Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-16-2007, 02:26 PM   #1
P&J
2 Rivet Member
 
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Schaumburg , IL
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 29
Airstream wannabee

We found the airstream that will fit our family, its a 25' FB. We plan to take a one year sabbatical in 2009, and travel the USA visiting as many national parks as we can. The problem we have, is what to tow it with? We want to buy something new, should it be gas or diesel? The tow weight of a 25' FB seems to put us in a 3/4 ton truck. any suggestions?
Attached Images
 
P&J is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2007, 02:42 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
BIGED52's Avatar
 
1967 22' Safari
MILAN , Illinois
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,013
Tow vehicle

P&J, Welcome to the Forums! You have come to a great place for a wealth of Airstream knowledge. 3/4 ton will tow your selection without any problem. It is really personal choice as to gas or diesel fuel. The new Ford, Chevy, and GMC pickup trucks all are nicely appointed with creature comforts. Buy the best tow package you can add to the truck. Make sure it comes with heavy duty alternator and transmission cooler. I'm sure others will have more suggestions for you. Again, Welcome! Ed
__________________
1967 Safari Twin "Landshark" w/International trim package
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab SLE
FORUMS MEMBER SINCE 12/16/2004AIR#7110
"My tire was thumping, I thought it was flat. When I looked at the tire, I noticed your CAT!" Burma Shave
BIGED52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2007, 04:44 PM   #3
More than one rivet loose
 
thecatsandi's Avatar

 
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
A 25 FB is a nice size. A half ton will tow it but you are better off with a 3/4 ton. Diesel would be prefered. The prices of diesel out west are lower than gas. I get better milage towing with diesel than gas.
My preserence is Ford. Best setup in my opinion. Nicest towing mirrows, Battery charge line disconnects when ignition is off, and you can step on the brakes and use the flashers at the same time without blowing a fuse. You may want to consider a large SUV if you are living out of your vehicle and trailer for a year. I put a cap on my truck. This holds some support equipment and toys. I am only one person living with this setup.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball

Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud

thecatsandi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2007, 06:52 PM   #4
USN/LAPD Retired
 
Safari-Rick's Avatar
 
2005 25' Safari
North Las Vegas , United States
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 850
Diesel is the way to go. If for some reason you decide to go larger, you'll be set not having to buy another tow vehicle.
Last year I went up to Yosemite and it was 107 degrees at 11:00 am. Lot of traffic going up the hill with full trailer and full back bed of truck. I was unable to use AC as the heat of the day and the slow towing kept the engine running warm. I envied two guys with diesel who were also going up the same hill with the windows up and the AC going!

R/
Safari-Rick
__________________
2007 Dodge Ram Quadcab 6.7L Diesel w/jakebrake

"Better to have more then you need, then need more then you have because you don't have enough!"
AIR #: 8129
Safari-Rick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2007, 07:01 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
JimGolden's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs , West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,638
Images: 7
Mopar!

Are you taking kids? If so, get a Dodge Ram Maxi Cab with Cummins Turbo diesel.

No kids? Get a Dodge Ram Quad Cab with Cummins Turbo diesel.

Then hit the open road and never look back

Yeah, I'm biased. But the Cummins diesel really is that good.
__________________
- Jim
JimGolden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2007, 09:07 PM   #6
4 Rivet Member
 
KeithC's Avatar
 
1994 34' Excella
1978 31' Sovereign
Mansfield , Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 275
Hey P&J,

I recently purchased a 24' AS after reviewing all the trailer weight specs. and the towing capacity of my 1/2 ton pickup, with a weight distribution hitch, and a 5.4 gas V8 engine. I was a 1,000 lbs below the tow limit.

I soon reached the conclusion that the Detroit engineers never towered anything larger than their own asses on medium interstate grades.

A 3/4 ton pickup truck with at least an extended cab, a diesel engine, and a 5 to 6 speed transmission is the only way to go.

It has the cab room to haul you, your wife and the groceries, and will pull your trailer without strain through small mountians without you being a "grandpa" holding up a line of 30 other vehicles behind you at 45 mph, while your 1/2 ton strains and is floored trying to make it up hill.
KeithC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2007, 03:33 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness , The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
3/4 Ton is the way to go. Now gas or disel that is the debate of the century. I opted for diesel. I do the speed limit up the grades but there's is more to it than that.

Towing comfortably is key. By that I mean no white knuckles or anxiety. It is true that gassers tow great but for me a diesel with all its torque is just easier on the driver.
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.

WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4

Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
Goin camping is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2007, 04:01 PM   #8
4 Rivet Member
 
rmpray's Avatar
 
1973 31' Sovereign
Bertram , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 277
Images: 21
Welcome aboard!
For me budget does loom over choices...but diesel and a really heavy vehicle does take away the white nuckles. Not hard to find a 3/4 with lots of power though, gas or diesel, especially if you are looking for a dedicated TV that is not out there to do the daily runs. For you with serious hauling in the future...you really want to be sure to find the perfect match.

Diesel vs gas is probably over rated for the occasional weekender, but chances are for lots of road miles you can not go wrong.

Bet ya get plenty of advice along that route
__________________
Catmando
"There’s not much in life we can’t over-analyze”
rmpray is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2007, 07:24 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
myoung's Avatar
 
Nipomo , California
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 629
Images: 24
P&J,

Another way to see what works with the 25 FB would be to search the member list for others with that same trailer. Oftentimes, the member profile will include info about the tow vehicle.

We pull with a Dodge Durango with the standard real axle. Sure we can't go over mountains at the speed limit without reving a bit more than I like, but we have yet to find one grade that we can't take. Having the SUV configuration gives us another daily driver with pretty good gas mileage and loads of amenities.

Enjoy the search. See you on the road perhaps as we will be passing thru the Land Beyond O'Hare at least twice later this summer.
__________________
Mike Young & Rosemary Nelson

Bowlus Road Chief "Endymion"
BMW X3 xDrive 28D
myoung is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cost to restore a gutted Airstream Draco General Interior Topics 28 02-18-2013 11:17 PM
Airstream vs. Avion? 68 Suburban Vintage Kin 29 11-21-2008 07:35 AM
future airstream motorhome betteleal Airstream Motorhome Forums 11 02-12-2005 01:39 PM
Airstream Related List Servers Andy R Link Archive 0 02-22-2002 02:05 PM
AirstreamTrailers.com - Airstream Link Library Andy R Link Archive 0 02-22-2002 01:31 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.