Sparky87k5
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Re: Thoughts on the Triton V10 Engine
I've owned 3 V10's. Bought a new 2004 F250 4x4, 6 speed manual & 4.30 gears with 35" tires, carried my present camper easily. Fuel mileage was 14-15 running empty at 65mph and 8-9 with camper running 60-65mph. Never a lack of power. My 2001 Excursion 4x4 ran 4.30 gears with 35" tires and averaged about 13-14 running 65mph. My present 2000 F350 Dually 4x4 with 4.30 gears, auto trans and carries the camper like it's not there gets 8-9 running loaded and about 13-14 at 65mph empty, with stock 235x16" tires. I've pulled my 28' boat on a triple axle trailer and weighs 14k without any problems with all 3 trucks. The best is the dually though. Never had any problems with the V10 engines, would buy another without a doubt.1.8KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Question:Advice on used AllWeather TC for work travel
I researched some very nice used Bigfoot and Northern Lite TC for possible choices. They all were less then $15k and in the 98-2004 model years. A Wabasto diesel heater is about $3200. A Wallas cooktop is about $700, add another $1000 if you want an oven too. Cummins makes a nice diesel gen set for RV use that could be installed in the old propane locker. They're about $5700. So if you're really wanting to go all diesel it can be done reasonablly if you find the right TC to build on.558Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Question:Advice on used AllWeather TC for work travel
Going with a long wheel base crew cab dually is good, use a flatbed with under and above storage lockers, a good fiberglass non slide TC and consider changing out the furnace to a diesel fuel unit. Look into some of the marine grade diesel heaters like Webasto. There used by long haul truckers running the north country in sub zero temps. There are also some very good cook tops that are diesel fueled also. Look at a Wallas cooktop. We've used them in boats for years. The less propane you need the better off you'll be in cold temperatures. There are also some very good diesel powered small gen sets that are sold for TC use. With a flatbed you can easily install additional fuel tanks for the required diesel fuel. Just some thoughts.558Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie Question:Advice on used AllWeather TC for work travel
Having worked for 22 years in mining in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota I know very well what winters are like. Cold, high winds, drifting snow, and worse. I spent an evening in Big Timber, MT in my Eagle Cap 850 in temps of 11* and blowing wind last April 2013. Not one problem occurred. homefor2 wrote: Pay attention to type of insulation, double glazed windows, and very important, tank capacities. You may want to look at alternate heating such as "Platinum Cat" Heater for long term boondocking. Normal furnaces will kill your batteries in no time in cold weather. Also make sure there is warm air circulated around your water and waste tanks. Check out the seals around any slides to make sure you can stand cold winds or pull your slides in. Large propane and battery capacities are important. The above quote is some very good advice. Pay attention to it. Along with Northern Lite, Host, Bigfoot, Lance, Snow Bird, Snowy River, Arctic Fox, I would add an Eagle Cap all season to the list. I personally would not have a slide in a TC I was planning on spending winters in. More space to heat, poor sealing around slides for winter temps and winds and possible problems with opening and closing in sub zero temps. Not at all usual to see -30 degrees in the mid-west. I would also consider a long box truck so you can haul the biggest non-slide all season camper available. 99% of all campers are going to be heated by propane and that could be a problem in sub zero temperatures. Heated basement would be manditory as well as large heated water tanks, black, grey and fresh. With that much camper, I would also consider a 4x4 dually with good all season tires. Diesels hate cold weather and "other than the ability to "boondock", (dry camp) for long periods of time" will require some sort of 120volt power for block heaters in either a diesel or gas engine. Look into a generator option too for the TC. Lots of things to consider here, won't be easy and it will be a learning curve to say the least. You need room to carry additional supplies, food, propane, tools and spare parts. Consider a flatbed with side tool boxes for all this. Good luck.220Views0likes0CommentsRe: Question for the guy's with duallies and big campers
thejustin wrote: I read some of these posts and just shake my head. People talking about 75-80+ mph with their camper. I couldn't imagine why anyone would try hauling a camper on the back of a pick up truck and exceed 70mph. The stress imposed on the tie downs and attachment points would be very high and the possibility of creating a situation that could have far reaching affects would be high as well. I too shake my head at the thought of doing 80mph hauling a camper.:h Now driving 80-100mph in my Volvo or BMW makes perfect sense to me.;)128Views0likes0CommentsRe: Boat hauling
H2oSprt wrote: Any of you tow a boat with a gas engine? I'm thinking about upgrading my hitch so I can bring along our 20' Tige (it's about 5000 pounds with trailer and gear.) I tow with a V10 gas engine and do well but hold speed to 60mph when towing the boat and carrying the TC. Gas engines today can do well towing IF the axle gearing is correct to utilize the power. I'm pulling 4.30 axles and this allows the engine to stay in power band and lessons the load on the transmission.287Views0likes0CommentsRe: Question for the guy's with duallies and big campers
husky390 wrote: Thanks for the input guy's. That was more than what I was expecting and I'm glad to know I'm on the right track. What are your speeds when driving through the mountains? My F250 is a 90 with a 5.8l and with the camper (1,500 empty weight)and a trailer pulling two atv's the best I can manage on steep Colorado mountain grades is 35-45mph. The engine in this thing is beyond tired. I tow a 7500# boat while hauling a 3500# camper on a DRW V10 powered 1 ton truck and 4.30 gears. No problems with sway and having hauled this camper on a SRW 3/4 ton truck I can honestly say the difference is night and day. Hauling just the camper I cruise mostly speed limit thru mountains. Never seem to lack for power and pull most hills at speed limit. I used to own an 89 Ford 3/4 ton 5.8 engine with 5 speed manual and 4.10 gears. I hauled a 3000# Lance TC and it did an OK job but couldn't compare to the V10 I now own. Your performance pretty much echos my results with the 5.8 engine.178Views0likes0Comments
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