I have to say I've had the don't know it's back there feeling with our previous combo. An 08 F150 2wd 5.4 3.73, Bilstiens D rated tires, towing a 22' TT weighing 4050lbs. I ran on OD most of the time except when traveling mtn passes. Got 10.5 mpg, and just drove the truck like it wasn't there. Would've ran 70mph but with the 65mph rated tires I held back most of the time. I had no concerns about running in either lane at 65 on the freeway in corners. You no it's there because your acceleration and stopping is different. But from a handling standpoint it had very little effect on the truck. Just used EAZ-Lift 600lb bars also.
Now on to the current set up, 2010 F150 5.4 3.73 SuperCrew 4x4 maxtow. 31' TT weighing 7200lbs, I definitely no it's there and have to be aware of all things around me. Can't be as aggressive with my driving style. But thats not a bad thing anyway. I could see how some one with a 3500 dually pulling a 31' TT weighing in the 6500-7500 pound range could say they don't know it's there while cruising out on the hwy or freeway, Obviously driving in tight situations you do know it's there.
For the most part the statement is a figure of speech. However the statement refers to the relaxation factor.
When a combo is well matched the relaxation factor increases. One can feel, drive and be very relaxed while towing. They may then state "its like the trailer is not even there"
There is no fear/worry of hills,traffic,curves,acceleration, braking you name it.
This relaxation factor is a combination of set-up,proper combination and driver ability.
Many understand and strive for a high relaxation factor with their rigs, while others just don't get the total picture and are not relaxed at all while towing.
The more you tow, the more experience you will gain. With experience comes towing confidence and knowledge.
Experience,knowledge,confidence and the right equipment/combo will boost your relaxation factor until you may proclaim "Tows like its not even back there"
07'Duramax dually,12'Open Range 399BHS
Hawkshead TPMS,Hensley BD3,Killerbee exhaust brake
Blue Ox Bedsaver,air bags w/compressor
Arvika pin box bike rack,Bak Flip tonneau cover
5500 Onan LP,EMS-HW-50
14'Porta Bote w/8.0 Nissan
Vu Cube 2000,Splendide 2000S
korbe wrote: I have made that 'I can't even tell the TT is back there' statement before, and it has nothing to do with other RVer's or their rigs.
We previously owned a small 5er and the V6 F150. When heading out on a trip, we had a big hill just out of town and 35 mph was top speed at the time. Now it is a completely different situation. I am up to speed in no time and it feels like "I'm not towing at all". But of course there is a big white object in my rear view mirror.
My 21' hybrid being pulled by an '06 Burb had trouble getting up the bridge near my house (186' rise to cross the Cooper River to Charleston). Towed it one time with my '03 Dodge 2500 Cummins (taking it to the dealer for a trade in), and I was able to accelerate up the bridge with the trailer faster than I ever would've been able to in the Burb w/o the trailer, so that's what I think of when I hear the phrase.
And for the record, I've never faulted anybody in a 1/2 ton with a large trailer (as long as it's in specs). I prefer the extra breathing room - and I do know that my larger trailer is back there.
301TBS wrote: Hannibal, interesting comment. i shouldnt think that way, but some with the big diesels do drive that way. i have friends who do . tell us how your trucks compared?? why did you go from diesel to gas? thanks
Other than 30~% higher rpm and about 30% higher fuel consumption, there's really not much difference. If I were stone deaf and didn't have a tach, I wouldn't know the difference. We run the same speeds we did with the diesels. With my previous 345hp Hemi powered 2500HD towing our previous 10,040 lb 5th wheel, I actually got held up down to 40~mph by a 2000~ MY 7.3 powered F250 pulling a similar size 5th wheel up the Sunshine Skyway Bridge a few years ago. A higher revving 345 hp engine is going to put more torque to the rear wheels through gear reduction/torque multiplication than a 235hp engine now matter what fuel it burns. Trust me. If it didn't, I wouldn't have bought another gasser. Another diesel is within the budget. Most people are afraid to run their diesels, much less a higher revving gasser. Cringe factor is not an engine weakness. Carry on...
'10 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
'07 KZ Jag 28JFSS.
The thread that got me thinkin' about this....the thread in which a poster with a 5.3 liuter v8 tow vehicle is advised by some that he'd be overloaded pulling less than #5,000, is captioned "1/2 ton guys towing 4k-6k"
Glenn and Toni
2011 Palomino Puma 25BH
2012 Tundra double cab 4.6 V8 with tow package
Reese round bar w/d with sway control
trailernovice wrote: The thread that got me thinkin' about this....the thread in which a poster with a 5.3 liuter v8 tow vehicle is advised by some that he'd be overloaded pulling less than #5,000, is captioned "1/2 ton guys towing 4k-6k"
trailernovice wrote: The thread that got me thinkin' about this....the thread in which a poster with a 5.3 liuter v8 tow vehicle is advised by some that he'd be overloaded pulling less than #5,000, is captioned "1/2 ton guys towing 4k-6k"
O.K. HERE is that thread that supposedly made you start this one and I sure didn't get your gloom and doom scenario as you did from the responses. Below is the OP in that thread
Quote: I have a few questions about towing HTT. We are in the market for a Roo 21ss. Its listed dry weight is just under 4200lb. I have a 2006 gmc 1500 z71 ccsb. Its 5.3 4 speed with 3.42 gears and 33" tires. I understand most people pack up 1000-1500lbs of extra weight inside the camper. So my questions are, do most people with this combo wish they had a larger truck? More power? better braking?
I've towed 3000lbs enclosed trailer before, and was not impressed with the lack of power the truck had in 3rd with tow haul mode. I know 4.10s would be better for towing, but i dont want to cruise at 3000 rpms for 4-5hrs pulling a camper. I know i can get more power out of the truck pretty easily, but has anyone else with the 5.3 had to look for more power?
I afraid buying a htt that weighs 5500-6000lbs that this truck isnt going to cut it.
1. Your OP implied towing 4500lbs was the subject and I sure don't agree with that. While the "dry wt" was 4200 the OP acknowledged that his towing wt. would be in the 5500-6000lbs area.
2. Even your latest post about some advising him that even towing less than 5000lbs he would be disappointed seems from my read not supported by any of the replies in that thread. I didn't find or missed the single post that said he would be overloaded even pulling 5,000lbs as you just stated. Almost every reply said 6K no problem and some were towing much more and even the one poster that mentioned towing less than 5,000 lbs actually said:
Quote: I don't think you will have any trouble pulling less than 6000# with your truck (you will actually enjoy pulling less than 5000#). The 3:42's aren't ideal but will get it done. Don't know about your 5.3 but my 5.4 reaches max torque at about 3600 and max HP around 4400 and will run at those rpm's all day. When you come to a 6% grade just stick your foot in it and enjoy the ride. Keep an eye on your tongue weight as it will eat up payload very quickly, which is not a half ton's strong suit. I am nearly 4000# under my F-150's tow rating of 8600# but only a few hundred under GVWR when fully loaded.
I really wish folks when they post something get the facts correct and don't make things up or embellish them to the point of being silly.
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