KL, When I picked up my International CCD 25C, I did not have any kind of sway bar. I do plan to get a Hensley Hitch, since everyone swears that it will completely eliminate sway. I do have an electric brake on my truck, as I pull a motorcycle trailer. I drove from Atlanta to Tallahassee, using the back roads and stayed clear of Interstates where I could get a lot of wind from passing trucks. The trailer handled very well. Ocassionally, I'd get a little sway, but I'd just slow down till it straightened out. I drove about 55 mph most of the way, ocassionally getting up to 60. I was pleased with how well the trailer towed with no stabalizer bars or anything. It just goes to show how well A/S trailers are made. The Tundra had plenty of power to pull the trailer, which was completely empty (5240 lbs). I'm anxious to see how it does when we have all of our camping gear loaded into it. I told my wife we have some down-sizing to do. We just sold a 40' diesel pusher with a 400 hp Cummins diesel that had tons of basement storage. It was an awsome motorhome, but we outsized ourselves. There were few parks that could accomodate a rig that big. This 25 foot A/S will allow us to go to State Parks again. I can't wait. Enjoy your new A/S, KL.
Sounds passable to me. The larger gears are what helped (and the V8 wasn't bad either)!
Eric
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Thanks i just got an older ford van with a 5 liter and 3.55 ratio. Except for the ratio which is a little light i am in good shape. It has a complete tow package and reese equalizer hitch.
Ajrandzin,
I used to have a E150 Cargo with the 5.0 and the towing package. As i remember, it towed every bit as good as my Dodge with the 5.9V8
At the time, I was towing a car trailer with an old Mercedes on the back of it from one stage of restoration to another. It about equas the weight of my Tradewind.
Axle ratio is key. Also, tow in D not in OD, if your van has the 4-speed Automatic.
I have a 1973 27" Overlander ( gvwr 6200, gawr front 2800, gawr rear 2000) that I have begun towing with a v-8, 2000 tundra - towing capacity 7100 lbs. I do have a brake controller and sway bars. I have had no problems in my first three trips with it - but haven't done any serious mountain passes. It has done the California foothills and Pacheco Pass without any problems. The Tundra is a joy but probably would not go near a trailer that has any more weight.
UWE
Thanks for that info as i was a little unsure about towing a 21 or 22 footer. I thought i would have to stick with 17 to 19 footer. Also good to know about OD as i do have it.
I bought my 2004 International CCD 25C on July 10, 2003, in Atlanta and pulled it to Tallahassee, Florida with my Toyota Tundra without any kind of sway bar. I had to hold it to 55 mph. On I-10, I got a good bit of air turbulence when the 18-wheelers roared by doing 70+ mph. Once I got the Hensley Hitch installed, it was night and day different. I can pull the trailer at 70 mph and not feel any sway at all. Trucks passing don't phase it. I don't cruise at 70, but wanted to see how it handled at that speed. The Hensley appears to be everything it was cracked up to be. If you're looking for total peace of mind, I recommend it.
I'm glad to see others are towing with Tundras. I just returned from my longest trip. I hauled my '72 Trade Wind to Estes Park Colorado and back. I'm set up with a Reese hitch with weight distribution and one friction anti-sway bar. I do not tow with my overdrive turned off and do use cruise control. I do turn off the overdrive if the truck starts to frequently shift into and out of overdrive. I also come out of cruise control when going up a steep hill.
Everything worked well on my trip except headwinds I encountered going and coming. Without a headwind I pulled at 2,200 RPM at 70 mph and 10 - 12 mpg. With the headwind rpm was 3,200 and 7.5 mpg.
Originally posted by silverback Dave-O, Are you saying never use overdrive? Not even on on the wide open flat interstate? What about cruise control?
Thanks in advance,
Ken
03 Tundra (w/tow package)
1 week, 1 day from 22' CCD delivery
My recommendation is to go with what your owners manual tells you. With the GM vehicles they state whether you can use O.D. or not. Example my '99 Chevy Express 1/2 ton van with 5.7 liter engine 3.73 axle, manual stated do not tow in O.D. My '03 GMC Savana 3/4 ton van with 6.0 liter engine 4.10 axle, manual says its ok to use O.D.
Jack
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Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
Jack, As they used to say in the Army, RTFM. My Tundra manual says in several places always use OD. It also says, when towing, turn off OD for maximum engine braking efficiency... Hmm. Well I split the difference towing the CCD home today (Yes!! We finally got it!!). In the mostly flat wide open sections of I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix I left it in OD and even used CC. For descending hills, pulling away from a stop, entering the interstate and manuvering around the RV storage lot, I turned it off. All in all the Tundra seemed very happy.
Thanks,
Ken
I tow my 2004 International CCD 25C with a 2001 Toyota Tundra V8 4X4, using a Hensley Hitch, and I always turn the overdrive off before I put the truck in gear. It tows like a dream.
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