โJan-12-2015 03:00 PM
โFeb-22-2015 02:54 PM
โJan-15-2015 05:22 AM
ib516 wrote:
I towed an ultralight 25' TT RV with a 2000 (or 2001) GMC Safari AWD. The RV was about 4900#. The 4.3L really struggled with the excess wind drag and weight. One time it overheated (puked coolant) when I stopped to fill up after fighting a headwind. I think the same engine in a full sized van will REALLY struggle towing an RV.
โJan-14-2015 06:14 AM
โJan-14-2015 04:24 AM
blt2ski wrote:
If you stay in the under 1000' elevation range, ie mostly in FL, you should generally speaking do fine to about 5K maybe 6K with that motor. BUT a typical 6% freeway/interstate grade can be found ANYWHERE in the US, and you WILL slow down. It only takes around 135HP to motovate a 15K rig with 90sqft of frontal area. So if you can keep said frontal area to nice rounded edges, like an airstream, you can pull a bit more lb wise, not loose as much performance as you will with a box. Also going with a smoother sidewall vs the corrugated aluminum, despite the 3-400 lbs heavier wt of the fiberglass, you will be better off from an ease of towing standpoint.
The chassis is probably capable of upwards of 7-8K lbs handling. Your engine and lack of hp will be your biggest issue. I am also assuming you have a 4 sp auto?!?!?! not the more recent 6 sp. If you have teh 6 sp, your 3.42s are better off than a 4.10 geared rig with the 4l60 trans! so not a real problem.
There was a day, when you 4.3 was a typical BB monster motor in the specs it has! ie in 81, the GM 454 was 195hp and around 330 lb ft of torque! with a much worst trans option too!
Marty
โJan-13-2015 09:51 PM
โJan-13-2015 04:26 PM
mkirsch wrote:
Nobody's gaming the numbers.
The Winnebago is a tandem-axle trailer. It has two 3500lb-rated axles.
The Travel Lite is a single-axle trailer. It has one 3500lb-rated axle.
Apples and oranges from a weight perspective.
There is no reason you can't do as you said. Nobody is forcing you to load 2000lbs+ of stuff into the Winnebago.
Theoretically, the Winnebago will tow more easily and be more stable on the road due to the tandem axles. The effects of most potholes for example, will be lessened by 1/2 because only one wheel will be in the pothole at any given time, while the other is on the smooth road.
โJan-13-2015 04:23 PM
rbtglove wrote:
For what its worth info - Think the Savanna with the 4.3 is only cabable of of about 4300lbs towing. The 4.3 makes max torque at relatively low rpm but with the 3.42 rear going up grades will be a struggle. I Towed with a 2700 dry TT with a similar rig for short time and when I did the scale it was near 3500 ready to go with no water. The dry weight is always low since it is a bare bones base rig and dosen't include any adds. You may be able to get under the max requirements if don't carry much or many in your van and in the TT if your like me you'll soon be looking for a better TV. If you don't have the tow package you'll have to add a brake controller and trans cooler and it may not be worth the effort.
โJan-13-2015 09:57 AM
โJan-13-2015 06:01 AM
โJan-12-2015 03:56 PM
โJan-12-2015 03:32 PM