Tow Vehicle Suggestions

[John Fazio]

We have recently acquired a 2006 Bigfoot 25RQ for fulltiming and are searching for a tow vehicle. We are estimating our camper weight at it's maximum of 7500lbs and we'll have about 1000lbs of gear/racks etc... in/on the tow vehicle. This has us in a 3/4 or 1 ton vehicle. Our goal is to have one automobile.

We have looked at a GMC 2500 Extended cab 4x4 6.0L gas. I was leaning hard towards diesel but it seems the "improvements" to meet the 2007 emissions standards has created quite a few problems and additional costs of operation (for all 3 manufacturers). We also like the 2500/3500 Vans but they are not available in 4x4.

I know there are pros and cons to 4x4, Diesel, 3/4 or 1 ton etc... Since we will be fulltiming and exploring North America what vehicle would you recommend, what configuration and why?

All opinions welcome.

-John

[honda03842]

I know there are pros and cons to 4x4, Diesel, 3/4 or 1 ton etc... Since we will be fulltiming and exploring North America what vehicle would you recommend, what configuration and why?

We have had only one vehicle for the last 11 years.

Though I know nothing about trucks, we've towed 7-11 months a year for 10 years and in tow vehicles we have two primary requirements, reliability and operating costs. I would put reliability first.

For us, though different from your situation because we can get by with a smaller tow vehicle, we want the vehicle to be capable of comfort when not towing. Half of the miles we drive on our travel adventures are exploring miles (not towing).

I like having four wheel drive because we are often on unpaved roads in remote areas. Though ours isn't as significant a 4 wheel system as the one you're considering it has rescued us a couple of times over the years.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by honda03842

I know there are pros and cons to 4x4, Diesel, 3/4 or 1 ton etc... Since we will be fulltiming and exploring North America what vehicle would you recommend, what configuration and why?

We have had only one vehicle for the last 11 years.

Though I know nothing about trucks, we've towed 7-11 months a year for 10 years and in tow vehicles we have two primary requirements, reliability and operating costs. I would put reliability first.

For us, though different from your situation because we can get by with a smaller tow vehicle, we want the vehicle to be capable of comfort when not towing. Half of the miles we drive on our travel adventures are exploring miles (not towing).

I like having four wheel drive because we are often on unpaved roads in remote areas. Though ours isn't as significant a 4 wheel system as the one you're considering it has rescued us a couple of times over the years.

Two wheel drive trucks generally are more economical, cost less to buy, weigh less and have a greater tow capacity. You may need 4WD for something, but not for towing. Limited slip would be a good choice however.

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by honda03842

I know there are pros and cons to 4x4, Diesel, 3/4 or 1 ton etc... Since we will be fulltiming and exploring North America what vehicle would you recommend, what configuration and why?

We have had only one vehicle for the last 11 years.

Though I know nothing about trucks, we've towed 7-11 months a year for 10 years and in tow vehicles we have two primary requirements, reliability and operating costs. I would put reliability first.

For us, though different from your situation because we can get by with a smaller tow vehicle, we want the vehicle to be capable of comfort when not towing. Half of the miles we drive on our travel adventures are exploring miles (not towing).

I like having four wheel drive because we are often on unpaved roads in remote areas. Though ours isn't as significant a 4 wheel system as the one you're considering it has rescued us a couple of times over the years.

Great points. We actually hope to spend 1/3 of our miles towing and the rest exploring or getting to river put ins/take outs which is another reason we are strongly considering a 4x4. Our go to vehicle for our adventures right now is our Subaru Outback. We've owned 4x4s in the past but don't plan on extreme off road driving/rock crawling. We do like the idea of off the beaten path, maybe fording a small stream, camping. We love the mountains immensely so we'll probably spend a great deal of our time around them.

An option is to get a 3/4 ton van and add a quigley 4x4 system. That bill really stings since the upfit will be over 12k! No matter what vehicle we get it will also double as a makeshift bedroom from time to time so the Van makes that a wee bit more palatable.


-John

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by floyd

Two wheel drive trucks generally are more economical, cost less to buy, weigh less and have a greater tow capacity. You may need 4WD for something, but not for towing. Limited slip would be a good choice however.

Yeah, we have Limited Slip on the 2wd options list. We're probably over thinking it since we are trying to get a vehicle that will handle every situation possible. Barring scoring a military prototype of a post apocalyptic survival vehicle...

-John

[Greg H]

John, If you do go with a Diesel you will ultimately need 4x4 to keep from getting stuck all the time, the Deisel engine weighs the front axle down so much that it sinks in any less than perfect situation. I had a 2005 Chevy 2500 HD with the 6. something gas engine and it was getting less than 10 mpg so I traded it for an '04 3500 with the Duramax and everything was better.

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by Greg H

John, If you do go with a Diesel you will ultimately need 4x4 to keep from getting stuck all the time, the Deisel engine weighs the front axle down so much that it sinks in any less than perfect situation. I had a 2005 Chevy 2500 HD with the 6. something gas engine and it was getting less than 10 mpg so I traded it for an '04 3500 with the Duramax and everything was better.

Have you had any problems with the Duramax? I like the Cummins 5.9 too. We are considering getting an 06/07 Diesel. With the Dodge it will have to be a 3500 as their 2500 doesn't have the payload capacity we need.

Also, what MPGs are you averaging?

-John

[Greg H]

Originally Posted by John Fazio

Have you had any problems with the Duramax? I like the Cummins 5.9 too. We are considering getting an 06/07 Diesel. With the Dodge it will have to be a 3500 as their 2500 doesn't have the payload capacity we need.

Also, what MPGs are you averaging?

-John

Unfortunately I Traded the Duramax in '07 for a Dodge with the new 6.7 litre Cummins, what a mistake. I don't remember the mpg on the Duramax but I never had any trouble out of it. The Dodge made a trip to Texas pulling my big fifth wheel and when I got back to Indiana it spent over a month in the shop because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it.

[Mike Magee]

Toyota Tundra can be configured for 9700 lb tow, 1640 lb. payload... if that helps.

Greg, what did they ever find was the problem with your Dodge?

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by Greg H

Unfortunately I Traded the Duramax in '07 for a Dodge with the new 6.7 litre Cummins, what a mistake. I don't remember the mpg on the Duramax but I never had any trouble out of it. The Dodge made a trip to Texas pulling my big fifth wheel and when I got back to Indiana it spent over a month in the shop because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it.

The 2007 emissions standards created quite a few problems for the diesels which is another reason we are shopping 06/07 diesels. I figure a Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 or a Chevy/GMC 2500 LBZ.

-John

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Toyota Tundra can be configured for 9700 lb tow, 1640 lb. payload... if that helps.

Greg, what did they ever find was the problem with your Dodge?

I just don't think a 1/2 ton will do it. 10% tongue and 1000lbs of stuff exceeds the payload. Even if I squeaked in under the payload having the truck so close to max all of the time would wear it out. We would love to be in a 1/2 ton but I just can't get it to work.

-John

[DavidSo]

Some of the tow ratings are pure fantasy. My Tacoma is rated for 6,000lbs. You won't catch me towing/hauling more than 3500. Most of the tow ratings I assume are determined on flat ground, no wind, no altitude. I wouldn't buy a tow vehicle with a rating at least 25% over my true load. The more the better IMO. There is more to it than just HP. Gears, bearings, and other parts are sized to a certain load. Go too light and you have heating problems and premature wear.

For a trailer that big I would be looking at one tons, but that is just me. I travel during offseasons frequently, and find myself in all kinds of situations. 4X4 is a must for me. My tug has 4.56 gears and airlockers front and rear so I have the option of fully locked all wheel drive. I use it all. I hate digging and walking. These options are strictly personal though.

David

[Greg H]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Toyota Tundra can be configured for 9700 lb tow, 1640 lb. payload... if that helps.

Greg, what did they ever find was the problem with your Dodge?

Two of the computers were arguing with each other, seriously they were telling each other what to do and they were fighting each other. The Cummins techs came down from Columbus, In and figured it out.

[Greg H]

Originally Posted by John Fazio

The 2007 emissions standards created quite a few problems for the diesels which is another reason we are shopping 06/07 diesels. I figure a Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 or a Chevy/GMC 2500 LBZ.

-John

And the 2010 emission standards were so tuff that Caterpillar Diesel stopped building over the road truck engines all together.

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by DavidSo

Some of the tow ratings are pure fantasy. My Tacoma is rated for 6,000lbs. You won't catch me towing/hauling more than 3500. Most of the tow ratings I assume are determined on flat ground, no wind, no altitude. I wouldn't buy a tow vehicle with a rating at least 25% over my true load. The more the better IMO. There is more to it than just HP. Gears, bearings, and other parts are sized to a certain load. Go too light and you have heating problems and premature wear.

For a trailer that big I would be looking at one tons, but that is just me. I travel during offseasons frequently, and find myself in all kinds of situations. 4X4 is a must for me. My tug has 4.56 gears and airlockers front and rear so I have the option of fully locked all wheel drive. I use it all. I hate digging and walking. These options are strictly personal though.

David

Most ratings don't subtract enough weight for the driver either. I typically use the 25% extra rule. I'm curious as to why you'd get a 1 ton over a 3/4 (However, Dodge is obvious)?

-John

[steve dunham]

I just purchased a new 2011 Ram 1/2 ton truck. The factory sent me ( apon my request ) an E-Mail saying my truck's towing capacity was 8550 lb as built. The Ram dealer recommends to keep the trailer weight at 5000 lbs or less. The truck can tow 8550 lbs but because if I add the 8550 lb trailer weight to the curb weight of the truck the only other thing I could haul is me and some gas . I would have to leave the wife and gear at home , or exceed the GCVW rating of the truck.

Thanks Steve Dunham

[Tony Nowak]

John, It might be worth your time and $ to ask this question on the Bigfoot Owners Club International site. They aren't real active,but there are a number of 25 foot trailer owners there. Tony

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I just purchased a new 2011 Ram 1/2 ton truck. The factory sent me ( apon my request ) an E-Mail saying my truck's towing capacity was 8550 lb as built. The Ram dealer recommends to keep the trailer weight at 5000 lbs or less. The truck can tow 8550 lbs but because if I add the 8550 lb trailer weight to the curb weight of the truck the only other thing I could haul is me and some gas . I would have to leave the wife and gear at home , or exceed the GCVW rating of the truck.

Thanks Steve Dunham

For full time I don't think I can leave my wife or the fur babies! Exceeding any weight limit could potentially jeopardize our whole plan so we want to be safe.

-John

[John Fazio]

Originally Posted by Tony Nowak

John, It might be worth your time and $ to ask this question on the Bigfoot Owners Club International site. They aren't real active,but there are a number of 25 foot trailer owners there. Tony

That's a great idea, thanks.

-John

[DavidSo]

Originally Posted by John Fazio

Most ratings don't subtract enough weight for the driver either. I typically use the 25% extra rule. I'm curious as to why you'd get a 1 ton over a 3/4 (However, Dodge is obvious)?

-John

John,
I'm a gear head. I know what's going on in there and it bothers me. You talked about mountains. Long steep grades put a lot of stress on a TV. Most notably the rear differential and u-joints. There is no doubt a 3/4 ton could pull the trailer. The question is for how long. Over the years the ratings on trucks have really been compromised. You look at a "1/2 ton" from 1975 and a 1/2 ton today. No comparison. The push for higher fuel economy has forced this downgrade. I once helped a buddy move 40 sacks of cement in a 1971 Ford F100. That is 3,600 pounds of cement . I'm not saying we were bright guys , but the truck did the job just fine. From what I have seen, you don't really get into anything heavy duty until you hit 1 ton today. Just my 2 cents.

David