Best towing vehicle

wayneh · 03-29-2006, 03:40 PM

I am looking to buy an AS 28 to 31 ft classic. What is the best all around vehicle to tow a 2003 to 2006 trailer

Thanks for info

thecatsandi · 03-29-2006, 03:47 PM

My F-250 with a 5.4L gas engine will tow the 31 Classic with a little room to spare.
The size/type of the engine is more of a factor. My truck was available with a 5.4L Gas a V10 (6 or 7 L I think) or a Diesel.

wayneh · 03-29-2006, 03:53 PM

I was thinking Diesel,
Seems Suburban is popular as I go down the road

thecatsandi · 03-29-2006, 03:59 PM

Oh god no not a GM product. Could i interest you in an Excursion?

wayneh · 03-29-2006, 04:06 PM

Possible, Does the excursion have a diesel engine?

wayne

thecatsandi · 03-29-2006, 04:17 PM

Yes you can get it with a Diesel.
However in looking at the ford website. they may not make it anymore.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/

thecatsandi · 03-29-2006, 04:23 PM

It is still there!
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/excursion.
Based on the F-250 with all the creature comforts.

Steve Heywood · 03-29-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayneh

I am looking to buy an AS 28 to 31 ft classic. What is the best all around vehicle to tow a 2003 to 2006 trailer

Thanks for info

My 30' Excella is nearly identical to an 03-06 30' Classic. My diesel powered F250 does an outstanding job of towing it. I average 12.5 MPG while towing at 65 MPH with a high of 14.5 in CA at 55 MPH and a worst of 10 battling a 40-50 MPH headwind. I can climb any interstate grade in the country at 55-60 MPH. Stability is excellent under any conditions.

Silvertwinkie · 03-29-2006, 04:40 PM

28' 3/4 ton w/ 6.0L and 4.10s. 31', the 3/4 w/ 6.0L will be taxed if you load the 31' up to it's max of about 10k GVWR. I'd say 8.1L w/ 4.10s or diesel w/ 3.73s for a fully loaded 31'. Suburban doesn't yet come with a diesel and from the look of the 3/4 ton vans I am not sure they get the Allison transmission.......although they do have the Duramax engine, it's the lower HP and torque LLY, not the LBZ....and GM doesn't have the diesel in the passenger vans yet, just the cargo vans. Most likely what you'll find if they do have a diesel burb.

Friends don't let friends drive Fords.

Porky Pig · 03-29-2006, 04:42 PM

A late model Diesel from Ford, GM (Chevy) or Dodge will do the trick. Each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses. Go out and drive them all ... you'll eventually find the right one.

Thanks to RoadKingMoe for suggesting a pickup instaed of an Excursion.

Porky Pig · 03-29-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

28' 3/4 ton w/ 6.0L and 4.10s. 31', the 3/4 w/ 6.0L will be taxed if you load the 31' up to it's max of about 10k GVWR.

More nonsense.

My 34' weighs 9,800 pounds if it is maxed out ... my 2004 F-350 (w/ 3.73s) pulls it like it isn't even there. I pass everyone on the grades.

Since '05 the GCWR has gone up to 23,000 pounds ... along with a slight boost in HP and torque.

Wayneh will be fine with a late model Ford ... also GM & Dodge. It really doesn't matter.

2airishuman · 03-29-2006, 05:02 PM

hi wayneh

so you are shopping trailers and tow vehicles?

what fun.....

well the best t.v......is the one hooked to an airstream!

like porky notes......dodge, ge'em and ford all make capable 3/4 ton or 1 ton t.v.

i too have the ford diesel truck.....and like it.....all 22+feet of it...

if you can afford newer opt for 05/06 because the brake controller is built in, the front suspension is improved and the bugs have been worked out of the 6 liter diesel...

the d/cd excursion will work but it has the older suspension and a little less power...

if ya need the lower floor of a van or the seating for 20 of a suburban....they will work too.

the trucks are more versatile...imo.

lots of brand loyal folks here....so do a search for tow vehicle or just look at some of the threads in the towing section....

and if ya want a ge'em.......better hurry....they may become collectible...

tell us more about what you are doing with habitat for humanity...

cheers
2air'

Silvertwinkie · 03-29-2006, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porky Pig

More nonsense.

My 34' weighs 9,800 pounds if it is maxed out ... my 2004 F-350 (w/ 3.73s) pulls it like it isn't even there. I pass everyone on the grades.

Since '05 the GCWR has gone up to 23,000 pounds ... along with a slight boost in HP and torque.

Wayneh will be fine with a late model Ford ... also GM & Dodge. It really doesn't matter.

Well, yes, the friends and Ford thing was (sort of

), but in all honesty, the GM 3/4 ton with a 6.0L and 4.10 gears won't take 10,000lbs of coach, passengers, cargo, fuel, etc. One needs to go with the 8.1L. In Fordland, that translate to the 5.4L to the 6.8L. The 5.4 is a great engine (better than the 4.6), but the reality is that the 6.8L would be better suited for the loaded 31' Airstream (if you are sticking to gas engines). You can't tell me that the 5.4 is stronger than the 6.0, cause spec for spec, the 6.0L has higher HP and torque than the 5.4L (per the Ford and GM websites). Now if he's sticking to the 28', sure the 6.0 (GM) or the (5.4) Ford will do. A diesel might be better for the 31' in all honesty, but if the cost is too high for a diesel, a 6.8L or 8.1L will do and should be considered if one goes to a 10,000lb GVWR 31 footer.

J Goertzen · 03-29-2006, 05:28 PM

Good Timeing. Iam looking for a tv for my 2003 CCD International , when it is fully loaded, should weigh about 5000 lbs. I was looking at the F150, supercab,V8, but when I throw in all the "toys" Im planning to take along on trips, it looks to close for comfort, toys meaning, 3 day supply of camp fire wood, a campershell on the F150, bicycle,generatior with gas, added on solar pannels,tons of food, so now looking at the F250 super duty super cab. Now, my question is to all out there, gas or diesel??? Im looking seriously at the 2006 model for my last big purchase of my life, what do you all think?? Seems alot of you perfer diesel, Big Thanks to all, Jim