Taking delivery of a 30' Airstream with a F250

[Tino643]

Hello, I will take delivery of my 30' Airstream in about 4 weeks at Colonial Airstream. I will order a Propride to install on my trailer. Like I said in other post, Colonial charge me 500$ for the installation. The 500$ border me a little bit, but the quality of the installation border my a lot. I install my pp in my other Airstream and it is easy. I read a lot of comment, not whit Colonial, but other dealer, that installation of hitch was not good. So my idea is to rent a F250 to take delivery. My question is can i tow my Airstream whit the F250 whit no WD? The Aistream will it be to heavy on the back of the truck? Thanks

[xrvr]

For the cost of the rental and the risk of towing without WD, I would let the dealer install it. You seem to know the correct installation, so watch them if you can and see if it is done correctly. They are a very reputable dealer, I would trust them. Jim

[SteveH]

Don't know how far you have to tow to get the trailer home, but I've towed a 30 footer on just a ball with a 2500 GMC about 250 miles to get the trailer home without problems. However, I took it real easy, kept my speed down, and it was not something that I would recommend.

[Tuco]

I am assuming this trailer is used? Ask the PO if he has the hitch for the trailer so you can get it home. Then use the F250 as intended. After you have it home install the PP yourself and save the $500.

[dbj216]

I'll bet that Classic 30 will have a tongue weight over 1000lbs. That load on the rear of the F-250 will make it squat down some. Colonial maybe can recommend some weight balancing tricks like filling a water tank that might be behind the axles. Or, you could put your in-laws in the front seats with you to add weight to the front of the truck.

Okay, we have all seen hard working contractors pulling their skid steers, mini excavators, tractors or other equipment with NO weight distribution or sway control. Just drop that heavy trailer on the ball of their pick up and go with the headlights pointing at the top of the trees.

So I should think you can pull your new Airstream home without the ProPride mounted. Just drive carefully and slowly, especially down hills and in cross winds.

David

[J. Morgan]

I doubt that the dealer will screw up the installation, and even if they do, it is all bolt on and can be easily fixed.

I installed my Hensley, it isn't rocket science by any stretch.

[J. Morgan]

Since I got my Hensley I have been paying attention to trailers going down the 20 mile stretch of I-30 between my house and work.

The vast majority of these trailers are being towed on the ball with nothing else, no WD, no sway control.

I am not making a recommendation, just a statement, I towed my 6,500 lb 31 footer with my 1/2 ton on the ball only for over a year, I just drove cool.

Sixty MPH and under was no problem.

[SteveH]

Assuming the OP is taking the trailer to the location in his signature, I checked on MapQuest and he has about 430 miles to go straight up thru New York state. I've been in that area, and know you really can't travel very fast on those roads, but the bad part is the roads are sort of hilly and curvy, not like the roads in the South, so....

The worst thing about installing a ProPride IMHO is handling the weight of the thing till you get the main body of the hitch attached to the ball. All total a ProPride weighs over 200 lbs. I always used a floor jack to lift it and roll it around.

[J. Morgan]

That is how I installed my HA. I am way past the age of holding stuff like that in the air for the exercise...

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

That is how I installed my HA. I am way past the age of holding stuff like that in the air for the exercise...

Yep, you and me both....one back surgery already and daily anti-inflammatory drugs, but I'm still kicking.

[Airrogant]

I wouldn't rent the truck. I think you might be asking for a white-knuckled ride home from NJ if you attempt this.

I would pay the $500 for the install. Tell Colonial that you are going to report on the quality of the install that you have them do Let them know that more than a few people are going to read about your experience. It doesn't need to sound like a threat. Just an off-handed comment to the Service Manager. Then tell your salesman that there is a guy near Chicago who will be buying a new trailer from them in the future ONLY if they get your job done right.

[KJRitchie]

You spend big bucks on a 30ft Airstream and you are worrying about $500? Life's too short.

[dkottum]

Kelvin, I just have to say pinching $500 along the way allowed us to buy a new Airstream, cash up front.

A little here and there adds up.

[Tino643]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

You spend big bucks on a 30ft Airstream and you are worrying about $500? Life's too short.

I not worry about the 500$, i worry about quality work...

[dbj216]

Ya know Tino643, I think renting a F-250 for that many miles will cost more than having Colonial install your ProPride. I understand you are a perfectionists. The ProPride is straight forward in its installation. Colonial will do just fine. I can even do it!

Then you can pull your new Airstream home with your Grand Cherokee.

David

[KJRitchie]

Get 'em to throw in a Equalizer, take it back home and install your PP yourself. Sell the Equalizer online and get some money back. If Colonial can't install the PP hitch then who can. You are worrying too much.

[Tino643]

Ya maybe i worry to much...Thanks for all the advise. I think i will go for the installation by them. But for the record, 500$ still expensif....

[Skater]

Many rental places won't let you tow your trailer with their truck...check before you commit to that course.

[cwf]

You know what it takes
To install the PP!!! Take your tools, install, get the dealer to properly tighten the stinger bolts for FREE, then tow your rig home.