I'll start by saying, I KNOW that a new TV will be an improvement. Maybe even a really large improvement. However, I always choose to be frugal over spending money needlessly.The feedback I'm looking for here is mostly, do I have a need? or, am I bit by the bug?My current TV (in signature) is about as weak a half ton as you can find. 280hp/280tq. My trailer (has been weighed) is at 4000lbs loaded. We live right at the Appalachian Mtns, so we're always in the hills, and pull a 6-7% grade for a few miles at the beginning of most trips. Our current truck does the job around here. Yes, it is in second gear at 40mph going up the steeper grades, but it does it. And, it doesn't bother me to be geared down for a few miles at a time.For local towing, I don't mind the current setup. However, we have a 6 week trip to the four corners area of the southwest this coming summer. We've never been out west, and don't know what sorts of grades we might get into. I know that we'll climb much higher elevations.Here's a map of the loop we're taking. In a nutshell, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Mesa Verde, Durango, Colorado Springs.For those of you that have traveled this area as well as Appalachia, am I making a mistake to try this trip with my current truck? I certainly don't want to get out there with my wife and kids and blow up the truck! It has low mileage (95,000) and has never had mechanical issue. I don't mind the stress of being at my towing limits, but will the truck? 7% for 10 minutes is one thing, but will I be seeing 7% for hours at a time?

I am surprised the 4.8 does as well as you say....From your home to Colorado springs will not be an issue and from Flagstaff to home it will be down hill, sort of.Once you get into the Rockies, it will be a pretty tough go with your truck. It will do it, but the world of 4000 rpms will be yours.On the other hand, if you are relatively happy with your rig at home, I am not sure it would be worth buying a new TV for one trip. But, if this is to be the first of many such trips, I would dump that 4.8 in a heartbeat. I bought a new Ram with the 5.7 hemi and it tows my 8000 pound TT with power to spare, even in the Ozark mountains....it would no doubt struggle in the Rockies. I get 19-21 mpg empty and 9.5-10.2 mpg towing. I bought a 3/4 ton, but I think a heavy half ton will work well for you. Some will say you will need a diesel, but that would be overkill, unless you are thinking about a bigger TT.A 3/4 ton gives you bigger brakes, more stability, etc., but a properly equipped 1/2 ton with better gears, like 3.73 or 4.10 would do the job. I would look for a 5.7 hemi, 6.0 GM or a 5.4 fordGood luck!!!

Great trip! You are going to see some amazing scenery. I think you will be ok with what you have. Just take your time and don't try to get too much out of your truck. You might want to avoid Hwy550 between Durango and Montrose. That is a series of REALLY tough climbs and switchbacks for many miles. There is a bypass highway that is much easier and doesn't add much mileage. A copy of Mountain Directory West could be valuable too. You're not going to set any speed records, but it is vacation, right? Hwy 550 is the only road I know of that would be hours at a time. Watch those downhills, and do you have an auxillary tranny cooler? If not, GET ONE. P.S. The train ride from Durango to Silverton is very much worth the price of admission. Beware riding in the open car, you will return with ash all over you. Have a great trip!

Thanks for the input zogg. This is the first of several trips, unfortunately. My kids are right at that age that we plan to do trips like this every summer for the next 6-8 years.My experience with the 4.8 is different than most folks opinions. Maybe my tolerance is higher.

campigloo, I'm certainly open to avoiding the steepest roads. I just don't know if there are 2-3 to avoid, or if the whole area is that way. Thanks for the tip on 550. Geaux Tigers! We've got a tough one tonight!

tragusa3 wrote:We live right at the Appalachian Mtns, so we're always in the hills, and pull a 6-7% grade for a few miles at the beginning of most trips. Our current truck does the job around here. Yes, it is in second gear at 40mph going up the steeper grades, but it does it. And, it doesn't bother me to be geared down for a few miles at a time.You will not find many climbs more than 6% to 7% grades anywhere, so if you are comfortable with what you have experienced, then you will be fine.

Should I buy a new TV or not? | Good Sam Community

TriumphGuy
Explorer
Dec 26, 2013
Another can o worms :) Once I got a bigger truck I was soon shopping other floor plans!

You'll really like the added space of the slide. I would also recommend keeping the kids bunks. Not sure of the age of yours, but ours at 3 and 6 always like having their own space from time to time. We do too sometimes as well - nice to close them in their bunk room and get some quiet!

Looking at 22-24' and one slide you have a great truck for towing just about anything in that size. Just take your time and try out as much as you can.
tragusa3
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
Thanks everyone.

Our philosophy for the last two years has been that we are camping, not trying replicate the comforts of home. HOWEVER...we would enjoy a little elbow room. I'm thinking right now of something around 22-24' with a slide.

The number one hassle right now is that our bed is the dinette. We want to be just big enough to not have to break our bed down. Also wondering if giving up the bunks for the kids would work? They could sleep on a fold out couch or sleeping bags on the floor really.

Still in awe every time we get in the truck! Just figured out the Sync system and got the phone paired through Bluetooth. Feel like a king!
We_ll_See
Explorer
Dec 25, 2013
Nice new truck. Time to get a bigger trailer...

How do 2 adults and 2 kids fit in that trailer?
TriumphGuy
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
MFL wrote:
First of all, the truck and trailer look really nice together!

IMO, the trailer level ia about perfect right now for towing, just slightly below level. It would be nice if you can keep it like that when you are fully loaded, ready to camp.

I like a white truck,
Jerry

Ditto. Looks just right for "leveling," and the color(s) are nice too. :)
MFL
Nomad II
Dec 22, 2013
First of all, the truck and trailer look really nice together!

IMO, the trailer level ia about perfect right now for towing, just slightly below level. It would be nice if you can keep it like that when you are fully loaded, ready to camp.

I like a white truck,
Jerry
tragusa3
Explorer
Dec 22, 2013
Here's the only shot I have right now with the trailer. I haven't towed, still 400 miles left in break in period. I did bring it 2 miles at a slow speed to find a flat spot to take this photo.

What I could tell so far...

1. Far less movement in the truck from the weight of the trailer. Almost not perceivable.

2. I did have to give it more gas to get rolling, but noticeably better. I didn't bring the tach over 3,000rpm.

3. I did note that (in my 2 mile trip), once up to speed, it held 50mph at very close to the rpm's it does without the trailer.

I'm posting really to get some feedback on the tongue height. From the photo and the bubble, you can tell it is front low by just a hair. The truck bed squatted about an inch. I imagine with a load in the bed, the rear will squat another inch.

Any thoughts on these photos?

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TriumphGuy
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
tragusa - Congrats! We live in the Upstate SC too and I'll tell you the first time you pull with that thing you will not be able to wipe the grin off your face for days. We started out with a Dodge Dakota, 5.2L v8 and 3.55 rear axle. Pulling a Rockwood 2502 - we must have been overloaded in lots of ways. It would scream up Saluda grade in 2nd. We took several trips up into southwest Virginia and while the interstates were ok, getting off onto the two lane roads to get to our destinations was a state of nervousness. There were some hills I seriously thought I was going to run out of engine. And then there was the so-so stability of the chassis.
One trip to the mountains of GA just sent me over the edge. I had been doing the math $ in my head for awhile and after that pull I decided I was going to find another TV within the year. I told myself "this time I'm buying a real truck." Ended up with my 2000 F250 diesel (bought used 6 years ago). Our first trip with it was up Saluda grade. At first I started in the slow lane ... then realized I had more pedal and passed a few folks - next thing I knew I was in the passing lane and then we were at the top. Just like that. Had a grin for days :)

Enjoy the trip and the memories!

(BTW I'll warn you - once you have lots of truck you get an eye for bigger campers - we're on our 3rd fifth wheel now, a long way from our ultra light Rockwood :) )
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Dec 08, 2013
tragusa3 wrote:
To wrap up this thread. I did make a purchase. 2013 F150 SCREW Cab, Ecoboost, MaxTow package, 4x4. Went from 280 pounds of torque to 420 pounds. Looking forward to taking on the hills now!
Very nice truck, the best half-ton made today, bar none. :)
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Dec 08, 2013
I had to get a new TV because my old TV would not pick up the signal from the antenna at the new house. Seems they changed the air broadcast format from analog to digital signal and my TV was made too long ago, before the change. So I got one of those new fangled flat screen TV's, actually it's used, but new to me. It recieves the digital signal and I can watch TV :).

Later I found a digital to analog converter at Radio Shack and hooked it up to the old TV. It works, but the signal is very weak after going through the converter box. It hardly gets any channels. Seems I should have bought the signal amplifier box they were selling right next to the converter box. :(
campigloo
Explorer
Dec 08, 2013
Glad to hear reason triumphed over emotion. The old truck probable would have done the job, but now you are going to miss out on the thing that broke on Friday afternoon that after a tow on Monday cost $50.00 to repair. Oh well, guess you'll have to make those memories later. Hope you enjoy the truck. The scenery you are about to see is spectacular. I also highly, highly recommend Black Canyon of the Gunnison.