Best truck

[switz]

We tow our 2015 23D International Serenity with my 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI V6 3.0L turbo diesel. Since we converted both of our 2,000 watt Honda generators to propane and we have the connections to the grill port of the 23D, we do not need gasoline to be carried in the car. We also have small Solaire Everywhere infra-red that connects to the 23D grill port. There is also a Viair 450 air compressor kit. We carry the awning fabric matching ZipDee chairs in the MB as well.

Fully loaded for camping with full tanks and fridge, the 23D scales 6,063 pounds:

Camping Ready 23D my scales 9 May 2016 Full water and propane tanks

Tongue………928
Front….1,280……1,246 - total front axle 2,526
Rear…..1,376……1,233 - total rear axle 2,609
Total Axles………5,135
Total Trailer….6,063

We have fitted 15" SenDel T03-56545T wheels with 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires (inflated to 44 psi) and a Dill 1506-53 TPMS and Centramatic 200-221 wheelbalancers. We use a Hensley Arrow we had stored from the trade-in of our 2013 25FB International on our 2014 31' Classic.

The 23D and Mercedes are a great combination and tows like it is on rails. We drive 55 mph as that speed works out well for engine gearing that produces one 16.5 mpg on the level. We use 2nd gear in descents and do not need to use the brakes as the back pressure of the diesel hold the speed in check even on 7% grades.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Wrong again. My Tundra has three and three. Plus firewood and so much more. I understand you don't like pickup trucks. That's fine. Others do, and that's fine also.

Okay, I guess there are more 6 passenger trucks than I thought.

It's not that I don't like pick ups, as I owned a few in my lifetime, I just know this forum is full of people that consider towing an Airstream with anything other than a pick up is foolish (thats putting it mildly). I, and others on this site are aware that many better options are available for the OP to tow their new 23' trailer.

It's always the pick up crowd that gets their gander up if anyone offers other options.

Cheers
Tony

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

It's always the pick up crowd that gets their gander up if anyone offers other options.

Cheers
Tony

Maybe, but the OP asked Best Truck...

Not best vehicle, not best option other than truck, BEST TRUCK.. So if you don't have a best truck recommendation, move along..

[AlinCal]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

Maybe, but the OP asked Best Truck...

Not best vehicle, not best option other than truck, BEST TRUCK.. So if you don't have a best truck recommendation, move along..

Hmmm, OP not present in 4 pages. Move this to the argue thread?

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by thurmanlinda

We just ordered our new 23 foot international signature. While we wait to take delivery in December we’re looking for something to pull our new airstream. We are favoring Ford andToyota. Before we start the dealership rumble in the jungle does anyone have insights beyond the manufacturers sales brochures and d alerships sales b.s.?

Are you still monitoring this thread? If not perhaps we can let it die a natural "rumble in the jungle" death?

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Okay, I guess there are more 6 passenger trucks than I thought.

It's not that I don't like pick ups, as I owned a few in my lifetime, I just know this forum is full of people that consider towing an Airstream with anything other than a pick up is foolish (thats putting it mildly). I, and others on this site are aware that many better options are available for the OP to tow their new 23' trailer.

It's always the pick up crowd that gets their gander up if anyone offers other options.

Cheers
Tony

I guess I was taking your comments the wrong way. I was seeing more "anti truck" intent, than "pro something else".
If I thought pulling our AS was alright with a RAV4, CRV, or an Escape, I'd be all for it. I just can't leave all the "stuff" at home that we like to have along. Screen room, hammock, blue waste water hauler, kayak, bikes, etc.. Everybody likes what they have. We only have two of us in the AS, so it's always just the two of us in the truck. Maybe the dog will get to come along one of these days.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Often "best truck" is simply a starting point. With zero input from the OP, who knows what the intent was? Once again, we head off trying to help somebody. This works pretty well if it's interactive. Those threads do tend to morph based on input from the OP. Doing this blind, there really isn't any choice but to toss up various options. Maybe some of them are helpful. It's always going to be true that most of it will be useless since it's not targeted at the specific need. Yes, in some cases we do stir up some activity, by then we are well off in the weeds ....

It would be less depressing if it didn't happen to 80% of these threads (and that there are multiples of them every week ....).

Bob

[aftermath]

You have asked a tough question. I will not try to talk you into the truck that I use and love.

What you need to do is to find the truck that you like and that will work for your situation. I think we have gotten to the place in time where the trucks you listed will all work just fine. The fact that you mentioned that this will be a daily driver will be an important factor in your decision.

I am a Toyota guy and have been for years. I do not use my truck daily but if I did I might look at the Ford ecoboost for the mileage it gets while NOT towing. Fords are very popular on this forum and everywhere else for that matter. Huge numbers on the road doesn't automatically translate to it being the "best" as many would want you to think. Remember there are more cockroaches on the face of the earth than humans and that alone does not signal that they are a superior species.

Be careful if you let the mileage numbers alone decide on your purchase. You can do the math estimating the savings you will get when driving a truck that gets 19 mpg (lets say) compared to one that gets 16. It will save you money over time, but how much and is it worth it to you?

[jim6090]

This is easy.

Ram 1500 Eco Diesel.

Best towing MPG. 14-16 MPG
Best Ride. Only truck with Air suspension
Easiest to hitch with air adjustability.
Most convenient tool storage; Ram box.
Least expensive for fully loaded truck.

[gypsydad]

I purchased my first F150 in 2012, after owning 2 Tahoe's in a row. The F150 Echoboost was by far, a great decision for an all around vehicle including towing an AS. I went through a 2008 AS Twin and a 2014 AS Twin in 5 years with that F150 EB, and it ran flawless. The extra utility of a truck can not be over emphasized...generators, gas, outdoor toys, etc. Only reason I went to an F250 is wife wanted something bigger to pull the 28' we purchased earlier this year. But, the F150 EB, especially the new one with the 10 speed and new 3.5 EB with 500# torque is a "beast"! I would own the F150 again in a hart beat!
I also checked out the GM's with the 6.2L 8 speed--(very nice but it was very hard to find one with payload higher then 1300#)
I looked at the Toyota also, but Tundra still has only 6 speed transmission (poor mileage) and I could not find one on any lot with payload rating over 1300#'s. Also looked at RAM with Hemi...no payload..at the time my RAM dealers were recommending against the EcoDiesel at the time, but payload on Hemi was again, very low for 4x4 and SuperCrew cab models of all of these, compared with Ford.

Check out for yourself; don't listen to sales guys....get the real payload numbers off the door sill sticker like the one below with "combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 2144lbs. You will be fine with your 23' for sure, but important if you want to move up in size next year! good luck!

[dznf0g]

Do you mean like this 6.2l, ltz, maxtow silverado? 1300 pounds, my fanny! Facts only please. I had no trouble finding several in my area.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Attachment 297332

Do you mean like this 6.2l, ltz, maxtow silverado? 1300 pounds, my fanny! Facts only please. I had no trouble finding several in my area.

Impressive; was that GM a 4x4 with Super Crew, short bed LTZ or Denali? I should have been a bit more specific on my post. It was "difficult" indeed, to find a 6.2L w/8speed, 4x4, heavy duty tow package, short bed, with payload above 1500lbs...which is what I was looking for. Many had below 1300lbs, in GM and Toyota, but it is hard to find the combination I mention above, on a dealers lot when I was looking.

Today, I visited 2 dealers GM dealers; one had nothing in 1/2T 6.2l in configuration listed above; he tried to push me to 3/4T with 6.2l.

The second GM dealer had 2 on his lot, both Denali's; he said they are very rare. I took pictures of those 2 payload stickers and attached below. As I mentioned, I love the Echoboost, and I also liked the 6.2 GM with 8speed, but finding the payload above 1500lbs with fully loaded models is challenging.

Ford F150 has same issues "on the lots" most of the time, when your talking pretty well equipped models over 1500lbs. Lariat is likely best choice. (Sorry I was not specific.) If your payload is needing to be above 1500lbs and you want a 1/2T fairly well equipped, good luck finding on a lot no matter which brand you want.

[dznf0g]

It is a regular bed, double cab with maxtow. Maxtow gives you a larger rear axle, springs and 400 pounds more payload. Crew cab would lower about 200 pounds. Can't get maxtow with Denali, only slt. Mine is loaded, except no sun roof.

[dznf0g]

Or a short bed crew loses about 100 pounds payload.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

It is a regular bed, double cab with maxtow. Maxtow gives you a larger rear axle, springs and 400 pounds more payload. Crew cab would lower about 200 pounds. Can't get maxtow with Denali, only slt. Mine is loaded, except no sun roof.

OK; understand. That explains your payload...likely 2wd also? That would make sense.

[dznf0g]

No, it's 4wd.

[thurmanlinda]

We went back into the AS dealer because we changed our minds on the unit size and configuration. They were cool about everything and we made a better deal on a 25FB, so now I’m back to drawing board. So now I need to up the towing demands to handle 7300#, 837# hitch weight. Getting some pretty sweet quotes from CostcoAuto program. Thanks for all the info and entertaining humor. “a healthy sense of humor can dull the pain"

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Just look at the sales figures.

So that's why you bought a leaf-sprung Jayco!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by thurmanlinda

We went back into the AS dealer because we changed our minds on the unit size and configuration. They were cool about everything and we made a better deal on a 25FB, so now I’m back to drawing board. So now I need to up the towing demands to handle 7300#, 837# hitch weight. Getting some pretty sweet quotes from CostcoAuto program. Thanks for all the info and entertaining humor. “a healthy sense of humor can dull the pain"

Keep in mind, that "837#" number is "approximate", and can vary depending on each unit and also what you have when loaded with water and propane. Our 2014' 25' front bed twin, when loaded with our personal stuff, water, and propane came in at 900#. Add that to my fat self, wife, dog at the time, kayaks, rack, small generator, camp gear, in TV bed, and I was at 1490#. My Platinum F150 Payload was only rated for 1039#. If it had not been for this forum, I would have not even known I was overloaded back few years ago!

[NoResults]

I have a 23fb International like you first ordered and I tow with a F150 4 x 4. My payload is 1957 pounds.

When I purchased the truck I had towing and safety in mind. My 2016 had a five star safety rating and although I am not planning on wrecking it this gave me some extra piece of mind.

Also I get great mileage with the 3.5 eco boost and am sure I can up grade to a larger trailer with out trading vehicles.

If you had gone out and bought a car to tow with you would of been trading cars again.

If I was to do it over again I would look at all the brands. Things change rapidly in the automobile market.

Dave