Tow vehicle

[fmr.capt.evi]

Yes, a properly equipped 1/2 ton isn't cheap....(especially at the higher trim levels). And there's another cost that's not so obvious: the decrement to the available payload....check the sticker on the driver's door to be sure, because it may be a couple of hundred pounds less than advertised.

[TouringDan]

Jim

Sounds like the 2011 Durango will be fine for you although it may need a little bit of tweaking. Every TV is going to be a bit of a compromise; there is no free lunch. I have an 08 Tundra and it is everything that I want in a TV, but it is only a half ton, so it is load limited. I may be at or over the gross weight of the vehicle or the rear axle on occasion, but as long as I am towing on smooth roads and driving gently, I think that I will be fine.

Dave

Lots of good information in this thread. Just filter through it and make your own best decision on what is the correct TV for you.

Dan

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

POI.....

No one ever mention's the cost of the necessary up-grades done to the small et all. TV's. Blank minds want to know?


Bob

We bought our Airstream from Can-Am RV where the cost of the hitch, its modification, weight distribution and sway control systems, brake controller, mirrors and installation of everything was included in the cost of the trailer. Others in the Forum have trekked to Ontario to have work done on their vehicles without buying a trailer so they would be able to give you a fair idea. I suspect the answer will be "it depends"!

[TouringDan]

Aftermath

I too would look at the Ford ecoboost. However, I don't know if an extra 2-4 mpg would be worth the additional cost of the EB and the repair cost that may be needed for the motor or the turbocharger before I hit 300,000 miles. I have confidence that my 5.7L Tundra will make it to 300k just fine.

Dave

You can buy a well equiped 2wd Tundra for about 30k. I paid 25k for mine (5k rebate) in 08. No difference between the 2012 and the 2008 models. So I would also look at any well cared for used 5.7L Tundras or Sequoias. If you go for the Tundra get the floor shift.

Dan

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

No one ever mention's the cost of the necessary up-grades done to the small et all. TV's. Blank minds want to know?

The hitch reinforcement is approximately $500, IIRC. (At least it was about that for my minivan.) You need to buy mirrors, anti-sway, and the various other hitch parts anyway, regardless of the vehicle. Andy advocates some tire changes sometimes to help improve gearing, but that brings other handling benefits. (I didn't change tires on my van, but it dramatically aids stability of some trucks.)

The real benefit of the Ecoboost is the torque curve and the power. It's a lot more easy-towing than the Ford 5.0-liter V8. That Tundra/Sequoia 5.7-liter V8 is a brute though....

Tom

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

We bought our Airstream from Can-Am RV where the cost of the hitch, its modification, weight distribution and sway control systems, brake controller, mirrors and installation of everything was included in the cost of the trailer. Others in the Forum have trekked to Ontario to have work done on their vehicles without buying a trailer so they would be able to give you a fair idea. I suspect the answer will be "it depends"!

Free is Alwaze good.....

Bob

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Free is Alwaze good.....

Bob

Well, it's not free, but bundled up in the overall cost it doesn't seem so bad

[AirChief]

Originally Posted by AirNutt

Ford F150 4x4 with ecoboost option ! Great pulling power and good mileage so far. Love this truck.

Gotta agree with Airnutt on the Ford F150 4x4 Ecoboost since I have one. I get great gas mileage but Im only towing around 2 1/2 tons when fully loaded with stuff, people and dogs. The new Ford trucks have great new technology for towing and the Ecoboost can tow up to 11,300 lbs with the right package. Someone else mentioned long wheel base and that is a plus factor as well. My truck is about 20 foot long and has the off road package as well so you can unhitch and explore. If I was getting close to pulling 5 tons, I'd definitely start looking at 250s and 350s. Something about towing close to your TV's capacity is not as enjoyable.

[fmr.capt.evi]

So far, I can agree with AirChief, AirNutt and others who have boldly taken a chance on this newfangled technology (not to mention their apparent disregard for the potential dire consequences of attempting to tow an Airstream with a lowly 1/2 ton truck).

While spending the winter in Houston (I'm not rich enough to use the names of the seasons as verbs; for example, "we WINTER in Boca Raton"), I came over to the dark side myself, and bought one. I was able to give it a decent break-in period, dodging traffic accidents in and around Houston for a couple of months. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't burn that much more gas than our Honda Element.

Knowing that it would soon be time to start our routine spring migration to St. Louis, and
beginning to feel intense guilt after 3 months of hedonism at the outstanding Lakeview RV Resort, we decided to essentially give up everything nice for Lent, and spend a couple of weeks at the Escapees park in Livingston. My strategy is working: a week in this place has completely assuaged my feelings of overindulgence, and as a bonus, I get to pick up my mail for free everyday.

Bottom line, though, is that I haven't done enough towing with it yet to start bragging, although if it makes it to St. Louis without, say, having to replace a rear axle, I might be tempted.

[fmr.capt.evi]

...forgot to mention that average mpg around town is usually 16 to 17.

[bike_addict]

Originally Posted by fmrcaptevil

...forgot to mention that average mpg around town is usually 16 to 17.

Just to clarify, is that 16 to 17 in a F150 w/Eco-Boost? Seems pretty low compared to the other numbers people throw out on here.

[fmr.capt.evi]

Yes; I've been told that it should gradually improve (only about 2,500 miles on it so far).

[bc_seattle]

Hi Dave,
We're about to buy a 25' and have obsessively researched tow vehicles. Love the FJ but it isn't your huckleberry for a 25'. I really wanted diesel but in the end we settled on the Ford F-150 Ecoboost. The Touareg TDI is an awesome rig but isn't enough for the 25'. The Ford F250 (or other branded diesel super duty trucks) was too much for us for everyday use. The Ecoboost beats the V8's in torque and is a very smooth daily driver. Gets "good" mpg when not towing... but this appears drops to 11-13 mpg when towing.

My only caveat on the Ecoboost is to consider a extended warranty; the long term quality of Ecoboost is yet unproven.

Hope this help and good luck!

BC

[ROBERT CROSS]

"My only caveat on the Ecoboost is to consider a extended warranty; the long term quality of Ecoboost is yet unproven."

40 yrs in the biz recommends, stay with what the manufacturer sells, 90% of aftermarket service plans, (they are not warranty's), aren't worth the parchment their written on.

Bob

[TouringDan]

Before I pulled the trigger on the Ecoboost, I would also look at the Tundra 5.7L. The double cab with the 6.5 ft bed has a better back seat than the Ford supercab, the towing grunt is almost on par with the ecoboost, should be close on fuel economy possibly down 1-2 mpg, better reliability with out a turbocharger and the SR-5 model is very well equipped and probably at least 5k less than the ecoboost. I paid 25k out the door in 2008 after 5k rebate and 3k discount for a 2wd SR-5 very well equipped truck. I have been quite happy. Just saying to look at it and consider it. It is a great truck.

Dan

[bc_seattle]

"40 yrs in the biz recommends, stay with what the manufacturer sells, 90% of aftermarket service plans, (they are not warranty's), aren't worth the parchment their written on.
Bob"

Completely agree with Bob! Should have said "consider a FORD extended warranty..."

Don't disagree with TouringDan. The Tundra 5.7L is a great option if the Ford F-150 Ecoboost isn't your cup of tea.