Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Oct 23, 2016 18:23:31 GMT -8
Good luck with your choice. If I were a rich girl, ans a few inches taller, I'd be tempted to wait for Tesla's all electric SUV. Of course I don't know if I'd really want a tow vehicle that could go from 0 -60 in four seconds!
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msgoehring
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Just call me Margaret the shellac, buff, sand an shine queen.
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Post by msgoehring on Oct 23, 2016 18:31:59 GMT -8
Good luck with your choice. If I were a rich girl, ans a few inches taller, I'd be tempted to wait for Tesla's all electric SUV. Of course I don't know if I'd really want a tow vehicle that could go from 0 -60 in four seconds! That is exactly what I would get if I had money to burn. I love speed, and I love how that one looks. Since I'm 5' 7' I don't have to worry much about pedal distance and steering wheel, I just need to make sure my fat fanny fits.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Oct 24, 2016 8:07:50 GMT -8
Well, our tushes aren't the problem, but the pocketbook just isn't that full!
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Post by vikx on Nov 16, 2016 23:27:47 GMT -8
Oh Meow, I would LOVE to be able to afford a Tesla...
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Nov 17, 2016 7:49:43 GMT -8
I have a 93 GMC K1500, 350 V8 and automatic transmission. It has only 280,000 miles on it but has been very well maintained with a lot of new and uprated parts. Me being a mechanic left nothing to break down. Preventive Maintenance is My specialty. It gets 17mpg consistently and about 14 when towing. I would occasionally use it to pull My 20` utility trailer, the camper and various other trailers that I own. I wanted GM product, a unit that can pull that 20` trailer loaded and be able to haul My family when We go fishing or hunting with room for a friend or two. I wanted something bigger, something diesel with the crew cab, four wheel drive, diesel, auto trans. and the long box. I searched C.L. and various other sites for four years and finally, the right one come along. I prayed about it, asked God to give Me the okay sign when the right unit comes along. He did. it is a 2000 Chevy K3500, single rear wheel and the 6.5 diesel. The more I drive this truck, the more I like it. It has 235,000 miles on it when I purchased it. The fuel mileage is decent at 17 and 15 towing. Not the most powerful diesel but it gets the job done. Maintenance to be yet performed is a new timing chain/sprocket set and an oil pump. Just things I do to help create the longevity that a unit can produce when properly maintained. I know then that this engine will go go 500,000 miles without a problem.
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misty77
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Post by misty77 on Jan 5, 2018 7:52:24 GMT -8
I have a 77 coachman 20 ft and looking at getting a truck to pull it.. problem is I don't the weight of the camper due to not having a title. THe camper was a hunting shack so they didn't get a license for it in over 7 yrs or more. They sold the camper to get it off the property as is with no title. I am guessing here but I a v6 won't pull it.. so a v8 half ton should do it I would think. Any other vehicles that would pull it without to much strain on the tranny? Thanks.. any suggestions would be helpful. I am new on here so not sure if there are any postings like this on here already.
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Post by bigbill on Jan 5, 2018 9:06:27 GMT -8
I have a 77 coachman 20 ft and looking at getting a truck to pull it.. problem is I don't the weight of the camper due to not having a title. THe camper was a hunting shack so they didn't get a license for it in over 7 yrs or more. They sold the camper to get it off the property as is with no title. I am guessing here but I a v6 won't pull it.. so a v8 half ton should do it I would think. Any other vehicles that would pull it without to much strain on the tranny? Thanks.. any suggestions would be helpful. I am new on here so not sure if there are any postings like this on here already. Make sure you can get a title before you fix up the trailer. I tow with a 2011 Silverado extended cab with a six speed auto and a 9600 lb towing capacity that I love. It pulls everything I wish to pull.
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misty77
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Post by misty77 on Jan 5, 2018 18:37:55 GMT -8
thanks, I will for sure do that.. Hope to get that new title for it here soon.. will also check into the towing capacity on it if I can find any info on the tongue.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2018 20:25:59 GMT -8
I would expect the dry weight of a 20' camper is at minimum 3,500 pounds. Then add another 1,500 pounds of water and gear and you are likely near 5,000 pounds total. Most newer midsize to large SUVs can tow that easily. For sure you'd be OK with a 1/2 ton pickup truck. Today's SUVs outfitted with V-6 motors will work fine.
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Post by vikx on Jan 5, 2018 21:07:21 GMT -8
My midsize SUV is rated at "only" 5000lbs tow capacity. It is not enough vehicle to tow that 20' trailer even with a V8.
I recently drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee rated at 7K with a V6 and was very disappointed. Yes, it could tow but not up to my standards. The salesman said stomp on it, so I did. OK but then wound down like a sewing machine...he blamed that on the 8 speed transmission.
I would get a vehicle capable of around 7500 lbs with a FACTORY tow package, V8. 1/2 ton pick up or SUV should work. Be sure it has a tranny cooler and all that comes with the factory package. Salesmen lie, don't trust any of them.
Have fun on the hunt.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2018 21:12:03 GMT -8
I kind of agree and disagree...you are on the edge pulling a 5,000 pound rig with a vehicle rated at 5,000 pounds, so Vikx is correct in that 7,500 towing capacity gives you breathing room. However, there are plenty of V6s out there these days (newer ones I mean) that can handle that with ease. V-8s are becoming a thing of the past real soon.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jan 5, 2018 21:12:06 GMT -8
With a V6 I'd be sure to check the max towing weight. My first tow vehicle was a 3L V6 with a tow rating of 3500 pounds. It struggled on every hill.
As wiser members than me have suggested, take the tow rating and divide it in half. The ratings are often exaggerated.
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Post by bigbill on Jan 6, 2018 9:57:52 GMT -8
The size of an engine is not the Key factor. Gear ratios, oil and transmission coolers, suspension, and wheelbase are the things that will make or break a tow vehicle. Torque/horsepower is required to pull a trailer BUT if the vehicle is not geared to allow the engine to produce it's power in the range that you need it, it becomes useless. To farther explain you might have an engine that will produce 500 horsepower at 6,000 RPMs but if you are trying to tow up a hill at 1800 RPM the engine is most likely struggling because it is not in it's powerband In other words at that speed the engine may only be producing 20% of it's power. This is why a good tow vehicle must be designed with the purpose of towing in mind. Also just because you know somebody that has a certain make and size of vehicle that tows just fine it doesn't mean all of them will. Each vehicle is designed with a given use in mind, some may be setup to haul light loads and get great mileage, some are setup to haul or tow heavy loads. MAKE CERTAIN WHAT YOU ARE BUYING BEFORE YOU BUY IT. Good Luck.
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Jan 8, 2018 20:32:19 GMT -8
Great info by big bill as usual, who started this whole thing way back I think. Something from his original list....kinda depends on where you go. If you camp in Kansas or Florida it’s maybe no big deal. Want to tackle some of our twisty two lane 10,000’ passes in the Sierra it is a different ball game. And another thing I’m not sure was mentioned, going up is only 1/2 of it. Sometimes going down is the scary part. Make sure your transmission, brakes, and trailer brake set up are up to it.
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gary350
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We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
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Post by gary350 on Jan 18, 2018 18:50:10 GMT -8
We checked new vehicles for almost 2 years there it nothing these days but monster trucks and big SUVs you need a 12" drop hitch. I gave up looking I refuse to pay $76,000. for a new vehicle. I decided it only takes $5000 to make my old vehicle good as brand new. Lots of new part, new brake cylinders, new brake pads, new rotors, new master cylinder, new U joints, new shocks, new plugs, new distributor cap rotor and wires, all new engine sensors, new tires, new battery, new alternator, new fuel pump, new fuel injectors. You can buy a brand new Chevy work truck version for $26,000. but trailer ball is 28" high we need a 15" drip hitch for our camper trailer. Our 1999 Chevy Tahoe has 130K miles runs good as new.
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