My trip home with my "new to me" 2019 Flying Cloud

[airstreambob]

Been towing Airstream's for 45 years. almost 750k miles. Everything from an original 1961 Bambi to a 1990's 34' triple axle. Have towed with everything from a minivan to 1 ton trucks. I never found the sweet spot. Until now. Having found an used Airstream motorhome a half dozen years ago and deciding to give that a whirl, I sold my Ford V10 E350 van. I loved towing my 30' Airstream with that. It got 10MPG towing and 10.5MPG solo. Really didn't care.
Well, after my half dozen years in an aging, prone to more and more issues Class A motorhome, I sold it and figured I would sell my Pickup truck (a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado) that I hardly ever drove, buy a bigger truck and then buy a used Airstream trailer again.

Of course, I found the trailer first. My son agreed to let me go pick up my "new to me" 2019 25RBT Flying Cloud trailer with his GM 2500HD pickup, some 600 miles from home. But, his schedule didn't coincide with the seller of the Airstream's wishes, and If I delayed, the purchase would go away.

Well, I thought, I've only got time and as my Colorado truck was rated to tow 7000 pounds and the Flying cloud was supposed to weight 5600 per Airstream, I figured I'd go pick up the empty trailer with my empty truck (except for me), and if I had to stick to backroads, I'd just get it done and home.

Going solo to pick up the trailer, my Colorado got almost 29 MPG, and on one 170 mile segment got 32.2. First real Highway trip for the 2019 Colorado, I only had 8300 miles on it when I left home.

Looked at my new trailer purchase and it looked about right parked next to my Truck. I hooked it up after adjusting my WD hitch height to match the Trailer, tested the brakes and lights and pulled out.

It accelerated quite quickly compared to the Motorhomes speed, which even though it had a mighty 8.1 liter V8, was any thing but quick.

I left the purchasing location and drove to a truck stop on surface streets to weigh the combo.

My truck, with me in it weighed 4710 pounds with a 6000 GVWR.
The trailer, with nothing in it, weighed 6010 on a 7300 GVWR.

Tongue weight of the trailer was 860 pounds.

As hitched up, with WD in use, I had the rear axle on the Colorado weighing 2814 pounds (gross axle weight is 3500), the front axle weighed 2760 pounds (gross axle weight is 3400).

The trailer was coming in with 2662 on the rear axle and 2488 on the front axle.

That's when I realized that the water tank was full. and the water heater too.

But, numbers were looking good so I headed for the highway and the trek home. Getting on the highway and up to speed was pain free and fast (enough). For starters I kept my speed to 55MPH to get i feel for the rig. No Drama. Zero. Barely feeling the bow wave from trucks passing. Drove this speed over undulating terrain for 60 miles. 6th gear at 2300 RPM, Up and down hills with no problem, on one pretty steep hill, it downshifted from 6th to 4th (8 speed transmission locked out of 7 & 8) and 3000 RPM to keep the speed set. Returned 15.8 MPG via the computer. Drove the next 60 miles at 60MPH (I'm still a rolling road block.) Pulled every hill with at 60 in 6th gear. Computer said 14.7MPG. Picked up speed to 65 MPH. Pulled every hill without a downshift. Running right at 2800 RPM.

now I'm getting 13.6 MPG. Ran it out to 70MPH. The little engine (3.6 V6), is now running a tad over 3000RPM, and acting like it wants to GO! Pulling hills in 6th gear is no issue. fuel economy down to 12.3 MPG. Well, the speed limit was 75, So I gotta try (new Goodyear Endurances, so I'm good with tires). Found I can easily pull 8th gear except for on really big climbs where a smooth downshift to 7th or 6th happened. Turning 2400 RPM in 8th, but only getting 11.5 MPG. And, bluntly, 75 is too fast for me with a trailer. I slowed back down to my comfortable towing speed of 62-63 MPH in the slow lane and cruised home. Overall fuel average for the entire 628 mile return trip was 15.2 MPG, even with all the goofing around i did with speeds. I never felt like the trailer was too much, pushing me or that I was barely in control. The ride was... pleasant. For now, I'm going to stop looking for a new bigger truck. I'll go camping instead and visit far away places! Hope to see my fellow Airstreamers on the road!

[Boxite]

That all sounds very reasonable….and surprising gas-mileage, IMO. I pull a 4K lb 22’ Sport with a 4.7L Ram 1500 at 65 mph (2400 RPM in TowHaul mode) resulting in 11 mpg.

[LNBright]

My commute in my Sierra gets about 21 mpg. Towing our 20FB, we get about 13mpg (but, I tend to run right at 69 mph). If you’re not a heavy packer, don’t need a larger payload, sounds like you’re good!

[SYC2Vette]

Impressive. The Canyon and Colorado make great tow vehicles but I would have thought that trailer was a bit much. I think the relatively long wheelbase helps is why they are so stable. I never get a hint of sway even with high crosswinds and semis passing.

I am a bit surprised you were not turning higher rpm. The DOHC 24 valve 3.6V loves high rpm and will pull smoothly to the near 7,000 rpm redline. Before installing our supercharger ours liked to happily hum along at 5,000 rpm climbing grades at altitude and 65 mph. We are usually at 11,000 lbs GCVW (5,000 lb trailer and 6,000 lb TV). With the supercharger it has more torque at 2,000 rpm than it had at 5,000 rpm NA, so it is basically choose whatever gear makes you happy.

[2link2]

Your gas mileage seems astounding to me ! I'm new to towing & hate my gas mileage. TV is a 2019 1500 RAM V8 4WD towing a 23' flying cloud & I'm lucky to 10-12 MPG.

[propchef]

Very nice! We’re getting just over 13 mpg pulling our 27’ with our X5. Yours sounds like a great towing combo!

[SYC2Vette]

Originally Posted by 2link2

Your gas mileage seems astounding to me ! I'm new to towing & hate my gas mileage. TV is a 2019 1500 RAM V8 4WD towing a 23' flying cloud & I'm lucky to 10-12 MPG.

Sounds about right for towing portion of trip based on our experience 12.5-13.5. I was able to squeeze 18 MPG avg on a long 45 mph average road with modest elevation changes once.

[airstreambob]

Only had trailer home for 2 days, and took it out for first camp out for the Memorial Day Weekend with my bride of 39 years. Probably added about 200 pounds of "stuff" before departure. Lots of hills and about 50% two lane twisties , returned a still respectful 13.6 MPG average. The weekend trip had decidedly more hills to pull than the trip returning from purchasing the Flying Cloud.


I was contemplating a few historical facts from my past:
In 1992, I was towing a 34' Twin bed 1991 Airstream Excella 1000 trailer with a 1992 Chevrolet Suburban with a 350 Cu in V8. It was a great combo too. The trailer, was 5.5" narrower, But was 8' longer, and about 600 pounds heavier than my recently acquired FC25.

Just checking, the numbers comparing the Suburban & the Colorado. The Suburban had a 127" Wheelbase vs The Colorado's 128". Both trucks were rated to tow the same 7000 pounds. The Suburban had 190 horsepower, the Colorado has 308. The Suburban made 300 Ft Lbs of torque at 4000 RPM, The Colorado, 275 Ft Lbs of torque at 4000 RPM. The Suburban was 219" long, the Colorado 212". The rear overhang on the Suburban was way longer than the Colorado, BTW

The Suburban was 73.6" wide, the Colorado is 74.3".

Curb weight of the Suburban was 4540 pounds. Curb weight of the Colorado is 4435.


31 years ago, that 1992 Suburban/1991 Excella combo netted an Average of 8.2 MPG.


It's amazing to me that a modern "compact" Pickup weighs the same as a 30 year old "full size" Suburban and the size and performance aren't a whole lot different.... except for way better MPG.

[SYC2Vette]

Originally Posted by airstreambob

Only had trailer home for 2 days, and took it out for first camp out for the Memorial Day Weekend with my bride of 39 years. Probably added about 200 pounds of "stuff" before departure. Lots of hills and about 50% two lane twisties , returned a still respectful 13.6 MPG average. The weekend trip had decidedly more hills to pull than the trip returning from purchasing the Flying Cloud.


I was contemplating a few historical facts from my past:
In 1992, I was towing a 34' Twin bed 1991 Airstream Excella 1000 trailer with a 1992 Chevrolet Suburban with a 350 Cu in V8. It was a great combo too. The trailer, was 5.5" narrower, But was 8' longer, and about 600 pounds heavier than my recently acquired FC25.

Just checking, the numbers comparing the Suburban & the Colorado. The Suburban had a 127" Wheelbase vs The Colorado's 128". Both trucks were rated to tow the same 7000 pounds. The Suburban had 190 horsepower, the Colorado has 308. The Suburban made 300 Ft Lbs of torque at 4000 RPM, The Colorado, 275 Ft Lbs of torque at 4000 RPM. The Suburban was 219" long, the Colorado 212". The rear overhang on the Suburban was way longer than the Colorado, BTW

The Suburban was 73.6" wide, the Colorado is 74.3".

Curb weight of the Suburban was 4540 pounds. Curb weight of the Colorado is 4435.


31 years ago, that 1992 Suburban/1991 Excella combo netted an Average of 8.2 MPG.


It's amazing to me that a modern "compact" Pickup weighs the same as a 30 year old "full size" Suburban and the size and performance aren't a whole lot different.... except for way better MPG.

"midsize"

[airstreambob]

Correct Vette. It's a midsize. I park my truck next to my one of my son's

2018 Silverado 1500 and It's only 15-20% smaller.

[Boxite]

Re-reading #1 post…. I realize that fantastic mileage was while NOT towing… while going to pick up the new trailer. Towing mpg ranged from 11.5-13.6 at most speeds…. about what most of us all experience.

Thx.

[Robmar]

I pulled my 2008 safarie with a Ran 1500 for 2 years, 1423 pound payload. 1100 pound toung weight with no problems.
I just got tired of having to weight everything and try telling your wife she cannot bring something along becuase we are watching our weight, way too much drama.
I bought a new Ram 2500 gas model with 2981 payload.
It is so nice to be able to bring anything along we want, bikes, generators ect.
if it fits we bring it without a thought towards weight.
yes you can tow with borderline vehicles with no problem but I prefer not to even be close.

[airstreambob]

Although I've towed a LOT of Airstreams in my day, I always strove for that 2500 series or bigger tow vehicle. I understand the need/want for that HD truck, but my intent was that it absolutely isn't necessary. I'm within my ratings, but at the top of them. I did scale the rig up again after loading my camping gear in the trailer and my generator and some firewood in the bed of the truck and I'm still under both GWR and GCWR ratings, so Ill proceed as planned for now. Going to Colorado in a few weeks and I'll see if I change my mind about towing with the Colorado. My 8.1 V8 motorhome only climbed eastbound Wolf Creek Pass at 20-25 MPH last year. Compared to that, the Colorado may surprise me

[SYC2Vette]

Originally Posted by airstreambob

Although I've towed a LOT of Airstreams in my day, I always strove for that 2500 series or bigger tow vehicle. I understand the need/want for that HD truck, but my intent was that it absolutely isn't necessary. I'm within my ratings, but at the top of them. I did scale the rig up again after loading my camping gear in the trailer and my generator and some firewood in the bed of the truck and I'm still under both GWR and GCWR ratings, so Ill proceed as planned for now. Going to Colorado in a few weeks and I'll see if I change my mind about towing with the Colorado. My 8.1 V8 motorhome only climbed eastbound Wolf Creek Pass at 20-25 MPH last year. Compared to that, the Colorado may surprise me

Double check your RAW. We are at 3490 RAW and smaller trailer with 20 lb propane tanks and single Lithium battery. Incudes 5 gallons spare gas and ~340 lbs of people and dogs. Do not be afraid of keeping the revs up in the 5,000 rpm range on climbs, this V6 is designed for that. We load at or just in front of trailer axle, things like water and full coolers.

[airstreambob]

Vette, you're correct, I'm getting close to my Axle weights. Rear axle on my truck is rated for 3500 pounds, and front at 3400.

On my first weigh in upon picking up the trailer, My rear was at 2814 and my front was at 2760, WITH the tongue weight of the trailer being distributed by the WD hitch.

The second weigh in ( with the trailer loaded, the bed of the truck loaded and my wife and I in the front seats) found the Colorado at 3100 on the rear and 2910 on the front, getting me real close to it's 6000 GVWR. Sorry I left that off my last post.

Trailer weight now was 2759 on rear axle and 2599 on the front.

I think that having a set of 1200 pound spring bars is levering a substantial amount of weight from the rear axle of the truck, which I suspect would be overloaded without the WD.

I've read about your supercharger install and it sounds really cool, but a lot of expense.

Thank you for your input.

[airstreambob]

Well, things went amazingly well. Truck and trailer went up, down and all around Colorado without any issue or drama. Climbed 9 mountain passes over 11000' feet with the Colorado/25' Flying Cloud. Observed coolant and transmission temps well within range (Max of 240 and 248 respectively)and pulled at speed. More than once I saw 4500-5000RPM uphill, but the Colorado never complained and just did it as SYC2Vette said it would. Fuel economy per tank full ranged from a low of 11.3 MPG, pulling against 30-40MPH Headwinds across Kansas at 65MPH, to 15.2 MPG pulling across the same highways in Kansas, but with a strong 20-25MPH tail wind. Overall, mileage for the entire trip was 13.6 MPH. I did see a few instant readings on some of the climbs in the 6-7MPG range. Never felt like It was wanting for power in the mountains. But that 30-40MPH headwind at 65MPH had to be done in 4th gear. I barely kept the rig under my GCWR of 12000 at an actual of 11890, and my axle weights on the truck were well under their ratings, but the truck itself exceeded it's GVWR of 6000 pounds by 53 pounds going down the road with full fuel. It was interesting that after burning/consuming my 16 pound bag of charcoal and 6 bundles of kiln dried firewood, which were in the bed at initial weigh in, as well as burning up a 20 pound tank of propane in the truck bed, the truck managed to lose 61 pounds. So, as many have pointed out, with only 1590 pounds of payload in the truck, It's pretty easy to crush GVWR. I was comparing my trucks payload with a Silverado 1500 crew cab with the 5.3 V-8, and it had nearly 200 pounds LESS capacity than the Colorado, but with a higher GVWR (bigger truck weighs more)