2024 Classic 30 RB - Hitch and AirSafe Question

[VinitVerma]

Friends:

We just bought a '24 Classic 30RB and a '24 RAM 2500 Diesel Truck.
We are Newbies to the RV life - nervously excited to learn.
Anxious about the towing and reversing!!

Appreciate your guidance on

1) Which Hitch to Buy.
Equal-i-zer with Sway Control
OR
Blue OX with Sway Control

2) Additionally, should we invest in an AirSafe?

Thanks Much.
Vinit

[jeffmc306]

Vinit, congratulations and welcome to the Airstream Community and Forums! I’m sure you’ll get plenty of responses but I’ll share what we use.

For our RAM 2500 and 27’ Globetrotter we have a Blue Ox SwayPro and 1000 lbs bars. Our tongue weigh loaded for camping is around 1100 lbs. I found we can back off the tension on the bars from 3 1/2 links showing to 4 1/2 and still have enough sway reduction. We didn’t need as much weigh transfer and this reduces the stress on the trailer (frame separation more prevalent on FB models).

We’re doing fine without an AirSafe but others find them or something like a Shocker a benefit. They do add weight which can add to your lifting load.

Take your time and practice backing up in an empty parking lot with some cones. It’s a technique you’ll learn over time; we all did.

Good luck on your new journey and don’t be afraid to ask and share your experiences.

[VinitVerma]

Thanks much jeffmc306!

[FMSports]

I just set-up our Classic 30RBT (sold it!) with this RAM Dually today.

Equalizer hitch. I dropped the hitch head a couple of inches, from my Ram 1500 setting, and also dropped the Eq L brackets one hole lower from mid point, with 5 washers for tilt. Ball height was riding around 21" without any payload in the truck.

The RAM 3500 has about 50% less compliance than the 1500 rear suspension. It sags less for sure, but the jack has to work harder to raise the back end for connecting up. I think important to go easy on the WD bars so as to not beat up the trailer.

My trailer has a Curt True Course module, in the event of sway. So electronic sway mitigation vs using janky friction, which doesn't feel right to me.

Therefore, when I set things up, the WDH is for stabilizing the trailer A -frame (greater effective tongue wt) and having a more connected feel when towing.

The Equalizer bars break-in with time, so use them in the same orientation.

I personally don't like the Blue Ox - too springy & the rotation chain locks are weird.

[VinitVerma]

Thanks you so much FMSports!!

[switz]

We tow our 2014 31' Classic (scales 9,200 pounds) using a a ProPride hitch that was upgraded to a new ProPride last year. We tow with (since new) with our 2012 RAM 2500HD Cummins and automatic transmission. The Ram is a dedicated tow vehicle for us, not a daily vehicle. It will tow at the 75 mph interstate speeds. Mostly use 5th gear at speed. On the flats, 6th gear is 65mph at peak torque.

The rig scales just over 19,000 going down the road.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Backing up quite a bit ....

What does the payload sticker on the driver's door of your RAM have to say?

How many "folks" will be along when you head out?

Unless those numbers make sense, the whole "what hitch?" is not the question to deal with.

Once your Classic is loaded and ready for the road, it could / might / may have a tongue weight of 1,350 pounds. Might be less. Hope it's not more .

Fun !!!

Bob

[RosenBob]

We have a FC 30RB and a Ram 2500 diesel. We tow with Blue Ox and an AirSafe Class V receiver hitch. It works well. We have almost 30K miles on that combination. You will encounter a lot of rough roads in this country. The AirSafe helps soften the impact of the roads when you travel at highway speeds. Will it extend the life of your AS and reduce the amount of maintenance you have to do each year. I don't know. But I do like giving our AS a gentler tow.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by VinitVerma

Friends:

We just bought a '24 Classic 30RB and a '24 RAM 2500 Diesel Truck.
We are Newbies to the RV life - nervously excited to learn.
Anxious about the towing and reversing!!

Appreciate your guidance on

1) Which Hitch to Buy.
Equal-i-zer with Sway Control
OR
Blue OX with Sway Control

2) Additionally, should we invest in an AirSafe?

Thanks Much.
Vinit

Lots of "opinions" here on this topic. We have used 3 different hitches with 4 different Airstreams over past 20 years, including Equalizer, Reese, and Blue Ox SwayPro. I like the Blue Ox Sway Pro with my F250 and our 28' AS. I used BO also with 2 of our previous 25' AS's. When adjusted properly, I sometimes forget I'm towing. The anti-sway system uses "spring" bars to help keep your AS in line, with their system. Works great, and we have had two incidents on the highway where the Blue Ox helped keep us in line when a serious swerve/maneuver happened. Watch the Youtubes on hitching up properly using your power jack.

As for the AirSafe; no actual experience. Some folks like them; I know they are heavy, and expensive, but everything is expensive these days. Good luck!

[Hoagie]

We tow our 2017 Classic 30 with a F250 4x4 Super Duty. Our dealer installed an Equalizer at purchase. After seeing the videos on the AirSafe decided to add that to the hitch. Yes, it is heavy. I use a HF tranny jack to mount/remove the hitch setup. Allows me to roll it to a corner of the shop. Since installing we have had zero popped rivets. Prior to the AirSafe about 1/2 dozen popped in the ceiling. Only downside I’ve experienced is the AirSafe adds some length to your overall hitch setup. I needed some extra length on the trailer umbilical to keep it from being pulled out on turns.

[VinitVerma]

Thanks much Switz!

[VinitVerma]

Originally Posted by RosenBob

We have a FC 30RB and a Ram 2500 diesel. We tow with Blue Ox and an AirSafe Class V receiver hitch. It works well. We have almost 30K miles on that combination. You will encounter a lot of rough roads in this country. The AirSafe helps soften the impact of the roads when you travel at highway speeds. Will it extend the life of your AS and reduce the amount of maintenance you have to do each year. I don't know. But I do like giving our AS a gentler tow.

RosenBob - that AS gentler ride is interesting.

[VinitVerma]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Lots of "opinions" here on this topic. We have used 3 different hitches with 4 different Airstreams over past 20 years, including Equalizer, Reese, and Blue Ox SwayPro. I like the Blue Ox Sway Pro with my F250 and our 28' AS. I used BO also with 2 of our previous 25' AS's. When adjusted properly, I sometimes forget I'm towing. The anti-sway system uses "spring" bars to help keep your AS in line, with their system. Works great, and we have had two incidents on the highway where the Blue Ox helped keep us in line when a serious swerve/maneuver happened. Watch the Youtubes on hitching up properly using your power jack.

As for the AirSafe; no actual experience. Some folks like them; I know they are heavy, and expensive, but everything is expensive these days. Good luck!

Roger that GypsyDad!

[VinitVerma]

Originally Posted by Hoagie

We tow our 2017 Classic 30 with a F250 4x4 Super Duty. Our dealer installed an Equalizer at purchase. After seeing the videos on the AirSafe decided to add that to the hitch. Yes, it is heavy. I use a HF tranny jack to mount/remove the hitch setup. Allows me to roll it to a corner of the shop. Since installing we have had zero popped rivets. Prior to the AirSafe about 1/2 dozen popped in the ceiling. Only downside I’ve experienced is the AirSafe adds some length to your overall hitch setup. I needed some extra length on the trailer umbilical to keep it from being pulled out on turns.

Hoagie - key point on AS weight and extra length. Thanks

[VinitVerma]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Backing up quite a bit ....

What does the payload sticker on the driver's door of your RAM have to say?

How many "folks" will be along when you head out?

Unless those numbers make sense, the whole "what hitch?" is not the question to deal with.

Once your Classic is loaded and ready for the road, it could / might / may have a tongue weight of 1,350 pounds. Might be less. Hope it's not more .

Fun !!!


Bob

Uncle Bob - Thanks for the backup!!

Mostly will have 2 people head out - but can be up to 5 people in the RAM crew cab.

Here is the info for the 2024 RAM 2500
6.7L Cummins I6 Turbo Diesel
3.73 axle ratio; 370 HP/ 850 lb torque
Transmission 6 Speed Automatic 68RFE

RAM Door sticker
GVWR 10,000 lb
GAWR Front - 6000 lb
GAWR Rear - 6040 lb

The Airstream 30 RB info
Hitch Weight (with LP and Batteries) - 830
Unit Base Weight (with LP and Batteries) - 7725
Max Trailer Capacity GVWR lbs - 10000
Net Carrying Capacity lbs - 2275

Are we in the game?
Vinit

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by VinitVerma

Uncle Bob - Thanks for the backup!!

Mostly will have 2 people head out - but can be up to 5 people in the RAM crew cab.

Here is the info for the 2024 RAM 2500
6.7L Cummins I6 Turbo Diesel
3.73 axle ratio; 370 HP/ 850 lb torque
Transmission 6 Speed Automatic 68RFE

RAM Door sticker
GVWR 10,000 lb
GAWR Front - 6000 lb
GAWR Rear - 6040 lb

The Airstream 30 RB info
Hitch Weight (with LP and Batteries) - 830
Unit Base Weight (with LP and Batteries) - 7725
Max Trailer Capacity GVWR lbs - 10000
Net Carrying Capacity lbs - 2275

Are we in the game?
Vinit

You didn't say what the cargo carrying capacity (payload) on the door sticker is, but you are probably fine.


The unloaded hitch weight isn't very useful; it will go up significantly with water, clothes, accessories and food added. The way I figure it is to use the tongue weight recommendations for stability of 10%-15% of trailer weight so I use the GVWR, which is the heaviest the trailer should ever be. I use 12% - estimated hitch weight is 1200# + 100# for the hitch which gives us a 1300# load on the truck.


Subtract 1300# from the cargo carrying capacity on the label in the driver's door and that is what you have left for anything else added into or on the truck since it left the factory like bed cover/shell, bed liner, people, pets, luggage and camping gear. The payload number typically includes the effect of a full tank of fuel so you don't have to add that.


The above assumes your trailer is loaded to the GVWR. If it isn't then you would have more available payload for stuff in the truck.

[StuartsDad]

I have used the Blue Ox Sway Pro since purchasing 28' AS in 2018. No issues with hitch. Late last year, added the Air Shocker for WD hitches attempting to soften the ride in the cab and hopefully be alittle kinder to the AS. Jury still out. It does feel alittle smoother on concrete interstates with poorly repaired joints and bridge transitions. Is it day and night difference, no. It is heavy. The Air Shocker with Blue Ox head is 73 lbs. I might suggest starting with your hitch of choice and one that is compatible with AirSafe. Try without, first. If happy, leave as-is. If then feel you want to add the air piece, you will have the before and after to compare.
I pull with a F250 with light WD (4-1/2 links showing).

[SunchaserV]

Originally Posted by StuartsDad

I pull with a F250 with light WD (4-1/2 links showing).

Dad
Here is a question. With our F250 I'm not too worried about WD but do like the Sway Control feature of the Ox. How many links showing before the Sway feature is negated would you guess?

[LilBird]

Welcome to the forums and to the wonderful world of Airstreams!

If you do a quick search on hitches, you’ll find lots of threads — and each participant will suggest that the hitch they use is the best hitch on the market You’ll find the same on YouTube, though there you can also find a handful of videos comparing hitches across a variety of factors: WD, safety (anti sway/porpoising, etc), ride, cost, etc. The comparison videos are very helpful.

We tow a 2019 Classic 30RBT with an F250 HO diesel. After having used a Blue Ox (recommended by the dealer when we bought a Pottery Barn), a ProPride (what we eventually bought to replace the Blue Ox, sold with the PB — big mistake!) and an Anderson (came with the Classic), we went out and bought a new ProPride. When adjusted properly, it performs brilliantly: virtually no sway, no porpoising, no popped rivets, smooth towing… The only downsides are the learning curve and the cost. Its older sister, the Hensley Hitch, is designed and performs similarly.

If I might make a suggestion: Dealers typically sell just a couple of hitches and for obvious reasons will recommend what they sell. Airstream has recommended a number of hitches over the years: the argument that “This is what Airstream recommends” is specious. Watch the comparison videos on YouTube, look at claims versus results, look at what’s involved in hitching and unhitching (you might be surprised), and go from there.

As to towing and backing up — we were all new at it once. Practice in a huge, empty parking lot, use your mirrors, and figure out how you’re going to communicate with your SO when backing into a campsite. You’ll get the hang of it!

[switz]

When backing into a tight space (like at our storage unit), I start into the space. But here is the important part - I get out and double check often as I do this alone. Sometimes I move just a few feet to check the angle. As I get further back, I get out to check how close I am to the unit behind me. The neighbors on either side are very expensive bus RVs and I do not want to give them a racing stripe down the side. I have to be centered so we all can open our doors.

Speed is not your friend in tight situations.