Which truck is best to pull an airstream?

[tommyp123]

Although many do not like to take a definite stand on the tow vehicle issue, I am happy to based upon years of experience and over 100,000 miles towing the same 1976 31' Sovereign:

It's a full sized van (Extended or not)

As a former Ford Dealer, I have towed with everything from a basic F150 with the small 4.6L V-8 ( not recommended) to the 5.4L V8 ( sufficient, but not confidence inspiring) to the 7.3, 6.0, and new Powerstroke Diesels in the F250 and F350 platform. E150 with a 351 V8 back in 1992 did a fine job, even through the Rockies. Even the Ecoboost does a killer job.

Ultimately, I have landed on the E350 Super Duty van with the 6.8L V10. Why, you ask, not the diesels?

Vans have a rear axle ( on the regulars) that is placed nicely towards the rear, minimizing the mechanical lever that the trailer can use against you. Their big, boxy shape cuts the wind prior to hitting the trailer making the two package less susceptible to headwinds and lends itself to fantastic control. The sheer abundance of weather tight, lockable storage space is wonderful for extra gear, kayaks, bikes, grills, spare tires, tools, and anything else you can think of. If you have a Club Wagon or GM Safari van with seats, you can take the family and friends that you meet on side trips in one vehicle. Souvenier transport is a piece of cake.

The 6.8 in particular is the most kind, quiet, hardworking engine I have had. Granted, it is not the torque monster of a oil-burner but it is no slouch, and has dragged our 7500 lb trailer over Vail and Wolf Creek pass in Colorado, as well as some scary 8% grades in California's northern Sierras without complaining. Plus, it is less expensive to buy and to keep, and is OK with not being worked hard all the time whereas I have known diesels to get a bit grumpy if they arent worked hard regularly.

Sadly, a new 6.8L in the E350 is not made anymore, and the new Transits do not have the tow rating yet for my comfort level.

But a van is the best. GM, Ford, is does not matter.

So there you have it! Hit the road!

Tom Pendleton

[Big D]

Tow vehicle is very important! Many things to consider. Comfort as well as capability. I currently have a 2000 Ram 3500 diesel w/6 speed (man) trans. It will tow safely. It is a large pickup w/dual wheels. It would be too big for some situations. I previously owned a '95 Ram 2500 diesel w/5 speed (man) trans. It was a very good choice for most applications. What ever you choose, consider safety in towing first. I have a '62 A/S Safari 22'. A smaller pickup would probably work, but I love my truck. It is important that you are satisfied with your tow vehicle, including times when you are not towing. I think you came to the right place (forum) for advise. good luck, congratulations on your new trailer.

[jetjocky]

We've been towing our 2007 25' Safari FB over 11,000 miles with a 2011 Ford F-250 diesel with a Hensley hitch. The performance is outstanding, it's extremely quiet, and we average about 12-13 mpg towing. The extra torque from the diesel is most welcome when we're in the hills and mountains. I'm sure the 1/2 ton would do the job, but the 3/4 ton makes the trailer seem like it isn't eve there. If you're a flatlander and plan on short trips, stay with the 1/2 ton. If not, you can't beat the extra strength, power, braking, and low RPMs (1,500 rpm at 65 mph) of the 3/4 ton diesel. Enjoy !

[NavyCorpsman]

Go Big

[m.hony]

Hills/mountains may persuade you to get a 3/4 ton diesel.
I pull in mostly flat terrain with a 1/2 ton.


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[PGSSStu]

Okay I agree that going down a pretty level road a 3/4 ton will work. However, we have a 3/4 ton and we pulled our 31 foot Airstream to Laughlin Nevada and I really thought I could see the engine glowing it was so hot, so I would tend to disagree on the size of vehicle and horsepower. Since then we have a 2012 Dodge Ram Diesel and we recently towed it to Laughlin recently and to Wisconsin and the towing was effortless. Mileage is a factor as well. A Diesel pays for itself over time! We are on our second diesel and we really like the Ram. It is simply the best truck we have ever had! So that's my 2 cents worth. I would recommend thinking about size and power!

[dkottum]

Keep it lean and mean.

Rides like a Cadillac, steers like a Corvette, stable as a rock, laughs at crosswinds, parks anywhere we want, at half the cost and a fourth of the maintenance expense of the big diesel. This one's a Ram Hemi, ProPride hitch, 25' Flying Cloud RB with 16" Michelins, taken us coast-to-coast twice and we are on our fifth border-to-border trip right now.

Wonderfully matched rig for Airstreaming anywhere we want to go. There are many good rigs, this one's ours.

[cbrittan]

Pulling our AS with 2014 GMC All Terrain 4x4 5.3ltr small block v8 GM built with everything needed to tow trailers. On recent 7000 mile tour of eastern Canada including Quebec's Gaspe with it's stunning 17% up and down hauls averaged just over 12mpg on regular gas. Carrying usual camping gear under LEER/Thule tall capper.

Remarkable performance from this truck, wonderful to drive and never lacking in power!

[Wolf Alaska]

We have found that towing a trailer with a Motor Coach is so much better when traveling long distances. Trailers get hot or cold while on the road, depending on the weather. It can take hours to get them cooled or heated for overnight use.
A good Motor Coach stays cool or warmed on the road, and one can overnight in the coach and leave the trailer buttoned up for security. It needed, the Motor Coach's genset can power up the trailer.

A strong E250 or E350 based Type B or truck based Super B/C is a good choice. Some of these upper end have 40,000 pounds tow capacity. My E250 Coach House has 7,400 and others have 7,500 to 15,000 for starters. You should enjoy the RV hobby to its full extent. It's all about the equipment, after all.

Let's Roll !
Wolf

[frechette]

Bought an '09 Chevy Silverado 2500 diesel with doors and long bed about three years ago with 34,000 miles.

Have made three round trips from Maine to California without any problems, 14+ MPG and cruise control across the Continental Divide. I have to look in the rear view mirror to convince myself I'm pulling a 27' Safari.


Maine-yak

[Tater]

I can give you our experience and decision. We had an 05 Silverado 1500 5.3 gasser and it was fine until we bought a 30' Classic. It pulled ok but just ok. I was concerned about braking with an older 1500 and it was 10 years old. We looked at not just what we were doing but what we planned to do in the future. We bought a '15 Silverado duramax diesel 2500 and we have 35,000 miles on it and couldn't be happier. It pulls and brakes better than we ever imagined. Most importantly, my wife likes to drive and tow with it since she has confidence to speed up, slow down or stop as desired. I have friends with Fords and Rams but we had been happy with the 05 Silverado and liked the changes made in the 2500 for '15. The one mistake we did make was getting an extended cab instead of the crew cab. We plan to remedy that in '18.

[Punch]

Since this is the only advice I haven't seen so far, I thought I would add it before anyone else did:

[CJ Winch]

My husband bought a 2015 GMC Sierra 4WD Heavy 1/2 ton w/towing package which has an 8 speed transmission and bigger differential w/6.2 liter engine and built in trailer brake switch. He loves it. We've had it since May and every time we tow our 28' Airstream, or a flatbed trailer with a heavy tractor on it - he raves about how much he loves his truck and that he likes it better and better every time he tows. He looked for 2 years to find the perfect truck and this is what he got. We did not want solid black interior with black carpet, as we live on a dirt horse ranch and have dogs who go in the truck with us, as black would show every spec of dirt or dog hair. Ours has a very nice taupe interior with metal and brown trim. Another bonus - heated and Air Conditioned seats! We kept our last truck 15 years and plan on keeping this one just as long.

[Adam Geuss]

Welcome to this forum and congrats on the 25' Airstream. We bought a 2014 23' International Serenity last year and tow with a 3/4 ton Ford/crew cab/6.7L turbo diesel. I feel confident that I can go just about anywhere and can load the truck without much concern. The 4x4 has been a necessity at times but that may be because we camp in the NE US where camp grounds tend to be small and backing in common. Gravel/dirt `roads also common. I recommend a bit of overkill on the tow vehicle. I don't want to weigh this and that and worry about being overloaded andd unsafe. The bigger the better. I know..... a bit silly, but for we who don't like to plan that much.......On the other hand if you can find an SUV as has been suggested that meets the task, it might very well be a more useful. Bottom Line: You should get a vehicle that makes you feel safe towing your Airstream. You cannot put a price on the sense of "all is well." Vacation, outings etc., begin when you leave the home driveway. Who wants to leave feeling "tense," due to towing with a vehicle straining at the task? Bon voyage.

[Jim Flower]

Or

Go small.

[m.hony]

AWChief tows a 23' with a Jeep Grand Cherokee.


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[eubank]

I kind of agree that maybe a 3/4 ton truck would be best. A year or so ago, I hitched on to a new Airstream of about your length in order to move it a short distance here within the park, and the darned thing nearly squashed the 1/2 ton that we use to tow our vintage 30' Airstream. Could have been just a much higher tongue weight on that one as opposed to ours, but the poor truck sure did look kind of pitiful, all smushed down like that.


Lynn

[Tater]

You're always better off with an "I know I can" than with an " I think I can ".

[merchantmm]

I went thru the same decision a year ago. The calculations are cumbersome regarding getting just the right capacities for your trailer. I finally gave up and decided I wouldn't worry about payload, tongue weight, towing capacity, ect, ect, ever again. I anted up the funds and purchased a 3/4 ton, 4x4 diesel. The brand is not important to this post. Just do it, enjoy yourself and leave your worries behind...up hill or downhill. BTW...most new diesels aren't any louder than gas trucks, mileage is better, and in my neck of the woods diesel fuel is much cheaper. Oh and install a side step to overcome he other concern. Your diesel truck may just outlive you! Bottom line...buy something that enables you to... JUST HAVE FUN.

[tjdonahoe]

3/4 ton whatever you like, I prefer the dodge 6.7 diesel, 6speed automatic,96000 miles towing a 30' airstream coast to coast and no problems.....