I won't mention that if you'd be happy with a 25' or so travel trailer (not a fifth wheel), your safest tow vehicle is probably one of the better FWD minivans.
FloridaNative wrote: I won't mention that if you'd be happy with a 25' or so travel trailer (not a fifth wheel), your safest tow vehicle is probably one of the better FWD minivans.
..I think the fact that the original poster said this was going to be a full-timing rig, that would weigh up to 9,500 lbs...pretty well rules out a minivan as a tow vehicle, even by the most liberal towing limit 'standards'. Especially considering the fact they said they did not want to be underpowered..
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
Dan
2002 Trail Lite 211S; 8.1 Liter Chevy,
2007 Tundra Double Cab 4X4 - Hot Rod,
2005 30RLS Outback Sydney Edition,
2007 Jeep Compass
Daniel C. wrote: 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....
I think the reason no 1/2tons are being recommended (of any brand), is because this is to be a fulltiming rig. That being the case, 9500 lbs probably is a good, realistic estimate as to what things will weigh when loaded, ready to go (and too much weight, for almost any 1/2 ton truck).
Wow!!! Tonight I'm going to download all this, grab a glass of wine, pen and paper, and do some heavy thinking. I knew you all would be extremely helpful, but you've gone beyond my wildest hopes.
I'm prepared to spend the money to get set up properly and will not endanger myself or all you wonderful people I'll be sharing the road with simply because I didn't do my homework or took on too much. Everything you're telling me is extremely helpful. I welcome all comments and am very grateful for the time you're taking to help me.
I don't want to start a gas vs diesel war here. One reason I said no diesel is because if I'm looking at something that requires a diesel, I'm looking too big. I've done some reading comparing the two, and diesel is not necessary for what I have in mind.
Also, I'd rather spend the price differential on other stuff. An additional $5000 or so buys a lot of options to create my dream RV, and probably another 500 pounds, to bring me back up to diesel range. LOL
* This post was
edited 11/05/07 12:19pm by travelmania *
abradf2519 wrote: I think you can get a 150 (or 1500) if you will be towing a TT. If you get a 5th wheeel, you have to get a 250 (or a 2500). Most 5th wheels have a pin weight that is too much for a 150 (or 1500) to handle.
I am not sure why the Ford 5.4 is not being recomended, seems like it would be able to handle 10000 lbs and get better mpg than a V10. You won't win any races up hill though....
If the 5.4 could handle a 10,000 lb TT as well as a V10 and get better mpg doing it then there would be no need for the V10 but in reality the V10 tows much better and gets the same mpg towing 10,000 lbs.
abradf2519 wrote: II am not sure why the Ford 5.4 is not being recomended, seems like it would be able to handle 10000 lbs and get better mpg than a V10. You won't win any races up hill though....
Your last statement, added to the fact the original poster specifically said she didn't want to be under-powered, would be why the 5.4 is not being recommended here.
That, and when you compare a 5.4 V8 to the 6.8 V10..The V10 has soo much more towing power, and the difference in fuel mileage is so little...Really makes more sense to go with the V10 of those two, unless you're only going to be towing something really light (which is not the case here).
Will
I guess I remember the days when the most power you could get was about 235 from a 460 cid or 454 cid V8. I think a 5.4L makes about 300 hp, which seems plenty to me. I would think the V10 would only have similar milage while towing, while a V8 would do better while solo.
Alan and Marilyn; plus the kids: Daniel, Anna, Rebekah, Leah and Moriah
2004 Sunseeker LE 2900, Chevy chassis
Make sure to test drive the candidates after you narrow them down. I'm partial to the Chevy - and you mentioned ride quality, which I think they definitely have over the Ford and Dodge. On the other hand, I get horrible MPG unloaded with my 6.0L. . . I have 4.10 gears and 4x4 and have averaged 9.9-10.5 mpg in the city (not much freeway yet).
In the extended cab market, the Dodge quad cab is a little roomier than the Chevy or Ford. Also, you mentioned a slight sensitivity to price - the Dodge dealer will be more likely to give you a huge discount, although I think the Hemi is the worst of the gas engine options for heavy towing and is still atrocious unloaded.
If you can wait another month, I usually hear of the best deals coming between Christmas and New Year's. Do your research and test driving over the next few weeks, then make an unreasonable offer to a few dealers about a week before New Year's and let them clamor to get close to your deal for a week. Sign the papers on the 30th or 31st.
Good luck - post pics when you buy!
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab SB LS 6.0L 4x4 4.10
DW, DD (May, 2007), DS (October, 2008), and me
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