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RE: New Truck & Trailer 1st tow....????
Screw the air bags. Replace the crappy OEM shocks. That is the job, to dampen the springs. Air bags like springs just reduce the amount of travel for the same amount of weight/force.
My 6.0L/6-spd tows the same way. Except I use Tow/Haul mode and M5 to lock out 6th gear. It will shift into 6th gear over 60mph, but cannot hold it. 3000rpm is fine, so is 5500rpm. The engine's peak torque is over 4000rom and really wakes up over 3000rpm. Let it spin.
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APT
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06/18/13 10:02pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Help Shopping: Half ton
One thing that stands out to me is the value in used passenger vans. The E250/350 and Chevy 2500/3500 vans are priced much better than their truck counterparts. I'm seeing 2012 3500s with less than 20k miles for less than $20k. There's got to be a reason. What is it?
Small market. People do not want them. I don't know what happened first, but they are not equipped like the same generation passenger vehicles and SUVs. A base model SUV (Expy/Burb/Seq/Armada) had more equipment, more conveniences, and better designs than the higher trim levels of full sized vans. So they cost $10k less new than equivalent SUV and depreciate quicker than the SUVs used.
That does make them great values for larger families, new and especially used. The 3/4 and 1-ton models are great for towing and transporting people. If you accept the level of equipment, go for it!
I prefer driving and riding in vehicles with more equipment. 20k miles per year for each of my vehicles is a lot of time to enjoy them. To each his own!
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APT
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06/13/13 10:56am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Those that own a Diesel and a gas vechicle.
My diesel starts within 2 seconds over freezing. I have started it as cold as zero degrees F while waiting an additional second.
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APT
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06/13/13 05:30am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: modifications for better towing
Nothing you do will noticeably improve power in the 2000-3000rpm window you tow at on a naturally aspirated engine. Turbocharged, sure. More power at 4500rpm using premium unleaded - sure. Change the gearing to 4.56 and you'll notice the increased wheel torque, probably better towing fuel economy at the expense of higher non towing highway fuel economy and the cost of the gears and installation.
Do you have the 6-spd trans?
Save your money for a more powerful truck next time. That Ecoboost is strong at 2500rpm.
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APT
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06/13/13 05:22am |
Towing
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RE: Primetime Avenger quality?? compared to Jayco or keystone
Get a slideout! Avenger 27BHS maybe?
Compromising on $2k now may cost you $8k in 2 years when you want to get the TT you really wanted.
FWIW, my Heartland North Trail 28BRS was $18.5k with a lot more features, and a bit bigger. Even without the $1k in options, it had more standard equipment than the ones you are looking at. It seems the 2013/14 models took some of the cost out of mine, but should still be had in the $17-18k price range. Tracer 2670 should be had for about $20k.
Get a quote from RV Direct on the Jayco models you are interested in. Holman RV and RV Wholesalers are also know for the low prices on brands they sell.
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APT
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06/13/13 05:18am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: looking at a springdale 294BHSSRWE
Fiberglass models are lighter for the same size and features. Keystone Passport 29xx under 5500 pounds dry compared to over 7000 for Springdale. Anyway, if you like it, buy it!
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APT
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06/13/13 05:04am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 2014 silverados hitting dealers
Spree 318 should be good with an extended payload half ton, NHT GM or Max tow F-150.
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APT
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06/12/13 01:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Battery Case Tie Down Straps
During various test drives of new TVs two summers ago, lost my single battery. I came back to get my TT one day and thought someone stole my battery. But the wires were broken such that I believe they slide off during a turn. I took the opportunity to upgrade to dual golf cart ones and secure the box much better now.
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APT
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06/12/13 01:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: anybody towing 3/4 burb 6.0L towing 9K+ LBS
BigToe, your observations are important for those like me with the 2007+ GM SUV receivers and 1000 pound TW limit.
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APT
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06/12/13 01:03pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Anyone towing with a Yukon Denali?
There should be plenty of 3/4 ton 6.0L equipped 3/4 tons of 2000-2006 that get into your price range. And V10 Excursions. www.autotempest.com should help you. Cars.com and Autotrader too. You will be a lot happier towing an RV with a 3/4 ton from era.
I like my 6.0L, but I would not have bought it in a half ton or mated to a 4-spd trans. Denali is a half ton with payload issues. It's a loaded up Yukon, so payload is down.
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APT
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06/12/13 10:28am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2014 silverados hitting dealers
GM has the NHT package since at least 2009 which is similar to Ford's Max towing package. It continues with expanded availability for 2014. Still 6-lug, but raised rear spring rate and GVWR. I have not heard of GM offering an equivalent package for Ford's HD payload F-150. That's a very niche market, despite how often it is discussed on RV forums. Most are custom orders.
Anyway, typical 2009-2013 Ford/GM crew cabs with EB/5.0/5.3L sit on dealer lots with 1400-1500 pounds of payload. Improvement for the masses is a good thing, even if maybe not enough for a family towing an 8k pound TT.
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APT
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06/12/13 10:23am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tip for the day...always carry some fresh water...
I always travel with FW full. We have had to use our bathroom several times while traveling with two small boys.
Same here, plus a girl. And it's usually easier to fill at home than at a campground that does not have full hookups.
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APT
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06/12/13 10:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 2014 silverados hitting dealers
Payload sucks? Should be up 250 pounds over a comparably equipped 2013. 2014 went on a diet. GM/Ford half tons already had the best payloads for crew cab trucks.
The 2014 5.3L puts out nearly identical power to my 6.0L, very comparable to Ford's 5.0L with better fuel economy and in a pushrod design!
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APT
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06/12/13 07:46am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: looking at a springdale 294BHSSRWE
Lowest advertised price for the Springdale model I saw was $21k. That's in the price range of Passports, Bullet Premier, and Tracer. Outback/Lacrosse are $24k-ish, and OR higher. Prices/equipment are crowded in the $18-$25k transaction price range.
If you like the Springdale, it should be a solid RV. Keystone makes good products. PDI means everything for any RV.
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APT
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06/12/13 07:17am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: looking at a springdale 294BHSSRWE
If you have the Max tow or HD payload package, sure.
I much prefer something like the PrimeTime Tracer 3150 at similar weight (smaller tanks, though) and probably price. Or Open Range Light 305. If you have the HD payload package, then Lacrosse 318, Outback 312 are my top two.
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APT
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06/12/13 05:57am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: anybody towing 3/4 burb 6.0L towing 9K+ LBS
Keep in mind that about 20% of TW goes back onto trailer axles with a properly adjusted WDH. At 1200-1400 pounds, that's significant.
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APT
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06/12/13 04:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Age or mileage ?
Check the payload. Loaded up luxury SUVs tend have the same GVWR as the base models which can weight 500 pounds less. So, the Infinity QX would be the same as the base Aamada. 2006+ vehicles have a Tire and Loading sticker like this one which give as equipped payload, with a full tank of fuel. I have not personally seen any Armadas or QX, but I have seem highly optioned competitors under 1200 pounds.
Payload should be enough for the family, things to occupy their time while traveling, and trailer tongue weight.
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APT
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06/12/13 04:51am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Sluggish towing with GMC Yukon
May be similar in first gear but in 4th it is like having 3.55 gears, rather than the direct 4.1 on the 4 speed. This is the reason it feels sluggish.
So a 4-spd with 1:1 3rd gear and 4:10 diff would be better than a 6-spd with 3rd gear @ 4.7?
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APT
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06/11/13 01:01pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Best SUV for towing
Trailer weighs just under 3000lbs, you're suppose to add 1000lbs for gear, and then I am going to put a hitch on the TT and transport 2 scooters and bikes. I am thinking I'll be pushing well over 4500lbs. The rating is 5200lbs.
But you have (except trans cooler) better gearing than a 10 year old half ton with 4.10 axle rated for 8k+ pounds. The difference in tow rating between 3.08 and 3.42 is less than 500 pounds. The HD towing group with trans cooler takes the 3.42 from 5500 pounds to 8000 just by having the trans cooler.
Be careful about adding a lot of weight to the rear of the RV. Frames are not usually designed to handle 500 pounds off the rear. And it can really upset the tongue weight percentage and handling.
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APT
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06/11/13 11:18am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Age or mileage ?
What do you plan to tow with this?
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APT
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06/11/13 11:05am |
Tow Vehicles
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