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Old 07-11-2018, 06:04 AM   #1
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2018 19' Flying Cloud
Waltham , Massachusetts
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19’ FC tow vehicle?

Hi! What are y’all using for tow vehicles for 19’ Bambis?

We have a ‘16 Ridgeline ane when its fully loaded, kids included, I feel we are pushing it to the extreme, weight-wise (5000# tow capacity).

Thinking on trading’er in for an upgrade but would love to avoid that hassle ($$), if possible. I recognize Im a bit paranoid, but trying to keep the family safe.

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Old 07-11-2018, 07:09 AM   #2
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Get your camper weighed, as you will tow it. Check the payload sticker on your drivers door. That is where many vehicles come up short.
It is hard to beat a 1/2 ton (F150 Ecoboost) for towing small to mid size trailers.
I just upgraded from an Expedition to an F250 for towing my new 28. Much easier towing.
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Old 07-11-2018, 07:34 AM   #3
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Waltham , Massachusetts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brick1 View Post
Get your camper weighed, as you will tow it. Check the payload sticker on your drivers door. That is where many vehicles come up short.
It is hard to beat a 1/2 ton (F150 Ecoboost) for towing small to mid size trailers.
I just upgraded from an Expedition to an F250 for towing my new 28. Much easier towing.
brick


Thank you. I havent weighed it on the cat scale. Ill do that.
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Old 07-11-2018, 07:39 AM   #4
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2005 19' International CCD
Boston , Massachusetts
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Tow mine with a 2008 Jeep Liberty. I would not mind changing to your Ridgeline if you think you want something contact me . I only have two people and not much stuff to load in. I will admit the Liberty is a bit small for the load but we use a Hensley hitch witch seems to work.
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Old 07-11-2018, 07:51 AM   #5
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Your Bambi has a GVWR of about 4500#, which means you should have about 600# of tongue weight. Add 600# of tongue weight to the weight of your WD hitch (typically about 100#). Also add to that the weights of all the people who will be riding in the vehicle. Add, also, the estimated weight of all the "stuff" that you will load in the vehicle when you go camping. Now, look at the driver's door sticker for the Payload Rating. How do those two numbers compare? If the Payload Rating is smaller than the weights you have calculated, you are overloaded. Take the weights you have calculated with you when looking at new tow vehicles. Look at the door stickers and be sure you get one with enough Payload Rating. I prefer a little buffer, so I add about 10% to my calculated weights and look for a tow vehicle with at least that much.
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Old 07-11-2018, 09:44 AM   #6
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We Pull our 2018 25 international serenity with the 2014 Dodge Durango Citadel Hemi . A truly luxury ride. It is a seven passenger. Plenty of room for your children and gear. We have been getting about 14 miles to the gallon. Love in the journey. Our children are grown but we carry two beautiful hunting dogs with us .
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Old 07-11-2018, 09:58 AM   #7
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Newtown , Connecticut
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Smile 19" FC tow vehicle

I just purchased a 2016 FC 19C Bambi and have a 2011 Ford F150 3.5 Ecoboost as a TV. It tows quite well. I had thought about trading for a new Ford Explorer, but love the way the F150 tows. I'm keeping the F150!
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Old 07-11-2018, 10:05 AM   #8
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We have a 2014 19 foot International, and after much research, leased a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V6 4x4 with factory towing package and 6200 lb. towing capacity. No WD hitch installed so far. On short trips this summer, the JGC pulled the Bambi very well. Will be taking longer trips in the next two months, but we don't expect any problems. Prior to this, we rented a new Toyota Tacoma 4x4 twice but didn't like the way it felt--seemed like lots of push-pull going on.
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Old 07-11-2018, 10:09 AM   #9
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San Jose , California
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I use a G Wagen and it works great. Tow capacity is 7000lbs and has space on the roof and rear for stuff and 4 seats for passengers.
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Old 07-11-2018, 11:16 AM   #10
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Chester , Vermont
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We use a 2006 Escalade for our 19 FC. we live in Vermont and need power for hills and mountains. I went out looking for a Tahoe and they were mostly beat up. The Escalade was in good shape and lower mileage - same price
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Old 07-11-2018, 11:21 AM   #11
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McKinney , TX
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We tow our 19'FC with a 2X Nissan Frontier Crew Cab V6, with tow package. It has a 6300 tow capacity, so nice buffer to the 4500# Bambi & 630# tongue weight. We also use a Blue Ox Swap Pro. We tow no problem, but I know that the trailer is definitely there & hills / mountains take a toll. As I am planning a trip into the rockies next year, I will switch to an F-150 ecoboost with towing package. In such cases more is better.
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Old 07-11-2018, 11:40 AM   #12
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2015 19' Flying Cloud
Orcutt , California
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We currently have a 2015 19' & 2015 Tundra TRD 4X4 via Hensley cub hitch. Feel the combination a bit overkill, except the peace of mind & joy of driving this combination cannot be overstated. Sometimes we are loaded heavy for that longer trip, always feel safe and did I mention a pleasure to drive especially when encountering rather steep grades. Gas mileage at about 13 keeping speed at 65 or less.
Recently up-graded to 16" wheels running Mitchelin LT 225/75R 16 / E for a bit "more" margin? Another potential topic, another forum.
I'm a retired Engineer, Space Program, we always "test" for more margin.

The Elk very quietly waited behind me until I finished un-hooking the water, pretty smart.

Here's to you finding peace of mind towing and safe travels.
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Old 07-11-2018, 11:55 AM   #13
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Looks like the elk was looking for water or something.

They can be unpredictable at times, but that is one heck of a cool picture.

I assume you moved slowly and calmly as not to spook it...
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Old 07-11-2018, 12:15 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brick1 View Post
Get your camper weighed, as you will tow it. Check the payload sticker on your drivers door. That is where many vehicles come up short.
It is hard to beat a 1/2 ton (F150 Ecoboost) for towing small to mid size trailers.
I just upgraded from an Expedition to an F250 for towing my new 28. Much easier towing.
brick
following the brick..............lol
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Old 07-11-2018, 01:16 PM   #15
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1/2 ton is better

I have a 2017 FC19 and initially towed with my ford Ranger that was rated for 7,000lbs towing. Unfortunately, it just didn't feel very stable and struggled on inclines. Consequenlty, we replaced the ranger with a 2017 GMC Sierra which has proven to be a much better choice.
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Old 07-11-2018, 01:43 PM   #16
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You were right, it was the water and yes I moved very slowly away because of what the mom and her baby were doing across the way. Did not want to get caught in-between! (see attached pics)
Picture taken last month, trailer village, Grand Canyon

Sorry, off the main topic of this thread regarding 19' and a TV, but wanted to share the "rest of the story" regarding our Elk encounter.
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Old 07-11-2018, 03:23 PM   #17
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2018 Nissan Armada and 2018 19' Flying Cloud

Truly the definition of you can't even tell you are towing something. No weight distributing hitch either.
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Old 07-12-2018, 06:01 AM   #18
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Here are the CAT scale numbers from one our trips towing our 2015 Bambi 22FB with our 2014 Honda Ridgeline using an Andersen WDH. Truck payload included 2 adults, Yeti 50 and golf clubs in the cab. Honda 2000i generator in the bed. AS fresh water tank was full.

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Old 07-12-2018, 03:12 PM   #19
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Waltham , Massachusetts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twbucksr View Post
Here are the CAT scale numbers from one our trips towing our 2015 Bambi 22FB with our 2014 Honda Ridgeline using an Andersen WDH. Truck payload included 2 adults, Yeti 50 and golf clubs in the cab. Honda 2000i generator in the bed. AS fresh water tank was full.

Attachment 316666


Thanks for sharing. That’s helpful.
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Old 07-12-2018, 03:14 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by curry View Post
We currently have a 2015 19' & 2015 Tundra TRD 4X4 via Hensley cub hitch. Feel the combination a bit overkill, except the peace of mind & joy of driving this combination cannot be overstated. Sometimes we are loaded heavy for that longer trip, always feel safe and did I mention a pleasure to drive especially when encountering rather steep grades. Gas mileage at about 13 keeping speed at 65 or less.
Recently up-graded to 16" wheels running Mitchelin LT 225/75R 16 / E for a bit "more" margin? Another potential topic, another forum.
I'm a retired Engineer, Space Program, we always "test" for more margin.

The Elk very quietly waited behind me until I finished un-hooking the water, pretty smart.

Here's to you finding peace of mind towing and safe travels.


Thanks for your input. Helpful.
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