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SteveH · 07-12-2009, 07:04 AM

Personally, I question why Ford's 4.6L engine equipped truck is rated to tow 9500 pounds when GM's 5.3L engine equipped truck is rated to tow only 7800 pounds? Seems to me someone is either underestimating, or someone is overestimating, and this is not just because I own a GM.

Mikethefixit · 07-12-2009, 08:35 AM

I know ya don't like diesels and I am personally a Ford person and having drivin diesels all my adult life they don't bother me,you get used to them. I think if I were inclined I would look at GM's Duramax .Its quiet compaired to International(Ford) and Cummins (Dodge) and if gas is more to your liking .Id pick the best deal I could find on a F250/2500 series Crewcab longbed I could find. Add a cap too the bed for storin you STUFF and your are set. The 3/4 tons will give you load handling and braking power.Long wheelbase will give the ride you desire. I would stay away for the foreign makes and their claims. ITS all advertizing.
In todays market you should be able to find a new or just off lease (2 yr old) piece of equipment to suite your needs. Its best to actually buy more truck than you really need ,than to live on the edge of MAXED out and be unhappy.
THE VERY BEST OF LUCK TO U
Roger

rangebowdrie · 07-12-2009, 10:25 AM

The original post, stated that the TT weighed in at 8,300 lbs, while a later post says only 600 some lbs., of toungue weight, there seems to be a discrepency of figures. An 8,300 lb. unit would carry around 850-900 lbs. of toungue weight, plus hitch. Weights of this size are clearly in the range for a 3/4 ton tow vehicle. Yes, maybe, a 1/2 ton vehicle COULD pull the weight, but the payload capacity of the vehicle will be stressed to the max.
With 3>400 lbs. of people, say 900 lbs of hitch weight, 150lbs of fuel, and a pile of "stuff", your at, or over the weight "carrying" limits of most 1/2 tons, irrespective of "towing" capacity.
With a TT that big, and heavy, you really need a domestic brand of 3/4 ton vehicle, with gears in the 3.73>4.10 range.

Gene · 07-12-2009, 10:27 AM

donna, what do you mean by more effort required going up hills? All trucks and SUV's need more effort going up hills unless you buy a 3/4 ton truck with an enormous diesel engine, and that truck would be far more than you need for a Bambi. The newer 4runner has a bigger V6 than the one you have in your '99 4Runner. You can also buy a 4Runner with a V8 and that would be plenty of engine for your purposes.

Gene

donna01 · 07-12-2009, 10:55 AM

Gene, thanks. My eyes are blurry from reading all the posts on TVs! When going uphill, even when not much of a grade, we have to shift to 2nd and the engine seems to "labor" to keep pulling. Some drag is to be expected but I get nervous about maintaining speed and being safe.

Inland RV Center, In · 07-12-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donna01

Gene, thanks. My eyes are blurry from reading all the posts on TVs! When going uphill, even when not much of a grade, we have to shift to 2nd and the engine seems to "labor" to keep pulling. Some drag is to be expected but I get nervous about maintaining speed and being safe.

Installing a transmission oil cooler helps.

But, when climbing, if you need to down shift, that's OK.

Pick a comfortable climbing speed, stay with it, and before you know it, your there.

Think of it this way.

Even our super high powered "jet" aircraft, have to back off of the climbing speed, until they reach cruise altitude.

If you try to practice the same proceedure, your Airstream travels will be much happier, and you will use less fuel as well.

Climbing in high gear, and striving to maintain a cruise speed, elevates the cylinder head temperatures, and leads to ultimate shorter engine life.

Andy

Gene · 07-12-2009, 12:09 PM

donna, 2nd gear does seem low especially on a NC hill. I believe you have a 4 speed, probably a manual. We had a 2000 4Runner and it was a great truck, but that size V6 would have been tested. Over the years they've made that engine bigger and more powerful and sometime in the middle of this decade they included a V8 option. I think it's the 4.7 L. V8. If you're happy with your 4Runner, you might consider a newer one. They feel pretty much the same, the controls are pretty much in the same place. We now have an '06 V6 and it handles better than the 2000.

I think the only reason to buy a bigger truck would be if you were thinking of trading in your Bambi for a heavier trailer.

I can't blame you for being crazed by reading all the threads about tow vehicles. They unfortunately are often characterized by "mine is the best". Of course, mine is the best.

Gene

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-12-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donna01

We have a 2009 19' Bambi and are towing with a Toyota 4 Runner, with Reese hitch and sway control. It's fine except for more effort going up hills. We are considering getting a Ford F-150. Ford says the 4.6L 3-valve V8 will tow 9500 lbs and the 5.4L 3-valve V8 tows 11,300. Is Ford F-150 a good choice? Any advice would be appreciated!
Donna

Hi, Ford's 4.6 L engine is a great engine, but the 5.4 L engine has way more torque. I would not tow with the 4.6 L engine no matter what tow rating is has. Some time in the future, Ford is supposed to have a new, larger, V-8 engine. [6.2 L] This is [hear say] going to have much more HP and Torque than the 5.4 L does. My plan is to buy one around two years used.

dlb435 · 07-14-2009, 05:54 AM

I've got an F-150 with the 5.4L V8. It has the 3.31 rear end. (70mph=2000RPM) I don't think it would be the right truck for a trailer over 4500lb. The truck is also offered with a 4.10 rear end that really ups the towing capacity.

donna01 · 07-15-2009, 02:52 PM

Thanks, Bob. My instinct was to go for the 5.4 engine and you confirmed that - rather have too much than too little.

Prairiestem · 09-15-2009, 03:18 PM

Read in your profile that you have a 34 foot Limited and you are pulling it with the Dodge Cummins. We also have a 34 foot and are towing it with F250 7.3 L diesel. (300k miles) We plan to go out West and do some serious driving in the mountains. We were in Montana and it huffed and puffed going up some of the grades. I wonder if we are too heavy (floor was replaced in the trailer with oak wood. It looks good but it must be heavy) We were considering moving to an F350. . .any comments?

honeyrun · 09-24-2009, 04:53 PM

Hi, I'm a pre-nuby, nooby, newby?? I have an Airstream in my future. I've been shopping for a low-prices, but perfect tow vehicle. I have found a 1981 Cadillac with a diesel engine, low miles. I've gotten so excited! I'd like tohear what you all think. It's a beautiful metalic blue--gorgeous. Anyway, it doesn't have a tow package on it, although this particular model, the Fleetwood, did offer one when it was new--fromthe factory. So my question is, if I do get this TV, what wouldyou all suggest as far as getting it ready to tow? Been with you for several months in spirit, but this is my first time writing. Thanks, Honeyrun

Cracker · 09-24-2009, 06:02 PM

Tongue weight for my 2000 30' Excella comes in right at 980 lbs when loaded for a trip with full fresh water tank and waste tanks empty. This is based on weighing with my Sherline scale and, in my opinion, we probably carry a lot less "stuff" than average. Our dually has a modified (reduced capacity) rear suspension - as pointed out on many past threads - making it roughly equivalent to a 2500 but with the added stability of the dually. We now use 600# weight-distributing bars and the ride is relatively soft as trucks go. I've never once felt that the TV was "overkill" and, after living with this combo for over six years now all I can report is that every trip has been nothing but pleasure. Although I could maintain normal speed on every Eastern mountain range I've ever encountered I can't imagine why I would want to? I slow down, let the tranny select a comfortable gear, and then sit back and enjoy the trip. This normally means a speed about 10 mph below the posted limit - which seldom impedes traffic for more than a few minutes, if at all.

n2916s · 09-24-2009, 06:04 PM

We have been dragging our 8000# Sovereign around for the past 4 years and 35000 some odd miles all over the place. This year Miami-Yellowstone-Devils Tower National Monument and on the way home now (in Millington, TN).

We tow with a 2004 Nissan Titan 2wd SE which, I believe, is a less capable truck than the current Tundra..

Have never had a white knuckle moment. The trailer rides very nicely - never any sign of roughness like clothing falling off hangars or the stuff in the reefer being disarranged.

Yes, we have had long pulls up 8% grades in 3rd gear. Probably about 25 miles worth all told.

Other than two service bulletins (one for brakes, one for rear seat belts), the Titan has had no unscheduled maintenance.

So, yes, you can tow safely with a properly equipped half-ton.

Mike

Road Ruler · 09-24-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeyrun

Hi, I'm a pre-nuby, nooby, newby?? I have an Airstream in my future. I've been shopping for a low-prices, but perfect tow vehicle. I have found a 1981 Cadillac with a diesel engine, low miles.

There are some great handling, reliable, comfortable, newer, newish cars/vehicles that you would be much better off with IMHO... You could start by reading some of these Hitch Hints articles.... RV Lifestyle - Hitch Hints & Wagon Masters

mweimer · 09-24-2009, 07:33 PM

Wow! I had an '81 Oldsmobile with that diesel engine. It could hardly tow my pop-up camper that weighed less than 1000 pounds! Then the head gasket blew ....like most of those 350 diesels did. Find a 1993 to 1996 Fleetwood with the 5.7 gas engine and you'll have a better tow vehicle than anything made in the 1980's.

honeyrun · 09-25-2009, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the input, Punsky. With all the talk about diesels, I am really surprised, but relieved, to get your feedback. I'll keep looking

Gene · 09-25-2009, 07:08 PM

honeyrun, I inherited an '85 Olds Toronado (pretty much the same as a Caddy) and it was the worst car I ever owned. '80's GM cars almost killed GM and maybe should have. The Olds had the 350 detuned gas engine, terribly under engineered brakes and the list goes on and on.

Gene

Denis4x4 · 09-26-2009, 06:48 AM

I factory ordered an Olds wagon with the 350 diesel. When it ran, it was great. Unfortunately, it was usually in the shop. The dealer claimed that faulty injectors were not covered under warranty and I paid $600 or $700 to fix it. Wrote a letter to the Olds PR department and told them that the only way I was going to recoup my loss was to write a couple of stories on the crappy dealer service for Chilton trade magazines. Before you know it, I got a letter from Olds asking me for copies of my receipts and I received a check within a week.

The interesting part of the story is that the next owner loved the car and he never had a lick of trouble. BTW, we lived in San Diego and went to Tecate (24 miles away) and paid 12 cents a gallon for diesel. The only bad diesel I ever got was in Beverly Hills!