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Post by bigbill on Feb 14, 2017 6:20:48 GMT -8
Yes I am aware of the over and under drives and two speed rear ends have been around for ever. what I am talking about is the days when they installed a second transmission behind the first to get the effective multiplication of power to get a six cylinder flat head to tow a D-4 cat up a mountain. It is amazing what 50/60 horsepower can do with the right gear reduction. The world has came a long way, my Silverado has a tow pkg with the proper gear ratios to make it pull then two overdrives to increase it's mileage and make it comfortable to drive all computer controlled. What a wonderful world we live in. We had a classic example of what speed and lack of attention can do yesterday a semi running an estimated 70 mph ran into a line of stopped trucks on I-70 killing himself and causing the drivers in the next two semis to be care flighted to the hospital and the driver in the third truck to be injured but not as bad. Think if he had hit a line of cars instead of three semis.
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lottamoxie
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1966 Kit Companion
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Post by lottamoxie on Mar 19, 2017 18:32:07 GMT -8
Wow, thank you all for your feedback. I have done a lot of reading on this and was hoping to find an answer that did not require so much math (I really don't like math). My husband owns a 1990 Toyota Landcruiser with a straight 6 as well a 2002 Chevy 1500HD which we have towed Miss Moxie with for very short trial trips. This summer we will be taking an approx. 3000 mile trip from California to Kansas and back and although his vehicles are fine,I think, I would like something much more comfortable to drive in for that long a trip (I am used to my Lexus IS250 daily driver).
I would prefer not to purchase another truck since we already have one and would like an SUV for my daily driver / trailer towing vehicle. I started looking at the Ford Edge, and then realized I probably needed more and moved on to the Ford Explorer. I was hoping I could get some ideas of what people are actually towing their smaller trailers with and use that as a jumping off point for the actual math I am obviously needing to do.
Thank you all for your input and help, this is an awesome forum!
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htchevyii
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1966 Aristocrat Lo-Liner
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Post by htchevyii on Mar 19, 2017 18:59:20 GMT -8
I have a 2005 Dodge Ram, reg cab, short bed with a 4.7 and 6 speed manual, tow pkg with 3.91 gears. It's only rated at 235 HP, but we towed our Lo-Liner several hundred miles up to 8000 FT with no issues. It never failed to maintain the speed limit on hills. Half of the time, I forgot that it was even there!
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Post by vikx on Mar 19, 2017 21:19:26 GMT -8
Do some research on the Ford Explorers. Not sure if things have changed, but U haul won't rent a trailer to anyone with an Explorer. That was a few years ago but I'd still check. (there were some roll over issues)
I suggest minimum 5K tow capacity in any tow vehicle. Your trailer is large for a vintage trailer. It isn't "little" compared to most. I'd rather have more tow ability than less...
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Mar 20, 2017 7:41:22 GMT -8
Do some research on the Ford Explorers. Not sure if things have changed, but U haul won't rent a trailer to anyone with an Explorer. That was a few years ago but I'd still check. (there were some roll over issues) I suggest minimum 5K tow capacity in any tow vehicle. Your trailer is large for a vintage trailer. It isn't "little" compared to most. I'd rather have more tow ability than less... A friend that has a towing service tells that the ford explorer is the most towed vehicle on His list. I tried to do a search for the most towed vehicles in America, just to see, but I could not find any info on that subject. I guess they did not nick name them an exploder for no reason. working for the DOT, the engineering department got those ford excursions, they were like a tin can compared to the Suburbans. Cracking and breaking sheet metal and many mechanical problems too.
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lottamoxie
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Post by lottamoxie on Mar 20, 2017 10:47:36 GMT -8
Do some research on the Ford Explorers. Not sure if things have changed, but U haul won't rent a trailer to anyone with an Explorer. That was a few years ago but I'd still check. (there were some roll over issues) I suggest minimum 5K tow capacity in any tow vehicle. Your trailer is large for a vintage trailer. It isn't "little" compared to most. I'd rather have more tow ability than less... Being new I am not sure what length you use when stating how long your trailer is. The box length is actually 13 feet, is she still considered "larger" for a vintage trailer?
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lottamoxie
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Post by lottamoxie on Mar 20, 2017 11:13:59 GMT -8
I am currently looking at the following vehicles and wonder if anyone has any experience or knowledge of anyone towing with them (all would be V6 with tow package and roughly 2013 year): Buick Enclave GMC Acadia Ford Explorer Ford Edge Lincoln MKX Mercedes ML350
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Mar 20, 2017 13:43:34 GMT -8
We towed my Airflyte which is about 1900lbs(I think) an hour home with my parents 2017 Ford edge, which is rated for 3500lbs with the tow package. I was too nervous to go on the highway because I was not sure when the bearings were last greased. So we towed going anywhere from 40mpg-55mpg. And it towed amazingly well, I was not expecting that with the 3500 tow rating. It was pretty flat roads the hole way, So I cant say how it would do on a long trip through the mountains or anything.
My aunt tows with a 2015 Ford explorer, her camper is not vintage and it is bigger then most vintage ones, I believe it is 20ft. So im not sure how much her camper weighs but apparently it tows it well. She usually makes my mom tow it so I have heard first hand how well it does for them. It is obviously newer so they dont have to worry about it breaking down.
We are currently shopping for a tow vehicle right now and my top contenders are a ford flex with 4500lb tow package. I am drawn to it because of the low flat roof line. It would be easy to put some kayaks or bikes up top. But we are also looking at a chevy traverse which is rated for 5000lbs because im finding them a tad cheaper then the flex. They both get the same gas mileage 17/21 which is pretty well compared to other tow vehicles. I found a few Jeeps that would work for us too but the gas mileage was terrible with them.
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Post by vikx on Mar 20, 2017 19:42:30 GMT -8
A 13 foot box is larger than a lot of vintage trailers. Most have a 10 to 12 foot box. Some are larger box wise because they are not canned hams. (butt tucked up and under so the floor is shorter). Just looking at your trailer, I would guess it weighs close to 3000 pounds. Weigh the trailer before considering a vehicle.
Also, the vehicle should have a Class III FACTORY TOW PACKAGE. Do not be fooled by fast talking salesmen who say it's a simple matter to add a hitch. The factory package includes a transmission cooler, proper 7 way wiring with fuses and the class III hitch. Many vehicles are rated at different tow capacities according to motor and drive train and whether the trailer has brakes, so homework is in order.
Ford Explorers have had past towing problems. Why take a chance??
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