Lessons learned - Mercedes GL450 to RAM 2500

[AShar]

Originally Posted by bono

Should have bought BMW X5

16k towing miles. Every time smile on my face when towing. Many times going to Sierra (Tahoe, Yosemite), towed through Rockies. Only two time white knuckles when some @#$@%#$%@#$4 did not know who to merge to highway.

My trailer is 33 feet long, SOB, so not as good handling as Airstream. 7-7,200 lbs ready for camping. If you did not enjoy towing your AS with MD ML, something was wrong with setup. I am thinking about a new tow vehicle, which would be again BMW X5. The only things that stop me from buying a new car are no diesel option and $100k for V8 version.

We own an X5, too; it's a daily driver for my wife. We love the SUV but never thought of towing with it, maybe because our GL450 is a bigger vehicle. I am impressed that you are pulling a 33' to Tahoe, Yosemite, with X5, very impressive. I have had issues going beyond 45MPH, coming back from Santa Cruz with our GL.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by AShar

We own an X5, too; it's a daily driver for my wife. We love the SUV but never thought of towing with it, maybe because our GL450 is a bigger vehicle. I am impressed that you are pulling a 33' to Tahoe, Yosemite, with X5, very impressive. I have had issues going beyond 45MPH, coming back from Santa Cruz with our GL.

Plus the X5 payload (we had a 2015 Diesel that we loved as a daily driver) was too low for the way we travel with our 27' AS.

[bono]

Interesting. I am in Santa Cruz (New Brighton Beach) every 2-3 month for a weekend camping, given that this is <1 hour from our place. Going through the hills (Hwy 17) I am keeping 55 mph, sometimes taking over slower passenger cars.

Tahoe or Yosemite is not that bad. Last summer we went from Yosemite to Shaver Lake. It was ca. 8 mile uphill, 8% grade in average, sometimes 13%. I needed to slow down to 40-45 mph to keep the motor / oil temp down, but there was no question that X5 would not do it.

Originally Posted by AShar

We own an X5, too; it's a daily driver for my wife. We love the SUV but never thought of towing with it, maybe because our GL450 is a bigger vehicle. I am impressed that you are pulling a 33' to Tahoe, Yosemite, with X5, very impressive. I have had issues going beyond 45MPH, coming back from Santa Cruz with our GL.

[bono]

Payload of my X5 is almost 1,400 lbs (calculated from the CAT scale). This is enough for me. YMMV.

2015 X5 is not suitable for towing 27' AS, unless you install aftermarket hitch. The OE will not work with WDH.

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

Plus the X5 payload (we had a 2015 Diesel that we loved as a daily driver) was too low for the way we travel with our 27' AS.

[Bev1940]

Originally Posted by AShar

Over the period of the last 1.5 years, this forum has helped me learn a lot.
When my wife and I bought our 25FB in 2018, I was convinced that our beloved GL450 was more than adequate to tow our AirStream. I have even posted on some threads advocating why a 3/4 ton truck isn't needed to pull a 25FB. Now I think that an SUV like GLS450 is not suitable for AirStreams longer than 20ft, maybe a 23FB(467lbs tongue weight). It can do the job of towing from point A to point B, but once you start pulling regularly and start to feel the rig on highway speeds, on grades, going through passes, towing in unexpected snow, etc.; you realize that a much stronger vehicle is needed to pull confidently and safely. The keywords here are "feel the rig," so I won't try to argue with anyone who disagrees, because I was one of those guys until our last trip to Death Valley National Park. We went there during the Christmas week; we towed with a well equipped F-150 rental from our AS dealer. During this trip, we went over a pass, went through some snow, some heavy crosswinds, and concluded that 1/2 ton was barely adequate, and decided that we needed to change our TV from GL450 to a 3/4 ton truck.
Considering all this, we got ourselves a new 2019 RAM 2500 yesterday. We went with the RAM because that was the only truck that matched the bells and whistles we have in our SUV. We went with the Hemi engine, thanks to great feedback from jeffmc, aluminaut, and many others.
The extra payload, quieter engine, and having enough payload to have a RamBox were some of the reasons we chose the gas engine. With it's 14,300lbs towing capacity and 2830lbs payload, it seems like something we can tow with for a while.
With my previous posts advocating towing with SUV, I thought I owed it to this forum to share how my thinking has evolved.

Why are the new AS so heavy? The 23' has almost the same tongue weight as my 31' 1978.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Happyjoemay

I am very new to all of this and actually I am shopping for a tow vehicle. I have a 1972 Sovereign 31'. I had it delivered to a campground by the seller. I have been looking at 2007 +/- Ford Expedition EL SUV's with the 5.4 liter engine. For some reason the Expedition EL seems to be more affordable when searching for a tow vehicle. I dont have a make or model criiteria, just price, towing capacity and engine being V8. Any helpful advice would be very appreciated.

You will be way better off with the new 7.3 V8 in an F250. The Expedition would be ok up to 22 feet, but your 31 foot would overload the Expedition.

[redhat200]

Congratulations on your new Dodge ram 2500 Tow vehicle. We are big fans .We have a 2018 25 FT International Airstream FBT and tow ours with a 2014 Dodge Durango citadel HEMI . Has all the power we need, and luxury to match the luxury of our Airstream. in case someone is considering an SUV under 25 feet you will not be disappointed. Also we get 14 miles to the gallon. Have fun on your next great adventure. Hope to see you in Loveland Colorado for the international rally in June 2020. Safe travels.

[jcooper0]

We tow a Flying Cloud 26U with a 2016 Mercedes GL350, but the engine is a BluTec diesel. It tows effortlessly. Goes up hills without losing speed. The diesel probably makes a big difference.

Unfortunately, Mercedes stopped selling GLs with a diesel engine. Our hope is that by the time we need a new tow vehicle, Mercedes will be making an electric GL.

[xisme2]

What kind of gas mileage you getting with the RAM? How big is the fuel tank?

[Mikebrady62]

I currently have a GMC 1500 that I have pulled my 27' Serenity about 1000 miles so far and have felt really comfortable in, even with very strong head and crossing winds. Planning a 5000+ mile trip this spring and should know whether or not a 3/4 ton is needed for me. I am resisting because I drive it daily and my last 3/4 ton was a rough ride on daily basis.
Good luck on your Ram 2500. I hope you love it. One day I might need to love one too :-)

[Alan 117]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

My Tundra is also my daily driver. It's easy to drive, park, and get in and out of.
People talk about getting a 3/4 ton because of that mountain pass it does so well on. Great. But How many times have I gone to the grocery in comparison to how many mountain passes I've crossed?

It depends on where you live. Your in Florida. Highest elevation in the entire state is less than 300 hundred feet. Where I live you can’t go 5 miles without climbing or descending 6-7% grades in any direction for literally miles. If you lived here you would be trading your tundra for something with an exhaust brake.

[SilverWind]

It takes only one handling emergency to demonstrate how sensible it is to tow with a 3/4 ton truck. SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks may have the power to go up the grade/pass. It's what can happen on the way down that makes the 3/4 ton the better choice.

[Alan 117]

Originally Posted by xisme2

What kind of gas mileage you getting with the RAM? How big is the fuel tank?

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 4x4 with the Cummins diesel. I live in the mountains and get 17 empty, 12 towing a 30FC. 30 gal. tank.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by xisme2

What kind of gas mileage you getting with the RAM? How big is the fuel tank?

Xisme2, the 2019 RAM HD gas fuel tank is 32 gallons for the long box and 31 gallons for the short box. We get between 10-11 MPG towing our 27’ Globetrotter.

[bono]

Any German SUV with properly set up hitch and trailer brakes will outhandle 3/4 ton truck in emergency situation.

Originally Posted by SilverWind

It takes only one handling emergency to demonstrate how sensible it is to tow with a 3/4 ton truck. SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks may have the power to go up the grade/pass. It's what can happen on the way down that makes the 3/4 ton the better choice.

[SilverWind]

Originally Posted by bono

Any German SUV with properly set up hitch and trailer brakes will outhandle 3/4 ton truck in emergency situation.

Can you please cite a study that proves that?

[bono]

Study? It is enough to drive a truck and SUV. Try to make any emergency maneuver with truck. Even without trailer. Good luck with that, in particular, with 3/4 ton truck.

Handling of truck is poor in comparison to (German) SUV. When you hitch up a trailer in back of poor handling vehicle, you won't improve handling.

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by Mikebrady62

I currently have a GMC 1500 that I have pulled my 27' Serenity about 1000 miles so far and have felt really comfortable in, even with very strong head and crossing winds. Planning a 5000+ mile trip this spring and should know whether or not a 3/4 ton is needed for me. I am resisting because I drive it daily and my last 3/4 ton was a rough ride on daily basis.
Good luck on your Ram 2500. I hope you love it. One day I might need to love one too :-)

As part of your evaluation you should take the rig to the CAT scales and compare loads with the GVWR and GAWR’s in the sticker on the driver side door post.

[Tomzstream]

Originally Posted by jcooper0

We tow a Flying Cloud 26U with a 2016 Mercedes GL350, but the engine is a BluTec diesel. It tows effortlessly. Goes up hills without losing speed. The diesel probably makes a big difference.

Unfortunately, Mercedes stopped selling GLs with a diesel engine. Our hope is that by the time we need a new tow vehicle, Mercedes will be making an electric GL.

Actually, the new GLS450 has EQ boost. It is amazing. The Electric motor is there when you need it... There is even an engine info screen in MBUX that shows dynamic on demand HP and Torque, along with engine and drivetrain vitals (turbo boost, engine temp and transmission temp). You can see when the electric kicks in on the main gauge screen as well as when it regen brakes (power and charge resp.) And the combine HP and torque rivals the diesels. You have to try it. And the NAV does a lot for you automatically including engine braking for regen. Even using the brake pedal does the regen thing like the best fully electrics.

I think you will also find the newest suspension and ride handling (selectable profiles) are a big improvement over prior generations of the GL. This whole thread is a little misleading since it refers to GL(S) without specifying the year model. I can't imagine giving up the safety and the ride and other amazing technology to ride in a dang heavy duty truck...be it while towing or especially as my everyday driver. No Thanks!

And if you really think you need more power the GLS 580 also has EQ boost. For me and my 23ft FB, the GLS 450 is just right. And as for BMW, recent tests have the GLS outperforming the new X7 in a variety of tests including Braking.

[bono]

Interesting. I will not discuss which car is better as I am biased towards BMW. It is enough to watch, read some tests, do the test drive, etc. Majority of sources claim that BMW X7 is the king

In terms of braking there are numbers to compare - check motortrend

BMW X7 needs 105 feet to stop 60-0

2020 MB GLS 450 4Matic needs 113 ft
2020 MB GLS 580 4Matic needs122 ft

I did not find information for X7 M50i.

Originally Posted by Tomzstream

(...)

And if you really think you need more power the GLS 580 also has EQ boost. For me and my 23ft FB, the GLS 450 is just right. And as for BMW, recent tests have the GLS outperforming the new X7 in a variety of tests including Braking.