Re: [A/S] Tow vehicle

["vrmanac" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Hunter

A couple of things a gas engine climbs in low gear at around 30 mph 
your deisel has a much lower rpm range so it would be creeping along 
if you were towing in first gear which you will not likely have to 
do. The loaded Transports climb Vail pass much slower than I do and 
often I pass motorhomes on hills.  In 5000 miles of interstate I 
spent maybe 12 miles in low gear with plenty of reserve.

We likely have sold more 34's than most dealers and easily a couple 
of hundred of them are being towed with 1/2 ton 350 Suburbans, Tahoes 
and Pickups.  You rarely see a 3/4 ton towing an Airstream here.  The 
96 and newer Vortec 350's have even more power and will rarely drop 
out of 3rd gear on Interstate hills.  We actually drag raced a pre 
Vortec 1994 454 Suburban and a 1996 Vortec 350 1/2ton both with 3.73 
gears and 34' Airstreams connected and the 350 walked away from the 
older 454.  

I have never had a customer have to turn around on a hill towing a 
34' with a 350 engine and my customers likely tow over much steaper 
hills than the average since the east coast of Canada which is only a 
days drive from here has plenty of 12 - 20% grades many with stop 
signs at the bottom.  The well graded hills in the western U.S. 
really are not that difficult by comparision. 

When I first started to go to ralley's in 1967 most Airstreams were 
towed with standard cars with 283-455 engines that had no towing 
package but came standard with 2.93 or 3.08:1 axle ratios and 14 or 
15' wheels so it was like haveing a 3.42 ratio in todays trucks. So 
all in all they performed quite well.

Then in the mid 70's the cars became much heavier got much larger 
tires and in the interests of economy started to come with very tall 
2.29 or 2.41:1 Axle Ratio's.  You could get a 3.23 Ratio but you had 
to special order it.  Many Airstream owners did not realize the 
impact of the change or even realize that it had happened and 
purchased these cars.  The big tires the tall ratio and tall 2.5:1 
first gear ratios gave them very little climbing abiltiy even with a 
455 engine.  This is where many of the stories of having to turn 
around on hills came from.  It is also when trucks began to become 
popular.  Funny thing was the trucks generally had the same engine 
and transmission just a better gear ratio.

Again I don't wish anyone to give up their deisel or their 454 if 
they enjoy it. I just don't like people thinking they have to drive a 
3/4 ton truck to have an Airstream.  When I left for California I had 
both a new DuraMax and a slightly used 454 here on the lot at my 
disposal but I don't care for either one for a long fast trip.

Andy