Tow Vehicle Advice

[stormer]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

If you are already looking at buying a new to you tow vehicle, buy it for your next RV, which is almost guaranteed to be heavier if you follow the natural progression most of us do

Also, any gas engine will get terrible towing mileage when towing at the upper ranges of it's capacity, that's just how it is. 8mpg really isn't that bad

Good luck!!

x2. buy for the next rig.

joke: I've never heard anyone say they wish they had a smaller truck.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by USMC0369

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...WW_d9iYZDI0xQn

Specs on xds

Sir, those are maximum available capacities. The actual numbers (payload/towing) for your truck is required to be on your truck...usually a sticker on the door jamb.

[davidwrightfr]

Brother had same issue with 2018 F150 and 30ft open range TT. Hensley hitched solved sway problems dramatically.

[fastalkintn]

Originally Posted by USMC0369

1700 is the max pin weight not the payload. They are two different things.

Ok, maybe I’m mistaken. When I look at the door sticker is where I’m getting the ~1700 cargo capacity.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by USMC0369

Nissan Titan xd with the diesel will be more than you need and still get 21 mpg when your not towing. I have one and pull 10k 5th wheel at 13mpg. Has 13k tow capacity and 2500 cargo. I have 2018 model and love it. The 100,000 mile BUMPER TO BUMPER warranty is nothing to over look either. Comes ready to tow, break controler, trailer light tester, everything you need for extra duty. Love mine

I may be wrong, and I am frequently, but I am extremely doubtfull the truck in your picture has the numbers available you are posting. I think as someone else said you are looking at the MAXIMUM available number, probably on a 2 wheel drive stripped down version. I would dare say you are overloaded as it sits in that pic. Maybe I'm wrong though.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by luker0

I've towed my race car trailer with both a 2016 F150 3.5L EcoBoost and my 2014 Silverado with 5.3Lv8. Both have the max tow options, the trailer was loaded to around 8,000lbs. Same roads and wind conditions on the trips.

I personally prefer my Silverado as it pulled much more easily than the 3.5L equipped Ford. Gas mileage while towing was slightly better in the Silverado. Mileage is better in the F150 when not towing, however for the mileage I drive it amounted to about $150/year in total fuel cost.

Edit: a friend has a 5.0L V8 Ford and it tows very similar to my Silverado. Wouldn't hesitate to buy one if a good deal was available.

You are arguing that a NA V8 that produces 383 ft.lbs. of peak torque at 4100 rpm pulls 8K more "easily" than the 3.5EB that produces 420 ft.lbs. at 2500? Look, there are definitely arguments to be made in favor of a NA V8 over the EB- but when you try to argue that the 5.3L tows better, you just lose all credibility. Same thing goes for the 5.0 Ford- won't hold a candle to the EB when towing heavy.

[Kebees4]

I have a 2018 Doge Ram 1500 with 5.7 hemi and 392 gears and 8 speed auto with tow package. We took trip from ohio to Florida this past year towing approximately 7000 lbs. We averaged 11 mpg over entire trip. Only modification I did to truck was add 1000 lb air ride air bags. I was very happy how it handled. I just removed factory tires from truck and installed 10 ply tires but have towed with them yet. Also had zero issues going thru the mountains. Set cruise at 63 mph most of trip.

[jackhartjr]

If you like the truck you have now, keep it. 8mpg is not really that bad, i dont think you will improve on that enough to justify buying a new truck!
Sounds like your truck is doing a great job as it is!

[davidwrightfr]

Originally Posted by davidwrightfr

Brother had same issue with 2018 F150 and 30ft open range TT. Hensley hitched solved sway problems dramatically.

Sorry Wrong Thread!

[Was]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

You are arguing that a NA V8 that produces 383 ft.lbs. of peak torque at 4100 rpm pulls 8K more "easily" than the 3.5EB that produces 420 ft.lbs. at 2500? Look, there are definitely arguments to be made in favor of a NA V8 over the EB- but when you try to argue that the 5.3L tows better, you just lose all credibility. Same thing goes for the 5.0 Ford- won't hold a candle to the EB when towing heavy.

X2 I’ve pulled with both trucks and no comparison. 3.5 EB much better in my opinion, so much that I traded my Chevy for a 2nd 3.5 EB

[luker0]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

You are arguing that a NA V8 that produces 383 ft.lbs. of peak torque at 4100 rpm pulls 8K more "easily" than the 3.5EB that produces 420 ft.lbs. at 2500? Look, there are definitely arguments to be made in favor of a NA V8 over the EB- but when you try to argue that the 5.3L tows better, you just lose all credibility. Same thing goes for the 5.0 Ford- won't hold a candle to the EB when towing heavy.

I really don't care if you think I have credibility or not.

I provided my personal opinion from personal experience in a somewhat controlled circumstance.

Just like I PREFER to race my 250 HP inline 6 powered RWD race car over my friends 340 HP turbo inline 4 FWD race car or my other friends 320 HP V8 RWD car.

But hey if it makes you feel you better talk down to people on the internet from a high horse....

[babock]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

You are arguing that a NA V8 that produces 383 ft.lbs. of peak torque at 4100 rpm pulls 8K more "easily" than the 3.5EB that produces 420 ft.lbs. at 2500? Look, there are definitely arguments to be made in favor of a NA V8 over the EB- but when you try to argue that the 5.3L tows better, you just lose all credibility. Same thing goes for the 5.0 Ford- won't hold a candle to the EB when towing heavy.

Totally agree. The EB is a beast. Easily out powers the 5.3L Chevy at sea level let alone at altitude.

[mnoland30]

Many years ago when I towed with a f-150, my trailer brakes failed on a long steep hill, and I found out the limitations on the brakes on a 1500. Brakes are much better today than then, but I'll never tow a heavy trailer with a 1500 again. The extra safety margin of the bigger brakes is worth the price of admission (rougher ride and worse gas mileage).

I finally switched to diesel a few years ago. I live at 5000 feet and go up from there. At higher elevations and steep grades, my diesel will pull as fast as I want to go. Mileage goes down of course, but you have the capability to keep up with traffic if you wish. I will probably never go back to gas in my truck.

I have a rare Jeep Liberty turbo diesel that is rated for 5000 lbs. It has the torque, but I tow with my Superduty.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by mnoland30

Many years ago when I towed with a f-150, my trailer brakes failed on a long steep hill, and I found out the limitations on the brakes on a 1500. Brakes are much better today than then, but I'll never tow a heavy trailer with a 1500 again. The extra safety margin of the bigger brakes is worth the price of admission (rougher ride and worse gas mileage).



I finally switched to diesel a few years ago. I live at 5000 feet and go up from there. At higher elevations and steep grades, my diesel will pull as fast as I want to go. Mileage goes down of course, but you have the capability to keep up with traffic if you wish. I will probably never go back to gas in my truck.



I have a rare Jeep Liberty turbo diesel that is rated for 5000 lbs. It has the torque, but I tow with my Superduty.

If brakes are the issue you can upgrade pads or even up grade to larger brakes a lot cheaper than new truck. My 2014 Tundra and my 2014 Eco did great pulling a larger trailer. Yes I was over payload I was ignorant under tow capacity but over payload on both tow haul mode works great going down hill

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by babock

Of course the 3.5 ecoboost has more torque and HP than your 8.1L and does this at lower RPM and also keeps those same specs at elevation. Personally, I would never have a normally aspirated engine again in a truck since I tow at 6,000 to 7,000 feet elevations often.

I have a 1/2T truck for my trailer but would get a 3/4T if I ever went to something larger and needed the payload.

You are within you right to be wrong

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by DnAWisconsin

I tow a Rockwood Windjammer that is about 9,000 lbs. loaded with 2016 F-150 Supercrew 5.5’ box, 3.5 Ecoboost. Pulls all day up and down the hilly highways, 12,200 lb. tow capacity with max tow package. Best towing vehicle in the 1/2 ton segment and I went this direction because I like a larger margin than a lot of other vehicles offer. One other feature I like is the sway detection built into the truck. Came out from under a bridge where land was built up and hit a high crosswind. Felt the trailer start to sway and before I could react, the truck instantly turned off the cruise and activated the brakes until the Sway stopped. Literally in less than two seconds. Most of the newer trucks are coming out with this upgraded technology.

Towing 9000lbs with an f150? AND an eco boost?

[babock]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

You are within you right to be wrong

Look them up!

Or I can do it for you LOL

https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2002...-SLT-4WD/Specs

https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2017...-XLT-4WD/Specs


Of course you also think a normally aspirated engine means it's carbureted.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1950159

[jcwest]

I tow with a 2016 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 with the Max Tow Package, 6.2L V-8 (240 HP), 8 speed Trans pulling through a 3:42 rear end on 20 inch wheels. It is rated at 12,000 lbs tow capacity. Tows and handles great, I have pulled a 6500 lb Rockwood Windammer through the Rocky Mountains in CO, WY, and MT like it wasn't even there. Plenty of torque too. I get much better gas mileage than I did with my 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 with a tow package and a 5.3L engine. on a 1,000 mile trip I will average 10.5 MPG while towing. sometimes up to 12, sometimes 9.5 depending on terrain. I average 22.5 to 24 MPG on the hwy not towing or hauling a heavy load, way better than my 02. I just traded my trailer for a new Rockwood Mini Lite in November and I expect to do better this coming camping season (March - November).

[17 Oaks]

Towing opinions are like....yea you guessed it! Most are nothing more than some subjective Walther Mitty thinking.

Most will claim their 150X will tow anything they can attach to it and do it "Great". Anyone here got a definition of GREAT?

I load up my 20 ft trailer to about 18,000 lbs. You hook your 150X and letz see if you can pull that puppy up to my barn, I really doubt it because you go ing up a Veru steep hill.

BUT I have no problem pulling with a 32 HP John Deere, goes up that hill with ease, pulls it GREAT! Does not pull it fast only about 1.5 mph. How? Its a gear ratio thing.

We travel a lot mostly across the great state of Texas but as far away as Ca, Co etc. I drive typically between 62 mph - 74 mph depending upon the posted speed limit, weather, traffic etc. One thing I have noted is that I pass a LOT of RV's on the flats and especially in the hills and mountains. In fact, it's rare I ever get passed by someone pulling and when I do they are driving a 350/450xx series of truck, diesel powered.

Take away, they both pull great 32hp JD or F350 935 lbs of torque only difference is when we get there

[47driver]

I'll be the odd one here. For $30,000 to $35,000, you can get a top of the line 2015 VW Touareg TDI that will tow your TT with ease. While you are not towing, you can average 35-40MPG as well.


I towed my 24' TT from southern Alabama to Banff Canada and back with absolute ease. It's tow rating is 7,700# and truly handles this without any issue. Will you look absolutely unlike any other American (who MUST tow with a truck or its "wrong"), but you won't have to give up the utility of the SUV.



This is my $.02......however, I did go get a big truck in advance of the 5th wheel we are shopping for.