Tow vehicle advice sought

[TouringDan]

Idahojim

Don't believe anything a salesman tells you about towing capability. Always verify yourself.

Good luck on your Airstream search.

Dan

[dkottum]

Diesel fan here as well, just not in bloated poor-handling full-size trucks.

We are retired and travel too much for that, go to destinations for a awhile and do not care for a struggling with big trucks as a daily driver. Presently looking for a Euro-type diesel SUV. Plenty of pulling power for Airstream with exceptional handling and braking, and less likely to beat up our Airstream.

doug k

[ElCamino Man]

Ill put in my 2 cents here:

The new 6.7s arent exactly notorious for their mpgs... Actually theyre notorious for having the worst mpgs out of Fords line of diesels, mostly due to smog regulations. They achieve somewhere in the neighborhood of 16-18 mpg highway unloaded. Slap on your airstream and take into fact that diesel is usually $.20 to $.50 more per gallon than gasoline... CHA CHING!! Take off some of the smog bull, chip, exhaust, and intake and you can get well over 20. But then youll have an extra 2 grand in the truck. THEN theres the fact that a diesel truck costs $10,000+ more than a gasser... What it does have goin for it is diesel guys say this will set a landmark for longest running diesel ever. But who owns a vehicle for longer than 50,000 miles these days? Im lucky to put 10,000 on mine before tradin it in

As for the 2012 F-150 EcoBoost: its notorious for having the BEST mpg out of ANY truck ever made! Add onto that it makes the most torque for 2012 for a 1/2 ton... its a win win. Although Ford does seem to be having problems with their new six speed trannys...
Itll pull your airstream without a problem and youll save a boatload of cash in the long run. And you can get a King Ranch EcoBoost so youll retain that "super comfy" leather. Iv had a King Ranch. Id own 1000 more if I could!

[sierrafun]

I hear what you're saying "ElCamino Man" but I'm with Doug K on this one.

There are two practicalities that often get over looked when considering a tow vehicle:
1) If you're not full-time RV'ing, you'll be stuck with a truck as your daily driver 80% of the time.

2) Truck's tend to beat up your precious Airstream

So, what do you do?
It's hard to ignore the torque and mpg of the European SUV's. For example:
Mercedes R350 BlueTEC
3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel
400 lb-ft of Torque at 1600 RPM
Gets 18/24 MPG and has a wheelbase of 126.6"
OR
Mercedes GL350 BlueTEC
3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel
400 lb-ft of Torque @ 1600 RPM
Gets 17/21 MPG and has a wheelbase of 121.1"

Both of these can be properly outfitted with Andy Thomson @ CanAM to tow up to a 34' trailer.

Not sure what your thoughts are on this?

Just my two cents :-)

[ElCamino Man]

Heres where I stand: American Made Airstream = American Made Truck lol

[dkottum]

American made truck?

I think Toyota Tundra, built in U.S. with the highest percentage of American made parts? Dodge Ram made in Mexico? New Ford diesel engine, new Ford diesel engine plant in Mexico? GM Duramax diesel an Isuzu design?

What truck did you have in mind?

doug k

[ElCamino Man]

Then get the F-150 lol. You didnt say anything about Fords gas engines bein made elsewhere. Id rather have an American OWNED vehicle than a German owned, built, and operated one

[ElCamino Man]

EcoBoost assembled in Ohio
F-150s assembled in Michigan
Couldnt find out where their trannys are made

[dkottum]

Ummm, the BMW X5 SUV is built in South Caroline and the Mercedes M350 in Alabama. They didn't want to be in U.S. about 150 years ago but still are.

doug k

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by dkottum

American made truck?

I think Toyota Tundra, built in U.S. with the highest percentage of American made parts? Dodge Ram made in Mexico? New Ford diesel engine, new Ford diesel engine plant in Mexico? GM Duramax diesel an Isuzu design?

What truck did you have in mind?

doug k

LOL ... on the mark; look at my signature! Do you remember the old TV commercial ... parts is parts ... and pieces is pieces ... we are now in a global economy producing very little here completely domestically.

[ElCamino Man]

Well as much as I wanna argue and say one thing is totally american made, I dont think it can be done lol. Im sure at least one piece in it is manufactured in China or elsewhere...

I kinda forgot other countries are shipping jobs here lol. I guess to counter-act us shipping jobs out of the country lol

[wrochdvm]

We chose the F250 diesel and are very happy. Over 30,000 miles in the last 21 months. Great fuel economy, almost 15mpg at 55mph towing (do the math). Alaska and back last year. Got into some places we would have been in trouble without 4WD, 12 - 15% grade on gravel getting out of a designated camping area.

Plus my wife loves the look of envy from the men when she drives to town

[idahojim]

We had a 1999 Dodge 3500 dually before getting the '08 6.7 and definitely saw the mileage drop from over 20 to around 13-14...thanks BlueTec There's a place (Alligator Diesel) close to us that's making a killing removing all the smog stuff but then you lose your warranty. Given my 5.7 Grand Cherokee has a 7400 max GVWR we're looking at a 23' as our max size now. Otherwise we may just get a bigger unit and lose the option of towing with the Jeep GC.

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by idahojim

That's good to know. We were opting for a 25fb since the gvrw was 7300 and were assured by the sales guy it would work with our jeep. With a 30k budget we're now looking at a 19 CCD we can tow with both vehicles or a nice classic 28 we just found- both 2004's.

Idahojim, I'm towing with a 2011 Dodge Durango with the Hemi. It is on the same platform as your Grand Cherokee It pulls and handles my 23' trailer very well. After about 8000 miles of towing with it, I'd use it to tow a 25fb with zero hesitation. (I'd probably get a Hensley with the shorter-wheelbase Jeep though.)

The only thing that would make it better - Fords Ecoboost V6 stuffed under the hood, or the diesel that the Jeep gets next year. Not that the Hemi lacks for power, but those others are effortless.

You can tow more than a 19' with your Jeep.

Tom

[ElCamino Man]

^^ That diesel theyre puttin in Jeeps would tow your Airstream and laugh at the challenge lol. Id get one if I really needed it lol. And Im a Ford man!