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Road Ruler · 01-19-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timhortons

I actually think the original poster should try to fix his current setup rather than trade money for a different set of issues on the F250/350 Ram 2500 or whatever it's called.

I'm in the same camp. His issues could be solved with just a few simple adjustments to his set up. Making a sideways/downgrade/upgrade??? step to a pick up could only bring on more/different issues.

PaulnGina · 01-19-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyCorpsman

Bingo. A good used Ford Powerstroke is relatively easy to find and will do almost anything you ask it to. 4WD and the King Ranch option is very nice. I was getting 16mpg avg. They were very easy to maintain. I really have a hard time spending 50-70 thousand on a new truck. I am running the Traveler 15/40 oil in my 89 FSuperduty/460. BTW, I saw your post about fuel prices up in Harrison. Have you heard anything about Dogpatch being reopened?
Clayton

Yes, I saw a news article saying that the land had been purchased recently.... Inventor purchases former Dogpatch land - HarrisonDaily.com: Neighbors

I am very satisfied with my Ford F250 PowerStroke and our Avion. Both were "steals" so I feel like I have LOTS of money I could put into both, even if it's just in the feeding of diesel, oil, add-on exhaust brake, bypass oil filter, etc. I used to play in the new vehicle racket.... no more.

toverman · 01-19-2015, 04:34 PM

You just lost me. What's a full FALR?

m.hony · 01-19-2015, 05:14 PM

Front Axle Load Rating. It's on the door placard.

2012FB · 01-19-2015, 05:28 PM

Ed,

Please call Andy at CanAM RV and discuss your reservations/concerns with your current TV setup and Trailer. He is the expert with 30+ years of experience. He can steer you in the correct direction and afterwards you will be setup correctly feeling better about everything without spending thousands to upgrade your current TV and then finding out you still need a daily driver on top of it.

I drove from Denver to Can-Am for Andy to set everything up on my ML350 and could not be happier.

It will be the best advise you will get period!

Can-Am RV Centre | #1 Airstream Dealer in Customer Satisfaction Worldwide | Your Full-Service RV Dealer

1-866-CAN-AM-RV (1-866-226-2678)

giatt · 01-20-2015, 07:07 AM

We have a Ram Diesel with 6.7L turbo and it tows with no issues. I hardly know the 27FB Classic trailer is behind me. The diesel gets 16 - 17 mpg without the trailer and 12 - 14 mpg with the trailer. The only trouble with the diesels is the cost of fuel. Now that gas is so cheap it is hard to believe that diesel isn't lower. If you plan on doing a lot of traveling, go diesel.

SteveSueMac · 01-20-2015, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

Front Axle Load Rating. It's on the door placard.

Nope. The rating on the door jamb is the axle's load max. FALR is front axle load restoration - meaning, % of load you restore to the front axle with your WD product that was lifted off when you attached the trailer. It's not on the door jamb, it's most likely in your user manual. Some require 0%, some 50% and some 100% depending on application (so if connecting the trailer pulls 500# off your front axle, your user manual might tell you you need to restore 0, 250 or 500# back to the front axle with your WD hitch).

tjdonahoe · 01-20-2015, 09:18 AM

I like my short box, 4x4, 4 door dodge with 6.7 cummins with exhaust brake, don't have to worry about the big hills or the down grades.It is the same length as my single cab Ford with a long box,but it turns way tighter. I can't see anyone going for less. No such thing as too much money or too much horsepower.

DC Bruce · 01-23-2015, 11:38 AM

Just as a point of information: the Chevy and GMC half tons are rated at 1960 lbs. cargo capacity with the 6.2 liter engine and the max trailer tow package ("NHT") and have a towing capacity equal to or greater than any currently made Airstreams GVWR. I've driven this truck, and it "drives small" when it's not towing anything. Ford's new F-150 has the same or greater capabilities with the 5 liter V-8 or the 3.5 liter Ecoboost if you specify the max trailer tow package. Previous model F-150s will also work with the Ecoboost engine, the max payload and max trailer tow package.
Perhaps the reason people feel more "comfortable" using a 3/4 ton is that those trucks weigh from 1,000 to 1,500 lbs. more, empty, than a half ton (with diesels on the heavier side). So, being relatively heavier vs. the trailer than the 1/2 tons, they feel more "in control" when pulling the trailer. This relative difference would be even greater with the new aluminum F-150, which is about 500 lbs. lighter than its similar 1/2 ton competitors. And I'm referring to crew cab 4wd versions with standard bed and "lariat" or equivalent trim packages.
I'm not sure a gas 3/4 ton would be a happy combination since approximately the same horsepower and torque that you would find in a half ton is being asked to move 1,000 lbs. extra in vehicle weight.

DC Bruce · 01-23-2015, 11:42 AM

Also, on the used front, note that the 6.0 and 6.4 liter Ford "Duramax" Diesel engines have known design flaws that often lead to failure (in the case of the 6.0) in less than100,000 miles.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 01-23-2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC Bruce

Also, on the used front, note that the 6.0 and 6.4 liter Ford "Duramax" Diesel engines have known design flaws that often lead to failure (in the case of the 6.0) in less than100,000 miles.

Hi, I think you meant "Powerstroke".

SteveH · 01-23-2015, 12:05 PM

Yep, the Duramax is the General Motors Diesel engine, Powerstroke, Ford.

Tater · 01-23-2015, 12:40 PM

We pulled our 25' with an 05 Silverado without any issues except you knew that you would lose power on long grades. We traded for a 30' Classic and the 5.3 100,000 miles silverado didn't like it. We consider our plans for future years so we bought a 2015 Silverado Diesel 2500. Wow, what a truck. We love it. Set the cruise and enjoy the ride. We also tow a car trailer long distances same way. 17,000 miles and the best decision we could have made.

tjdonahoe · 01-24-2015, 08:15 AM

You got it the 5,3 is too light, no such thing as too much horsepower or too much money

KJRitchie · 01-24-2015, 10:50 AM

Looking at the gas engines available for 3/4t trucks I think you aren't getting the best out of these vehicles. As mentIoned above 3/4t trucks are 1000lbs heavier than 1/2t truck. I wouldn't want my Tnundra 5.7l to haul around and extra 1000lbs before I hitch up my AS. For me I'd go diesel looking for a clean preowned unit. Many of these are priced the same or less than a new 1/2t with the trailer and payload packages.

Kelvin

tjdonahoe · 01-25-2015, 06:26 PM

My dodge with a 6.7 come along don't mind the extra weight and with a heavier tow vehicle the trailer tows better.....

Road Ruler · 01-25-2015, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

My dodge with a 6.7 come along don't mind the extra weight and with a heavier tow vehicle the trailer tows better.....

There are many variables that contribute to how well a trailer tows. We had the opposite experience. Our 23 towed better with a lighter TV.

walker · 01-26-2015, 04:44 AM

First off, you should get what you are comfortable with. Having said that I am curious about your hitch set up. I have towed our 1987 34' with 1/2 ton Surburban, Escalade and short wheel base Navigator and currently MB GL 550. The last two have active air suspension and have done the best. I have large pick up tks but prefer to tow with nice SUV on my time off. We use a Hinsley Hitch. I believe the key is optimum set up with proper weight on the front axel, which requires a trip to a truck scale to see exactly what you are doing with the tongue springs. Any of the modern trucks you mentioned will so fine. So there, make yourself comfortable.

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walker · 01-26-2015, 04:45 AM

Oh yeah. Forgot to mention Andy and Phil at CanAm. They set up my GL550. It is great. Hard to imagine the power.

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reelfastgreg · 02-03-2015, 10:29 AM

personal choices and opinions, interesting reading for sure.

i am now on PU# 10. 1 Ford Ranger which was a nice truck to drive but towing didn't work out even with my utility trailer. 3 - 3/4 ton diesels, 5- 1/2 ton gassers including 2 Tundra's and and 3 F150s. now, a F350, 6.7 diesel, the best of the bunch from my experience. i was actually shopping for a 3/4 ton again but got a killer deal on this 2014. except for one PU, all the rest were/are 4 x4's

yep, i think overkill for the 25' AS but since i am no where near towing capacity with this truck, its a dream vehicle. 14-15 mpg on the highway and 21-22 when not towing, hard to believe. i do believe this engine will rival the iconic 7.3, i had one way back when and it worked quite well.

i have towed small stuff with an SUV in the past but i don't like the feel of that short wheel base, to twitchy for my taste. right now, i am just short of 50' overall and it feels just right.

as usual, when it comes to tow vehicles, its a matter of personal choice and experience with various vehicles. PU's for me are the choice i lean too and i didn't like the 'feel' of those 1/2 tons at all, suspensions were way to spongy for my taste. not sure what to make of the luxury SUVs folks are now using.