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
Tow Vehicle w/ Best Back Seat for Passengers - Ram Mega Cab?
Greetings! We are looking to purchase a 1 ton tow vehicle (2021-2024). We are aiming toward a Ram 3500 SRW CTD Mega Cab because its rear seats recline and it appears to have more back seat room than the Ford or Chevrolet/GMC. We would like something with the best rear seat passenger comfort we can get -- we are assuming all of the 1-tons are good for front passenger comfort and can adequately tow a 9,000 lb travel trailer. Has anyone compared the back seat comfort of the 1 tons and found anything better than the Ram Mega Cab in this measure? Thank you!
