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nickmeloy · 12-07-2008, 09:51 AM

My wife and I are considering purchasing an Airstream in the 30 to 31 foot range, and purchasing a Ford F-250 as the towing vehicle. I would appreciate hearing from owners of the F-250 about their experience with the F-250 used in this fashion. Experience with the various options available would be very helpful (engine size, how to specify the necessary hitch receiver size, etc.).

Thank you,
F. A. Meloy

Tin Diesel · 12-07-2008, 10:14 AM

We love our 2006 F250. Love the power of the diesel (but not the cost of diesel fuel). Love the integrated braking system and the 'jake brake' (if that's what its called). We put a tonneau cover on it (A.R.E) which gives us a lot of secure storage for long trips. We spend a lot of time in Colorado with it, so the 4WD gets used.

Having said all that nice stuff, I would summarize that we love the drive train. However, this $40K-plus vehicle is a symbol of what is wrong with american car manufacturers. Its fit-n-finish leaves much to be desired for that price range. Cheap molded plastic components inside that don't fit together well, and don't wear well. They've not taken advantage of a decade of smart creature-comfort improvements that we had in our Nissan minivan way back in the mid-nineties! And we still think this truck is MUCH nicer inside than Dodge or Chevy (just our opinion - don't flame on!)

Edit: oh yeah. And all the exterior chrome was permanently stained by chemicals they put on the dirt roads in Colorado. So don't believe those commercials they show with shiney clean trucks driving through rugged terrain. If you drive it through that kind of stuff, you'd better wash it within 24 hours!

On a sidebar, I have the same opinion about my 1999 Navigator. Its replacement is going to be a Toyota Tundra. If Toyota offered a heavy duty diesel as big as the F250, I'd get it for towing.

searcher · 12-07-2008, 10:18 AM

I have towed three Airstreams ( 25 32 and 30 ) with my F250 ( 7.3 DSL 2002 ) . This is more truck than you need, I would think Fords new F150 would have all the power you need. If you are looking for options, ad a full set of gauges, Exaust Temp and Trans Temp. Fords new six speed Tranny is a big improvement. You will not be sorry.

Steve

Mikethefixit · 12-07-2008, 10:41 AM

F A Meloy
Welcome to the Forums. Your F250 will do what needs to be done. If your are going 28 to31 ft it should be fine. With a good Reese Dual cam WD hitch U will be fine. Asking this questions is like Kickin an ant hill you will get lots of differing opinions. As U can see from the lower left corner we have a 1ton Crewcab longbed . We had the truck before the Overlander.
This configuration give us a good ride and as near as I can tell it give the trailer a good ride too because of the long wheel base. We have a Lear Cap with no windows, so anything in the bed is away from prying eyes.
This is also our daily driver, of which we dont do much of anymore since we are both retired. We have not found the things that TinDiesel refers too, ours is an 01/7.3 diesel . We dont even own a Car just two Ford trucks.

Tin maybe yours was built on Monday after a long drunk weekend or in a hurry on Friday LOL
R0ger

SilverAvion · 12-07-2008, 02:30 PM

i tow my 30 foot 87 Avion with a 99 F250 using a weight distribution hitch. powerstroke diesel, 4x4. my trailer is considerably heavier than most similar airstreams from what i understand, and it works like a champ.

last spring, i dragged it across the US and Canada, with a 4 pound motorcycle in the truck bed to boot.

henw · 12-07-2008, 02:35 PM

We live in Fla. as well. At first we got by with a 5.4L Expedition. But, then we started going to the mountains. ( can't camp in Fla in the summer ) F 250 made a world of difference.

Tom

SilverAvion · 12-07-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverAvion

i tow my 30 foot 87 Avion with a 99 F250 using a weight distribution hitch. powerstroke diesel, 4x4. my trailer is considerably heavier than most similar airstreams from what i understand, and it works like a champ.

last spring, i dragged it across the US and Canada, with a 4 pound motorcycle in the truck bed to boot.

thats supposed to be a 400 pound motorcycle, of course

DKDarrow · 12-07-2008, 03:17 PM

pardon me my shift key is broken.............santy maybe will fix that

40k for a truck. something is wrong here. buy a good used one. my 04 f250 lariat went new for the mid 20's. 34k later it is still running strong and in good shape interior and exterior.

you won't go wrong with th v-10. we get in the 16 or 17 range without the trailer and 10 to 14 with the 29' excella. the truck comes with the towing package and so pretty much all you need is the hitch and sway bars. i totally recommend getting a camper shell to keep groceries and stuff protected. great for the generator running at campgrounds when you don't want to lug it out.

the v-10 has great pulling power. usually i kick out the overdrive and kick in the cruise. in the mountains i use my foot for cruise control to keep it from kicking down a gear to maintain 65.
anyway...........god bless..........dennis

Paul Mayeux · 12-07-2008, 05:03 PM

I agree, go with the V10. I've had two V10s, currently I have on 07 CrewCab 4x4 diesel. Looking back I prefer the V10. It's quieter, cheaper to purchase, tows every bit as well as the diesel and only gets 1-2mpg at most less fuel economy towing.

Tin Diesel · 12-07-2008, 05:18 PM

Curious about the V10 vs the Diesel.
Aren't diesels supposed to be more efficient at altitude?
I thought I've seen discussions where gas engines that aren't tuned for altitude will lose 7% efficiency for every 1000 feet of altitude.

Maybe this is the wrong thread for this. Sorry.

**Action** · 12-08-2008, 01:37 PM

With the computers in the vehicles I do not think altitude is an issue. Since the engine computer will sense barometric pressure and make adjustments to fuel mixture.

**Action** · 12-08-2008, 01:38 PM

Not all F250's are the same. Make sure the GCWR will handle the load you are considering. Axle ratio makes a big difference. Also a 4X2 will tow more than a 4X4.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

Diesel1 · 12-08-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Action

Not all F250's are the same. Make sure the GCWR will handle the load you are considering. Axle ratio makes a big difference. Also a 4X2 will tow more than a 4X4.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

hmm?

Road Ruler · 12-08-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Action

With the computers in the vehicles I do not think altitude is an issue. Since the engine computer will sense barometric pressure and make adjustments to fuel mixture.

Yes, plus the advantage thin air provides as driving into a less dense wall of air takes less effort and HP.

**Action** · 12-08-2008, 03:46 PM

Check out this link.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...trp18Aug07.pdf

Trailer towing capacity from 8200 #s to 12,500 #s. That is a big spread! Which depends on engine, tranny, axle and cab type. This link is for 2007. And yes from year to year there are differences.

Buy a 7 year old Excella (30') and it's GVWR is 8300 #s. I wouldn't want the F250 rated at 8200 #s.

BTW less dense air less power generated by an internal combustion engine.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

dogpound · 12-08-2008, 03:46 PM

I agree with Action. If you don't need the 4x4 then stay away from it. It drives the cost of the unit up and the mileage down. I tow with an older F250 4x2. My trailer has 8,250 GVW plus I have a topper on the truck. Has the infamous 460 which ain't the best for gas mileage but it does well. When we get a different unit it will be a power stroke. I have had friends with the V-10 and their gas mileage was horendous. Guess what, I believe in Ford. The new F-150 looks interesting. Haven't seen the specs on it but they appear to have beefed up the towing capabilities.
Good luck on your choice.

Bob
Member Four Corners Unit/CAC
WBCCI # 10105
AIR # 28748

"life is an adventure, live it to it's fullest."

94Tri · 12-08-2008, 06:46 PM

I have had good luck pulling with a 2000 F250 with the 7.3 Powerstroke. I pulled my 34 footer to Florida and back averaging 14-15 mph. This was with a 4X2 and six speed manual. I now pull with a 2000 F350 dually Powerstroke with Auto.....a bit overkill. I am a firm believer in buying the older 7.3 Powerstroke equiped trucks. That motor pulls hard and is a proven performer. Yet another oipinion

SteveH · 12-08-2008, 08:15 PM

Yes, the computers will adjust the mixture at altitude, and also with temperature, but the computer cannot adjust the fact there is less oxygen in the air, or the air is less dense at altitude, and that is why all internal combustion engines loose power as you go up in altitude. Super charging and turbo charging will help, but there is still a loss.

nickmeloy · 12-08-2008, 09:02 PM

In my original post, I forgot to mention the rear axel ratio. What are the thoughts on 4.10 or 4.30?

Nick Meloy

altamont · 12-08-2008, 09:15 PM

We have the new F250 (2008) Powerstroke and absolutely love this truck. We have found the quality quite good and it pulls our 27FB with power to spare at ANY altitude. It was expensive ($50k) but wifey picked out what she wanted to be in. It has the crew cab and I bought a bedlocker which gives us a HUGE lockable trunk. It rides even better when loaded and we get 17 mpg solo at 70 mph and 14 towing. When diesel prices come back to normal, the investment will look even better. We bought the trailer and truck to keep a minumum of 10 years.