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Old 03-17-2013, 09:46 AM   #1
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Which truck do i need to tow my rv

Hi, I was wondering what I need to tow my rv puma 26 rks 2012? I would like something fuel saving. Thanks
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Old 03-17-2013, 09:55 AM   #2
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The Ford F150 EcoBoost would pull that like a dream, while giving you good mileage while not towing.
As for fuel mileage while towing, it doesn't make a lot of difference what you buy. It takes fuel to make the horsepower necessary to pull.
While a diesel might be a bit better pulling, it will be worse empty. And with diesel costing more, and the truck costing more, is it really worth it?
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Old 03-17-2013, 09:58 AM   #3
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Well it looks like you have a dry weight of about 6,000 lbs depending on accessories. You need to add approx, 1,000 lbs for gear, so you will need a vehicle with a minimum towing capacity of 7,000 lbs. iw plus say a Chevy Silverado 1500 would be a good choice, dependable and comparable fuel efficiency. Plus it has Eco fuel when not towing which improves your mileage when not camping. My FIL just purchased one and is very happy. My vehicle is a traverse with a 5k capacity and I am happy, however, my camper packed is only about 4300 lbs. good luck.
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Old 03-17-2013, 10:01 AM   #4
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To be honest towing and fuel savings do not go together. The only way to save fuel while towing is try to keep the weight down and keep your speed down. I have a 2007 F150 and a 2008 34' trailer. I average 10.5 miles per gal while towing. I keep my speed below 60 mph and I will follow transport trucks up longer hills. If they slow down to 20 to 30 mph I will do the same. Being retired and not in a hurry helps.
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Old 03-17-2013, 10:05 AM   #5
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The unit claims 4000 lb cargo capacity. How much of that capacity you plan on using will determine what you tow with. The F150 Ecoboost has one of the highest tow ratings and will cover the trailer even fully loaded. Just make sure that pesky sudden power loss caused by water vapor in the heat exchanger recall has been dealt with. Check for a baffle in the air to air heat exchanger for the incoming air in the turbos on 2012 and earlier models. 2013 models should be good to go.
Chevy would require the 6.2 and 1500 HD to match it which would shoot that unloaded gas mileage down.
Dodge would ask you to go to a 3/4 ton chassis. Again bad gas mileage.

A chevy with a 5.3 or the Ford with a 5.0 would tow 9200 maxed out so they could do it if you're nervous about turbos and don't plan on loading down the chassis but all in all the ecoboost should meet your requirements.
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Old 03-17-2013, 10:28 AM   #6
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go buy a diesel because you are going to up grade in a few years anyway and the truck will be paid for when the time comes around.. trust me.... after starting with a 05, then 2011, then the current 2012 everytime the trailer gets larger....
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Old 03-17-2013, 10:37 AM   #7
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if you're nervous about turbos and don't plan on loading down the chassis but all in all the ecoboost should meet your requirements.
Rather than be nervous about the turbos, that is the main benefit. If one has any intention to ever pull in the high country, the turbos make all the difference in the world. Naturally aspirated engines die quickly as the altitude increases.
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Old 03-17-2013, 11:22 AM   #8
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Our 2011 F150 screw Ecoboost max tow has 30kmi. On it over 3k towing our 310BHDS 10mpg towing 19mpg otherwise no problems from new pulls trailer very well my experience with the Ford has bin great
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Old 03-17-2013, 01:12 PM   #9
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go buy a diesel because you are going to up grade in a few years anyway and the truck will be paid for when the time comes around.. trust me.... after starting with a 05, then 2011, then the current 2012 everytime the trailer gets larger....
X2...
If you THINK your going to stay under 10K (fully loaded), forever...the max tow EcoBoost would be your choice at this time....If your going to upgrade past 10K, get the diesel and be done with it.
A lot of truck choices out there for towing, take your time & have fun shopping!



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Old 03-17-2013, 01:36 PM   #10
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go buy a diesel because you are going to up grade in a few years anyway and the truck will be paid for when the time comes around.. trust me.... after starting with a 05, then 2011, then the current 2012 everytime the trailer gets larger....
Not everyone has the money to be doing that. And I wouldn't want a diesel for an everyday driver.
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Old 03-17-2013, 01:51 PM   #11
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×2 That's why I got the Ecoboost it is a good compromise if I was to pull considerably more or bigger I would go with the F350 can't see needing a bigger tt this one sleeps 10
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Old 03-17-2013, 01:55 PM   #12
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Not everyone has the money to be doing that. And I wouldn't want a diesel for an everyday driver.
Yeah but the logic is unassailable. Many folks go bigger and then HAVE to buy another truck with deprivation and everything. Get a hd2500 duramax and be safe and happy.
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Old 03-17-2013, 01:59 PM   #13
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Not everyone has the money to be doing that. And I wouldn't want a diesel for an everyday driver.
Not everybody has to buy new and finance your life away, buy used and have a smaller payment compared to a new gasser and/or paid in full (as mine).
No different in driving my diesel daily than my former GM gasser???.....in fact, I enjoy it more with the better MPG's.



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Old 03-17-2013, 02:00 PM   #14
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If you buy a 1/2 ton truck make sure that you get a payload rating that will cover everything you will haul and tow. Many F150 owners have ordered trucks to get the max tow/max payload numbers that they need.
If I needed to get a 1/2 ton truck with all of the heavy duty options to tow with...
well, I wouldn't get one.
I'd get a 3/4 ton truck.

I agree with buying used - sometimes.
Let's say that you could buy a used 1 ton truck for $28k.
Compare that to $45k to $65k for new. You can buy a lot of fuel with the savings.
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Old 03-17-2013, 02:28 PM   #15
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I can't find the stats on the 26RKS. If it is comparable to the 26RLSS, then that might be in the 3/4 ton range, depending on how much passenger load and camping gear are going to be in the truck.

The downfall of 1/2 ton trucks is the cargo carrying capacity. Realistically, most 1/2 ton trucks have in the vicinity of 1200-1400 lbs. of payload available. Hang an 800 lb. trailer tongue on the bumper, and there is only 400 lbs. left. Add 2 passengers and some camping gear in the bed, and you are at or over the GVWR.

The exception to the rule would be the Ford EcoBoost with the maximum payload package. I don't think Dodge, Chevy, Toyota, or Nissan offer a package like that in their 1/2 tons.
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Old 03-17-2013, 02:52 PM   #16
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Had a 2006 F-150 SCREW FX4 when I got my Rockwood 8317RKSS. 33 feet long and 6300 lbs. dry. After pulling one time with the f-150 I went and bought a used (1.5 year old 25K mile) Lariat Crew cab F250 standard bed 6.4 diesel for 28K in 2010. Pulled better with better fuel economy dry or towing. Have since modified and get even better mileage and just bought a Wildcat 344QB, thank God I got the diesel when I did. The half ton was right at it's edge with my Rockwood, the diesel was much better and I had the truck I needed for the inevitable upgrade.
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Old 03-17-2013, 03:18 PM   #17
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Had a 2006 F-150 SCREW FX4 when I got my Rockwood 8317RKSS. 33 feet long and 6300 lbs. dry. After pulling one time with the f-150 I went and bought a used (1.5 year old 25K mile) Lariat Crew cab F250 standard bed 6.4 diesel for 28K in 2010. Pulled better with better fuel economy dry or towing. Have since modified and get even better mileage and just bought a Wildcat 344QB, thank God I got the diesel when I did. The half ton was right at it's edge with my Rockwood, the diesel was much better and I had the truck I needed for the inevitable upgrade.
not to this poster but you always go bigger down the road, so get the truck that will pull it.. greenfield : how do you like the 344QB I though the angled bed was no longer available in the 13, we love our 12
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:44 PM   #18
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We are about to go on our maiden voyage next weekend. We looked for a year and decided on the 344. It towed incredible on the 4 hour ride back from the dealer in the middle of an ice storm. The angled bed is no longer made, but the fist run of 2013's had them. We got the last one from Keystone RV center that they had. They did have 2013's with the squared bed however. We pulled the trigger partially because of the angled bed going away, I love the space it provides compared to the squared bed.
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Old 03-17-2013, 09:46 PM   #19
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Hi, I was wondering what I need to tow my rv puma 26 rks 2012? I would like something fuel saving. Thanks
if you want fuel savings while towing, sell the trailer!
can't ask to tow AND have fuel savings.

if you mean fuel savings when NOT towing, then any diesel or Ecoboost will give you good fuel economy for regular driving and they can tow a lot.
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Old 03-17-2013, 10:52 PM   #20
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Everyone is saying Eco boost I guess that all depends on which model and I am sure someone will bash me for this. But here where I live everyone that drives and Eco boost has a 4x4 model and they all get about the same gas milage as any 1/2 ton v8. I have a tundra that I get between 14-15 in the city and about 16-18 on the highway. I have a buddy with a Eco boost and the only difference is he says he gets almost 19 some times on the highway. And towing it doesn't sound like they are any better than any 1/2 ton v8s. So depending on what Eco boost model I think any half v8 will do the job.

But I did trade my Nissan Titan in for a tundra and the Titan got between 10-12 city and 14-15 on the highway. It was horrible and I had some major problems with the truck. It was a fun truck bad not very dependable and not good mpgs.
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