TV recommendations for my new 2109

[Harris85]

We gave up my 4 Runner because it was not going to have the tow capacity for our camper. If you like SUV's, maybe a Ford Expedition or a Suburban might give you the SUV you want and the tow capacity.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by don1526

Maybe I'm an oddball, but TV still means television to me.

That's why on most RV forums, TV is Tow Vehicle and tv is television, to help prevent confusion.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by don1526

Maybe I'm an oddball, but TV still means television to me.

ROFL!!!!

[BusyRetirees]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

You are going to get all kinds of conflicting advice on this question. Tow vehicles is one of the great debates of this forum. There will be people telling you that you shouldn't have anything less than a 1 ton diesel dually!

That being said, payload on SUV's is typically lower than a pickup, and payload is typically where TV's exceed their limits first. So as well as looking at the towing capacity of whatever you're interested in, look at the payload number on the sticker on the drivers door frame.

Make sure you know the towing capacity of the exact vehicle you're looking at. My 2009 Silverado owners manual listed 99 permutations of the Silverado (engine size, box size, cab size, rear end gearing, tow package, etc) with towing capacities ranging from 4,000 lbs to 12,000 lbs. Mine was 7,500 lbs. So all 1/2 ton pickups are NOT created equal. So someone may tell you to "get a 1/2 ton," but if you do, you need to get the RIGHT 1/2 ton.

Ignore dry weights. Your 2109 has a GVWR of about 5256 lbs per the FR site. Tongue weight should be around 10-15% of TT weight, so your tongue weight could be as much as 788 lbs. Add 50 lbs or so for your weight distributing hitch (you'll need one) and you could have a tongue weight of 838 lbs.

So now your payload will be reduced by 838 lbs. Whatever is left is what you can load into your TV, including the wife, dog, and "stuff."

Also, you may find you'll want a larger TT in a couple years (some people even sooner!). For boaters, this is called "two-foot-itis."

So my advice is to steer away from SUV's. You'll get a lot more advice.

I agree with Rockfordroo. We own a 2015 F150 Ecoboost (3.5L) which has a towing capacity of 11,900 lbs and a carrying capacity of 2150 lbs. We tow a 5th wheel with a wet weight of 9200 lbs. Never had any problems towing even in mountain ranges and the gas mileage, when not towing, is in the middle to upper 20s. It is about 11 to 12 when towing this rig. The crew cab is almost like a limo for interior space, comfort and sound. The anti-sway feature on the truck is great. As Rockfordroo said, not all 1/2 tons are created equal. Look around, test drive, see what you want and feel comfortable with, add some wiggle room in case of two footitis and have fun with your 2109.

[Tommy D.]

Hi all, wow thanks for all the thoughtful responses. It means a lot to have your options and guidance. From what I'm reading here regarding pulling the 2109 and a few other limitations I'm thinking a F150 is the best fit. Regarding components I'll clearly need the trailer towing package with otional mirrors. From what I see hear and doing some math I should be well within the stated capacities of the truck. I like the ecoboost concept but was wondering if the 2.7 is adequate for my needs.

[bentbev]

DH & I are considering upgrading to a 2109S. Can 2109S owners tell me what feature would they change on it if they could?

[fanrgs]

Originally Posted by bentbev

DH & I are considering upgrading to a 2109S. Can 2109S owners tell me what feature would they change on it if they could?

The length. I would add 4 ft.

Just kidding. As discussed on several other threads, if I were buying our 2109S now, I would definitely leave off the raised-panel refrigerator door insert. It was a hazard to my wife's toes! That's why we ordered our Ultra Lite without it.

[Ddfee]

I just went through this debate myself. I took a tip from a friend who said its better to be "over trucked" than "over trailered." I had a F150 with the 5.4 engine but even with the RW 2604ws I still would need to be mindful of weights etc. There's a huge difference between what a smaller TV can tow and what it can control. It's more than the engine power and torque...it's also brakes, tranny, rear end, axle, bearings etc.

Plus when I upgrade I would need bigger TV...so I took advantage of Fords employee pricing and got a 2016 F250 (with upgraded springs front and rear) c/w a diesel.

With the relative light weight of the 2604ws I tow with ease, the truck doesn't even break a sweat. When the time comes to upgrade the RV I've got the tow vehicle.

My 2 cents worth anyways.

Good luck

Dave

[Joe_GA]

Towing is hard on a vehicle. Always buy a TT that is over rated for your camper so you are not over working it. Do your homework. So, I think you need a Kenworth!
Seriously, watch your GVWR. Don't forget to add hitch weight, fuel, wife, kids, ice chest, fire wood, etc.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by bentbev

DH & I are considering upgrading to a 2109S. Can 2109S owners tell me what feature would they change on it if they could?

[EmersonTT]

We have towed our 2109s for three years with the Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel and love it! We've towed from Wisconsin through the Rockies, up to and back from Alaska, and out and back to New Mexico-- I figure maybe 20,000 miles total.

[Mark Ulmer]

Originally Posted by Tommy D.

Hi all, wow thanks for all the thoughtful responses. It means a lot to have your options and guidance. From what I'm reading here regarding pulling the 2109 and a few other limitations I'm thinking a F150 is the best fit. Regarding components I'll clearly need the trailer towing package with otional mirrors. From what I see hear and doing some math I should be well within the stated capacities of the truck. I like the ecoboost concept but was wondering if the 2.7 is adequate for my needs.

The 2.7L may very well be adequate for the present. Payload is about the same (around 2,100 lbs). But for $1,300 to step up to the 3.5L you increase the max towing from around 8,000 to over 12,000. That's a pretty small price for a pretty dramatic towing capacity increase. The 2.7 gets marginally better gas mileage, but the "buzz" is that may no longer be the case in the 2017's, which are getting an all new 3.5L with a new 10-speed transmission. The 2017's should be available in about another month. Ford has not made pricing or MPG available yet.

[Tommy D.]

Regarding the 2.7 vs the 3.5 I certainly see your point related to the higher towing capacity. I'm guessing that higher capacity equates to more than just getting heavier springs. Perhaps larger brakes, bigger rad, etc.? Likely a bunch of heavier components that yield that increase.

EmersonTT's comments about his Grand Cherokee certainly intrigues me. I guess I'm still a SUV guy at heart and hearing his experiences with his diesel are surely interesting.

One of my hopes for my new vehicle are that it can fit into my garage. I see a height issue with the F150s that I wouldn't have with an SUV. My garage door opening is VERY close to the height of the trucks.

BTW, still on the "blogging learning curve" !! I hope you guys get this message and with it, my sincere thanks for your interest.

[rjgrady]

We've ordered a 2109S and are impatiently waiting on it. We'll be towing with a 2006 Nissan Armada (with the "big" towing package, not all Armadas are created equal) and I don't anticipate any problems.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by rjgrady

We've ordered a 2109S and are impatiently waiting on it. We'll be towing with a 2006 Nissan Armada (with the "big" towing package, not all Armadas are created equal) and I don't anticipate any problems.

I was always impressed with the way my Armada pulled my Flagstaff 27BESS Super lite. Pulled with ease and you hardly knew the tt was behind you.
Personally, I think more people would be impressed if they gave the 'mada a chance or a try. Properly equipped, of course. Not everyone needs or wants a pickup truck.

[rjgrady]

Originally Posted by DaGrinch

I was always impressed with the way my Armada pulled my Flagstaff 27BESS Super lite. Pulled with ease and you hardly knew the tt was behind you.
Personally, I think more people would be impressed if they gave the 'mada a chance or a try. Properly equipped, of course. Not everyone needs or wants a pickup truck.
[emoji106]

We don't put many miles on our Armada but would definitely buy another one, when this one wears out. Wife loves it as a grocery getter and she's the primary driver. It's a good all around vehicle for our needs and tows very well when we need it to do that too.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by Tommy D.

One of my hopes for my new vehicle are that it can fit into my garage. I see a height issue with the F150s that I wouldn't have with an SUV. My garage door opening is VERY close to the height of the trucks.

LOL, I know what you mean. For me, no problem with height, thought the radio antenna does hit the door when I park. I've read a couple of posts on the F150 Forum about people who have shortened the antenna - pop off the top ball, clip the antenna, glue the ball back on with a dab of JB Weld.

My issue was length. I brought a demo home and put it in the garage. It fits with about 1 inch to spare...

[joec]

Originally Posted by bentbev

DH & I are considering upgrading to a 2109S. Can 2109S owners tell me what feature would they change on it if they could?

Forest River has already made the change I'd want. The shower.

[ekrus]

We tow our 2109S with a GMC Sierra 2500HD. The truck hardly knows anything is back there, even on steep hills, and should we decide we need a larger trailer sometime, we won't have to replace the truck.

[Abcall]

Would a RAM 1500 Crew cab with 5.7 L be adequate to pull a 2109S?
We live in the Rockies & camp in the mountains