Forum Discussion
Wes_Tausend
Jun 07, 2016Explorer
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I agree with others that say gearing will make thee difference.
Until recently, we had a 7.3L to pull our TT, but some lady went out of control and totaled the truck in our driveway. I really liked the fuel economy and ability to hold 4th on the interstate. The truck did up to 19 mpg empty and 14 mpg towing (a smaller 23" TT, ours is about 30'). On average, we were more likely to see 17 mpg/11.5 mpg without/with our own TT, better than our V10.
If the hills bother you, and in view of the cost of either a new truck, or two ring & pinion sets for 4x4 operation, it might be more economical to install an auxiliary transmission. One such unit is Gear Vendors ( https://www.gearvendors.com/f2wd4s.html ), but there are other brands too. With suitable gearing, one can better match engine/transmission torque-to-load, gain engine braking, retain empty fuel economy and still run within factory power specs. Win win.
Frankly, two hundred plus hp is plenty. On commercial railroad, we planned to pull with 1 hp per ton for efficiency, so as campers we could theoretically pull a combined 20K pound RV rig with 10 hp. Sure, it got a little slow sometimes, but we eventually climbed the same average hills that the interstate does.
Most of the posters that frequent truck forums tend to be naturally biased that only the largest trucks are suitable/legal/the-right-stuff etc. You already have an ideal platform for towing just about any RV. If it was me, I'd keep it.
Wes
...
I agree with others that say gearing will make thee difference.
Until recently, we had a 7.3L to pull our TT, but some lady went out of control and totaled the truck in our driveway. I really liked the fuel economy and ability to hold 4th on the interstate. The truck did up to 19 mpg empty and 14 mpg towing (a smaller 23" TT, ours is about 30'). On average, we were more likely to see 17 mpg/11.5 mpg without/with our own TT, better than our V10.
If the hills bother you, and in view of the cost of either a new truck, or two ring & pinion sets for 4x4 operation, it might be more economical to install an auxiliary transmission. One such unit is Gear Vendors ( https://www.gearvendors.com/f2wd4s.html ), but there are other brands too. With suitable gearing, one can better match engine/transmission torque-to-load, gain engine braking, retain empty fuel economy and still run within factory power specs. Win win.
Frankly, two hundred plus hp is plenty. On commercial railroad, we planned to pull with 1 hp per ton for efficiency, so as campers we could theoretically pull a combined 20K pound RV rig with 10 hp. Sure, it got a little slow sometimes, but we eventually climbed the same average hills that the interstate does.
Most of the posters that frequent truck forums tend to be naturally biased that only the largest trucks are suitable/legal/the-right-stuff etc. You already have an ideal platform for towing just about any RV. If it was me, I'd keep it.
Wes
...
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