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Old 03-14-2017, 01:28 PM   #1
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New tow vehicle suggestions

I'm looking at purchasing a new tow vehicle for for my TT. My current trailer weighs 5600 pounds dry. However, I'd like a vehicle that can go the distance and carry loads in excess of 8000 lbs. Oh and I have kids so creature comforts are a plus.

Diesel, gas, SUV or pickup suggestions are welcome. Only American companies please.
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Old 03-14-2017, 02:47 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bend Aerolite View Post
I'm looking at purchasing a new tow vehicle for for my TT. My current trailer weighs 5600 pounds dry. However, I'd like a vehicle that can go the distance and carry loads in excess of 8000 lbs. Oh and I have kids so creature comforts are a plus.

Diesel, gas, SUV or pickup suggestions are welcome. Only American companies please.
We use a 2015 F150 2.7 eco boost for our trailer it is wonderful. For your weight you might be able to use the 3.5 eco boost engine. Worth a look. Gas mileage is very good with these engines.
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Old 03-14-2017, 03:52 PM   #3
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Ford, Chevy, Dodge, everyone has an opinion, so it's your call. Type of vehicle (SUV or pick-up) depends on your lifestyle and personal preference (as well as your significant other's). Does she mind driving a crew cab pick up ( with kids I wouldn't consider anything but a crew cab when it comes to a truck) to the grocery store, or is a larger SUV an easier vehicle for her? Again, personal preference. My only advice would be to get the largest towing combination (motor and gross vehicle tow weight) that you can afford, as historically, you'll upgrade the trailer before you need a new truck. Nothing worse than having a good truck you'll have to trade just because you want a larger trailer. One payment book is enough, LOL.
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Old 03-14-2017, 04:19 PM   #4
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Good advice already. I just want to emphasize payload payload payload.

These modern trucks are marvels compared to what our dads and grandpas drove.
"Towing capacity" is not likely to be a problem. Everything has 300+ horsepower these days.

But that is SO misleading because payload of the tow vehicle is what gets overlooked so often. Truck can pull it, but it can't "manage" it without scaring ya. Nervous towing is a miserable experience.

Open the door of any vehicles and look for that magic number, often in yellow. 1400, 1600, 1900, 2400lbs????

Simply add the tongue weight + all the passengers + all cargo in\on the tow vehicle.

The more headroom (unused payload capacity) the more FUN it is to go camping with the kids!!!!
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Old 03-14-2017, 04:45 PM   #5
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I have a Ford F150 4x4 with the 3.5l Eco-boost and it performs very well. Windy conditions can be a little interesting. I love that truck, but if I had to do it over again, a super-duty or other 3/4 ton would be my choice.
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Old 03-14-2017, 09:26 PM   #6
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F550 PSD... on it or hooked to it, IT WILL go with you!

I am a die hard Ford Fan. I have owned a bunch of them over the years and have driven more than one to the 300,000 mile mark and still have one with over 500,000 on the odo.

Go big or stay home has some bearing here. It is much better to have too much truck with a small trailer than the other way around.

FWIW the truck weighs close to double with the TT does. And the service writer wanted to know why I wasn't using the WDH.

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Old 03-14-2017, 10:16 PM   #7
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I like your strategy!

I have a similar towing experience with the teardrop.
The tow vehicle just manhandles the load. Other than trailer tires are trailer tires, you just hookem down the road chasing sunsets!

You can never have too much truck.
(Least not in rural Texas)
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Old 03-14-2017, 10:23 PM   #8
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Just built a new custom trailer underneath the teardrop.

Extended it 4' to get it far enough behind the truck to leave the tailgate down. Now I can take 2 Bikes!!

One 600lb Beast and a KTM 500 (plated) mountain climber.

Increased the tongue weight, of course.
Might have to get me a new F350 dually with all them cameras!

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Old 03-15-2017, 12:35 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by snakebitten View Post
Just built a new custom trailer underneath the teardrop.

Extended it 4' to get it far enough behind the truck to leave the tailgate down. Now I can take 2 Bikes!!

One 600lb Beast and a KTM 500 (plated) mountain climber.

Increased the tongue weight, of course.
Might have to get me a new F350 dually with all them cameras!

Now that is an interesting modification... if you get the F350 you won't need the trailer extension!

I have a Camp-Inn on my list...

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Old 03-15-2017, 12:51 AM   #10
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Been there done that.
Last year the wife and I bought our first camper and a new Toyota Tundra to haul it. Of course after just a few outings we decided we needed a larger camper. This ended with us trading in our new Tundra for a 6.7L Ford F250. If you can swing it get more truck than you need. This way if you upgrade to a bigger camper you will not have to truck shop again.
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Old 03-16-2017, 02:14 PM   #11
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2015 silverado 2500 diesel

I'm looking at a 2015 SILVERADO 2500 diesel. It comes equipped with exhaust brake and tow rating of 14,000 lbs.

Anything I should be aware with this model?
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Old 03-16-2017, 03:12 PM   #12
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I looked at the 2014 Silverado 3500 Diesel, but ended up buying the Ram 3500 instead. Just decided I couldn't live without the Mega cab for the hunting dogs. As for the 2015 Silverado, this is a quote from the 15 pickup truck to avoid at all costs
"2007 Chevy Silverado is probably the one you’d want to avoid, especially if it has the 5.3L V8. Apart from guzzling fuel, that one also guzzles oil. Owners have reported they had to pour up to quart or two of oil over every 1,000 miles or so. And that hasn’t changed for 2008 as well. Newer 2014 and 2015 Silverados have all kinds of issues of their own. Poor paint that’s peeling off and A/C that doesn’t work are only some of them. Shaky and noisy suspension, and automatic transmission that fails to work properly from day one are more serious issues. The way GM treats transmission misbehaviour as “normal operations”, doesn’t help either."
Buy what you can afford but always buy more truck than you need this is my 3rd truck due to this. this time the wife told me to buy the 1 tonne instead of the 3/4 tonne and just be done with it, almost bought the DRW but really thought that would be over kill. But you could have issues no matter what you buy, but I have a friends with that era Silverado and some have multiple issues some don't, best of luck.
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Old 03-16-2017, 09:36 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Bend Aerolite View Post
I'm looking at a 2015 SILVERADO 2500 diesel. It comes equipped with exhaust brake and tow rating of 14,000 lbs.

Anything I should be aware with this model?
It will be awesome, and pull the wheels off of any 8,000lb trailer.
Back off Ford lovers!
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