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10-22-2018, 09:10 AM
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#1
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DanTerri
Currently Looking...
Redmond
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2
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What Vehicle to Tow With
We own a 2018 Ram 4x4 3/4 ton diesel to tow our 30' International. It is a beautiful truck with more than enough power and ability. However, it has 20" tires, Bilstein shocks, is higher overall off the ground than a "standard" truck. My wife feels it is too "beefy" and would prefer a "normal" truck, meaning one riding lower with a more normal car feel.
Any suggestions.
Dan
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10-22-2018, 09:14 AM
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#2
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle
Hi Dan. Welcome to the Forums. We are glad to have you with us.
If you have an interest in one of the larger Airstreams (25' and up), you probably already own the ideal tow vehicle. When towing a trailer that is over 7,000# in weight, "beefy" is good, "normal" can be insufficient.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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10-22-2018, 09:18 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,167
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Welcome to the forum, Dan.
"If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy." If she wants to spend the money to trade in a new truck for another new truck, go for it. Go to the dealership and price the new truck. While you are there, talk to the service people to see if it is possible to "undo" those aspects of your current truck without adversely affecting your towing ability. Find out how much that would cost. She may decide that that money would be better spent traveling.
__________________
David Lininger, kb0zke
AIR 54240
Heartland mpg 181 (sold)
1993 Foretravel U300 (sold)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
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10-22-2018, 09:40 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2018 28' International
Fayetteville
, Georgia
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 826
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You have the right truck. Trade the wife...
(Just kidding)
brick
__________________
brick
2018 International Serenity
Cute wife...
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10-22-2018, 09:51 AM
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#5
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,836
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Anderson
We own a 2018 Ram 4x4 3/4 ton diesel to tow our 30' International. It is a beautiful truck with more than enough power and ability. However, it has 20" tires, Bilstein shocks, is higher overall off the ground than a "standard" truck. My wife feels it is too "beefy" and would prefer a "normal" truck, meaning one riding lower with a more normal car feel.
Any suggestions.
Dan
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Porche Cayenne is a great tow vehicle.
__________________
Ray B.
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10-22-2018, 01:01 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Olympia
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 618
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I put 30K comfortable miles on my FC27 towed by a 2015 Ram/Cummins 2500 with 18" wheels. I then traded in my 2500 for a 2018 Ram/Cummins 3500 with 18" wheels, which, too, is comfortable as long as I'm towing the AS. Without the AS behind, it's pretty bumpy.
Another feature that reduces the bumpiness significantly and makes it a more comfortable ride is using an AirSafe hitch along with my Blue Ox WD hitch. That smooths out the "porpoising" while driving over bumps in the road.
__________________
Richard Wills, Olympia, WA --- WBCCI 8873, WL7Z
"Aurum": 2018 Ram/Cummins 3500
"Argentum": 2016 AS FC 27 FB
RIP "BigDog": M Harlequin Great Dane, 150 lb
"St. Rocco": M Black Great Dane, 150 lb
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10-22-2018, 01:51 PM
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#7
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,684
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Hi
Simple way to get most new trucks lower to the ground - go from 4x4 to 2WD. If you do, be sure to get a manual (pushbutton) locking rear end.
If ride rather than height is the key issue, shop around. You may find another brand that does not shake things up quite so much.
All that said, you do have a more than adequate truck already. Trading it in on something else isn't going to be easy emotionally or financially.
Bob
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10-22-2018, 01:53 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,103
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Keep it or trade it for a Ford 150 with eco boost and good towing capacity. That will tow the Airstream just fine.
I put power running boards on our Dodge 3/4 ton when my wife had her second knee operation.
I am in a different position. My wife does not want to get rid of our 11 year old Dodge diesel that truly rides like a truck.
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10-22-2018, 01:55 PM
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#9
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Rivet Puller
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,006
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We have the 2011 version of your truck with 18" rims, Bilsteins, and Goodyear all-terrain tires. Once loaded down with supplies and hooked up, the ride is considerably improved and quite comfortable on all day drives.
I did add the exterior drop steps for easier ingress/egress as my wife is 5'1." I much prefer it over our previously "normal" 2500 two-wheel drive for many reasons including the 4x4 for wet grassy area escapes, the exhaust brake for mountainous terrain hauling, and greater all around capabilities. The 4x4 and heavier tires did reduce my mileage by 1.5 mpg over the prior TV.
Has your spouse actually driven/ridden in it while towing before giving her assessment or is it just an appearance issue?
__________________
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."
Sir Tristan
Air #48582, S/SO #003, WBCCI #4584
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10-23-2018, 03:19 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2018 27' International
Southeastern MI
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,344
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Anderson
We own a 2018 Ram 4x4 3/4 ton diesel to tow our 30' International. It is a beautiful truck with more than enough power and ability. However, it has 20" tires, Bilstein shocks, is higher overall off the ground than a "standard" truck. My wife feels it is too "beefy" and would prefer a "normal" truck, meaning one riding lower with a more normal car feel.
Any suggestions.
Dan
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Lower the truck. My wife laughed about my “giant truck” at first but likes towing with it.
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10-23-2018, 04:28 AM
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#11
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ShinyPete
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Bushnell
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 413
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Wish I could think of his handle on here, but there is a regular contributor on AirForums that put a full air suspension system on his Ram HD. Sounds very sweet..........and it might cost you less than trading, and allow you to keep the awesomeness of that truck!
We love our Ecoboost, and it does a lot of towing, (of our Pete, and a lot of other stuff), but it's no Cummins 6.7! I have that engine in my school bus, and it is a sweet powerplant..........
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10-23-2018, 06:19 AM
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#12
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,674
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I too have a 2018 RAM 2500 4X4 diesel TV. I previously had a RAM 1500 and loved that truck but wanted a more in a TV. Aside from the 2500 being bigger it is a great TV with plenty of power and capacity.
I really didn't want a bigger vehicle but now that I've had it awhile it doesn't seem that big. Getting comfortable with it I guess. So I don't know how long you've had the 2018 RAM but I would suggest giving it more time.
For us going from 1500 to 2500 was the right decision.
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10-23-2018, 07:56 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Venice
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,024
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I found myself in the same position as Dan Anderson (original poster) a few years back only in reverse. I had a RAM 1500 ecodiesel towing my 25' AS & wanted more truck but was reluctant to jump to a 2500 diesel. I ended up with a 2016 Nissan Titan XD/cummins 5.0 diesel. The truck is referred to as a 5/8 ton, more than a half & less than a three quarter ton, it fits my needs perfectly and tows with authority over any terrain. I liked the truck so much I recently upgraded to a 2018 XD/cummins Platinum Reserve, the top trim level.
__________________
Joe
Venice, FL
2016 FC 25RTB
TAC FL-47
2018 Nissan Titan XD Cummins Diesel
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10-23-2018, 09:09 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic
Johnson City
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 591
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Recommend considering something other than a truck. We recently made the switch. We are enjoying our 2017 Infiniti QX80 towing our 2004 30' Classic. Infiniti QX80 is quiet, comfortable, full of safety features, and works well as your daily vehicle. Con is the 400HP V8, has 14-16 mpg when not towing, which probably is similar to your truck.
73/gus
__________________
Gus - KR4K : Mary - K5MCL
2004 30ft. Classic
2017 Infiniti QX80 Limited
ProPride 3P/Prodigy P3
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10-23-2018, 09:54 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
Trempealeau
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
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Ram ecodiesel
We had the 2016 Ram 1/2 ton ecodiesel pulling a 25 foot airstream. Did a great job towing and the ride was great. Problem started when I had an oil change at the dealership in Mississippi. The service manager asked me if I had a lot of trouble with the ecodiesel. I responded none should I be having problems? He just smiled. Got back home and started researching the forms and talking to Ram service managers. Found that at around 70,000 miles (just about when your 5 year warranty runs out), the engines may fail. One local dealership installed 3 new engines this year Can,t be fixed. Requires a new engine at $15,000 if you are over the 5 year warranty. So I traded it off for a used Ram 2500 cummings.
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10-23-2018, 10:41 AM
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#16
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New Member
Peoria
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventure.AS
Porche Cayenne is a great tow vehicle.
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So glad to hear! I have a Porsche Cayenne S and am looking to buy my first airstream.
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10-23-2018, 11:20 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
1976 31' Sovereign
Eagle Point
, Oregon
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 52
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You might find a young person that would be happy to trade his stock wheels and tires for your 20" ers for free. Craigslist or local auto trader paper.
__________________
1995 F-250 ExCab Long Bed 7.3 Powerstroke 2WD
Metal Topper w/rack for boat usually full when camping
14 mpg Towing 17-20 Empty
1976 Sovereign 31' CB Rear Twin towed 'on the ball'.
Retired Professional Truck Driver 4 million accident-free miles. Various combo's GCVW 105,000 lbs 105' length.
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10-23-2018, 12:44 PM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
Murfreesboro
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 104
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What Truck you need.
From the sound of a lot of this reply post most are just giving advise by the seat of their pants as to what they have or what they like without considering anything involving science or math.
In order to pick the correct vehicle you need to do the math on the truck and the trailer to pick the right vehicle. First of all all trucks are not created equal. You just cannot say a Ford F-150 or a Ram 1500. You MUST look at the towing capacity of the truck. I have a Ford F-150 XLT ecoboost with the towing capacity of 11,500 pounds. I could have bought the a Ford F-150 with a max towing capacity of 8,800 pounds. Both truck would basicly look alike from the outside. The same will apply to a dodge or GM product. Did you know that a 2 wheel drive vehicle has a greater towing capacity than a four wheel drive. You need to know the max payload ot the truck as well as the tongue weight of the trailer as the tongue weight of the trailer adds weight to the trucks payload weight capacity. You need to know the dry weight of the trailer and the maximum Gross Vehicle Weight of the trailer. (Dont go by the estimated tongue weight given by Airstream. Most of the time that does noy include the weight of the gas tanks filled or anyweight of anything stored. My trailer was rated for 879 pounds but when I weighed it it was right at 1,100 pounds. You can be within the overall combonation of the truck and trailer capacity and still exceed the payload on the truck. Dont just take the advice of anyone. Its like asking the minister to give you advice on how to fix you car. He can give you some advice but is it worth anything.
And one last thing. Do go by what the dealer at the airstream tells you either or the guy trying to sell you a truck. They don't know either. They just want to sell you a truck or trailer. Go to uTube and watch a video called: "payload Problems: How Much Can I Tow? RV Truck and Trailer. when through download the Ecel Spread Sheet and look up the information needed. Some on the inside of the driver door, some on you trailer and some from your truck manufacture on the internet and do the calculation and it will tell you what kind of truck you need to tow you rig.
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10-23-2018, 01:21 PM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
2015 28' International
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Anderson
We own a 2018 Ram 4x4 3/4 ton diesel to tow our 30' International. It is a beautiful truck with more than enough power and ability. However, it has 20" tires, Bilstein shocks, is higher overall off the ground than a "standard" truck. My wife feels it is too "beefy" and would prefer a "normal" truck, meaning one riding lower with a more normal car feel.
Any suggestions.
Dan
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I just did the exact opposite (traded a three month old 2019 1500 for a 2018 2500) to tow my 28’ Serenity.
I know the 1500 was technically able to pull the trailer, but I had the 3.21 gears and also didn’t want to be worrying about TV to TT weight issues in the mountains.
No regrets here.
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10-23-2018, 04:57 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Racine
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Anderson
We own a 2018 Ram 4x4 3/4 ton diesel to tow our 30' International. It is a beautiful truck with more than enough power and ability. However, it has 20" tires, Bilstein shocks, is higher overall off the ground than a "standard" truck. My wife feels it is too "beefy" and would prefer a "normal" truck, meaning one riding lower with a more normal car feel.
Any suggestions.
Dan
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