|
11-05-2014, 10:03 AM
|
#1
|
1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Des Moines
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
|
Enough Truck
I'm looking at a '98 Chevy Silverado with a 5.7L gas engine and a tow package. I have a 28' Land Yacht circa 1978. Being new to RV'ing and tow vehicles, I welcome feedback as to whether this will be a comfortable tow.
Thanks,
Shep
|
|
|
11-05-2014, 10:31 AM
|
#2
|
2 Rivet Member
1984 31' Sovereign
Stockbridge
, Georgia
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 28
|
Shep the truck itself will be fine, if not a little underpowered. It needs to have trailer brakes. Lots of Airstreams are towed with SBCs just don't be in a hurry.
__________________
Mike
1984 Sovereign 31
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
|
|
|
11-05-2014, 10:48 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
|
Your biggest issue will be the hitch weight on your tow vehicle which counts towards your maximum payload that the tow vehicle can carry. Fortunately for you, older Airstreams have quite a bit lower hitch weights than do the newer ones. Still, if your trailer has a hitch weight of 600 lbs., for example, and your tow vehicle has payload capacity of 1,000 lbs., you are left with 400 lbs. for passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle. You'll probably need to do a bit of research to get the hitch weight of your trailer (check the Airstream web site) and the payload capacity of your tow vehicle.
And make sure to use a properly set up weight distributing/anti sway hitch. If you are not familiar with this, use the search function to find one of the many (too many!) threads on this subject. Most local hitch dealers in your area can get you set up. 99.99% of Airstream owners use such a hitch. The other .001% are taking a big chance.
Enjoy the road!
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
|
|
|
11-05-2014, 11:51 AM
|
#4
|
Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
|
The short story is to return the front axle weight when hitched to what it was when solo. FALR. Front axle load Restoration
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
11-05-2014, 07:14 PM
|
#5
|
1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Des Moines
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
|
Thanks to everyone for their responses!
Shep
|
|
|
11-05-2014, 08:15 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Broadway
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 838
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldShepster
I'm looking at a '98 Chevy Silverado with a 5.7L gas engine and a tow package. I have a 28' Land Yacht circa 1978. Being new to RV'ing and tow vehicles, I welcome feedback as to whether this will be a comfortable tow.
|
Plenty 'nuf truck.
I tow a heavier Airstream than that with a 2000 4.2L pickup.
Tow for a while and see how it goes. I would focus on the drivetrain.....
- 3.73 or 4.10 gears in the differential will take a load off the tranny and make for a more comfortable tow.
- Service the tranny and replace fluid with High Temp Redline synthetic. Make sure the torque fluid is drained too. Add a tranny temp gauge.
- D or E range tires eventually.
- Coolant flush and add Water Wetter to new coolant.
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L (retired), 2011 F250 6.2L, 2010 ML550, 2000 Excursion 7.3L
Broadway, NC
|
|
|
11-05-2014, 09:30 PM
|
#7
|
1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Des Moines
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
|
Thanks for the advice. The specifics are great!
Shep
|
|
|
11-06-2014, 07:59 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
|
It looks like a 78 has these figures, depending on configuration:
1978 AMBASSADOR 28 TWIN 4630 550 19.5
1978 AMBASSADOR 28 DOUBLE 4690 575 19.5
So the dry weight is in the 4630-4690 range, and the tongue weight in the 550-575 range. Figure your truck requirements from there.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
|
|
|
11-06-2014, 01:15 PM
|
#9
|
1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Des Moines
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
|
Dang...this is about the most helpful forum ever!!!
Thanks everyone,
Shep
|
|
|
11-06-2014, 01:24 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldShepster
I'm looking at a '98 Chevy Silverado with a 5.7L gas engine and a tow package. I have a 28' Land Yacht circa 1978. Being new to RV'ing and tow vehicles, I welcome feedback as to whether this will be a comfortable tow.
Thanks,
Shep
|
Is it a 1/2 or 3/4 ton?
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
|
|
|
11-06-2014, 02:49 PM
|
#11
|
1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Des Moines
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
|
3/4 ton. I also stumbled on a 1983 Chevy one ton diesel dually with only 165K for mileage. Looks to be in great shape (no rust, clean interior). They are the same price. Those are the best two in my neck of the woods that are under my wife's budget for me :-)
Shep
|
|
|
11-06-2014, 03:38 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
1994 34' Excella
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,248
|
You will have no problem with the 3/4 ton. I would stay away from the '80's diesel, as it is the 6.2L, which has very little torque or horse power. Had a friend that pulled a 1983 31' with that diesel. Even a slight hill on the prairies and he was down to 40 mph in second gear. Get a good hitch, brake controler, and you will be ready to hit the road.
|
|
|
11-06-2014, 03:42 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,101
|
The 3/4 ton will be perfect. No worries. The 1 ton dually will work if you need it for some other purpose too, but my preference by far would be the newer 3/4 ton.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|