Are you Happy with your Tow Vehicle ?

[ZoominC6]

2008 Duramax Crew 4 X 4............not happy............too much power!

[crispyboy]

I am going to retro route in tow vehicles. I purchased a 22' trailer that would work well with my 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. My family has owned some kind of Jeep since the mid-50's so I guess it's in the blood. So far this vehicle handles the trailer fine. It feels stable and stops on a dime but could use better power in the hills. The springs are old school squishy so the trailer rides well.
This winter the engine is going under the knife - it's getting an upgraded performance cam, lifters, springs, fuel injection system and probably a set of Doug Thorley headers. These parts should bring this old low compression smog motor to life.
I know that it would be easier to go out and purchase a new tow vehicle that would get the job done from the factory but would not be nearly as fun as building your own to do the job.
This thread is fun to read and listen to everyone tout their tow vehicle. There are some really nice vehicles manufactured. I shopped vehicles with my father-in-law two weeks ago. It was interesting seeing all the different makes and models. If I had to choose a new tow vehicle it would be a Dodge Ram with a Hemi. Those are some nice looking pickups!

[Action]

Originally Posted by Jimandrod

We're pulling a 28' Safari SE with a Ford F-150. It has a 5.4L V8, tow package etc etc. It's tow rated at 9300 lbs and the trailer is 7300 loaded so in theory it should be fine. It isn't. We live in the Rockies and the F-150 just isn't enough. It really bogs down on some of the big hills. We plan to upgrade to the F-250 diesel next year.

What axle ratio do you have in that? And what year is your F-150.

Assuming it is a 4X2 reg cab with an automatic. (And not a Harley Davidson F-150)

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Jimandrod]

Originally Posted by Jimandrod

We're pulling a 28' Safari SE with a Ford F-150. It has a 5.4L V8, tow package etc etc. It's tow rated at 9300 lbs and the trailer is 7300 loaded so in theory it should be fine. It isn't. We live in the Rockies and the F-150 just isn't enough. It really bogs down on some of the big hills. We plan to upgrade to the F-250 diesel next year.

Originally Posted by Action

What axle ratio do you have in that? And what year is your F-150. Assuming it is a 4X2 reg cab with an automatic. (And not a Harley Davidson F-150) >>>>>>>>>>>Action

It's a 2004 F-150 XLT 4x4 automatic
5.4L Triton V8
Axel ratio is 3.73
Super Cab - 144" wheel base
It has a towing package and transmission cooler
Ford rates it at 9300 lbs in their towing guide

[Safari-Rick]

.
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7L "Cummings" Diesel 6 speed trans......

Very, very happy

[Dawgfan]

Silverado 2500 4x4 extended cab. Duramax,tows great 14mpg towing and 18mpg empty.

[Action]

Jimandrod,

You are spot on.

From the 2004 towing guide.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...ailer_F150.pdf

Not sure what more I could offer to help you out. Assuming your load isn't more than the 7300 pounds, and I would doubt the 28 footer would be more than that, seems like you have the right equipment to do the job.

Only other area would be tire size. So unless you changed rims to a bigger size I assume you have 16s or 17s. Going to a smaller rim size will give you some advantage as far as towing. The adverse effects for you would be speedometer readings because the speedometer is calibrated to the OE rims and tires.

>>>>>>>>>Action

[Action]

Looking at Airstreams website for trailer weights. The latest year listed is 2003. For 2003, the only 28' foot listed is a Classic. It's dry weight is 6760 #'s. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 8600. Or the total load it was designed to handle based on full tanks and gear. You might want to run your trailer over a scale to confirm what actual load you have, since you have a 2008 and this is data from 2003.

I have a '66 Overlander which is 26' feet. It's fully loaded weight is just shy of 5000 #'s. Since this is my experience I thought a newer trailer might be in the same load range. I guess I errored in my above post.

You may have more load that you think and the truck is doing it's best to carry out your wishes. Moving up in truck size may be just what is needed.

Wish the best to you!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Jimandrod]

Originally Posted by Action

Jimandrod,

You are spot on.

From the 2004 towing guide.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...ailer_F150.pdf

Not sure what more I could offer to help you out. Assuming your load isn't more than the 7300 pounds, and I would doubt the 28 footer would be more than that, seems like you have the right equipment to do the job.
>>>>>>>>>Action

Yup - That's where my numbers came from.

Originally Posted by Action

Looking at Airstreams website for trailer weights. The latest year listed is 2003. For 2003, the only 28' foot listed is a Classic. It's dry weight is 6760 #'s. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 8600. Or the total load it was designed to handle based on full tanks and gear. You might want to run your trailer over a scale to confirm what actual load you have, since you have a 2008 and this is data from 2003.

I have a '66 Overlander which is 26' feet. It's fully loaded weight is just shy of 5000 #'s. Since this is my experience I thought a newer trailer might be in the same load range. I guess I errored in my above post.

You may have more load that you think and the truck is doing it's best to carry out your wishes. Moving up in truck size may be just what is needed.

Wish the best to you!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

No - you didn't really err in your post above - you just didn't have the 2008 data. The specs are on the Airstream website, you just have to dig for them.

Airstream, Inc :: Specifications Specifications

The GVWR is 7300 lbs. The UVW is 5300 lbs (from last years printed brochure) We're actually under the 7300 lbs. We don't have a lot of stuff in there. When we travel with a full water tank we're probably carrying more weight in water than stuff. We also don't haul a lot of toys. On paper, we're within the margin of error so to speak. But... there's a really big factor to take into consideration... elevation. If we tow on flat roads at sea level we'd be golden - no problem. However, we live at 5800 ft and regularly camp at 8,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. That's eating up our towing capacity. I don't know what the factor is but for every 1000 ft in elevation you sacrifice a certain amount of towing capacity.

Thus, we're going to be in the market for a more powerful truck. Thanks for taking the time to respond - I really appreciate it.

Jim

[romap]

When I had my Titan I thought it was a great truck and towed my Classic 25 just fine.

However, after towing with my new Silverado LTZ 2500 CC 4x4 Duramax/Allison I have to change my story. I still think the Titan was a great truck, but the Silverado blows it away towing my Airstream. No comparison!

[99Limited34]

Love my truck. The 7.3 diesel is great. 14 mpg towing the 34 footer at 60 mph.

[JimGolden]

Jim and Rod,

Something to consider (even though diesel fuel is $1 more per gallon) is the fact that about all the modern diesel trucks today are actually turbo diesels.

A turbocharger is a pump that is driven by exhaust gas. It force feeds more air into the engine. The more air you have, the more fuel you can burn, and thus make more power.

But a big benefit to you would be that the turbocharger makes up for any losses you'd experience due to altitude. The turbo will not only maintain sea level pressure, it will provide much more than that. The pressure above 1 atmosphere ("Sea Level" pressure) is called "Boost." The diesels from the Big Three can make really hefty amounts of boost.

So anyway, a turbocharged truck would do you all really well because you wouldn't lose power as you go up the big mountains. That would probably be a big benefit to you.

That on top of the great torque, better fuel economy, and great longevity of diesels. They are superb engines for towing.

Just something to think about anyway. I'm a bit biased toward Mopar and the Cummins, but any of them would do you well.

Take care,

[purman]

Anyone else happy or unhappy with their TV..

[seeleylaker]

08 Tundra Double Cab 5.7
68 Overlander

Perfect for me with this trailer--any terrain, any conditions. Absolutely no complaints.

[Jimandrod]

Originally Posted by Jimandrod

We're pulling a 28' Safari SE with a Ford F-150. It has a 5.4L V8, tow package etc etc. It's tow rated at 9300 lbs and the trailer is 7300 loaded so in theory it should be fine. It isn't. We live in the Rockies and the F-150 just isn't enough. It really bogs down on some of the big hills. We plan to upgrade to the F-250 diesel next year.

Well - within 2 weeks after I wrote the post that I'm quoting, we had a new F-250 diesel in our driveway. We love it!

[WK57ABF]

Are you happy with your tow vehicle?

Sure are.

We think we have the best tow vehicle in the world for our travel trailer - 2008 F350 supercab, long bed, 4x4, 6.4 diesel.

* quite V8 diesel
* powerscope rear veiw mirrors
* integrated trailer brake controller
* tow haul
* soft rear springs
* 3.73 limited slip
* brakes

and so on.

Unhappy!

No API CJ-4 engine lube oil in this country. Had to get parts man to import.
Coming in 16 one-quart bottles ....! What no drums.

John & Carole

[ffwilliston]

I think I am one of the few that tows with an Armada. It pulls my 30' Classic or my 26' boat (heavier) with absolutely no problems. We switched from a pick-up for much better creature comforts as we frequently have passengers on board. It is roomy in the second and third row of seats; they fold down, of course, for more cargo. It is also an attractive vehicle. My wife loves it and drives it to work when we are not on the road. The built-in DVD player makes a long trip with the grand-rugrats much more enjoyable and the rear camera makes hooking up a breeze. We've recently towed on two trips to the far West; it is a breeze. Take one for a test drive and see what you think. Sincerely, Fred

[Kistler]

No, but it is about the maximum length that will fit in my garage.

[Diesel1]

Unhappy!

No API CJ-4 engine lube oil in this country. Had to get parts man to import.
Coming in 16 one-quart bottles ....! What no drums.

John & Carole[/quote]
Where did you buy your truck? That is a very common oil here. Adios, John

[WK57ABF]

Diesel1,

Truck imported from Florida to UK in May 2007.

API CJ-4 oil is 2006 spec. Remember us Brits are 20 years behind you folks!

John & Carole