Towing Classic 33

[y_w8]

Who’s towing a later model Classic 33 with a 3/4 ton TV? Looking at the possibility of upgrading from a 27 International. Don’t want to upgrade my TV (‘21 F250 Diesel) unless absolutely necessary. Looking for inputs from those with this combination.
Thanks!

[jeffb831]

Any 3/4 ton truck is ok for any AS. Most 3/4 ton trucks have a towing capacity of over 15,000# and the heaviest AS is only around 10,000#. The conventional towing capacity only increases by ~1,000# when going to a 1 ton diesel truck.

[Wazbro]

Like most Airstream towing questions it comes down to payload (some people say they are close towing with a loaded diesel F250). No doubt with an empty truck, just the driver no problem. The question you should be asking is "What is the ready to camp tongue weight for a later model Classic 33?".

My guess is if you have 300lbs left in payload it wont be a problem, it's possible your 27' might even have the heavier tongue weight.

[BGClassic]

F250 diesels run out of payload quickly due to the engine weight. That's why I ordered a F350 CCLB, payload is 4200 lbs. I have an ARE topper, bedside, and carry over 500 lbs of gear in the bed, tools, two people and a dog in the cab.

The Classic 33 tongue weight is ~1400 lbs.

The math, and the CAT scale don't lie.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by BGClassic

F250 diesels run out of payload quickly due to the engine weight. That's why I ordered a F350 CCLB, payload is 4200 lbs. I have an ARE topper, bedside, and carry over 500 lbs of gear in the bed, tools, two people and a dog in the cab.

The Classic 33 tongue weight is ~1400 lbs.

The math, and the CAT scale don't lie.

Darn I should have said 400lbs of payload available when towing the 27'.
Still payload is the deciding factor.

[Oillie2024]

I tow our 2020 30ft classic with a 2022 f350 6.7 powerstroke. Have no problems. The only difference between a 250 and a 350 is the overload spring.

[FMSports]

Just did 4000km, 2 months, Vancouver BC, to Bend, Crater Lake, Grass valley, then down and back up the I5 (from Pismo). 2021 30ft Classic with a RAM 1500 diesel "Classic" as well.

Had my foot in it too, to make it back for Taylor Swift The I5 and related terrain is a demanding route. We hit lots of steep grades.

My conclusion is the entire AS line is 1/2 ton towable or doable. The 33 is a 1.5' longer and same 10K max load. So a 250 truck should be no problem. And tongue weight is a good thing. On emptied propane tanks and f/water tanks empty, it moved around more.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by FMSports

Just did 4000km, 2 months, Vancouver BC, to Bend, Crater Lake, Grass valley, then down and back up the I5 (from Pismo). 2021 30ft Classic with a RAM 1500 diesel "Classic" as well.

Had my foot in it too, to make it back for Taylor Swift The I5 and related terrain is a demanding route. We hit lots of steep grades.

My conclusion is the entire AS line is 1/2 ton towable or doable. The 33 is a 1.5' longer and same 10K max load. So a 250 truck should be no problem. And tongue weight is a good thing. On emptied propane tanks and f/water tanks empty, it moved around more.

Just wondering what your payload rating is on the doorpost sticker on that 1500.

[wilsodf]

We have a 2020 Ford F350 Powerstroke.

The 350's have the extra leaf spring in the rear, but also have a higher rated rear axle.

Our 350 is the Lariat and has almost every option available and it takes a hit on payload. Our payload is 3,343 lbs.

We are towing a 30 ft International and it is a perfect set up. We love the diesel brakes in the mountains as well.

The one upgrade we did to our truck was install a S&B Filters fuel tank in place of the original. This gives us 60 gal vs the factory tank at 34 gal.

Good luck in your search.

[FMSports]

Originally Posted by Bobbo

Just wondering what your payload rating is on the doorpost sticker on that 1500.

RAM1500 2015 is 7000 lb rated truck. The sticker is 1050# but I think that incl 300 for passengers.

Mine is around 6000lbs, full fuel and me in it. So add everything up as travelling I goto 7K lbs and with the trailer (<9K) I'm close to rated combined too.

My RAM is upgraded and I would argue better than a stock 2500 for performance and handling

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by FMSports

RAM1500 2015 is 7000 lb rated truck. The sticker is 1050# but I think that incl 300 for passengers.

Mine is around 6000lbs, full fuel and me in it. So add everything up as travelling I goto 7K lbs and with the trailer (<9K) I'm close to rated combined too.

My RAM is upgraded and I would argue better than a stock 2500 for performance and handling

I too am suspicious about the RAM 1500 towing anything larger than a 25' AS due to tongue weight and overall handling. Typically both RAM and Toyota have very "light" "payload" numbers, unless perhaps ordering from the Mfg. with all the towing capabilities. Your number of 1050 for payload does "not" include passenger nor driver; payload is everything in the bed and all passengers. It's a not to exceed number....even though many may not care....it is the recommended limit for that vehicle. What ever folks do to "enhance" the Mfg. characteristics of said vehicle, does not in anyway, replace the original limits, should something happen. Be safe out there...

[FMSports]

From chart crew 5'7" and 4x4 = 1340lbs
I do think the Canadian decals have passenger load factored in.

Doesn't matter tho, what the for-ocd's-sticker says. Total weight counts on performance and it handles great, lots of power at GCW 15.5K lbs. Im around 280HP with the tune

Note that some diesel pushers are 38K lbs only have 360hp!!

[jcl]

Originally Posted by FMSports

From chart crew 5'7" and 4x4 = 1340lbs
I do think the Canadian decals have passenger load factored in.

Doesn't matter tho, what the for-ocd's-sticker says. Total weight counts on performance and it handles great, lots of power at GCW 15.5K lbs. Im around 280HP with the tune

Note that some diesel pushers are 38K lbs only have 360hp!!

Canadian standards for GVWR (Transport Canada, and in BC, CVSE) are harmonized with the US DOT and FMVSS. No allowance is included for driver or passenger.

Tow ratings that use the SAE tow standard include 150 lbs for each of driver and passenger. That is only for the tow rating, not the vehicle load ratings.

[wilsodf]

Our 2014 FC 27 has a tongue weight of 1200lbs. I would assume the 2023 Globetrotter would have at least that. We used to tow our 27 with a 2017 Ford Expedition that was rated at 9300 lbs max tow and 930 tongue weight.

When we actually weighed the tongue and saw 1200lbs, we sold the SUV and brought the F350.

With 1050lbs payload capacity, I bet the tongue weight alone puts you over that.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by FMSports

From chart crew 5'7" and 4x4 = 1340lbs
I do think the Canadian decals have passenger load factored in.

Doesn't matter tho, what the for-ocd's-sticker says. Total weight counts on performance and it handles great, lots of power at GCW 15.5K lbs. Im around 280HP with the tune

Note that some diesel pushers are 38K lbs only have 360hp!!

You can do whatever you want, of course, but I bet if you weighed your rig when kitted out for a trip, you would find that your truck is significantly over its GVWR. I say that having had an F150 with a 27' Flying Cloud and going over as I loaded up. The power was still sufficient, but I was starting to exceed the GVWR and I was not keen to do that when driving with my grandkids.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by y_w8

Who’s towing a later model Classic 33 with a 3/4 ton TV? Looking at the possibility of upgrading from a 27 International. Don’t want to upgrade my TV (‘21 F250 Diesel) unless absolutely necessary. Looking for inputs from those with this combination.
Thanks!

You dont need to upgrade a F250 Diesel. It will be just fine.

[FMSports]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

You can do whatever you want, of course, but I bet if you weighed your rig when kitted out for a trip, you would find that your truck is significantly over its GVWR. I say that having had an F150 with a 27' Flying Cloud and going over as I loaded up. The power was still sufficient, but I was starting to exceed the GVWR and I was not keen to do that when driving with my grandkids.

I have the https://www.haulgauge.com/ and I am quite a bit under the top GCWR for RAM1500, measuring ~ 15K lbs. SAE rating is almost 16K lbs.

When I run a full tank water, I don't really notice much difference other that improved stability on the trailer side, and maybe off-the-line pull.

I've said this before - two axles side by side with 15 or 16" LT tires shouldering 8+K lbs is far more of concern than loading a RAM 1500 to 7K lbs, with much larger tires and distribution.

Truck payload OCD is an internet meme phenomenon divorced from reality.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by FMSports

I have the https://www.haulgauge.com/ and I am quite a bit under the top GCWR for RAM1500, measuring ~ 15K lbs. SAE rating is almost 16K lbs.

When I run a full tank water, I don't really notice much difference other that improved stability on the trailer side, and maybe off-the-line pull.

I've said this before - two axles side by side with 15 or 16" LT tires shouldering 8+K lbs is far more of concern than loading a RAM 1500 to 7K lbs, with much larger tires and distribution.

Truck payload OCD is an internet meme phenomenon divorced from reality.

Like I said; you can do what you want.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

Like I said; you can do what you want.

Reality often blinds the person who is outside MFG limits, as you see here sometimes. As you say, the person who ignores the reality is doing what "they want" without regard to safety, which is in part why there are limits listed on vehicles. You can choose to ignore, but who is OCD? Reality is reality. Be safe out there...your not the only one on the road..

[FMSports]

The reality is 1/2 ton axles are rated for duty to ~4000lbs each. That means the truck can carry 8K lbs. Payload # is de-rated from the max capable because it's a working load that meets all conditions—emergency handling, that sort of thing. There is plenty of engineering margin. But use the suspension as a guide, you don't want to be bottoming out or handle like a slug.

And an upgraded 1/2 ton - shocks, suspension, brakes & tires will outperform a 3/4 ton with factory OEM junk on it. Not all OEM stuff is junk, but the shocks are sourced cheap and tires & brakes you can do better aftermarket too.

European build quality tends to be superior to the North American-spec, however, Ford had Land Rover, and RAM was once owned by Mercedes so that made for the better (engineered) trucks we have today.

As I mentioned what is not misplaced worry is loading on the trailer end. This just popped up on my youtube feed. When was the last time you saw a wheel fly off a truck or SUV? that could kill someone.
https://youtu.be/c7aBOURWYXU?si=URhI6ZSplax_BDL2&t=1691