Options on a New Tow Vehicle

[jrenard]

I am on our maiden voyage from east coast to Colorado and have put 1100 miles behind us. I have a F150 3.5 eco super crew with the 6.5’ bed. Max tow package gives me 13,000 tow capacity and I have about 1700 payload capacity.

I am towing a 25 rear bed twin. Absolutely not problems so far.

I average about 27 mpg without the AS and about 10 mpg so far towing.

And... the TV fits in the garage!

Highly recommend the 150!

[jrenard]

Originally Posted by jrenard

i am on our maiden voyage from east coast to colorado and have put 1100 miles behind us. I have a f150 3.5 eco super crew with the 6.5’ bed. Max tow package gives me 13,000 tow capacity and i have about 1700 payload capacity.

I am towing a 25 rear bed twin. Absolutely not problems so far.

I average about 27 mpg without the as and about 10 mpg so far towing.

And... The tv fits in the garage!

Highly recommend the 150!

[Life is a Highway]

(I am towing a 25 rear bed twin. Absolutely not problems so far.

I average about 27 mpg without the AS and about 10 mpg so far towing.

And... the TV fits in the garage!

Highly recommend the 150![/QUOTE])

That is impressive mpg around Town best I've done is 22.8 but that is Florida 70 mph

Nice looking TV and of course Trailer a question? With the F-150 we bought off the lot had Max Tow and every other bell and whistle however I was discouraged no trailer mirrors. Dealer won't swap them out because of ( the cameras?)

How has the journey gone with the Stock mirrors like ours?

Thanks for the follow ups safe trip.

[Daquenzer]

I have stock mirrors. You can get mirrors to slip over and extend. But I found with rear camera and bliss system not needed much.

[jrenard]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

(I am towing a 25 rear bed twin. Absolutely not problems so far.



I average about 27 mpg without the AS and about 10 mpg so far towing.



And... the TV fits in the garage!



Highly recommend the 150!

)



That is impressive mpg around Town best I've done is 22.8 but that is Florida 70 mph



Nice looking TV and of course Trailer a question? With the F-150 we bought off the lot had Max Tow and every other bell and whistle however I was discouraged no trailer mirrors. Dealer won't swap them out because of ( the cameras?)



How has the journey gone with the Stock mirrors like ours?



Thanks for the follow ups safe trip.[/QUOTE]



I added the clip on mirrors. They help, but it was the only thing I would change about the truck.

I ordered the BLIS mirrors with the LEDs to light up around the truck at night. That part is terrific.

My Toyota has the blind spot warning and it really gets your attention. In the Ford, there’s just a small dot that lights up. So between trying to watch for the dot and getting used to the clip on mirrors, it takes some getting used to.

Go for the tow mirrors instead... but get the led lighting! Really is nice when you pull in late to the campground.

[Docv]

Unexpected we were in Augusta Georgia and while living in Miami we wanted to check out a ford dealer and before we knew it we bought a Ford F-250 diesel lariat with all bells and whistles
A new 2017 untitled vintage owners son used with 17 k miles for 55k the initial msrp was 72k
So we completed our first step to our plan to get a classic 30 foot twin plus a yurt as a home base
Happy as a pig in mud
Meandher

[KariRich]

Higher the ratio the better for towing. Are you getting diesel? Is it a 10K CW package?

We had 2 sets friends that got a Dodge and they had all kinds of issues with their suspension. Both said it got squirrelly on the road over 55 MPH even with some pretty high end WT hitches.

Best of luck and enjoy the Tin Can!

[Big Thunder]

4:10's will eat/drink up the fuel big time! As for the amp decision, go for the biggest
alternator that will fit. Better to have more power than needed, especially when charging the truck and RV batteries too!

[interstateflyer]

A couple of side notes.

We ordered our 2016 RAM 2500 Laramie diesel with the 'rear air load leveling' option. It provides 'Alt Trailer Height' which keeps the RAM level while towing or heavily loaded. This is a great option. You can raise or lower the truck while hitching/unhitching. The ride is much better than when in 'normal' ride height.

I actually may have passed on the RAM if I'd known that the temporary spare tire is on a stamped steel 17 inch wheel. RAM states in their manual that you should not tow with the spare mounted. I purchased a new full size wheel and tire for our trip to Alaska and carried it in the bed. Takes up lots of room.

[touringscout]

I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 (130k miles), single wheel. I pull a 2012 31' Classic, with 373's, stock alternator, no problems.
Touring Scout

[bgbrannon]

just make sure if you go Diesel with the allison transmission, get the 6 speed and not the 5 speed. Major fuel economy difference i have found out.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

A couple of side notes.

We ordered our 2016 RAM 2500 Laramie diesel with the 'rear air load leveling' option. It provides 'Alt Trailer Height' which keeps the RAM level while towing or heavily loaded. This is a great option. You can raise or lower the truck while hitching/unhitching. The ride is much better than when in 'normal' ride height.

I actually may have passed on the RAM if I'd known that the temporary spare tire is on a stamped steel 17 inch wheel. RAM states in their manual that you should not tow with the spare mounted. I purchased a new full size wheel and tire for our trip to Alaska and carried it in the bed. Takes up lots of room.

Does the relatively light tongue weight of an AS cause the rear air load leveling system to be needed while towing? Or is primarily helpful for the hitching/unhitching process?

Thanks!

[AFTER TAXES]

lots of power does not hurt, big energy also, ram 2500 diesel sounds good
I also have 25' a/s,.... 12v cummins will climb anything, with power
you can run 3.73 gears

my 2 cents

[interstateflyer]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Does the relatively light tongue weight of an AS cause the rear air load leveling system to be needed while towing? Or is primarily helpful for the hitching/unhitching process?

Thanks!

It keeps the hitch ball at a predictable height and the RAM 2500 perfectly level with the AS attached and with any cargo weight.

One could possibly argue that a weight distribution system is unnecessary. I've kept the Equalizer Hitch primarily for sway control.

Alt Trailer Height counters the weight of the AS tongue and keeps everything on the same plane. I take it out of Alt Trailer Height mode occasionally when the AS and RAM are on different planes and want to raise the RAM for hookup. The system also automatically lowers the RAM when you raise the AS slightly above the ball when unhooking.

The RAM's ride is noticeably softer when in Alt Trailer Mode. I keep it there full time.

It was $1400 well spent, in my opinion.

**This system should not be confused with the four corner air suspension system in the RAM 1500. I had that in my 2012 RAM 1500. Apples and oranges.

[xisme2]

Always get as much alternator as you can. 373 will be fine, it's a diesel I assume?

[xisme2]

True, a donut spare on a pickup is useless.
I wonder what accountant thought that up, sure wasn't a truck person.