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DL46 · 08-24-2010, 11:01 AM

I'm in the process of buying a 2005 AS Classic 30" with SO. The GVWR is 9100. Need to buy a new truck for towing. I'm assuming a 3/4 T diesel based on trailer weight. Several friends here have suggested the Chev Silverado 2500, GMC 2500 Sierra/Denali with Duramax/Allison and 13,000 towing capacity, or, Ford F250 with 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 and 14,000 towing capacity. Will probably go for crew cab, short bed and 2WD.
Thanks for any recommendations based on your personal experience.
David

4RXLA · 08-24-2010, 11:11 AM

I agree with your friends. A V10 Ford gasser will also work if you are uncomfortable with diesel.

Kyle · 08-24-2010, 03:01 PM

You should be ok with one of the new GM or Ford 3/4 tons. The payload capacity is what I would pay attention to, and probably spend the $9 to weigh one prior to purchase. It looks like the tongue weight is 1125 lbs (dry and unloaded). The payload of the GMs you mention is about 3300, prior to options, fuel, passengers and anything you put in the bed. It all adds up quick. One member here found his new Ford weighed ~900 lbs more than the sticker due to options. My '06 Ram is over the sticker as well.

Good luck, it should be a nice trailer.

Airstream01 · 08-24-2010, 04:08 PM

Late model 3/4 ton or better chassis with diesel powerplant. /thread

AirsDream · 08-24-2010, 05:49 PM

Yup, it's got big tongue weight. 3/4 or one ton and a diesel or V10 should do the job just fine.

If I were you, I'd consider four wheel drive. It adds complexity, weight, cost, maintenance, and might cost a little big in mpg., etc. So: several downsides. But I've several times been in places (including "real" campgrounds) where, due to mud, sand or snow, I would not have gotten in (or perhaps out) without a tow or a wrecker call if I didn't have 4WD. All the torque in the world won't help you move that trailer if you've got wheelspin. Also, a locking rear differential will help a lot in some situations ... at least it will give you 2WD instead of one wheel spinning.

DL46 · 08-25-2010, 09:39 AM

Thanks for the tongue weight and 4WD inputs. Will check on these as I move forward. Thoughts of mud, snow and tow trucks is enough by itself to go for 4WD. Had not thought about the base tongue weight without added fuel, passengers or load. By the time you add fuel and etc it doesn't take much to hit the max.

barts · 08-25-2010, 09:46 AM

We have a 3/4 ton crew cab 4wd; simply a wonderful tow vehicle. However, we do run out of GVW pretty quickly if we're carrying 4 people, tools, etc. I will echo the usefulness of four wheel drive, though; I've had the Tin Pickle in places I'd have been utterly stuck w/ 2wd. Also, by using 4 low w/o the front hubs locked, I can avoid overheating the transmission on steep, slow roads even though they're paved or otherwise don't need 4wd.

- Bart

purman · 08-25-2010, 12:44 PM

We have been looking at trucks because in about two years we are looking to buy one. I like the Ford over the rest. My farther in law has a dodge and it works well but has its problems. Our neighbor has a two year old Ford and loves it. Other factor for me is Ford didn't take all that bail out money. In my mind thats worth giving them my business. Why would I want to give money to a company that couldn't run its self and then used my tax money to bail it's self out and spend it on commercials. NO THANKS>

4RXLA · 08-25-2010, 04:07 PM

I bought a 4WD V10 because it was there were no 2WD V10s left in CA. I otherwise would never have bought a 4WD but now that I have it I love it. I think it costs me about 1-2MPG but is worth it.

Ag&Au · 08-25-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DL46

I'm in the process of buying a 2005 AS Classic 30" with SO. The GVWR is 9100. Need to buy a new truck for towing. I'm assuming a 3/4 T diesel based on trailer weight. Several friends here have suggested the Chev Silverado 2500, GMC 2500 Sierra/Denali with Duramax/Allison and 13,000 towing capacity, or, Ford F250 with 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 and 14,000 towing capacity. Will probably go for crew cab, short bed and 2WD.
Thanks for any recommendations based on your personal experience.
David

Well I'm partial to Dodge.

However, I recommend thinking seriously about the 4WD. I have run into several circumstances where you would not need 4WD if not towing, but it became necessary when towing. It usually involved backing uphill in gravel. Although a couple of times involved other slippery surfaces.

Regards,

Ken

Cracker · 08-25-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougsale

I bought a 4WD V10 because it was there were no 2WD V10s left in CA. I otherwise would never have bought a 4WD but now that I have it I love it. I think it costs me about 1-2MPG but is worth it.

You'll love it even more if you're parked on wet grass when making an early morning departure!

fltlevel510 · 08-25-2010, 05:09 PM

DL46,

We have a 2004 30' SO which we purchased new and tow it with a Silverado 3500 Duramax/Allison 6 speed. The truck is a little overkill but does a great job. We travel about 8 months of the year carrying a lot of items in the bed of the truck along with two kayaks strapped on the cab of the truck. We currently have a little over 90K miles on the truck, and 35k pulling the Airstream. Generally we get 20mpg without the AS and 15mpg towing the AS. We have had no problems with the stiff ride that some folks seem to worry about. Be sure to do your homework on the best hitch and the correct hitch setup.

Unless you have a super deal on the 30' SO you may want to consider a straight 31'. We have had our 30'SO six years, and while we thoroughly enjoy it, I do not think there is that much to be gained. Spending long periods at a time in the AS the slide does give you somewhat a feeling of more room. However, everything is built right to the limit. Check the weight limits for your axels. Many of the early models were equipped with 4400# axels and it was assumed the tongue weight would absorb the additional 300#. Also if you check the aluminum wheels you will find that at max inflation they are rated at 2350# and of course most of the D load rated tires are 2500#. With the SO model you loose a lot of overhead storage along with a credenza and there is some dead space between the slide and the microwave cabinet just so the slide can operate freely. Most importantly the AS has to be very level and stabilizer jacks down to operate the slide. We have never had a mechanical problem with ours - knock on wood - but I know several people who have had electrical problems along with some mechanical problems. Just some food for thought

boondockdad · 11-10-2010, 11:03 AM

I think our '05 Suburban 8.1L, 4x4, 2500 makes an outstanding tow vehicle for our 30' S/O.
One key upgrade was the hitch receiver- OEM is inadequate.

Smooth, quiet, roomy, even with the 3.73 rear, never lacking for power

nswhite · 11-10-2010, 11:15 AM

Recommend 4x4 just in case.

Unfortunately, they don't make the Suburban with the 8.1L.

boondockdad · 11-10-2010, 11:32 AM

4x4, absolutely.
Been in plenty of SP, and the best sites are always pull through beach sand

Too bad the 496 is no longer an option- it's a monster.. never wanting for power

SteveH · 11-10-2010, 08:11 PM

I traded our '07 1/2 ton gasser for an '08 3/4 ton GMC Diesel last December. The truck was used. I can tell you Diesels are expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, the fuel is more expensive, they make more noise, the fuel stinks, and there are more things to service. But, when you hook up to the trailer and take off, you forget about all that and just enjoy the effortless ride. Nothing beets the torque of a Diesel.

Our truck is 4WD, and the first 4WD I've had for towing. Went on a long trip last summer (14,000+ miles) to Alaska, have been to several rallys in the area, and other than checking the 4WD when I got the truck, have never used it. Also never needed it with any of the other tow vehicles I've owned. Not to say I never will, but just have not needed it.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

JimW · 11-10-2010, 09:00 PM

DL46-

I wish we had an opportunity to purchase an '05 30 footer with SO. But, we are very happy with our 1997, 30' Classic Limited. We searched and looked for a couple of years to find our trailer and and finally found our dream. We now plan to live full time in it.

Regarding TV's, particularly pulling TT's with tongue weights that yours has, more is better. Skip the gassers. Everyone with the V10 will state it is a great engine then go into the terrible gas mileage they are famous for. Think diesel, just compare the torque versus any gasser. Ignore costs, I suspect they come out somewhat even, but it's about quality of travel life. The diesels pull effortlessly, shift far less frequently, and have the reserve power to pass when necessary.

JimW

silversled · 03-10-2011, 01:31 AM

Does anyone leave the 4X4 engaged all the time while pulling the trailer? I was talking to a salesman and he said he pulls his airstream with the 4X4 on at all times. He said it gives him a sense of more control. Anyone else heard or does this?

Mikethefixit · 03-10-2011, 02:22 AM

Our 2001 Ford w/7.3 diesel has almost 90k miles.Two batteries a water pump and brakes pads.Thats it for 10 years of service. I have done all my own maintenance. Its expensive YES, would I buy the same truck again YES. Everyone has thier own favorites. I prefer the LONG BED Crew cab because of the longer wheel base and thus a better ride over the short bed. Fuel mileage towin is about 16 mpg. NOT bad for an almost 14k lb rig.
IF ya like quiet Id go with DURAMAX and Allision. Dodge with the Cummins has become quieter but still louder that the FORD.
At any rate you have to pick your favorite and what you will be satisfied with 10 yrs down the road. OH our F350 is now 10 yrs old. I didnt buy 4 WD and In the 10 yrs I have not gotten into a situation where thought I need it.

Bill M. · 03-10-2011, 07:31 AM

I do not know what kind of vehicle your salseman has that lets him run in 4 wheel drive all the time. Maybe a set of warn hubs. maybe one of the full time 4 wheel drives on a SUV. 4 wheel driveon my truck and I think most trucks depends upon the wheels being able to slip to even up the differences in rolling distance between the wheels. Running a standard 4 wheel drive in 4 wheel on pavement pulling a trailer will rip out the drive system pretty quickly. some people do put on hubs so that they can back and park in 4 wheel low range with only the rear wheels turning.
I drive a 2007 Dodge 3/4 ton diesel and love it. Not as good a vehicle as the ford or gm, but still a darn nice towing machine. New, with a big budget, I would look at the new ford and gmc. I think you should get a 350 or 3500.

I have used 4 wheel drive once while towing. In Yellowstone I pulled over too far in a rest area stop and found I was in a gravel bar instead of the parking lot. Thank goodness for 4 w, low range. That was the happiest 15 feet I have driven when it came out. lots of people like a van or surbaban. I like the pickup with a low bet cover better. drive it everyday and like being able to see behind me.