Anyone towing a Flying Cloud 27?

[4taxabel]

The 5.3 can’t handle the stress of towing that heavy a load. What people are leaving out is that you don’t tow over a 6% grade. If you do, good luck. Another thing people are leaving out is to climb a hill, the truck is screaming at around 4-5 thousand RPM’s. This engine will eat the lifters and cam after a 2-3 years of this use. Save yourself from this scenario.

[Dick tracy]

your payload is way heavier than most and definitely more than a 1/2 ton will handle.
I recommend a 1 ton diesel, as a 3/4 ton diesel has less payload with same axle and frame limits.
YOU need MAX everything, don't mess around with a 3/4 ton diesel it has 800lbs less payload than an equally equipped 1 ton.
JUST DO IT, no need to attempt to figure it out for months.

[Cyclist]

I'll add my two cents worth. We've only had one trailer and one tow vehicle but we full timed around North America three times over three years plus a few years of traveling to Florida. The trailer has about 85,000 km. on it and the truck about 185,000 km. The truck is a 2013 Ram 1500 with the tow package (including the 3.92 rear end and 5.7 litre hemi) and the trailer is a 28 ft. International. We've had no drama over the years, it just works. I drive at about 60 mph on highways as that is the speed where I feel comfortable (the few times I've exceeded that speed, the truck/trailer combination handled fine). We haven't had any problems with 6 or 7% grades, as for anything steeper, that's what the Mountain Directory is for.

We have weighed the truck/trailer and found it somewhat overloaded - but the axles were well within spec. The truck came with load range E tires so no problem there. If I were to buy a new truck, I might look at the F-150 which I believe has a larger payload or possibly the Nissan. The hitch is an Eaz-Lift with additional anti-sway bars and was set up by Can-Am RV.

https://mountaindirectory.com

[vwii]

We tow our 28' FC with a Toyota Tundra 5.7 and a Husky Centerline equalizer hitch. No issues, we're not making more than 45-50 mph up some steep grades but that's the exception rather than the rule. Engine temp stays right at 12 o'clock even with the a/c running full blast on a 100+ degree day. Had the weights done at Escapees and we're well within specs. Will cruise down the highway easily at 70-75 mph but I've insisted we keep it at 60-65, more for concern about the tires than the engine wear and tear. The previous owner towed with an F150, regular hitch, but did have air bags.

[kdfulsome54]

I tow our 28ft international over 6 and 7 percent grades regularly. My 2018 has a 5.3 6spd and 3.73 gears. Most hills I can pull at 55mph at 3300 to 3500 rpm. My truck has never seen 4000 rpm. 5000 miles between oil changes and uses no oil. I have pulled our trailer 19,000 miles in the last15 months in the western US and have had no problems with the 5.3 engine.