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Lucy815 · 09-30-2011, 09:21 AM

This may be redundant, and we know we've looked for this topic before. So, we're asking the owners of a 34' AS, "what's your tow vehicle of choice and why?"

Thanks very much; have a great day,

Lucy749

sandlapper · 09-30-2011, 09:52 AM

Lucy, probably get lots of opinions here. For me, crew cab long bed dual rear wheel desiel. More than needed perhaps but even though the 34 tows like a dream, one never knows where disaster is lurking & the extra stability of the DRW long bed contibutes to peace of mind. I towed for 13 years with the same 3500 Chevy van. 200,000 miles on various trailers. It was a great TV UNTIL I got the truck.

Lucy815 · 10-01-2011, 06:46 AM

Thank you, Sandpiper. The description sounds like what we are looking for, but it would seem my husband and I are just behind the curve. As many folks are selling their diesel trucks with a gazillion miles on the vehicles, dealers are selling trucks for as much as we paid for our first home. The challenge is to find a good one, non-smoker, in still mechanically sound condition......Our hunt continues.

Best,

Lucy749

sandlapper · 10-02-2011, 08:26 AM

Lucy, a bit of a challenge, yes, but not impossible. I found my Dodge via the internet at it's original selling dealer, 25 miles from my house. One owner (80 year old gent), 3o,ooo miles on the Cummins, $25,ooo. No small change but a LOT of tv. Sure does pull our 34 like a dream. Don't give up. John

c_lewis77 · 10-02-2011, 09:12 AM

Lucy: i tow my 34' with a 2000 V10 excursion. It does very well and has lots of room.
The ex is built off the F-250. They dont get beat-up as much as the pick-ups, so you may be able to find a gently used one (gas or diesel) at a reasonable price.
Good luck!

techiej · 10-02-2011, 10:00 AM

I tow with a 2500HD diesel, SRW. Pulls like there's nothing behind it and the stabli-trak & sway control (don't know if these are avaialbel in the DRW) work well with the AS. If you're towing through the mountains there's nothing like a diesel with an exhaust brake to get up & down with ease.

FYI - we have an extended vs. crew cab only because a crew cab wouldn't fit on our garage which is one of the requirements.

c_lewis77 · 10-02-2011, 04:16 PM

...i also forgot to mention that the excursion has a 45 gal fuel tank for extra range. Not having to drag the 34' through a gas station quite as often is nice. I believe the pickups offer the larger fuel tank as an option.

Lucy815 · 10-03-2011, 11:21 AM

Thanks for the towing choices everybody!

Saturday, we drove 190mi round-trip to "see" four possibilities; not enough space to describe right now. However, we expect to see two more at two different dealers tomorrow, and so, we remain hopeful. Undoubtedly, we'll find a good one, it's just taking much longer these days than it did even three years ago. And, OMG, the prices on new trucks!!! Scary. Very scary!

I'll keep you in the loop as we track "her" down.

pappy19 · 10-07-2011, 07:23 PM

You can lease a new, 2011 F-250 gas for less money per month than buying a used diesel and not have all the issues and maintenance costs of a diesel. PM me and I can show you that leasing is sooo much better than buying and a better deal in the end.

Pap

Lucy815 · 10-12-2011, 03:38 PM

Hi all....it would seem exhaustion is setting in! We have searched, researched, touched, looked, pinched, driven, and in some cases driven more trucks in the past 8 weeks than could fill a lot at a Midwest Auto Auction! DRW's, SRW's, 250's, 3500's, 4x4's, those "armoralled-to-the-9's" and many which "haven't seen a shower ever"!! We visited the most recent find yesterday evening; today we made an offer on this wheeled beast, so in the car buying game, now we wait.

As soon as land our new tow vehicle, we'll happily share new photos. Thank you all for your wealth of knowledge; in addition to our research, your experiences have aided our selections.

Hope to meet you down the road,

Lucy749

slowmover · 10-12-2011, 06:41 PM

You are doing it the right way, and keep on till the right one is available.

GinMame · 10-12-2011, 07:41 PM

Hi Lucy749,

I think that your doing it the correct way, keep on looking until you find what you like. However (and this may be a really stupid question), but once you decide on the general model and options, why not just order one from the dealer equipped the way that you want it? That is what Mrs GinMame and I are doing. My problem is that while I have the general specs, I can't make up my mind between a GMC Sierra 2500HD Diesel and a Ford F250 PSD. I was all set on the Ford, but then my mechanic highly recommended the GM diesels for their Allison transmissions. So I went and test drove the GMC version and liked it, but Mrs. GinMame thinks that it sounds too much like a "truck" and felt that the Ford was quieter.

Which ever truck you decide, good have fun with it and explore!

Happy Airstreaming,
GinMame (Rion & Nobuko)

GinMame · 10-13-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GinMame

Which ever truck you decide, good have fun with it and explore!

Ok, so when I wrote this last night, apparently I couldn't proof read worth a darn.

What I meant to say was, "go have fun". Geez, is it Oct. 17th yet? I'm tired of everyday being a Monday.

Happy Airstreaming Lucy749.

Cheers,
Rion

Lucy815 · 10-13-2011, 07:27 PM

We found her!! Our new ride is a two tone, exceptionally well-cared for, rarely driven, 2008 Ford F-350 diesel crew 4x4 DWR; she will safely tow LucyII. If we could have ordered a truck, this truck would be exactly what we hoped to find for a price we could afford, and we feel so fortunate; we're thrilled. In addition, we can now travel wherever we want regardless of grade or descent; in face, were it not raining now and forecast for the next several days, we'd pack and leave now. Tonight, we celebrate!

Two more very content, excited campers!

Thanks for taking this shopping journey with us. Hope we meet down the road,

Lucy749

slowmover · 10-14-2011, 12:42 AM

Pleased you have found what you wanted. I recommend, strongly, that you acquaint yourselves with your new tow vehicle by reading on one of the Ford Truck enthusiast boards. All the brands have some maintenance/repair issues in re reliability & repairs. Some problems are quite serious ($$). Best to know what to look for, and what the fixes may be ahead of time.

Maybe one of the Ford guys will chime in with the best board upon which to read.

xrvr · 10-14-2011, 04:36 AM

Good choice. Get it set up and GO! jim

GinMame · 10-14-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy749

We found her!! Our new ride is a two tone, exceptionally well-cared for, rarely driven, 2008 Ford F-350 diesel crew 4x4 DWR; she will safely tow LucyII. If we could have ordered a truck, this truck would be exactly what we hoped to find for a price we could afford, and we feel so fortunate; we're thrilled. In addition, we can now travel wherever we want regardless of grade or descent; in face, were it not raining now and forecast for the next several days, we'd pack and leave now. Tonight, we celebrate!

Two more very content, excited campers!

Thanks for taking this shopping journey with us. Hope we meet down the road,

Lucy749

Congratulations on finding your perfect fit! Enjoy camping!

GinMame