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2012FB · 09-10-2015, 05:16 PM

2015 30' Bunk
2015 Chevrolet Sierra XLT 2500HD Duramax/Allison Crew Standard Bed 4 X 4
Huper Optik, Roll-N-Lock, Yakima, Full Amsoil
Effortless Towing

ghaynes755 · 09-10-2015, 08:37 PM

3500/350 series, probably a long bed, since you have the motorcycle. If the motorcycle weren't in the mix 2500/250 or other options become available.

Towing isn't going to be an issue regardless. Never is with the wide variety of folks towing AS units from passenger cars to 350's.

The killer is always payload. Couple of folks and a cat with nothing else in the tow vehicle its time to ride. Vintage Harley Panhead in the truck bed along with tools to keep it running as a vintage plus the beer kegs for the biker rally, well then a 350/3500 might be the ticket...

txdxrider · 01-17-2016, 04:59 PM

A lot depends on the weight of the AS.... Our 31' weighed in loaded at 5500#.... Our Z71 4x4 1/2 ton Suburban did awesome- even in the Virginia and upstate New York hills.... Due to needing the space a pu would not cut it - just moved to an Excursion so we can make a few changes (read add weight) to the AS

dznf0g · 01-17-2016, 05:05 PM

I pull my 30 with a 6.2l maxtow 1500 Silverado. Scooter, 12' inflatable boat, all boating accessories, 10 hp outboard, 2 Honda 2000 genies. Misc stuff on top of that. I am maxed out with that stuff. A Harley most probably puts you in 2500 territory

graysailor · 01-17-2016, 10:56 PM

Depends on the year of your Airstream but I would go for a Ford F250 and diesel would be my preference. Of course I am thinking about my 30' Classic which can weigh 10,000lbs fully loaded.

sdnet01 · 01-19-2016, 07:52 AM

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. What we are targeting for our trailer is a 30' 2005 Classic Limited, which I believe has a dry weight of 7,000 and a GVWR of 10000.

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysailor

Depends on the year of your Airstream but I would go for a Ford F250 and diesel would be my preference. Of course I am thinking about my 30' Classic which can weigh 10,000lbs fully loaded.

It sounds like my situation is very similar to yours. I'm guessing that you've pulled a 10,000 pound trailer with an F-250/2500? Did you notice any lagging on steep inclines?

sdnet01 · 01-19-2016, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

3500/350 series, probably a long bed, since you have the motorcycle. If the motorcycle weren't in the mix 2500/250 or other options become available.

We are no longer considering the motorcycle, so that's off the table at this point. We'll just be hauling some cargo in the truck itself as well as pulling the Airstream. So, judging by many of the posts in this thread, it is increasingly looking like a 250/2500 is all that we really need.

dznf0g · 01-19-2016, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdnet01

We are no longer considering the motorcycle, so that's off the table at this point. We'll just be hauling some cargo in the truck itself as well as pulling the Airstream. So, judging by many of the posts in this thread, it is increasingly looking like a 250/2500 is all that we really need.

In that case, I would suggest reconsidering a 1500, 6.2l maxtow. I am extremely impressed.

Cargo capacity of mine is 2034#, tow rating = 11,900#, GCWR = 17,700#. That's a LTZ double cab, regular bed. LT1 option group.

PaulnGina · 01-19-2016, 08:26 AM

Our 1995 F250 PowerStroke does a wonderful job of pulling our 1987 Avion 34W, whose GVWR is 9500. Ours is the first year of the PowerStrokes, and is really anaemic in the towing capacity area, compared to PowerStrokes that are even just a few years newer than ours.

I guess what I'm saying is: a new F250 PowerStroke would do a fine job of towing a 30' AS. I would also recommend a gas F250. That would do well, also. The money you'd save on a gas engine could be put towards a LOT of travelling!

switz · 01-19-2016, 02:50 PM

Our 2012 Dodge Ram 2500HD Cummins tows our 2014 31' Classic at 19,200 pounds combined weight with no issues both going up and coming down the mountains.

Msmoto · 01-19-2016, 03:39 PM

Elkhart_Lake_II_05.30.15-8 by Tommie Lauer, on Flickr

2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 Cummins 6.7, modified

graysailor · 01-19-2016, 03:52 PM

sdnet...I have not pulled on any steep grades as yet but I do not foresee any problems in doing that. My F250 feels as though it almost has too much power. Real easy to hit 70mph rather quickly. I do have a high rear end 3.31 so a little slow coming off stop signs and red lights but not really an issue. So far on flat ground I have been getting 12-14 mpg while towing and upwards of 18 when not towing. Speed and wind are always the take aways from MPG.

txdxrider · 01-19-2016, 08:01 PM

Having pulled with a 1500 Z71 4X4 suburban- successfully through 16 states and through the smoky mountains - with the weight and size of your trailer go with a minimum of a 2500.. In our situation with three boys and a dog, we needed the Suburban size vehicle. If you don't need the truck you can get a three-quarter ton suburban or an older excursion with the diesel you'll thank me later for the upgraded suspension axles and brakes of the 2500.,,

BoldAdventure · 01-19-2016, 08:25 PM

I have a half ton, and I have a 27ft Airstream. Therefore I don't feel qualified to answer your question.

bbdo · 01-19-2016, 08:58 PM

We have a 2015 F250 diesel and it pulls our 30' bunkhouse up i70 as fast as we choose to travel. No power issues whatsoever.

sdnet01 · 01-20-2016, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysailor

Depends on the year of your Airstream but I would go for a Ford F250 and diesel would be my preference. Of course I am thinking about my 30' Classic which can weigh 10,000lbs fully loaded.

Thanks. We are looking at a 2005 30' Classic.

sdnet01 · 02-16-2016, 09:39 AM

Guys,

So, here is an update. I think we going to try for a 2005 Airstream Classic Limited. According to the following web site, we are looking at 7095 (Dry) / 670 (Hitch) / 10000 (GVWR) - https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...me-Weights.pdf.

I know a Dodge Ram 3500 will do the job, but I believe that a 2500 diesel will also do the job quite nicely. Looking between 2008 and 2010 model years.

Something like this: http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...6226/overview/

Am I overlooking anything?

AWCHIEF · 02-16-2016, 11:13 AM

Go big or stay home, a monster TV for a monster trailer,

Bill M. · 02-16-2016, 12:14 PM

We pull a 32 with a 2500 and it works well. The 2008 to 2013 rams suffer a bit from emission control. You could also pull that trailer with a well selected 1500. I like the diesel but go on many caravans with 1/2 to gas pullers. The trailer pulls quite well with a goog hitch.

DHart · 02-16-2016, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdnet01

Guys,

So, here is an update. I think we going to try for a 2005 Airstream Classic Limited. According to the following web site, we are looking at 7095 (Dry) / 670 (Hitch) / 10000 (GVWR) - https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...me-Weights.pdf.

I know a Dodge Ram 3500 will do the job, but I believe that a 2500 diesel will also do the job quite nicely. Looking between 2008 and 2010 model years.

Something like this: http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...6226/overview/

Am I overlooking anything?

A 3/4 ton should give you all the cargo capacity (payload) that you need, with extra capacity for several occupants, dogs, stuff in the bed of the truck (tonneau cover, camp chairs, BBQ, tools, raft, campfire wood, yada yada).

As for towing capacity... the diesel will pull it comfortably, no problem at all.

We pull our 2016 30' Serenity with a 2015 Denali HD Duramax/Allison and fully loaded with our stuff, dogs, etc., we've got a little over 200 pounds of cargo capacity remaining to take another passenger or two, or a bit more stuff, if needed. Towing ability - is effortless.