Could use some assistance with new TV considerations

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by uraljohn

Oh, one more thing. You will upgrade to a larger AS sooner than you think. Might be wise to get that properly equipped 1/2 tonner now so you can tow that 23' or even a 25' AS in a couple years. Don't have to buy a new truck that way!

^
X2

AS only makes the smaller units to hook 'ya...if you end up loving the lifestyle, you will go larger. AMHIK 🥴

Bob
🇺🇸

[Airlock]

I kinda thought that was what was going on...pointless to resist I guess!

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Airlock

Well, that's kinda disappointing. It's always something that seems to get left out of the equation making a informed decision almost impossible.

Gary

Hi

Based on what was in the video, the "footnotes" apply across the board. Bottom line seemed to be that you better target at least 20% more "towing capacity" than you thought. Since that part is rarely what gets you, it's not as big a deal as it might be.

Now, do the same things *also* impact payload in the same way? If they do *that* would hit a lot of people .... Unfortunately the magic letter really didn't get into those details.

Bob

[switz]

The Airstreamer’s disease is “two foot itis”. Thus the basically 2’ length variations. We started with a 2013 25FB International Serenity. Decided to order a 2014 27 FB Classic. Realized this folly and changed to a 31’ Classic for just the difference in base prices.

We added the 2015 23D International Serenity for trips where only a small trailer can get in for short periods of time.

Original tow vehicle was a 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI 3.0L turbo diesel that had a hitch reinforcement done at CanAm in London, Ontario Canada. Towed the new empty trailer home from Los Angles to Phoenix area through the mountains on I-10 with no issues. Loaded for camping, the car was not happy so we acquired a 2012 Ram 2500HD Cummins. That works fine now with the Classic.

Brought the 23D home with the Mercedes. At 207,000 the Mercedes engine had another repeat of a $3,500 repair appear. The 23D now has a 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser for a tow vehicle.

So we passed on one two foot increment purchase.

[Mollysdad]

Since you mentioned reliability and daily driver, I'd recommend the Toyota Tundra.
Not great on gas mileage, but superb on longevity.
I also recommend shopping for a "Certified Used", that looks new, has some warranty, and saves a bit over new. (I did)

[Airlock]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Since you mentioned reliability and daily driver, I'd recommend the Toyota Tundra.
Not great on gas mileage, but superb on longevity.
I also recommend shopping for a "Certified Used", that looks new, has some warranty, and saves a bit over new. (I did)

Thanks for the tip! I have looked (on-line) and the Tundra line of trucks. They certainly seem more than capable; premium price to go with it

[One Smith]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Since you mentioned reliability and daily driver, I'd recommend the Toyota Tundra.
Not great on gas mileage, but superb on longevity.
I also recommend shopping for a "Certified Used", that looks new, has some warranty, and saves a bit over new. (I did)

OUR NEW FORD F350 came into the dealer’s lot today. Will have our 2019 Tundra for sale within a couple days. 5.7 liter V8, 4x4. Towed all over the Rockies last year, but we’re at our weight limit with a 23FB and May want larger next year.

[bkitchens]

I tow a base camp 16 foot with my 2015 F150 pick up. It has the super crew and 2.7 L eco-boost engine. Great for around town as I get over 23 miles per gallon combined including about 15% of total towing. Towing capacity is 7000 pounds. 36 gallon gas tank gives me up to 900 miles of range when not towing. 500-600 miles when towing. Huge cab area can accommodate large and tall adults in the rear seats.

[bkitchens]

FYI. I have put over 100,000 miles on the truck with almost 20,000 miles of towing. No problems. Very happy with the truck

[Colossus]

Op, you always have the option of calling the dealership and asking the salesman to take a picture of the door sticker that interest you. If you’re a serious buyer and make the salesman aware of your situation he or she won’t have a problem snapping a picture and sending it your way. I used this tactic recently when trading out of my F250 Plat for a new F350 plat.

It’s good that you’re putting the time and effort into right sizing the vehicle now as it will save you a few dollars in the end. One piece of advice as others have noted, a little forward thinking is necessary, as you’ll more than likely end up with a bigger unit.

[civeng99]

It’s the turbo. More elevation , less air, less performance.

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

If you head over to TFL Truck on YouTube, they have an interesting video that gets into an issue they ran into testing the towing ability of an F150. Ford got back to them with a letter about how the limits really work. It seems there are a *lot* of fiddly little details. One of them is the numbers dropping 2% for every thousand feet above sea level ....

My take away was that we probably are running a lot closer to some of these limits than we realize.

Bob

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by civeng99

It’s the turbo. More elevation , less air, less performance.

Hi

So YouTube videos are outside your skill set? .... apparently so or you would know what the answer to that is ....

Bob

[RedSHED]

Originally Posted by civeng99

It’s the turbo. More elevation , less air, less performance.

I think this is right. Turbo has a finite ability to compress air, even in aircraft engines.

[Airlock]

Originally Posted by bkitchens

I tow a base camp 16 foot with my 2015 F150 pick up. It has the super crew and 2.7 L eco-boost engine. Great for around town as I get over 23 miles per gallon combined including about 15% of total towing. Towing capacity is 7000 pounds. 36 gallon gas tank gives me up to 900 miles of range when not towing. 500-600 miles when towing. Huge cab area can accommodate large and tall adults in the rear seats.

What sort of towing set up are you using with this truck? I'm asking because there is a 2015 F150 for sale on a dealer's lot; It's a super crew with the same engine as yours; price seems good but I'm not sure it's set up for towing or what to ask the dealer so I can find out. Thanks

[civeng99]

Why do you need to bully people?

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

So YouTube videos are outside your skill set? .... apparently so or you would know what the answer to that is ....

Bob

[switz]

The manifold pressure gage in an aircraft with a normally aspirated engine shows MP dropping about 2” per thousand feet of elevation change. At 10,000 feet one has about 50% of the power at sea level. Same goes for normally aspirated ground vehicles.

The MP gage can emergency altimeter for rough altitude data. Every increase of 2” of MP mean’s down another 1,000 feet….

The turbo chargers on my Pressurized Cessna Skymaster could maintain max power to about 20,000 feet but one would normally run at cruise power to not overheat the engine as air gets hot when compressed even with the intercoolers.

So Ford is correct for their normally aspirated engines loosing power as one climbs in elevation. People face the same issue. Try running at sea level versus 10,000 feet.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by civeng99

Why do you need to bully people?

Hi

Your stated reason for being here (from previous posts) is to stir up trouble. If you are here to do that, I would *assume* you are willing to take exactly what you are here to dish out.

Bob

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by switz

The manifold pressure gage in an aircraft with a normally aspirated engine shows MP dropping about 2” per thousand feet of elevation change. At 10,000 feet one has about 50% of the power at sea level. Same goes for normally aspirated ground vehicles………..

Another very significant factor affecting available horsepower is the rpm at which the motor is running. We do most of our driving (and accelerating at 1,500 - 2,500 rpm whereas rated horsepower is typically measured at 4-5000 rpm, an engine speed rarely (if ever) achieved in real world driving or towing.

For example, the 6.2 liter GM motor is rated at 420 hp but produces less than half of that at normal operating rpm’s. Combine this with the 30-50% power losses at elevation and there is not much left.

These are good reasons to consider supercharged or turbocharged motors for mountain towing.

[civeng99]

Whatever you say pal.

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Your stated reason for being here (from previous posts) is to stir up trouble. If you are here to do that, I would *assume* you are willing to take exactly what you are here to dish out.

Bob

[civeng99]

Originally Posted by field & stream

Another very significant factor affecting available horsepower is the rpm at which the motor is running. We do most of our driving (and accelerating at 1,500 - 2,500 rpm whereas rated horsepower is typically measured at 4-5000 rpm, an engine speed rarely (if ever) achieved in real world driving or towing.

For example, the 6.2 liter GM motor is rated at 420 hp but produces less than half of that at normal operating rpm’s. Combine this with the 30-50% power losses at elevation and there is not much left.

These are good reasons to consider supercharged or turbocharged motors for mountain towing.

Agreed. I’d love to try say an eco boost for towing sometime.