New - Need tow vehicle advice

[HappiGeek]

In the next year I'm planning to buy a truck to tow an under 30" Airstream. Unsure if I want the TradeWinds or other Airstream trailer. I know some are very passionate about diesel but for many reasons I don't want to deal with them. I expect to live full time in the Airstream for about 2-3 years. I plan to travel a lot on the West Coast of the US so occasionally travelling in higher elevations. I don't mind going a little slower using a gasser at higher elevations. With all the recalls, engine options I'm truly confused as to what truck would fit my needs. I fully expect to need a 3/4-ton truck, ideally slightly used and not too expensive. I've been driving a Prius for the past 20 years. I have towed twice for moves across country but pretty new to trucks in general. Advice would be welcome.

[Andy543]

Originally Posted by HappiGeek

In the next year I'm planning to buy a truck to tow an under 30" Airstream. Unsure if I want the TradeWinds or other Airstream trailer. I know some are very passionate about diesel but for many reasons I don't want to deal with them. I expect to live full time in the Airstream for about 2-3 years. I plan to travel a lot on the West Coast of the US so occasionally travelling in higher elevations. I don't mind going a little slower using a gasser at higher elevations. With all the recalls, engine options I'm truly confused as to what truck would fit my needs. I fully expect to need a 3/4-ton truck, ideally slightly used and not too expensive. I've been driving a Prius for the past 20 years. I have towed twice for moves across country but pretty new to trucks in general. Advice would be welcome.

You are right. You need a 3/4 ton truck. The big 3 (Ford, GM and RAM) are all pretty much the same, so get which ever strikes your fancy. They will all do the job.

[jeffmc306]

HappiGeek, I agree with Andy, if you start with a 3/4 ton truck you’ll avoid any payload anxiety with a lighter truck (or SUV). And, a gas truck will give you an additional 900 lbs of payload over a diesel plus less initial cost (at least $10K) and lower maintenance costs.

I wanted a diesel but was talked out of it by the RAM Truck specialist at the dealer when he asked me how much our 27’ trailer weighed. He said unless it weighs over 10,000 lbs, the gas truck will do the job.

In the 5+ years we’ve towed in the Rocky and Smokey Mountains and everything in between and never felt like we didn’t have enough power. As much as I wanted the diesel, I’m thankful for the sage advice of the RAM specialist. YMMV

[AgBullet]

Politely suggest you use the search engine on the forums to research this topic. So much has been written about this topic that I'm sure you'll be able make an informed decision without rehashing the X vs. Y of make/model/size/powertrain.

[HappiGeek]

Originally Posted by Andy543

You are right. You need a 3/4 ton truck. The big 3 (Ford, GM and RAM) are all pretty much the same, so get which ever strikes your fancy. They will all do the job.

Thanks for the advice. Of the big 3, are any more reliable than the others? I was even considering the Toyota Tundra but think I'll stick with the "big 3" :-)

[SafariSS]

Keep in mind the "Big 3" are where you have to get a 3/4" ton truck The Tundra is really a 1/2 ton truck. Also they have been at the center of an unfortunate recall with replacing engines. There will be many 1 and 2 year old Tundras that have had replaced engines and I would not want a "new" vehicle that had undergone major surgery!

GMC/Chevrolet 6.6 liter gas has been a solid engine, no recalls and cast iron block is a plus.

[tominphx]

Recall on 877,000 units, be careful with a preowned purchase!

Cheers, Tom

[Jim J]

I have a 30 ft Airstream that I have towed with a Ram 1500 Gas and a Ram 2500 Diesel. I moved up to the 2500 to get more payload.

The 1500 had a payload of 1500 lb. Which I was consistently over by 100 lb with the 30 ft Airstream, WD hitch, two passengers and whatever I put in the back of the truck.

To be safe on Payload you need something that will carry over 1700 lb.

The 1500 had a lot of sag in the rear with the trailer attached so I added air bag helper springs to level out the truck, The 2500 model does not need these.

The 1500 had a 3.92 to 1.0 rear axle which worked fine,. This is useful when climbing mountains and keeps your engine RPM's down about 500 RPM lower. Expect your gas engine truck to shift down to lower gears going up hills. The engine RPM will increase as the transmission shifts down and you maintain speed . A higher numerically rear axle ratio reduces the need to downshift so quickly.

Get a locking rear differential (or four wheel drive if you want that More $$, & Lbs).

Get the HD trailer tow package and extra cooling.

Do not get a sunroof. They reduce payload and leak water when it is wet.

My Gas truck got lower fuel mileage when towing but the fuel cost was lower so it cost about the same per mile when towing.

THe 1500 ride and handling is more carlike than the 2500.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by Andy543

You are right. You need a 3/4 ton truck. The big 3 (Ford, GM and RAM) are all pretty much the same, so get which ever strikes your fancy. They will all do the job.

What he said. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[waninae39]

according to Andy at canam, most high end suv are better the most 150/1500 trucks
read his posts and listen to him on most rv shows

[Daquenzer]

If you are going to live full time in AS, then at minimum a 3/4 ton. And this is someone that tows with an F150. But I am a short tripper 3 or 4 times a year. The RAM has the more tested 6.4L Hemi when I looked at them a few years back. I drove one and it was pretty good. The 7.3 L F250 is a beast but had some engine issues. Those may have been solved. It is a beast of an engine.

[Andy543]

Originally Posted by waninae39

according to Andy at canam, most high end suv are better the most 150/1500 trucks
read his posts and listen to him on most rv shows

I agree that the high end SUVs, i.e., the European SUVs (Porsche, MB, VW, etc.) are better than a half ton pickup, but to safely pull a 30' Airstream you really need something heavier with a longer wheel base, like a 3/4 ton pickup.

[Ginophiles]

After 11 years with a diesel, we recently went to a 3/4 ton gasser, a RAM with a 6.4. Yesterday was the first time towing the 30' AS with the new truck from Northern California through central Oregon, so mostly up hill.

While we miss the grunt of the diesel, the new gasser did just fine. It obviously revs up a lot more pulling hills, but if you've never towed with a diesel, you wouldn't know the difference. We also miss the exhaust break, but we don't miss it $10k worth.

The mileage thing is a wash for the most part money wise. Diesels get better mileage, but it's more expensive. The difference is in range. RAMs all have 31 gallon tanks, so when you're pulling hills with a gasser getting 9ish mpg, you're going to stop for gas more often.

If money were no object, I'd still go diesel, but budgets are always part of the compromise and with Airstreams being lighter than other brands for their giving size, our gas truck seems to work just fine.

Good luck with your plans!

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Ginophiles

After 11 years with a diesel, we recently went to a 3/4 ton gasser, a RAM with a 6.4. Yesterday was the first time towing the 30' AS with the new truck from Northern California through central Oregon, so mostly up hill.

While we miss the grunt of the diesel, the new gasser did just fine. It obviously revs up a lot more pulling hills, but if you've never towed with a diesel, you wouldn't know the difference. We also miss the exhaust break, but we don't miss it $10k worth.

The mileage thing is a wash for the most part money wise. Diesels get better mileage, but it's more expensive. The difference is in range. RAMs all have 31 gallon tanks, so when you're pulling hills with a gasser getting 9ish mpg, you're going to stop for gas more often.

If money were no object, I'd still go diesel, but budgets are always part of the compromise and with Airstreams being lighter than other brands for their giving size, our gas truck seems to work just fine.

Good luck with your plans!

Pretty accurate here ^^^ I would say.

For a 30’ TT, I’d get a nice used Ram 2500 gas. I liked my Cummins 2500, but the diesel wasn’t worth it, imo.

But tbh if I was going full time, I’d get a 25’ trailer. That’s what we bought last year after owning four AS trailers between 23 and 30. We finally got it right on the fifth one.

[JJTX]

You must select your TRAILER first. Then after that you can properly tow it with something.

Anything 25 foot and larger needs a 2500 Truck frame. Nobody will change my mind on this.

You will get other opinions, but theres no comparison between any 1500 and 2500 truck frame's capability. It's very easy to overwhelm any 1500 frame with 25+ foot travel trailers of any brand when the 2500 even gas model will be far superior experience.

There are used trucks in the 2500 frame that are way better options than any new 1500.

Good luck and have fun and dont tow at capacity!

[BGClassic]

Late in 2021, we decided to go full time, and located our Classic 33, and ordered a truck for it. We did change our minds about full-timing, but are very satisfied with our diesel F-350 long bed. We made the trip to Alaska and back last year without any issues. We camp at Harvest Hosts.

A friend has a 29 foot Rockwood that weighs less than our Classic, and originally towed it with a Chevy 2500 gasser. After one trip out west, he ordered a 2500 diesel. He said he had to floor the truck on the grades out west to keep speed.

He had initially steered me to the Ford 7.3 gas Godzilla, but with the engine issues, I'm glad I went with the diesel. I won't be doing this forever, so I made the decision for this portion of my life.

[SuperTrouper]

I'm stuck in the stone ages with a 7.3 diesel Excursion but sine the question came up, I went to my buddy ChatGPT 4.0 and asked: "Of the big three American truck makers, which 3/4 ton truck is the most reliable for late model vehicles". The answer:

Reliability Summary (Late Model, ~2020–2024)

Manufacturer Model Powertrain Noted Strengths Reliability Ranking

GM Silverado 2500HD / Sierra 2500HD 6.6L Duramax diesel (w/ Allison 10-speed) Excellent engine/transmission pairing, strong reliability record, low DEF/emissions issues compared to others #1

Ford F-250 Super Duty 6.7L Power Stroke diesel Powerful, great towing, lots of tech; some issues with turbo actuator and EGR on newer models #2

Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 6.7L Cummins diesel Solid engine, great ride with rear coil springs, but more issues with electronics and emissions #3

Common Reliability Considerations
GM (Duramax/Allison): Known for high durability, fewer emissions system issues, and very good transmission reliability (especially post-2020 models with the new 10-speed Allison).

Ford (Power Stroke): Strong engine but has had sporadic issues with sensors, turbo actuators, and DEF systems in late models. Still a solid second choice.

Ram (Cummins): Legendary engine, but post-2020 models have been dinged for electrical gremlins, infotainment bugs, and more frequent EGR/DPF issues.

[SunchaserV]

Regarding diesels, on our new F250 we got a three year extended warranty, taking us to 6 years. Plus, we knocked about $10K off the sticker. One can do the same with gas.

In either case if one is anal about maintenance your odds of a successful ownership increase greatly. Regarding legacy issues with either, a new diesel or gas engine has most of the kinks worked out.

But, I'd not buy a new GM gasser until the current spate of failures are in the review mirror.

[goldenchase]

Given all the roll backs in EPA and CAFE regulations currently underway in Washington this is a tough time to buy a truck. Trucks will be much better in a year or so as these regulatory changes filter down to the assembly line.

Ford is hinting at a SuperDuty HEV for 2026. If this happens it will be a perfect fit for the bigger trailers and 5th wheels since it will have a built in inverter generator like the current F-150 PowerBoost.

[Andy543]

Originally Posted by goldenchase

Given all the roll backs in EPA and CAFE regulations currently underway in Washington this is a tough time to buy a truck. Trucks will be much better in a year or so as these regulatory changes filter down to the assembly line.

I think you're right. Elimination of CAFE credits will make gasoline/diesel vehicles thousands of dollars cheaper. I also look forward to modifications in exhaust treatment regulations, particularly, the elimination of the DEF 500 mile countdown to limp mode.