Size of truck needed for 31' Airstream?

[Steve & Mary]

Our 2012 F-250 diesel has no problem handling our 31ft. Classic. Some may think it is a bit of an overkill but I would rather have too much than not enough. We can click off 12.5 mpg all day long when towing.

[kb0zke]

"Doing a little more research, the GVWR of a 1998 31' Excella is 8300, plus another 1245 pounds for the tongue weight..."

It is my understanding that the tongue weight is part of the weight of the coach. Using the two numbers you mention, you have a coach that weighs 8300 pounds total. 1245 pounds are carried on the hitch ball (or tongue jack when unhooked) and 7055 pounds on the axles. Am I missing something?

[sdnet01]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

"Doing a little more research, the GVWR of a 1998 31' Excella is 8300, plus another 1245 pounds for the tongue weight..."

It is my understanding that the tongue weight is part of the weight of the coach. Using the two numbers you mention, you have a coach that weighs 8300 pounds total. 1245 pounds are carried on the hitch ball (or tongue jack when unhooked) and 7055 pounds on the axles. Am I missing something?

No, I simply wrote that wrong. It is correct that the tongue weight includes the weight of the trailer and is not in addition to the trailer's GVWR.

[sdnet01]

Originally Posted by Steve & Mary

Our 2012 F-250 diesel has no problem handling our 31ft. Classic. Some may think it is a bit of an overkill but I would rather have too much than not enough. We can click off 12.5 mpg all day long when towing.

How heavy is your 31' Classic?

[Lumatic]

The specs I have for 98 Excellas are for 25, 28, 30, 31, and 34 feet. The dry weight ranges between 5840 and 7840 pounds. The tongue weight ranges from 760 to 820 pounds. A 1/2 ton (not too many diesels) would handle the lighter trailers A 3/4 ton or 1 ton would handle the load. I would not use a 1 ton as generally speaking the stiff suspension can cause road shock damage to the trailer. A Class V or VI Airsafe hitch will mitigate road shock.

I assume you mean a 31' Excella 1000 which may have a Classic badge. My specs say 7000# dry weight and 690# tongue weight.

[kb0zke]

I prefer to use Gross Weight rather than dry weight when calculating loads. Dry weight is an absolutely empty coach. Gross weight is a fully loaded coach, ready to be lived in. We're looking at late-90's 34' coaches, which have gross weights of 9800 pounds. Add a hitch and I figure 10,000 pounds is what the truck will have to tow, with 1000-1500 pounds of that on the hitch.

[graysailor]

I am sure an F250 would be fine. Just for your info the F350 is only a couple of hundred dollars more for 1 extra leaf spring which would give you 5-600lbs. more payload capacity which of course would cover your bike.

[Jekerrville]

Hello SDNet01

It appears that you are going to spend most of your time with your Putt, AS and staff(wife or a dog) exploring the world.

Don't skimp on tow vehicle. Anything in the 1/2 ton area will not suit your needs. Trust me.

Next. the 3/4 ton vehicles will suffice, but there are times when you will be pushing the limits of the tow vehicle and you may be left afoot of have to unload your bike to get to town. Also, not a happy situation.

This is just me, but an F350 Super Duty with trailer towing package and 6.3 Lt. Diesel and 32 gallon tank, 5 gal Def tank, 8 ft bed. and you sir will comand the world anywhere you go. No problems.

If you go super cab, be darn sure the back seats fold up and leave you a flat floor to stow gear. Those trashy little seats that Ford putz in the back that fold down for cargo have felt backs that will tear and hold nothing.

6 Way from seats with console and you are King!

[ezairstream]

Every truck manufacturer has a table of towing capacities for each model, rear end ratio, and engine size. Pick your favorite truck and it will give you all your limits.

Also trailer hitch weight does not not add to total towing capacity requirements. It just tells you how much of your trailer weight is setting on your tow vehicle wheels and not the trailer wheels. It helps determines which model hitch you purchase. Eg. Reese 600 lb, 800 lb, or 1200 lb. From my experience more is not better. A 1200 lb hitch made my trailer ride like a bucking bronco on some cement highways. I now have a 600 lb hitch and my ride is much more sedate. And the dealer gets a a little less cash.

[Craig Schrader]

Payload is the concern. How much does your motorcycle weight with fluids in it? I am sure you will haul more than the motorcycle in the bed of the truck?
Payload capacity. Then start subtracting everything that is loaded into the truck. Trailer Hitch weight, Passengers, camping gear, tools etc... It adds up quick..

[urnmor]

I agree with Gearheart. Buy more then you will need but not more then you can afford and you will not regret it.

[TSOMMY]

I have a 27 ft EB that I tow with my GMC 2500HD Diesel 4X4 and it is more that adequate. Up steep hills no problem but down steep hills I wish I had an exhaust brake to save on truck and trailer brakes but I get by just fine.

[TLBIJOU]

I knew that you would get a lot of opinions, a gasser will gas you! My cummins gets 14 mpg and that's running at 70-80 with my 31' Sovereign behind it. If you are going to travel out west, a diesel is a must for the hills. Stay east and out of the great smokies, etc, a gasser will work. If you're going full time another must is a full size cab for hauling extra people going to dinner or going to the store for groceries. My Cummins gets 18-19 without a trailer behind it. Now mind you I have a Banks Engineering Stinger Plus system that is 12 years on the machine and still never see black smoke and I'm putting about 800 ft/lbs to the wheels.

Take it from a retired truck driver, never drove or owned a semi with a Mitsubishi or a Power Stroke in them. However besides a Cat, I always had a "hummin cummins" tried and true for billions of miles getting most of the products in your house by commercial vehicle. The cummins used is the smallest block used in a semi not an engine just for Dodge.

ps. If life gets too riveting put your AS in the wind!

[txdxrider]

I agree with what others have said... We have a 76 31' Excella 500.... We pull outs with a 09 Z71 Suburban - pushing 12.5K..... If I was bringing a 700lb bike I would be at a minimum a 350 diesel- maybe even a 1 1/2 ton 4500....

[silver 67]

You will not need anything over a 250. You are not pulling a 5th wheel. Airstreams are light and were pulled with cars in the 40's, 50's and maybe the 60's.

[silversled]

There has been at least one situation that it was helpful that our truck out weighed our trailer. The fun part about this question is it is not what it will take to pull it but rather what will it take to stop it, especially under adverse conditions (rain, tractor-trailer passing, side wind, road hazard, etc.).

Good luck.

[txdxrider]

Our 31 with an 09 Z71 Suburban

[DHart]

We are thrilled with the comfort, ride, quietness, and performance of the 2015 GMC Sierra Denali HD (3/4 ton) with Duramax/Allison combo. And I'm sure we would be equally happy with the nearly identical twin Chevy Silverado LTZ 2500 with Duramax/Allison. These new trucks are nothing like the older 3/4 ton diesels; they are very quiet, very comfortable, wonderful riding... and a perfect match to the largest Airstreams. We like the truck so much that we decided to also use it as our daily driver. These trucks are impressive.

Our 2016 30' International Serenity is loaded with 2 AC units, awnings all around, and a lot of our stuff. And in the truck we carry a good amount of outdoor gear, including Honda EU2000i gen set, 5 gal. fuel container, BBQ, outdoor recliners, and a variety of camp-type gear. We also plan to add Camper Shell at some point with a kayak riding on top.

The 3/4 ton diesel trucks (regardless of brand) will handle this with ease.

There is little difference between a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck (when similarly equipped) other than an extra leaf in the rear springs. The 3/4 tons will tend to ride nicer than the 1 ton. Either will serve you well. What you need to do is get out there and drive them, head-to-head.

Also, add up everything which you want/need that will be considered part of CARGO CAPACITY and compare than to the yellow sticker on the individual trucks that you are considering. This is one aspect of capacities that many people tend to overlook, and it is an important one. Study up on what cargo capacity means and how to determine your particular needs in this regard. Essentially that's the tongue weight of the trailer (assume 1100#, for starters with a 31' AS) then add the weights of all the people, animals, hitch, camper shell (or tonneau cover), generator(s), camp furniture, BBQ, tools, campfire wood(?), raft/kayak, small air compressor, whatever might be a part of your camping "kit of gear". When you have that total weight, compare the number to the manufacturer's stated cargo capacity (payload) listed inside the driver door jamb of the individual truck you are considering.

If considering a 1/2 ton, you may be quite surprised to find that the cargo capacities they have may not even come close to what you are likely to need. But the 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks should cover your payload needs with ease.

In your search, be sure to drive the new Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax/Allison and the GMC Sierra Denali HD Duramax/Allison. You may be quite surprised if you haven't experienced one of these yet, and you will no doubt be impressed!

[grizbear]

You will want to measure the bike length and the bed of the truck you are looking at. I have a dodge 2500 crew cab with 8 ft bed and its been a great truck the only downside is parking in towns. I'm getting 13.75 to 15.5 MPG depends on area hills vs flatter areas. I had a ford 2004 diesel that started leaking oil from the rear main at 10000 miles that's how I ended up with a dodge cummins won't go back Ford kept me in line for repair for 6 months at which point I traded for dodge. Ford lost me forever for that. Good camping.

[Wingeezer]

Very happy with our HD2500 diesel towing our Classic 30. But I don't bring our bike with us on RV trips. I think if I did, I would be going with the 3500 as the bike weighs about 900#.


Brian.