Need crash course on tow vehicles

[Eaglemate]

Mornin y'all. Jan the owner of the Retromobile here...the suburban is too high miles and I need a new tow vehicle. Anyone want to throw 2 cents in on best bet? Dooleys have any advantages?

[dznf0g]

For a 24' foot Argosy, a dually is definitely required. Any 1/2 ton will be ample. I'm guessing your loaded weight at maybe 4500 - 5000 pounds?

A new Suburban, 1/2 ton pickups...maybe even some of the larger FWD crossover vehicles.

What are your desires for a vehicle. Do yopu need more interior space? More bed space? Will bikes, grills.....etc be going along?

You really have a problem of too many options, but in a nutshell, based on the very limited input at this point, you don't need a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton dually.

[Eaglemate]

I am a 5000 lb trailer loaded. Can you make a shot in the dark? What would be your top choice?

[Eaglemate]

I have two growing children, 3 bikes, a tiny grill, and really nothing else. Just plan to zig zag the country

[gtc6452]

look at any of the good 1/2 ton trucks, I had a toyota tundre and loved it , it pulled my 30" very easily. the limited has a big back seat but only a 51/2 foot bed. the new 1/2 ford and dodge are also good from what I have heard, Get what you like.

[dznf0g]

My choice would be a 1/2 ton Suburban or a 1/2 ton Silverado, both with 3.42 gears and the HD tow package.

Edit prior post: should read "a dually is definitely NOT required". Sorry about that.

[barts]

Given how quickly kids grow and how long one should keep vehicles, make sure the kids have enough space for when they're full size teens. Webspinner was skeptical when we bought our crewcab when the kids were small - but we've definitely been glad there was plenty of room in the last 16 years .

Given fuel costs, do pick something fuel efficient - particularly if you're going to drive it for more than just towing....

- Bart

[dznf0g]

Yes, I agree with Bart, I would get a crew in a pickup truck. Been there, done that, with kids outgrowing a TV and forced to trade.

[Melody Ranch]

My experience has shown that a short bed, crew cab with a camper shell is perfect. By putting in a "shelf" floor (a 4 x 8 sheet of 3/4 in plywood) on the built in bed indentations you will have double storage space where you can keep all the nasty, wet, muddy, sewage hoses, tools, etc, separate from the mats, chairs, bikes, etc, that you carry. Wet dogs go on my top shelf. It also provides a safe place for the generator if your so inclined. The crew cab provides for a space for the family. I really like the Ford F-150....even though, I drive a 2500 Chevy diesel.

[aftermath]

With 3 bikes I would suggest a pick up of some sort. Putting a canopy on it has its advantages but dealing with the bikes then becomes an issue. If you plan to travel light ("and really nothing else") then an open pickup bed shouldn't be a big issue.

Another big question would be, are you going to use the PU for a daily driver? If so, I would look into a half ton that gets good mileage. The Ford Eco-Boost is getting rave reviews here. I have a Tundra and it is just a double cab. It has plenty of room in the back for 3 adults and I get 16 to 17 unloaded and 11 towing the trailer. It is comfortable and has plenty of power.

You have lots to choose from. There are many good half tons out there today.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Eaglemate

I am a 5000 lb trailer loaded. Can you make a shot in the dark? What would be your top choice?

I'm biased....

Love the Burb's as a TV.

Plenty of room inside, comfortable on the road. The new 1500 equipped to tow should have plenty of grunt for your trailer.

Have had two since 95, first one new, 06 used GM program fleet vehicle.

Good luck in your search.

BTW...If your considering a truck based TV,look for a dealer with a lot of WHITE on the lot. They will have more fleet/commercial experience and be more attuned to the towing requirements.

Bob

[Silverflames]

I pull my 29' Amb with a 2006 f150 w/ the 4.6 lit v8. It tows fine, but feels under powered. The 5.4 lit v8 would be a better choice if you go with a f150. Also, you gotta go with the crew cab.

[TouringDan]

Eaglemate

I am biased. I have a Tundra 5.7L 2wd double cab and love it. It has lots of power, lots of torque, has a great 6 speed transmission and gets reasonable fuel economy (18 on the road and 13 towing on the road). The list price of an SR-5 well equipped double cab 2wd is under 35K. I paid 25K for mine out the door after the discount and a 5k rebate in 08. Here is the full Motor Trend Comparison test from 2008:

2008 Motor Trend Truck of the Year: Testing and Finalists - Of The Year - Motor Trend

The Tundra has also gotten good reliability reviews from JD Power.

I would look at all the 1/2 ton crew cabs (Ford, Chevy, Dodge), but the Tundra double cab has lots of room in the rear seat and you still have the 6.5 ft bed. I don't think you need a crew cab with the shorter 5.5 ft bed in the Tundra.

Look at all of them and pick which one you like. They are all good imho.

Happy shopping.

Dan

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by keithgrowe

I pull my 29' Amb with a 2006 f150 w/ the 4.6 lit v8. It tows fine, but feels under powered. The 5.4 lit v8 would be a better choice if you go with a f150. Also, you gotta go with the crew cab.

I'm relatively new to towing and I'm always intrigued when people say that a truck is "underpowered". What HP and torque is your 4.6 liter V8 developing and what increase would you get with the 5.4 liter?

[Silverflames]

Overall I'm happy with my f150, it might just "feel" underpowered, never pulled my AS with a dually f350 for comparison. The 4.6 lit has 231 hp, and the 5.4 has 300 in the 2006 model. The 5.4 did have a problem with the spark plugs breaking off in the heads... For the 4 trips a year we have been doing just fine, but not going to win a drag race..

[ROBERT CROSS]

HP/torque irrelevant, try asking anyone for a definition, without the google, you'd be hard pressed to get the right answer.

All we know is.... no poop when we step on the go fast=not enough.

Bob

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

HP/torque irrelevant, try asking anyone for a definition, without the google, you'd be hard pressed to get the right answer.

All we know is.... no poop when we step on the go fast=not enough.

Bob

I don't think it's entirely irrelevant, at least not the torque and HP that's left over after pushing/pulling the vehicle along, although I grant you that manufacturers claims maybe a bit on the wild side because big numbers sell.

But that's where I get intrigued; what's "not fast enough"? I hang a trailer on the back of my car and I expect the acceleration and the achievable speeds to be impacted. I also expect that it'll slow down on the hills, as well. Are people trying to get tow vehicles that are not impacted by having a few thousand pounds dragged along behind it?

:-)

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

I don't think it's entirely irrelevant, at least not the torque and HP that's left over after pushing/pulling the vehicle along, although I grant you that manufacturers claims maybe a bit on the wild side because big numbers sell.

But that's where I get intrigued; what's "not fast enough"? I hang a trailer on the back of my car and I expect the acceleration and the achievable speeds to be impacted. I also expect that it'll slow down on the hills, as well. Are people trying to get tow vehicles that are not impacted by having a few thousand pounds dragged along behind it?

:-)

As of a few years ago, all manufacturers must use the same rating system for HP and torque. Can't remember when that started exactly, but prior to that, you're right. The imports were notorious for overstating. Some of the domestic sports cars were notoriously under rated, for insurance purposes. No longer can do that stuff.

[ROBERT CROSS]

UK

We must have enough of each now.... 'cuz we no longer have to rock back and forth in our seats to make it over the summit.

Bob

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

UK

We must have enough of each now.... 'cuz we no longer have to rock back and forth in our seats to make it over the summit.

Bob

And that was without the trailer. Sal.