RE: Can I Tow Anything With This Diesel = Maybe Soon!
What you are speculating about is already happening with the Sprinter van combos. that engine has less power, but more cylinders, so may have more torque than a 4. I am really hoping for some increased towing capacities with small diesels, so I can keep the roomy trailer I currently have into the future, but be able to tow it and still eat. By the way, diesel fuel has about 20% more BTUs available than gas - hence the increased mileage. Don't expect to ever see diesel cheaper than gas in the future, even though it is easier to refine.
Dan
RE: Towing with New Tundra
The one thing that isn't mentioned yet is gas mileage. As long as fuel is readily available and less than $4 a gallon, the cost, ease of towing, and "brawn" of towing vehicles will rule. I remember the shortage of the early 70s, when gas was readily available at about 25% above the "sanctioned" price, and gas at the sanctioned price meant long waits in line. Most drivers have no memory of that, but the future is going to look more like that in the next few years, as we transition to viewing oil as a scarce commodity. I considered the Titan when I first got my trailer two years ago, but it had a reputation of being a gas hog. The 1500HD certainly was, but it was much cheaper (used). I just didn't have confidence in that vehicle towing in the mountains, but after driving my Tundra with trailer in tow, I would take it anywhere. I even considered towing my trailer with the Trail Lite, which is more "do-able" than you might imagine, since the vehicle only weighs about 9K wet, and has a combined towing capacity of 17.5K. Two things kept me from that. One was the distance between back wheels of the MH and front wheels of the trailer (even with the stability of duals), and I would still have a vehicle that gets 9-10mpg after setting up the trailer. That is what has me thinking about a Sprinter combination at some point in the future.
Dan
RE: Towing with New Tundra
Towed my 8500lb 33' trailer for the first time about a week ago. Went from San Antonio to the Texas Hill country (220 mile round trip), drove about 60-65 in 5th gear - no cruise, got 9.5 mpg for whole trip. Handled very well for the size trailer. Used more equalizing than I had in the past with my 2002 1500HD Chevy, but that was actually a 3/4 ton truck in most respects. Minimal sway. A little sway in the hills when I had a cross wind and the road was somewhat irregular, but slowed down a bit and no problem. Overall, the easiest towing I have had with 4 trailers and 6 tv's. I probably would opt for a big motorhome (I have had a couple of those also), but they didn't have an edge on handling, only in convience. I get 15-17 in combined driving and 17-18 at 70 empty on the interstate. That compares to 13 combined and 15 highway with the Chevy which had marginal power for my trailer. I am very happy! My only future fantasy would be a duelly Sprinter with a regular van body, and the 10000 towing capacity of the cutaway chassis some time in the future - but they don't make that yet, and I couldn't afford it for several years anyway! When those planets line up right, I will be able to eliminate the Trail Lite and the Tundra.
Dan
RE: coach battery voltage drop
Thank you for the input. I actually did find out what the culprit was. After writing the post, I decided to try and trace where the voltage drop occurred. I ended up discovering one the relays (one of two that seem to have an isolating function) had a lose connection and the terminal felt hot to the touch (which equates to resistance induced heat. After tightening up that nut, everything is fine. Now there's a hundred + savings for Christmas!
coach battery voltage drop
I thought I had a bad battery. Would show fully charged when I disconnect the electric on my "commute Traillite motorhome", but would quickly drop to about 1 volts when I disconnect. I leave the refer on all the time, so that is a small draw (for the gas function). I replaced the battery thinking that I had a bad cell, but the new battery had the same issue. I finally checked the voltage at the battery and at the converter. There was about a 1.5 volt drop from the battery to the fuse box. I suspect a high resistance in a relay or fuse. Don't really know if there is a relay between battery and distribution system, but would imagine there is a slow blow circuit breaker of some type to protect the battery? Any thoughts?
RE: Wiggle, wag, flexomatic frame Toyota
I am embarrassed to admit that I was delighted with the way my Toyota towed my 8500lb trailer over the weekend into the Texas Hill country. I should have read these posts first so I would realize that it was an allusion that I had virtually no sway, stunning acceleration, quiet driving (mostly at about 2-2500 rpm), much more driving comfort and confidence than my old 1500HD chevy, and 9.5 mpg towing about 65 mph with no difference in feeling of confidence when driving momentarily at 70-75 mph. Now I am afraid to drive the truck, because I was obviously hallucinating and was actually in great danger. Please pass the Risperdol!
Dan
RE: Traded in the Titan for a Tundra
Have about 3500 miles on mine and get about same empty mileage (16-17). I will be towing my 8500 lb trlr next weekend in the Texas hill country and will report. The road has plenty of hills, and sharp turns, so I will get a good feel for how good a choice I made. I love it for regular driving.
RE: New tundra
Outdoors1:
You have an excellent offer. I paid 29+ for mine three months ago. I may have more expensive tires, and have the towing mirror, but otherwise probably the same as your offer. I have yet to tow with it - am planning about a 100 mile trip next week to the Texas Hill country, which will give an indication of it's ability to climb hills, and curvy roads. I was there yesterday solo, and averaged 17 in mostly highway driving with cruise about 2/3 the time. I can actually get about 1mpg better if I drive w/o cruise and use the computer to tell me how fast to go. I expect with more miles (I have 3000), I will get better - also w/o air. I replaced a 2002 1500HD chevy 4X4, which is actually a little sturdier truck, but not nearly as strong engine. I am trading the beefier frame and springs for power and the 6 speed. Also, the Chevy was getting pretty high miles, so I wanted to have a new vehicle to ease into retirement with - hence the decision. My in town mileage is also around 16, so that is a big benefit. I saw the issues with Tundras, and frankly am not thrilled with the noise it makes in 4 wheel drive, but my Chevy was at least as bad, especially binding when turning. The drive train has a 60,000 warranty, so I am not going to obsess over the possible repair issues. My assumption is that the problems already noted will appear long before I am out of warranty, and given the view of Toyota on Quality Control, if they have to make a major repair, it will only happen once!
RE: New tundra
I am wondering if you priced the 4.7 engine at the price you quoted? The 5.7 engine actually is rated better in the 2wheel drive, and the same in 4X4. From the tests I have seen the 4.7 is no slouch, but the 6 speed is only available with the larger engine.
RE: GET READY FOR 4.00 DIESEL!!!!
All of our lamentations point to the inevitability of petroleum as a finite resource. If we don't have a mini crisis now, we will have a major one coming. Suddenly the thread of an individual trying to make a diesel Liberty into a decent tow vehicle makes more sense? Prices will continue to rise, and we will figure out a way to accomodate that. I am already thinking that my original plan to tow my large TT on long trips may make way to a smaller RV, and the trailer will be a vacation home eventually - on a set location. Maybe not - but creative thinking and demands of $ will force us to change; but not force us to stop complaining.
RE: What's the smallest TV can I buy and be safe?
I note there is no mention of the Toyota as an option. If you are committed to a 9500 tow weight, that might not be a good option, but if you haven't bought a trailer yet, there are a number of very comfortable large trailers that weigh less loaded. Mine is about 8.5K loaded, and is very nice inside - lots of room, and comfortable. It towed nicely behind a 2002 Chevy 1500HD, but was some underpowered, so I ended up getting the Toyota. The main driving is unhitched, so the 15-17mpg I am getting with a mix of city/interstate driving is far superior to the 12-13 I was getting before, with a LOT more power. Most here will say you need 3/4 ton, but the only new truck that looks like you can get the mileage you want with enough grunt besides the Toyota is the 6.2Liter GMC. I paid about 30K for a fully equipped 4X4 with all the towing goodies in SR5 trim crew cab (not crew max). I suspect that the GMC is about 37-40K for the Denali with all the towing stuff. I was about to get a new Dodge, similarly equipped (diesel), but it was 37K, and with the new emissions doesn't seem to have any better characteristics, aside from towing mileage, and heavier suspension. We seem to be embarking on a world of relatively scarce gas, and there is no telling how much gas/diesel will cost in two years - so I would think gas mileage will be a prime consideration for all soon.
Dan
RE: Towing with our 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD (turbodiesel)
My first rig was a 3/4 ton 1970 regular (only option then) cab Ford pickup with non power steering and breaks. I bought a 22' trailer which I had set up on the welded-on step bumper, and set the trailer brakes to actually assist the truck breaks. I prefered the steering and breaking with that rig over driving the truck empty!
Dan
