side of Phoenix. Now the trailer weighed 6,900 pounds and the Mercedes was complaining. We had no load margin for a grill, or generator or much of anything else in the car.

We migrated to a 2012 Ram 2500HD Cummins and those issues were resolved plus we could carry the two generators, spare propane. extra water, gasoline ad nauseam. The truck is not my daily driver, the Mercedes still is.

The Mercedes now tows our 2015 23D International Serenity at 55 mpg with some camping stuff in the car (one generator, solaire grill, Viair 450 air compressor kit, small jack and two ZipDee chairs (seat material matches the 25FB and 23D International Serenity trim awning material) and the trailer weighing 6,063 pounds fully loaded. This is a good match of trailer and tow vehicle just like, for us, the Ram and the 31' Classic that scales 9,200 pounds are a good match.

[AirstreamCSH]

While I feel that this question is like asking who is to blame for the refugee problems in the middle ease and expecting an unbiased answer, here goes:

We own a 25FB well equipped and set to carry 4 adults plus dogs cross country and back up and down the Rockies & Arizona desert in high summer. The best SUV I’ve ever owned was a Toyota Sequoia with the big 5.7 engine in 4x4. It got jerked around going up steep hills around home and strained to pull next to 18wheelers on the highway. Having owned Surburbans from GM & GMC, MB GL450 and Jeep Grand Cherokees, I call the Toyota the best from personal experience.

Note that when you determine towing capacity you need to include weight of people, fuel, gear in truck and vey importantly, the trim package on your vehicle. You hear about people pulling with trucks that others say won’t do the job. Some will even call you a dummy for voicing your opinions one way or another. Understand that a Limited trim in 4x4 will have a lower towing/payload capacity than a basic trim of the same make & model. I probably could have used my Sequoia in a basic 4 x 2 version with two adults.

We switched to a pickup from an SUV because we wanted the dirty gear and spare fuel canisters outside of the cabin in case of accident or simple cleanlinesss. THIS meant a pickup fit the bill but with an ARE cap to keep the gear safe, accessible and separate from the interior.

We chose a 4x4 to suit other non towing needs but a 4x2 would be cheaper and weigh less. That said, we needed the 4x4 more than once due to poor campsite road conditions.

We also went with an F250 in diesel because it suited our desire to have ample power and a counter weight to the trailer. Payload also went down quickly when we considered more comfortable trim levels.

So people report happiness with F150’s and some are also using pogo sticks with airbags provided with CanAm hitches in Canada. You won’t get a clear answer here but if you can get someone in your area show you their rig and allow a test drive, you will quickly see the difference between just enough power, enough power and with the F250 diesel, enough power so you simply don’t care what payload you are carrying or how fast an 18 wheeler drives by you in the rain.

Best

[Daquenzer]

I gave my recommendation before, but you also have to consider how you are going to be using this truck most of the time. I’m not retired yet. Still work and put about 12,000 miles on doing appraisal work. So I wanted something a bit more comfortable. I test drove a 3/4 ton and it was just not very comfortable to drive. Very stiff. Now maybe it was just that 3/4 ton, but if you are going to be driving this truck as an everyday vehicle most of the time you need to think a bit about that as well. So I would test drive the difference between a 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton and think about that very carefully. Then get if you choose the 1/2 ton make sure that has the guts to do the job. Any 3/4 ton will work. Frankly with a 25’AS you might even consider that RAM ecodiesel. And Ford is coming out with a new F150 diesel that can pull 9200lbs. Good luck. Let us know what you get

[interstateflyer]

I wouldn't trade my 2016 RAM 2500 4x4 for anything. A real revelation after my 2012 RAM 1500 2WD. It tows my 25FB well up hills....but....more importantly it is safe and effortless down hill. The exhaust brake and generous cargo capacity are it's best features.

[NorCal Matt]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Excursion and Expedition, properly set up. Suburban. Those would work. But I think the OP said “truck”.

I believe those are “truck based suvs”.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by NorCal Matt

I believe those are “truck based suvs”.

Maybe but nowadays an Escape is in the SUV category, so is a Traverse. Sorry, anything front wheel drive is just a car. OP said truck, that means a bed and a tailgate to most people.

[NorCal Matt]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Maybe but nowadays an Escape is in the SUV category, so is a Traverse. Sorry, anything front wheel drive is just a car. OP said truck, that means a bed and a tailgate to most people.

I was saying that in response to Slowmover. I know a lot of the smaller suvs are car based, but I wouldn’t tow a 25’ with them.

[Mollysdad]

Since I hate being broken down, I looked for the most reliable truck that could be a daily driver and had the options I needed.

Don't believe me, look at reliability tests and choose wisely.

Also, some here buy a new truck every year and some keep a truck 10 years. My choice would be different depending what category I fell in.

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

You have breached a hot topic around here as many members have strong opinions about the make and type of tow vehicle that you should use.

Instead of make any recommendations, I will tell you what we have used and how it has worked for us over the years.

We are somewhat experienced Airstreamers with almost 1,900 camping nights over the last twelve years. We have towed our Airstreams over 170,000 miles all over the United States and Canada. We have had two 25FB's, a 2005 and a 2015. Many of our Airstream Adventures have been over 90 days in length.

Airstreams in the 25 foot range will weigh north of 7,000# ready to camp with a tongue weight around 900#. Accordingly, you should consider the payload capacity of the tow vehicle that you choose.

Due to our extensive Airstream travels, we have maintained two tow vehicles. I will outline our experience with all of them.

When we started out, we had a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 2005 GMC Suburban 2500 (3/4 ton). The Tahoe was a marginal tow vehicle that struggled on the uphill grades. The 3/4 ton Suburban was a very adequate tow vehicle in all situations. We replaced the Tahoe with a second 3/4 ton Suburban. We towed with these two vehicles for a number of years. Both performed vest satisfactorily.

In 2011 we added a truck camper to the mix. As we towed the Airstream with the truck camper rig, we opted for a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado one ton Diesel. We were very impressed with this vehicle's performance. The truck camper weighed over 3,000#, and the Airsteam was close to 8,000#. The one ton Diesel could accelerate up steep grades, and the Diesel exhaust brake could easily handle the the steepest downgrades. During this period we kept the 2005 Suburban for shorter trips in the flat land of the southeast.

In 2017, we decided to sell the truck camper and trade the 2011 Chevrolet Diesel. Our new primary tow vehicle is a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton Diesel. We still have the 2005 Suburban.

Here is a recent photo of our Airstream towing rig.

Brian

[funhouse]

“Moosetracks” I was very interested in your reply. We are trying to decide between a 25fb and a 23fb and also looking at a different tow vehicle. Do you think a 3/4 truck/suv is necessary? We had a 2500 Suburban for 15 years but onlypulled our Caravel with it. Now we decided to buy something new for our 40th anniversary, but really don’t know what size tow vehicle we need. We don’t want something as big as the Suburban again and don’t want a full size truck. But, we also don’t want to struggle with the trailer on the road. You say you didn’t like the Tahoe. Just not enough power? Thanks for your help!

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by funhouse

“Moosetracks” I was very interested in your reply. We are trying to decide between a 25fb and a 23fb and also looking at a different tow vehicle. Do you think a 3/4 truck/suv is necessary? We had a 2500 Suburban for 15 years but onlypulled our Caravel with it. Now we decided to buy something new for our 40th anniversary, but really don’t know what size tow vehicle we need. We don’t want something as big as the Suburban again and don’t want a full size truck. But, we also don’t want to struggle with the trailer on the road. You say you didn’t like the Tahoe. Just not enough power? Thanks for your help!

We have had two 25FB's and a 2012 Flying Cloud 23FB. We originally had a 2005 Safari 25FB that we bought new. In 2013, we were considering down sizing to a 23FB. We stopped at the Airstream dealer in Gulfport, Mississippi to take a look,. They had an immaculate 2012 23FB that they had just taken in trade. It was so nice and the price was right, so we jumped on it. We used the 23FB for about a year (150 nights/16,000 miles). We decided that we did not like the floor plan and the small refrigerator. We traded for another new 25FB. three years and 400 nights later, we are happy with our decision to go back to a 25.

As to our tow vehicles, we were happy with the 3/4 ton Suburbans for a number of years. We found the Tahoe to be a weak tow vehicle. Keep in mind that our Tahoe was a 2004 model with the old 4 speed transmission.The newer Tahoes may be more adequate. In 2011, we needed to go Diesel to handle our truck camper. We found the Diesel so capable, that we decided to stay Diesel with our new 2018 Silverado.

Brian

[brick1]

I have a 28 Serenity on order, with an April build date. I plan to tow with a 2017 Expedition with 9200lb tow rating. It pulls my 6000lb boat easily. We will load the AS as lightly as possible. Minimum fresh water and gray/black tanks. Expect to be around 7000lbs loaded, and I will get it weighed at a CAT scale to be sure. If the Expy feels overwhelmed, it will be replaced with an F250 diesel.
brick

[funhouse]

Sorry “Moosetags” I got your name wrong! Was there a big difference towing a 23fb and a 25fb? I really love the 25fb but worry about maneuvering it in tight places. Just wondering if that extra two feet makes a difference. We are very accustomed to our little 17’ trailer. Even 23’ will be big to us, but I love the rear panoramic windows!

[moosetags]

[QUOTE=funhouse;2071161]Sorry “Moosetags” I got your name wrong! Was there a big difference towing a 23fb and a 25fb? I really love the 25fb but worry about maneuvering it in tight places. Just wondering if that extra two feet makes a difference. We are very accustomed to our little 17’ trailer. Even 23’ will be big to us, but I love the rear panoramic windows![/QUOTE


We did not experience any significant difference between the 23 and the 25 in the towing, maneuvering, or parking.

Remember that the 23 is six inches narrower than the 25. I know it doesn't sound like much, but that six inches is out of the middle aisle as the the counters and appliances are the same size. What I would suggest is going to an Airstream dealer and spend a significant amount of time sitting in and moving around both a 23 and a 25, and see how each feels to you.

I will share with you our issues with the 23 that encouraged us back into a 25 in a year of traveling. Keep in mind that our camping style involves long trips (90 days +). The main issues were the small refrigerator (single door/5 cubic foot), the small black tank (18 gallons), and the all-in-one bath with no exhaust fan in the shower.

And, of course, the rear panoramic window is a definite plus.

Brian