New owner of a 1990 25' Excella 1000

[Diablito1179]

Hello all, I am new to the forums, and new to airstreams. A family member is retiering from travel after his co-pilot of 40+ years passed away. So i get to pick up the trailer begining of november in Las Vegas and road trip home to Washington with my son. Good bonding time with my seven Y/O. Any info i can get about the seasonal road conditions between here and there would be appreciated. And what should i look for as far as Airstream safety. It is in GREAT condition and i will be pulling with a 454 Suburban with load dist. hitch and stabilizers. Thank you for any advice given!!

[Alumaholic]

That is a great Airstream (length and model) to begin your AIrstream adventures. Please take the time to review the Towing Forum between now and your recovery trip to Las Vegas and back.
You will want written checklists in hand to guide your intitial inspection and your hitch up and towing.
Please, please put on new tires no matter how good the tread may look if they are more than five years old.
Clean and repack the wheel bearings and replace wheel seals.
Please make sure you have a trailer brake controller in your Suburban.
Take it slow and easy, especially on Day 1.
Retorque the lug nuts after 100 miles.
Etc.
Etc.

[Diablito1179]

Also, at home i have a 1991 F-150 4X4 witha 302. Will this be ok for pulling the Airstream? I am only bringing the Suburban back because i know for a fact that it is set up right. If i set up the truck will it be strong enough? Or should i keep the burban? Sell/Keep? Soo many options,,,,,

[Alumaholic]

You will hear howls of protest as soon as I post this, but the 1991 Ford F-150 with a 302 is simply not enough truck for a Excella 25.'

Depending on the model year and condition of the Suburban 454, it is arguably one of the best tow vehicles ever built, before we all started buying the Duramax Diesel.

Okay, stand by for rebuttals from the guys with the girly cars.

[overlander64]

Greetings Diablito1179!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstream ownership!

Originally Posted by Diablito1179

Also, at home i have a 1991 F-150 4X4 witha 302. Will this be ok for pulling the Airstream? I am only bringing the Suburban back because i know for a fact that it is set up right. If i set up the truck will it be strong enough? Or should i keep the burban? Sell/Keep? Soo many options,,,,,

I strongly suspect that you will find the Suburban to be the superior tow vehicle from the standpoint of horsepower and torque. Towing fuel economy may even be a little better with the Suburban since the drivetrain won't be as heavily stressed as would the 302 V8 in your Ford. I also suspect that if you check the trailer tow ratings on your Ford that you will find that it maxes out somewhat below the GVWR of your Airstream. The figures that I have seen indicate a GVWR on a 1990 Excella 1000 25' is 6,800 pounds . . . . something that shouldn't pose any problems for a 2500 series Suburban, but would provide quite a load for an F150 with the 5.0 Liter 302 c.i. V8 (IMHO).

Good luck with your new coach and enjoy your retrieval trip!

Kevin

[dwightdi]

You might be able to get by with the truck in a flat state at lower towing speeds, but you live in Washington and are likely to use that Airstream in those lovely mountains of yours. I will not have the guts to get you up the hills and not have the control necessary coming down them. I would opt for the Suburban and sell off the truck. You will be paying more for gas but what is your safety and life worth?

[acgypsy]

1179, use the suburban, it should have the extra transmission cooler, when was the trans oil changed??, depending on which way you come back to the NW, I-5 or US95, you have mountains to cross. crall with the 'semi's'over the passes. does the trans shifter have 'drive' and 'OD' selector?? use the drive selector, overdrive has more gears turning and will generate more fluid heat. november crossing the sisques mountains on the CA/OR border. chains are required 'to be carried'. if there is snow on the pass, wait out the storm till the roads are clear. you can wait at 'rowland hills indian casino' parking lot, (its free), bring your laptop and use the wifi for real time road reports and both states road cameras to see for your self the condition of the road. how are the brakes on the suburban?? there is lot's of 6% down hill rides. check the trailer roof plastic vents for broken edges. all that sunshine bakes them, it will be raining up here, ha ha.
have fun and take pictures.