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Forum
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RE: 3.21 vs 3.55
Ram 8-spd with 3.21 is a little better than current 6-spds from GM/Ford with 3.73. gear 1-6 are about like gears 1-5, the main towing gears for current gassers. It will be a good improvement over the 5-6spd Dodge has called their trans for over 10 years. I never liked those ratios.
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APT
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05/20/13 03:06pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2013 Dodge Ram with or without air suspension?
Ram went soft on the IRS spring rates starting in 2009. They have the lowest GVWR at 6800 pounds. Ford/GM have about the same payload for the same cab/bed configurations. Ford/GM also offer optional packages that increase GVWR/payload.
I have no idea why. Marketing the best ride won over capability? Tow ratings are competitive, as are power, fuel economy, and design/materials. Payload doesn't sell enough half tons I guess.
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APT
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05/20/13 12:02pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2013 Dodge Ram with or without air suspension?
I caution about the 2009+ Ram 1500. They have the lowest payloads in the class. Seriously, your current RV would probably put it over the GVWR and maybe rear axle rating. If you want a Ram, get the 2500 gasser or 3500 diesel.
reference 2013 payloads.
I',m generally against air suspension for towing anything when using a WDH. At a minimum they complicated WDH adjustment.
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APT
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05/20/13 10:51am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 3.21 vs 3.55
I agree with Rob, the 8-spd will do to the 6-spds what the 6-spds have done to the 4-spds.
As for the extra 2000 pounds of tow ratings, you probably should not be looking at towing more than 7000 pounds loaded with the Ram half ton. It's got major payload problems.
My 3/4 Burb has 3.73 axle and 0.67:1 6th gear. Unloaded, it doesn't shift into 6th until 50mph, and that's a little slow for the gear. I wouldn't want 3.55 or 3.21 with that top gear.
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APT
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05/20/13 08:45am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Anyone towing with a '08 GM 1500?
Your WDH should be adjusted such that the rear settles in the 1.5"-2" lower than unhitched height, or about level. Adjust such that the TT is level to slightly nose down and the front axle weight/height is the same with WD as unhitched. Start learning how to adjust because a new truck will force you to readjust too!
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APT
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05/20/13 08:35am |
Towing
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RE: Quad Bunkhouse TT w/ No Slide
The more research we put into this, the harder it is. We want something with quad bunks and something that is built tough (Northwood, Outdoor RV, etc.). Problem is, aside from the Outdoor 31kqbs, they don't have anything with 4 bunks.
I think you will not find much built that sturdy with quad bunks that can be towed by a half ton SUV. Actually, few families camp in that style. 30'+ bunk houses plus 18' TV are not easy to maneuver.
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APT
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05/20/13 08:30am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: f150 vs.f250
Not $10k better!
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APT
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05/18/13 07:03am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Looking at buying Sunset Trail Reserve ST28BH
I'm not sure you have enough payload for 1000 pounds of tongue weight and a family onboard, plus a bed full of cargo. What does your tire and loading sticker say you have for max combined weight of occupants and cargo?
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APT
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05/18/13 06:47am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: "Little things to know" about 2500 series Suburbans/Yukons?
Another poster expressed his dissatisfaction earlier in this thread with the 6.0, and the first thing I looked at was what year... yep, newer than 2007, after the 4.10 rear ratio was no longer available.
Um, no. He is used to more torque at 2000rpm from an 8.1L than the 6.0L has. He doesn't like that it downshifts from 5th to 4th on hills at hits 3000rpm.
I'll take a 2008+ 6-spd 3.73 over any small block with 4-spd and 4.10 gearing. It will out accelerate an 8.1L. It will just require WOT at 3000-5500rpm. Do you understand gear multiplication?
http://www.f150online.com/forums/members/apt-albums-misc-picture169056-gm-hd-4spd-6spd.jpg
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APT
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05/17/13 02:37pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 8,500 lbs plus dry weight
01-06 Suburbans, Excursions, nearly any late model 3/4 ton crew cab truck, maybe taking 2 vehicles.
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APT
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05/17/13 08:45am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 3,500 max tow capacity.
Any 3500 pound tow rated vehicle has other restrictions like a 350 pounds receiver limit and frontal area limits. I doubt you will be happy with the towing experience of any high walled RV.
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APT
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05/17/13 08:43am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 14" tires
My TT is about the same, a bit heavier, same sized OEM. I just bought Maxxis 8008 in 215/75R14 a coupel weeks ago. First trip was good. That's what I would recommend. My local discount tire store got them in 2 days.
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APT
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05/17/13 08:41am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: New Brake Controller - Recommendation.
I had a an older Prodigy in my 2003 F-150 for two RV towing seasons. My Suburban has the OEM integrated and I've towed one season with it so far. They both work very well and performance is very similar. The value of the P2 $ about $125 or less is really good. So is the integrated at $200.
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APT
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05/16/13 10:53am |
Towing
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RE: T.T. tounge jack
Love my refurbished Ultrafab 3502 for under $100 shipped.
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APT
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05/16/13 10:49am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: New Brake Controller - Recommendation.
Really, no one can say which one is the best unless he has tested all the ones available. I don't think many people have tried a time based, inertial sensor, Brakesmart/Maxbrake/Jordan, and OEM integrated.
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APT
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05/16/13 09:31am |
Towing
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RE: Grills that hang on the side wall of the trailer
Webber Q with stand seems like a much better solution, and a much better grill.
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APT
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05/16/13 09:25am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Reese SC Weight Distribution w Sway Control
I'd spend the extra on the Reese Dual Cam over the Pro Series. I am very pleased with mine.
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APT
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05/16/13 07:14am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Luxury Diesel SUV as tow vehicle
There are a few members happily towing with diesel SUVs, Touareg, and older Liberty and Grand Cherokee. First I've heard of a Q7, but it's very close to the Touareg. They all report great towing experiences with the 400+ lb-ft of torque at 2000rpm with better than any gas engine fuel economy.
However, you really need to check the receiver ratings. I am not aware of any that are rated for more than 740 pounds. 6000 pounds loaded TT is going to be really close, in the 700-800 pound range. The Touareg specifically does not recommend using a weight distributing hitch, but many people do. Do some research on those.
Also, check the payload on all those as you shop. You said luxury, so that means lots of equipment/features/options. That takes away from the already low payload of these mid-sized SUVs. I asked Touareg owners and only got one response. If you only have 1100 pounds to start, then 700+ pounds of trailer tongue weight, you only have 400 left for family and anything else in the SUV.
Air suspension is common on these luxury SUVs. I don't it for RVing. It complicates weight distribution hitch adjustment and masks overloaded conditions.
What's wrong with a diesel pickup? They will have more seating space than any mid-sized SUV. A $400 bed cover provides quick, easy access to a much larger cargo are, if not climate controlled. You can get a lot of the same luxuries in high end pickups these days.
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APT
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05/16/13 05:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: My DEF Use
A friend of mine has a 2012 Duramax dually, garage queen TV only. He calculated his DEF costs at about 2% of fuel costs, averaging 11mpg lifetime on his truck. I calculated the same DEF costs at 2% for my Passat lifetime average 38mpg. I am really pleased with my DEF version of the same basic engine as in other VW models. Largest vehicle, yet the best fuel economy and torque at a little lower engine speed.
2% DEF cost for 10% less fuel cost with more power? Seems like a bargain to me!
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APT
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05/16/13 05:40am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Towing Mirrors
Ram offers optional factory towing mirrors for 2013 1500. Can the dealer get a part number? Are there any on the the lots to find a VIN and part number?
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APT
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05/16/13 05:23am |
Travel Trailers
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