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Old 08-26-2011, 02:13 PM   #1
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Finally

After about 10 years of looking, always thinking "too much money", "not enough time" etc we purchased our first Airstream today. We bought a 30' 2010 Flying Cloud with lounge chairs in the front (my bad back requires this option). We actually pick it up in about a month when my new truck comes in.

I've been on this site asking questions about tow vehicles etc and decided to "risk" it with a Ford F150 EcoBoost - 3.73 Rear and HD Towing. I talked with Ford engineers, my own engineers, my brother who is an engineer as well as lots of input from folks on this forum. The conclusion is the truck can do it easily, an F250 Power Stroke would do better but not something my wife wanted, although she drives a 40' school bus.

Anyway we are looking forward to finally hitting the road and thank you all for the input on my many quesitons.

Bud
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Old 08-26-2011, 03:09 PM   #2
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Congrats on the new stream, you will love it. Safe & happy travels. John
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Old 08-26-2011, 04:27 PM   #3
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Sounds like you did your homework. Congrats on the new rig/TV combination.

Kevin
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Old 08-26-2011, 04:46 PM   #4
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I happen to LOVE that model! Congrats, I really do think you'll love it too.
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Old 08-26-2011, 05:14 PM   #5
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

Congratulations on your new Airstream! we would love to see pictures of your new Airstream and new truck when you get them. I am also anxious to hear about how the EcoBoost does in towing the Airstream in thew real world.

Brian
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Old 08-26-2011, 05:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paiceman
After about 10 years of looking, always thinking "too much money", "not enough time" etc we purchased our first Airstream today. We bought a 30' 2010 Flying Cloud with lounge chairs in the front (my bad back requires this option). We actually pick it up in about a month when my new truck comes in.

I've been on this site asking questions about tow vehicles etc and decided to "risk" it with a Ford F150 EcoBoost - 3.73 Rear and HD Towing. I talked with Ford engineers, my own engineers, my brother who is an engineer as well as lots of input from folks on this forum. The conclusion is the truck can do it easily, an F250 Power Stroke would do better but not something my wife wanted, although she drives a 40' school bus.

Anyway we are looking forward to finally hitting the road and thank you all for the input on my many quesitons.

Bud
Will your F150 handle the tongue weight? I have a 27' International and can't get the load on my F150 rear axle below the GAWR. But it "tows" 11500 lbs. Go figure.
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Old 08-26-2011, 06:46 PM   #7
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DMT - Max tounge weight on the F150-157" wheelbase according to one of the top engineers of Ford whom I finally got to is 1,680#, BUT they recommend one try to stay at 1,000 # or less. Not sure why if max is over 1,500, but the tounge weight on the 30" Flying Cloud is 880# so everyone involved figured we would be ok

I will post pictures and as we travel give updates on the Ecoboost.

Thanks

Bud
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Old 08-26-2011, 07:25 PM   #8
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paiceman,

Welcome -- and congratulations.

I am looking at the F150 Ecoboost for our next TV. Keep us posted on how your new truck handles the trailer. I think the F150 is a great choice, and will provide for a softer ride for your new baby.

Keep us posted.

Thanks,
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Old 08-28-2011, 04:17 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paiceman
DMT - Max tounge weight on the F150-157" wheelbase according to one of the top engineers of Ford whom I finally got to is 1,680#, BUT they recommend one try to stay at 1,000 # or less. Not sure why if max is over 1,500, but the tounge weight on the 30" Flying Cloud is 880# so everyone involved figured we would be ok

I will post pictures and as we travel give updates on the Ecoboost.

Thanks

Bud
I have an 09 F150 4x4 SuperCrew with the 157" wheelbase, 3.73 axle and max trailer towing package (11,100 lbs). The truck came with 20" P rated tires, and the door sticker states the maximum weight of occupants and cargo must not exceed 878 lbs. My axle ratings, also on the door sticker, are GAWRf 4050lbs and GAWRr 4000 lbs. The GVWR is somewhat less at 7200 lbs.

I threw out the stock tires and have since installed a set of 10 ply Michelins. I don't know how much of the truck's weight restriction was influenced by the stock tires. After five trips through the scales and several different hitch setups I concluded that there is no way to load distribute enough tongue weight to get the rear axle load under the stated GAWR. I tow a 2011 International 27FB. The tongue weight is 700 lbs I think.

The best I have achieved was with the following conditions. Trailer tanks empty, truck full of gas, two adults, two children, one dog, two bicycles in the back along with a couple of lawn chairs and a barbecue, propane tank and 5 ga fresh water jerry can. The hitch is a Reese dual cam with the heavier bars (1200# I think) and enough stress after hitch up to bend the bars slightly.

Measured Axle load at scale (versus listed GWR)
Front axle: 3902 (4050)
Rear axle: 4277 (4000)

Total truck: 8179 (7200)

Trailer axles: 5842 (7600)

If you ever get pulled over, or are in an accident, the state trooper or insurance company will go by the number posted on your door sticker. I would guess that most of us towing with a 1/2 ton have no trouble pulling but would be horrified to discover how little payload weight it takes to max out the vehicle. I know I was.
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Old 08-29-2011, 06:32 AM   #10
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DMT:

Thanks for the info. Did you or do you have the HD payload package offered with the Ecoboost? This increses the total payload to well over 2,400 pounds, (if I remember correctly as I am out of town on business). With that package and the HD Trailer towing package I think the F150 Ecoboost can tow any Airstream. Although I agree with most the F250 Super Duty Disel would be better.

Bud
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Old 08-29-2011, 04:32 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paiceman
DMT:

Thanks for the info. Did you or do you have the HD payload package offered with the Ecoboost? This increses the total payload to well over 2,400 pounds, (if I remember correctly as I am out of town on business). With that package and the HD Trailer towing package I think the F150 Ecoboost can tow any Airstream. Although I agree with most the F250 Super Duty Disel would be better.

Bud
My F150 is an 09 Platinum. There was no Ecoboost back then, and I think the Platinum trim is more car than truck.
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Old 08-29-2011, 06:33 PM   #12
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Wow! You are getting one awesome airstream!
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Old 08-29-2011, 07:51 PM   #13
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Congratulations. We just picked up ours last week and will take it on its inaugural trip this weekend. I am looking forward to taking it to Confluence later this fall which I understand is not that far from Pittsburg
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Old 08-30-2011, 05:07 AM   #14
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urmor:

Confluence is about 1-1/2 hours from PIT. When you go let us know, if we cannot camp that weekend we might take a ride in the Miata down there. The campground I think you are going to stay at is interesting. It sits on a outflow from a dam and the spillway from the dam is right there.

Travel Safe

Bud
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Old 08-30-2011, 05:59 AM   #15
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Bud
Yes that is the one. We tent camp there all the time. It is close to the bike trail, the river is stocked weekly or bi weekly with trout, the lake above the dam is a nice place to go fishing and Confluence is just a nice small town.

Looking forward to seeing you

John
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Old 08-30-2011, 06:01 AM   #16
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We think that is the best floor plan available and would trade up in a minute! Thinking about having the folks at JC modify ours into a recliner version instead of the lounge we have now.

Best of luck to you in your new baby!
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