TV Mileage

Deb and Ed M wrote:
Just throwing this out there: I have always HATED diesels. The smell of diesel and its exhaust makes me sick - so I was inwardly cringing when Ed proposed that we buy a 5er and tow it with a diesel truck :-( The first truck he came home with was a 2006 Ford F-250 and within moments of riding in it, my stomach was churning - bleagh.

And then..... Ford came out with a new diesel motor in 2011 that uses urea to clean the exhaust system, We now own a 2011 F-350, and I LOVE it. It's quiet; and doesn't stink!! Not even when I'm standing next to the tailpipes!!

My understanding is that all the truck makers have gone to this urea (also known as "DEF": Diesel Exhaust Fluid). If you've got someone in the family who also hates diesels - you might want whatever year your intended brand switched over to the DEF system??

Also - our F-350 SRW gets 21-22 mpg when just cruising down the highway with no trailer. We're really happy with it! Naturally, you need a bigger truck - but hopefully you'll get better mileage, too?

Try some biodiesel. You'll smell like french fries. ;-)

Lyle

Make sure you purchase the right truck the first time, unlike I did. See sig. F350 SRW made it just over a year before I traded out to a dually. Night and day difference in towing, stability and performance with the GMC. Good luck.

Look closely at the TV capabilities as others have suggested. Verify the TV will be able to handle your rig up hills and down hills. You only want to buy a TV once.
The rear axle ratio makes a big difference in the GCWR too. Don't let the RV sales rep tell you "sure your truck will tow this rig" as they are primarily (I hesitate to say only) interested in selling the camper.
I agree you'll need a dually for the pin weight.
TV mileage will vary. Your driving habits will have the largest impact on mileage. My other truck (06 SRW 5.9 all else the same) got 11-13 MPG towing and 18-23 empty.

I don't care what the weight is but with 40' of RV behind you need a Dually.

Your pin weight is a joke! Many will say 20% but in reality it will be closer to 25%.

Get a dually you will thank those that have suggested so,

Just guessing here, but I assume the Pin weight is from the brochure, not good. With a GVW of 15.5K that typically will put the pin some where north of 3K. Now factor in a hitch, passengers, fuel, and anything else in the TV and you'll find yourself pushing the limits of a 305/3500 series SRW TV.
We can only offer suggestions, it's up to you to make the final decision.

You definitely should be looking for a 1-ton TV. I would suggest you take a close look at what each of them can actually haul. They may in fact be rated as a 1-ton truck but suspension, gears, tires and wheels all come into play when picking the best truck. Also take a close look at the manufactures specs.

enjoy the road. We do.

bigdon68

laknox wrote:
I've always found it interesting that no matter the size trailer and TV, the numbers are almost always in the same range.

That is because no matter what the trailer or TV - it is still a flat 8 foot wide by 12 foot high surface trying to cut a hole in the air at 60 mph.

Aerodynamics, weight variations, TV gearing can be a few tenths adjustment either way - but the end result is the rig is still trying to push huge amounts of air out of the way.

I pull a 35 foot 5er that weighs 14,000 pounds. The truck is a 2013 4X4 F350 CC LB diesel dually with a 6-speed auto and positrac 3.73 rear end. I get 11.5 - 12.5 towing mpg at 55-60 mph and 20-21 empty at 60 mph.

I strongly suggest that you get an auxiliary fuel tank. I have a 40 gallon gravity feed RDS toolbox/tank. Northern Tools carries them.

Tim

Definitely one ton, and diesel will be best. This trailer is in the exactly the same class as mine. Go with a dualy. I had a chance to try a SRW which felt like the trailer was trying to push the back of the truck sideways on curvy roads. Dual's are much more stable. It will pull solid even in a 40 mph side wind. Been there.

Just throwing this out there: I have always HATED diesels. The smell of diesel and its exhaust makes me sick - so I was inwardly cringing when Ed proposed that we buy a 5er and tow it with a diesel truck :-( The first truck he came home with was a 2006 Ford F-250 and within moments of riding in it, my stomach was churning - bleagh.

And then..... Ford came out with a new diesel motor in 2011 that uses urea to clean the exhaust system, We now own a 2011 F-350, and I LOVE it. It's quiet; and doesn't stink!! Not even when I'm standing next to the tailpipes!!

My understanding is that all the truck makers have gone to this urea (also known as "DEF": Diesel Exhaust Fluid). If you've got someone in the family who also hates diesels - you might want whatever year your intended brand switched over to the DEF system??

Also - our F-350 SRW gets 21-22 mpg when just cruising down the highway with no trailer. We're really happy with it! Naturally, you need a bigger truck - but hopefully you'll get better mileage, too?