Towing with a midsize Chevy
Looking to find some help im posting this about a trip im planning for next year. Here’s what I currently have: 2017 Chevrolet Colorado 3.6 V6 8 speed GVWR 6000 LBS PAYLOAD 1498 LBS GCVWR 12,000 LBS TOWING CAPACITY 7000 LBS 2013 Coleman 15BHS GVWR 3800 LBS MAX PAYLOAD 917 LBS TONGUE WEIGHT 346 LBS Trip: 9000 Miles with Weight Distribution hitch, Anti Sway and Brake Control. On paper I’m totally within limits, but my idea is to start from Mazatlán, México up to Texas, then to the starting point of Route 66, make the route to finish in Santa Monica, then going upstate to Oregon and then all the way down to Cabo, Mexico. Our purpose is to take around two months for this and visit around 10 national parks, we’re traveling just my wife and I. Im assuming our TT is fully loaded (3800lbs) and couple things in truck bed. I used to drive a F150 Ecoboost then bought the Chevy and I feel it like a very small truck. Id like to hear advises from other travelers, your MPG when towing similar weights and maybe stories from campers that pull with midsize pickup trucks to have peace of mind or consider if I definitely should replace my pickup for a full size. Right now I really love my Colorado, feels comfortable, I don’t struggle with size, I’m ok with fuel economy. Truck has around 45k miles with no issues, just I’ve never towed with it before and I’d really appreciate all of your recommendations. Thank you for your time
Fifth Wheel Hitch Types (air/flexible/...)
Looking to tow a very heavy 5th wheel trailer (with an F-550 or such). I've seen 5th wheel hitches that mount flat, hitches that articulate, hitches that have air bags, etc..) I can imagine that a flat hitch on the truck can flex the heck out of the trailer - so it seems like I want one with air or at least some articulation points in it, but it's difficult to find in 25k lbs or more. How important are these features, particularly considering that I need to drive over some dirt roads (that's the reason the trailer is so heavy - I got a custom trailer with a massive frame so I don't have to worry about things like frame flex).
RV-Vehicle-Trailer tows (nCDL time?)
For those of you who double tow (RV towing a vehicle with a trailer attached to the towed vehicle) be aware that several states are jumping on non-commercial drivers license double-triple endorsements (like a CDL but not valid for commercial driving) bandwagon. CA (surprise, surprise, surprise) seems to be leading the pack with nCDL's for double/triple and over 26,000lb class RV's. Reports from NY are that they are enforcing a double triple endorsement requirement, even for out of state drivers. But this seems to be somewhat inconsistent between counties, and even NYSP patrol zones. I called a DMV in Lewis County as I am planning a trip to Fort Drum and have a Jeep JK and sub-2000lb MC trailer double tow setup. I'm under 26,000 but have a CDL-A without double/triple endorsement. The lady was not sure of the rules and said someone would get back to me, two weeks ltaer I'm still waiting...
California F350 owners DMV CVRA
Hear me out, I’ve called dmv several times and every answer is different. I’ve spoken with owners of trucks that I’m considering purchasing and some don’t know about cvra fees and some say it doesn’t apply. However it’s definitely a thing, right? Hence the dmv form 4008 https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2024/10/REG-4008-R5-2015-ASB-WWW.pdf I do not intend or foresee myself using the truck for commercial purposes nor am I for hire. I do intend to use it for daily driving, the summer recreational boat haul, perhaps a 5th wheel in the future, Home Depot errands, etc. Does cvra apply to me? Help me out, share your experience with this please, if any
Gear upgraded, 3.08 to 4.10
I just upgraded the gear in my Suburban from 3.08 to 4.10! Still need to go to a speedo shop to get the speedometer calibrated. First drive today, it's feels quite a bit more responsive though it's funny to see 95 mph on the speedo while still on the freeway entrance ramp. Can't wait until next camping trip in September to New Mexico to see how much better it tows.
[SOLVED] Work truck with service bed to tow a fifth wheel?
Never towed fifth before, on the lookout for a tow vehicle, I see these kinds all day long for a lower price. But can they be adapted fairly easily for a fifth? This is assuming the tow rating is sufficient. What else do you need to know to answer my question? Please go gently, am a fifth newbie :) Pictures as an example of the bed only. I would get a crew or extended cab.
"Service trailer brake system" on 2016 GMC
Have a 2016 GMC 3500, 6.0 gas job with 57K miles. Constantly now my computer screen beeps "Service Trailer Brake System", even when no trailer is hooked to truck.. took to my local trailer guy, he checked my plug port where trailer lights plug in, and we checked all fuses. he said neither is the problem. he says its either the factory built trailer brake controller that was built in dash, or the "Module" that is up under the spare tire. Anyone ever have this issue? He said it would be a guessing game for him. I hate to take it to the stealership for diagnosis though....
Estimated MPG for Ford F350 Diesel w/373 rear end
Hello everyone, I have a question. I am looking to buy a 2015 Ford F-350 Power-stroke with a 373 rear end and would like to know the estimated MPG difference between it and a 2015 F-350 Diesel with a 331 rear end? Trying to decide which rear end to get. Either is more than enough to tow my TT. Please base your estimate on normal highway driving while NOT towing anything. Thanks a bunch.F450 tires. I should have done this years ago.
I know it's a narrow segment of the folks here, but if you own a 10 lug F450 and have the same love/hate relationship with the 19.5 inch tires as I did, then maybe this will help. I've tried a few different tires and sizes in the last 105k miles. I started out on the stock 19.5 225 Continental HDR's....they rode o.k. but had no traction. I swapped those out for the taller more aggressive 245 Toyo 608z. Worst tire ever. They lasted two weeks on the truck. I then tried the 245 Michelin XDS2...smooth enough ride, but noisy on smooth asphalt and poor traction in snow....and expensive. I then lifted the truck and went up another size to 19.5 x 265. Michelin didn't make the XDS2 in that size so I was back to the Toyo 608z....which I suffered with for the last 40k Miles. Horrible tire. They even smell bad. I FINALLY decided I'd had enough. I ordered a set of Fuel 20 x 8.25 Ford 10 lug wheels, with 12 ply 35x12.5x20 Toyo RT tires. These are direct bolt on wheels. No spacers or adapters. They have the same load rating on the wheels as the Alcoas, and the 12ply F rated tires are only 300lbs less load per tire than the stock G rated Continentals. The wheels are offered in 3 different offsets for 285, 12.5" and 13.5" width tires. **** what a difference. PRO's They balanced out perfect. They are WAY quieter. MUCH smoother running at 70 PSI. Truck tracks straighter. I can air them down when needed. Tires are much less expensive. 45k mile mileage warranty. Far better traction in all conditions. CON's They are much wider. Sticking with the 285 tire offset could alleviate some of that. The initial cost of the wheels will take two sets of tires to recoup. I seriously should have done this 3 years ago. These wheels will be moving to a new F450 when the time comes!