RV towing
I have bought a Jayco Eagle 26' fifth wheel travel
trailer and am shopping for a pickup to pull it.
I want a truck that will be adequate for pulling in
mountain areas. My preference is the Ford F-150
Supercab with the 5.4L engine. I have been told
that this will pull the camper fine but would like
comments from those who have used it. Thanks!
trailer and am shopping for a pickup to pull it.
I want a truck that will be adequate for pulling in
mountain areas. My preference is the Ford F-150
Supercab with the 5.4L engine. I have been told
that this will pull the camper fine but would like
comments from those who have used it. Thanks!
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In my opinion, you have a number of things working against you if you choose a 1/2 ton. First is the high hitch pin weight of a fifth wheel trailer, which is going to put a lot of strain on the frame, axle and tires. You will probably have to add a set of helper springs or airbags on the 1/2 ton truck for level, stable towing. Also, despite what the sales brochures and salesman will tell you about the 1/2 ton being adequate for a fifth wheel trailer, they really are not because of the higher loads imposed on the rear axle gears (see the RV Clinic section of this month's issue of Trailer Life magazine for a discussion on this subject).
Secondly, if you're towing anything heavier than the weight of the truck itself, you want to be sure you've got adequate braking power, especially in an emergency situation. Even with the trailer brakes, I don't think a 1/2 ton is anywhere near as good as the brakes on a 3/4 ton, regardless of which of the Big 3 you choose.
And most important, you say you want something adequate for towing in mountainous areas. Considering all of the above loading factors and braking issue, you're going to be a lot better off with a stouter vehicle under you in the mountains.
I would recommend you go with a 3/4 ton vehicle.
NOT happy with towing performance from the standpoint of spring rates, wheelbase, and general mountain towing stability.
I have a 2001 Chevy HD 3/4 ton on order. If I were you, would go with one of the SD since you are a ford man.
With Dodge, there is a BIG difference bewteen the 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickups. Get a 3/4, if you worry about slowing down a trailer down a steep hill, get a stick shift gas engine, like a V-10 that has lots of torque to slow down your rig without brakes.
Yeah the 1/2 can do it....for a short trip...but long ones...no thanks. Plus when empty...you will have a better riding..better braking truck.
It's like Electricity....a 20 amp circuit will pop at 20 amps....but for a continuous flow...go about 80 percent of that...or 16 amps.....take the max trailer Load...about 11K for a gas 2500....and take 80 percent of that for a long trip....anything above....get a diesel.
2500's are geared better in the tranny also for this job. My 00 2500 Silverado seems sluggish sometimes when empty with a 2.48 first gear instead of 3:06 like a 1/2 ton....but when loaded down...it's oh so nice to have the engine get up into the torque band much quicker...
get a 3/4.....regardless of brand you select
Good luck
- Tim
Tim, I don't buy your explanation on either the electricity analogy nor the 1st gear - torque band thing whatever that is.
Ask any good electrician....they will tell you for a constant load...aka a few hours...you should go 80% of the breaker. They pop by two things...heat and power.
The same theory for towing large loads would not be that farr off from that theory....don't buy it?
Then don't!
I have others buyers.
- Tim
make that FEEL
Strike the chord Bob Seger
Anyway, a 3/4 tonner is best with such a long and heavy trailer. If you use it once a year-then get a heavy half but frequent use requires a beefier truck. Duelly isn't needed--Hell, Ford and Chevy offer one-tons in single rears.
I carried a 25', 4,800 lb rig on my F-150 5.4L SC, 3.73 rear for the last year. Went up and down hills all over Arizona, Utah and New Mexico during last years vacation. No particular problems but clearly this rig had little reserve power or weight carring capability.
Get the F-250. Regards.
6spd,3.73,. I pull a 27' t/t wieght: 6700-7000lbs
plus family of 5 and supplies. This truck is awsome! I traveled the interstates-65,20,75 down to Orlando, Fl. 1400mi round trip, I would set the cruise on 70mph in 6th gear with air on entire time, no hill-grade even gave a hint of slowing my truck that turbo would just sing a little. I averaged 14mpg at this speed. I never even put my sway control on, just drive along one hand on the wheel and relax. I have been pulling this same load with my 95 f150,xlt,302,auto,
and that was a hand full. I am so pleased with this truck.
Wildmanbaker
I will say it's a harder ride over bumps...but at highway speeds and smooth city...it's so much more solid and in control...for me.
Even the bump times are not bad...they are faster smaller feeling bumps....if that makes sense?
..for me.
You have to try it out yourself.
- Tim
LOL
- Tim
this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.
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