Tow vehicle for a 2015 25' Flying Cloud

[RDale]

I am getting ready to pick up a new 25' Flying Cloud. We have a 19' Bambi now, that I am pulling with a 2007 Tundra 4.7L without a towing package (6000 lbs tow rating). I don't think that this is going to be enough to tow the new trailer. I probably carry up to 500 lbs in the truck bed plus two people. Any suggestions for a new tow vehicle. 1/2 or 3/4 ton? Gas or Diesel? Needs to be a truck for my other stuff. Thanks for any suggestions.

[tastytreks]

Hi RDale! I just went through a similar [arduous] search for my soon-to-be collected 27' International. I'm not sure if you have poked around the biiiiig tow vehicles thread yet: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...cle-46700.html (I read nearly all 40+ pages of this over the course of a couple of weeks) but there's very useful stuff in there.

I assume you'd plan to buy new or nearly new, given you've got a lovely 2015 AS incoming - ? It might help others who are familiar with the late models available to make suggestions if you mention your planned budget.

Me, I was paying cash for an older one, and I generally like nice, highly-rated-by-Consumer Reports vehicles (and that often tends toward the import realm). But I wanted ample tow capacity (WAY ample!) and my AS has a GVWR of 7,300. I had narrowed my options down to a Tundra with a tow package, a Titan with a tow package, or an S10/Silverado or Ram 1500 with the proper engine capacity needed and an extended/crew/etc. cab (I get a bit claustrophobic in trucks that just have the window behind your headrest). I was very anxious over the reliability ratings of the 'domestic' makers, though, for the specific years I was looking at (late models score much better according to CR). Also, with this as my daily driver too, I really didn't want to move up to 3/4 ton if I could avoid it. I was more or less agnostic on the diesel issue - if one came along, fine; if not, fine too.

I ended up purchasing an Armada today with the tow package. Check Trailer Life's tow guides carefully and don't believe any seller whatsoever about tow capacity claims - verify specs and corresponding power yourself. A 20-year veteran of Nissan sales very nearly sold me an Armada I wouldn't have been able to use. He blustered at me about all his experience and obviously he knew how much it could tow, yada yada yada. Yep, he was WRONG. Thank goodness for the power of the Internets! Saved me from a very expensive mistake.

[moosetags]

We have towed two 25FB's, a 2005 Safari and a 2015 Flying Cloud, for about 130,000 miles. We have had three different tow vehicles. We have towed with a 2004 Suburban 2500, a 2005 Suburban 2500, and a 2011 Silverado 3500 Duramax.

We still have the '05 Suburban and the Silverado. The two Suburbans were satisfactory tow vehicles for the long haul. The Silverado Duramax has been significantly better than the gas three quarter tons. It's not that the Suburbans were bad, the Silverado is just better.

Brian

[KJRitchie]

Plenty of us tow 25's with 2007 - 2015 Tundra 5.7L. The available payload isn't the highest, my 2010 Tundra 5.7L Double Cab 2x4 has a door labeled payload of 1465lbs but it tows my Classic 25fb (GVWR 8000lbs) fine and doesn't seem to mind I'm over payload by a few hundred pounds.

Most 1/2 tons have payload from 1,000lbs to 1800lbs depending on the options. The higher the trim/option level on a vehicle the less payload. I've seen Lariat trim level F250 diesel with a posted payload of only 1770lbs, similar to the F150 3.5L EB Lariat. That diesel engine and equipment to support it is heavy. Gas version was 2400lbs.

I was hot to buy a 2015 Ford F150 with 3.5L Ecoboost but after seeing real world examples I found all the weight saving features promising more payload didn't show up because Ford reduced the GVWR on all these models so you still need to special order one with a HD Payload Package to get around 2000lbs payload.

For now my Tundra is fine and almost paid for.

Kelvin

[aftermath]

I am with Kelvin. Never had any problems with the Tundra 5.7 It pulls all the hills and mountains we aim it at. There are only two of us and we pack the truck relatively light. The Tundra can handle things nicely at its payload capacity and then some. Nice truck. If you like your current Toyota you might be able to trade up. If payload is a big concern then you have many options. I don't automatically buy into the concept that bigger is always better. Good luck in your search.

[Wayne&Sam]

We tow ours with a '12 Durango with a 5.7. Works great for us.


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[m.hony]

Don't get a new tow vehicle. Upgrade your hitch to a Class IV. Any RV or trailer dealer can do this pretty easily.

[photobug47]

Hello RDale. We also went through the decision making process. We just upgraded from 19' Bambi to 27' Serenity. I was towing with 2004 Tahoe. Three things come into play when towing...GVWR/GCWR, hp, and torque. The chassis is rated for the GVWR. It has nothing to do with horsepower or torque. After towing just once now with the 27' and the 2004 Tahoe I realize that even I were on the edge of the rating for GVWR, the horsepower ad torque would be completely inadequate in mountain regions. So I've ordered a GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD with Duramax/Allsion. We considered a 1500 with 6.2L gas and the jump from a 5.3L to a 6.2L is just not high enough. If you drive around enough campsites, you'll see why the majority of larger trailers are towed with diesel engines. The cost of a new diesel is not much different than a 6.2L gas. We also considered the 25' like you are getting and it was only 300 lbs. lighter than the 27'. Even though we have not taken delivery of our diesel yet, after lots and lots of research I can tell you to pick your favorite brand and get their diesel on a 3/4 ton or 1 ton chassis. More than double the torque of a gas engine. If you tow in the Rockies or Sierras, you'll be really glad you went diesel. No one on any blog said they're diesel was underpowered.

[T-SW]

2012 Tundra 4x4 Double cab / 5.7, with off road package, resse weight distribution hitch, towing 23" Safari. Excellent combo. Plenty of go power and stopping, carry about 400# in box. Wouldn't hesitate to pull a 25'.
We bought this truck for towing the Airstream and have no regrets.

[55AS]

You might look at the F150 with 3.5L EB motor. Decent fuel economy and lots of hp/torque for its size. 2014's can be had for a good price right now as they are clearing them out to make room for the aluminum 2015's.

[graysailor]

Strongly recommend the Ford F150, 3.5 Echoboost engine. Tows like a dream. Just be sure and get the package that will give you 1500+ lbs. of payload capacity.

[55AS]

Originally Posted by graysailor

Strongly recommend the Ford F150, 3.5 Echoboost engine. Tows like a dream. Just be sure and get the package that will give you 1500+ lbs. of payload capacity.

Just bought one last week with 1700 lb payload capacity, rear view camera, and built-in trailer brake controller. Total overkill for my 2900 lb FC but should tow it with ease.

[m.hony]

A new hitch can be installed for as little as $350.


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[silverlabs]

We have towed our 25FC with a 2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost and it handled the load very well. We just switched that TV for a 2015 F150 Ecoboost and it handled the load of the 25FC very all also and handled the 28FC nicely on our drive home from the AS dealer. That is as far as we have gone with the new AS but that was a 2 hour drive and we don't anticipate any problems.

[Adam Geuss]

Originally Posted by RDale

I am getting ready to pick up a new 25' Flying Cloud. We have a 19' Bambi now, that I am pulling with a 2007 Tundra 4.7L without a towing package (6000 lbs tow rating). I don't think that this is going to be enough to tow the new trailer. I probably carry up to 500 lbs in the truck bed plus two people. Any suggestions for a new tow vehicle. 1/2 or 3/4 ton? Gas or Diesel? Needs to be a truck for my other stuff. Thanks for any suggestions.

We have 23' '2014 International Serenity and tow with a 2012 Ford 250 crew cab with a 6.7 L Diesel and tow package. The travel and camp ground experience is just super. Loads of power, torque, space, everything. Confidence level high. Sense of security also high. Basically a bit of overkill BUT I like not pushing the "envelope." You can find a TV with less capability and less cost. Your choice and based on $$$$$$. I would want a TV at least 10-15% heavier than the TT and rated to haul at least 10-15% more than the weight of the TT. If $$$$ is not paramount pick a TV that has the qualities you know will give you the sense of security towing you really want to have. If $$$$ are a real issue , compromise. Good luck and congrats on the new Airstream

Oh, I would buy a GMC Tahoe or Chevy Suburban, biggest engine available. In trucks a 2500 minimum with a 5+ liter engine. If I could find a Diesel engine of similar size it would be preferred. Diesel engines are just better towing vehicles than gas.

[ckottum]

Consider adding the tow package to the truck you have and carrying less in the truck bed. We used our 2006 Tundra 4.7 on two cross-country trips when we first bought our FC 25, it did very well. No problems, we traded for another half-ton because we wanted a newer truck.

cheryl

[RDale]

Thanks for all of the information. I am picking up the trailer with my present truck and will still look for a different tow vehicle sometime.
Dale