Are you Happy with your Tow Vehicle ?

[dreadydreame]

We have a Ford F-150 and have only towed our 65 overlander 5 hours to get it home. We think it pulls great on the flat but going up and down hills was very taxing on it. We knew before we even got the AS that we were in the market for a bigger & Diesel extended cab truck.

[Devoman]

I am Happy with what I have.From my first one to the second one.

[gaylejoe]

We have an 06 Dodge 3/4 ton Quad Cab with the 5.9 Cummings diesel. We are tickled pink with the truck. Over a 10,000 mile with our 25' Safari SS with averaged 16.5 mpg towing and not towing. Without the Airstream we easily get 20-23 mpg on the highway. Both of us have owned GM trucks and vehicle for many years. This is the first time we have owned something other than an GM vehicle. The Dodge truck may not be a plush as the GM or Ford but it is a work horse of a vehicle.

[halimer]

We have a 2002 Ford F-350, 7.3 PSD, Crew Cab, 2WD, SRW, long bed. Get 13-14 mpg towing our 2006 Classic 25' staying at 55-65 mph. Non towing mileage is 17-19 mpg staying at the speed limit. Great comfortable ride towing and non towing, plenty of power and room. Only downside is the trucks length. I would get the short bed next time. Having the longer wheelbase makes it a little tough getting the camper into tight camp sites.

[blucloud]

We have a 2006 GMC 2500HD crew cab with the Duramax/Allison. Towing our 25 ft. Sovereign we got between 14-15 mpg. On a recent trip this summer, from Cleveland, OH. to Breckenridge, CO. we got 14.7 mpg. total trip mileage.
We were towing our 24 ft. enclosed car trailer with the Corvette inside, about 7800 lbs.

Yes, I like my tow vehicle very much.

[SteveH]

I just looked up the average price for gasoline, and the average price for Diesel, and currently Diesel is about 50% higher priced than gasoline.

Then I took an average of the reported fuel mileage, gasoline vers Diesel on this thread (12 vers 14), and the Diesel trucks make 16% better fuel mileage.

Hummmmm

Not trying to start any arguments, but I think it is interesting data.

[flyfisher]

2008 Ford F450 extended cab 4 door, 8' bed, dually, 4.30 rear 6.4L, King Ranch series. With features like the steel load floor in the back seat, power telescoping trailer towing mirrors, an integrated brake controller, and built in back up camera, this is a nice tow vehicle.

It handled my 16' 300# drift boat with no problems all summer, and with absolutely no detectable sway, even in high winds.

[mrmossyone]

My 1990 Ford F-150 really, really stinks to tow with. Unless your only going 30 minutes on flat pavement with no crosswinds better get ready for some serious white knuckle driving. Now on the other hand that sweet ass little Yugo of mine, remember the one with the ragtop moonroof, is a towing demon. You can't stop that little sucker.

[2333]

While there are many, many pluses to towing with any of these modern vehicles (including my 1/2 ton 'burb) ....it's just not going to feel right until I am towing my vintage AS with a vintage vehicle.

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by SteveH

I just looked up the average price for gasoline, and the average price for Diesel, and currently Diesel is about 50% higher priced than gasoline.

Then I took an average of the reported fuel mileage, gasoline vers Diesel on this thread (12 vers 14), and the Diesel trucks make 16% better fuel mileage.

Hummmmm

Not trying to start any arguments, but I think it is interesting data.

This does not compute. (said in a machine like voice)

[overlander64]

My overall favorite tow vehicle is my '99 GMC K2500 Suburban that I had my dealer special order in 1998 -- it was delivered April 21, 1998. Currently, the truck has 190,000 miles and I expect it to be capable of going another 160,000 miles before the motor needs to be replaced. My only quibble with this truck is its four wheel drive -- never again will I order a GM product with four wheel drive this is my second GM product with four wheel drive and neither have had reliable four wheel drive. From this point forward, I am treating the Suburban as if it doesn't have four wheel drive as I am tired of replacing the $750.00 electronic control module nearly every year. (VORTEC 7400/4.10 Differentials)

Were it not for the combination of terrible solo and towing fuel economy, my favorite tow vehicle would have been my '84 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The Grand Wagoneer had luxury, style, adequate towing power, comfortable ride, and a four wheel drive mechanism that functioned reliably at all times with no particular cost for repairs over the 148,000 miles that it accumulated. With a cruising range of 175 miles solo and 125 miles with the Overlander, it was not a practical touring car -- particularly in the West where fuel stations weren't always within the car's cruising range. (360 Cubic Inch AMC V8 with 4bbl/3.92 Differentials)

Since my Minuet is significantly lighter than the Overlander, my particular favorite tow vehicle for it is my '65 Dodge Coronet 500 Convertible. The only issue I have with the Coronet is the braking system -- single cylinder brake master cylinder does not inspire confidence nor do the very difficult to find rear wheel slave cylinders -- the car is currently waiting its turn for repairs that will include a minimum of front disc brakes, dual cylinder master cylinder, new power booster, and possibly rear disc brakes as well. (383 Cubic Inch V8 with Carter 4bbl/3.90 Differential)

I really have no quibbles with my '75 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible towing either the Minuet or Orverlander. The Cacillac can handle the Minuet in any location in the lower 48 where I have traveled, but with the Overlander, mountains are definitely to be avoided. Other than abysimal fuel economy when towing (maximum 9 MPG with 7.5 MPG typical), the Eldorado is a comfortable and fun tow vehicle. The down side with the Eldorado is the front wheel drive that makes changing the differential gearing VERY expensive, and getting the hitch configured so that sufficient weight is transferred to the front wheels to maintain traction can be somewhat time consuming. (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)

The worst tow vehicle that I have ever owned was my '95 Chevrolet K1500 Club Cab with z71 package. This truck was only $5,000 less than a C1500 Suburban, and it rode and handled worse than any vehicle I have ever owned. It had a very nice leather interior, but there was nothing else remarkably positive about this vehicle. It was plagued with electric gremlins that turned its headlights, tail lights, and brake lights on without warning often resulting in a dead battery when I returned to the vehicle. The four wheel drive was constantaly requiring the attention of a mechanic -- it was often difficult or impossible to get it to shift from two wheel drive to four wheel drive or vice-versa. It was also nearly impossible to keep the front end aligned. In addition to its mechanical woes, this truck was incapable of adequately handling mountain grades with the Overlander. This truck was very happily traded (four months after its warranty expired) on my '99 K2500 Suburban. This was my second and last pickup as a tow vehicle as neither on came remotely close to meeting my expectations. (5.7 Liter V8/3.73 Differentials)

Kevin

[purman]

Originally Posted by mrmossyone

My 1990 Ford F-150 really, really stinks to tow with. Unless your only going 30 minutes on flat pavement with no crosswinds better get ready for some serious white knuckle driving. Now on the other hand that sweet ass little Yugo of mine, remember the one with the ragtop moonroof, is a towing demon. You can't stop that little sucker.

Now that is funny.

[purman]

Thanks Guys for sharing, we are doing a good job here about keeping opinions about other TV to ourselves. Thanks, I just want the Facts... I nice to read about everyones experiences with different vehicles.

[SilverGate]

After two years, we are still very happy with our 2006 F-250 SuperDuty diesel truck with crew cab, which has never had a problem.

Some of the reasons why:

Our two dogs ride safely in carriers on the folded down back seat. They enjoy the view and we can keep an eye on them. We all feel very secure in this truck.

The truck has power to spare as it easily pulls the trailer up and over our local mountains.

The factory-built in TowCommand system with its fully integrated trailer brake controller works superbly.

The telescoping trailer tow mirrors are easy to use.

It's a 4x2 and therefore has a more comfortable ride and rattles the trailer less.

More information on the F-250 is found in this thread.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, we have a 2000 Lincoln Navigator with a 5.4 L V-8 engine; It has dual overhead cams, 32 valves, 300 Horsepower with 355 lbs torque at a very low [for a gas engine] 2,750 RPM. Also it has factory tow package [8,900 lbs] 3:73 L differential 9.75" ring gear and the larger transmission. This October on the way home from the Balloon Fiesta, we just broke the 50,000 mile barrier; Should be plenty left. We removed the third row seat because we were never going to use it, [not a taxi] and we wanted that space for camping equiptment. The second row seat was used by our two little dogs, who have gone to doggy heaven. This vehicle is very comfortable and very strongly built. We average 11.5 MPG towing our 2005 Airstrean Safari 25-B. [GVWR 6,300 lbs.]
Summery: This vehicle is a dream to own and drive with or without the trailer. Due to the unique drive train this Lincoln is by it'self and cannot be fairly compared to other 1/2 ton SUV's. More like a 5/8,s ton?
Dislikes: Well I wish I had bigger, better mirrors than the slip-ons, but that can be changed. And I cannot open my tail/lift gate while hitched. I can open the lift gate window while hitched. Neither of these dislikes are the fault of Lincoln.

[Wayne&Sam]

We are very happy with this combination:

[azflycaster]

Upgraded last year from an 03 Tundra to an 07 with the 5.7 motor, SR5 Double Cab. The back seat is large enough for two big dogs and the front seats are very comfortable. It tows my 75 Trade Wind up the hills with ease.

[xonvldz]

2005 dsl excursion limited.best tow vehicle i have ever had.took a trip to ft wilderness over thansgiving with five of us in total comfort.drove the entire way on the way home only needing two fuel stops.truck pulls the 31 effortlessly and can handle maintaining the speed limit with cruise control on.averaged about 12 mpg on this trip,which i was very happy with.this is one rugged luxury vehicle.

[Ahab]

Our rig is a great match, luxury car like ride, roomy, and great mileage. Easy to get in tight spaces.

[Action]

My current tow vehicle (1990 E150 conversion van) is getting a lil tired with 160,000 miles. It is equipped with a 5.7fi, AOD and 3.73 axle. It is not as powerful pulling the load from a stand still.

Next spring it will get retired for a 2004 Navigator, since the newer E150s do not have a 7500 pound tow capacity of my current one. Navigator gets into the 8000 # category. Fold down flat seating should make hauling stuff EZ too. I have more research to do, however based on towing capacity it is a winner so far.

>>>>>>>>>>>>Action