jf44
Timpson Tx
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Towng a 21.5' Kodiak, empty weight 3200#, 8' Wide. Tow with a hi-top dodge van now but uses too much gas. Would a Ford sporttrak, Chev colorado, Jeep laradeo,or similar have enough power for the hills ?
Or should I go with a full size truck ? Thanks, James
01 Kodiak 22'
02 Dodge Ram van Hi-top
James-Hortense
Taki and Buddy Canines
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Terryallan
NC
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I can't speak for the Chev. But the V8 Sport trak. Would do it. Has 6800lb tow cap. Also the V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee would work. The Sport Trak would IMOP be the best choice. Has a much longer WB, and has a open bed. Don't know if either would save all that much gas though.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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That trailer is only a little heavier than the pop up I towed with my 94 Mazda years ago and it was a great combination. I would think that ANY of those vehicles would do a good job.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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SpoiledRotten
Central Mississippi
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Just for the record, what kind of number are you using when you say it uses too much gas? The small vehicle might just use the same amount if you are talking about 10-18 mpg.
Just the 3 of us...SpoiledRotten, TotallyRotten, and ALittleRotten
2000 F-250 Lariat, CC
7.3 PSTD-Superchipped
2005 33RL2 New Vision - AKA "SpoiledRotten"
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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Depending how old the Dodge is it probably has a three speed transmission tied to a 318 or 360 engine. The transmission could be replaced with a four speed automatic,and possibly a lower gear ratio rear end. That would give you better highway mileage. Unless you go to a diesel engine that puts out 150 to 200 hp which could pull the trailer and get 25 MPG HWY. It's all in your desire to pay the gas bill or pay the cost of the replacement Vehicle. If nothing else get that mopar tuned up to run at peek MPG's.
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jf44
Timpson Tx
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Towing car is a 02' Dodge ram 1500 van hi-top weighs 5200# empty
with 5.9L engine and 3:55 rear end and 4 sp automatic. Last trip
got about 10mpg on mostly level hwy.
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jf44
Timpson Tx
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Also Dodge has only 30k miles with K&N filter
flowmaster muffler and 3in exhaust pipe.
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joshjack
Alabama
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You get a Jeep with the Hemi and the auto cylinder shutoff. That should help a lot - and a tow package with better gear ratio.
J
03 Ram 1500 Quad Cab with Hemi 5.7, HD tow package, K&N Cold Air, B&W Companion + Ball, Prodigy,
1987 Prowler 27.5',
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MFinCA
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
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jf44 wrote:Towing car is a 02' Dodge ram 1500 van hi-top weighs 5200# empty
with 5.9L engine and 3:55 rear end and 4 sp automatic. Last trip
got about 10mpg on mostly level hwy.
I drive 2 gas hogs--the 'Burb in my signature (7-9 mpg towing) and a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 with the same drive train as you (6-8 mpg towing). The trailer weighs right at 6,000 lbs. fully loaded.
If I traded in my Dodge and got a new pickup that got 11-12 mpg towing, I'd be out at least $25K in purchase price alone. The 3-4 mpg towing difference would save me about 550 gallons of gas over 20,000 towing miles. At $3.50 per gallon, I'd only save about $1650.
I'd never be able to even come close to having the gas mileage increase pay for the new vehicle.
I'll stick with my gas-guzzlers that are paid for.
At least until I get the urge to buy a new truck.
MFinCA
2004 Homestead Settler 255RS
1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
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jf44
Timpson Tx
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What gear ratio would you recommend ?
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