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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Performance Chips for GMC
There is not much to be done with a naturally aspirated engine. A tuner can improve peak HP using higher octane fuel, but it will come at higher operating costs and at higher engine speed. A tuner can also help improve the transmission shifting, firm it up, change shift points. However, the improvements are not likely to save money over time nor are they likely to improve towing performance or fuel economy.
Black Bear Performance is a reputable GM tuning company. Do some research on them.
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APT
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05/22/13 08:41am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: rv shows
RV shows are great for comparing lots of RVS floorplans, brands/construction/quality. They rarely have the best prices, though. Few people beat the the handful of high volume/so called wholesale dealers. RV Direct, RV Wholesalers, Lakeshore RV, etc. My advice is to go to the show to narrow down what you want. Get some quotes from the dealers above. Compare with your local dealer to determine is the prices are worth the drive/delivery from above.
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APT
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05/22/13 08:26am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: How much HP & torque do I need ?
All full sized trucks are about the same size for the same cab/bed length. Titan, Tundra, F150, etc. If you go to that size, pick the one you like best.
For that size/weight trailer, I recommend at least a more capable mid-sized SUV, with a V8 or turbo diesel 6-cyl. VW Touareg, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Durango, etc. Skip the V6s, like Frontier, Tacoma, and any gas V6 in the full size half tons.
Forced induction is good for high elevations. More transmission gears is good for towing.
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APT
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05/22/13 06:03am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Travel Trailer
What's wrong with towing with a pickup? I miss mine.
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APT
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05/22/13 05:14am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Tow vehicle upgrade
Your current TV is plenty capable for your TT. If you want more usable towing power, gear swap is it. When it comes time to sell it, any upgrades will net you no additional resale value.
That said, any stock big block from that era or current half ton with 6+ transmission gears would offer far more noticeable improvement is towing performance.
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APT
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05/21/13 12:53pm |
Towing
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RE: Travel Trailer
Most rear bumpers on TTs are not designed to carry 100 pounds of bikes and a spare tire. THat's why someone called it a sewer hose carrier: it's light duty.
My TT has this slide out rear bumper/rack. It says it can handle 200 pounds, which is probably about right as I've stood on it. I did not find it very useful when I towed with a pickup, but now it's very valuable since we tow with an SUV.
http://www.f150online.com/forums/members/apt-albums-camping-picture140357-rear-pull-out-bumper-bike-rack-bunks-slide-awning.jpg width=640
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APT
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05/21/13 12:46pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: What are u or would you use to tow this 26 Tbud trailer..
The crew cab 5/5' bed max tow F-150 has about 100 pounds more payload than the 6.5' bed.
Family and dog is 700 pounds, plus firewood, bed full of camping gear, and 1000 pounds of TW? That's into the 2100-ish pounds of the HD payload package.
Payload per the tire and loading sticker includes all fluids full, like fuel tank. No people, no driver. Tow ratings often include a single 150-165 pound driver.
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APT
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05/21/13 10:36am |
Towing
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RE: New lite weight travel trailer suggestions
KZ Spree has a couple interesting models, but in the 4300-5000 pound dry range. 220KS, 240BHS. Spree Escape E243 and E250 meet your requirements, but those have very low CCC.
Funfinder F-262BHS is perfect except I think it's about 4600 pounds dry.
Heartland North Trail Focus FX235 and T225 are also a bit heavier.
Keystone PAssport 238 and 252.
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APT
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05/21/13 10:24am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Tow vehicle upgrade
Axle swap, especially if its only 2WD to 4.56 or 4.88 would probably be better. A 3/4 ton over same era with 454 would be far superior. What you want is more power at 2000-3000rpm. Very few modifications will do that.
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APT
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05/21/13 08:33am |
Towing
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RE: 2013 Dodge Ram with or without air suspension?
1500 pounds is good. I still say skip the air suspension and focus on WDH adjustment.
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APT
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05/21/13 05:04am |
Tow Vehicles
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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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