Airstream wannabee

[P&J]

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?

[BIGED52]

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

[thecatsandi]

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.

[Safari-Rick]

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

[JimGolden]

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.

[KeithC]

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.

[Goin camping]

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.

[rmpray]

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

[myoung]

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.