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Old 02-21-2021, 10:52 AM   #1
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Smile Chevy or ford tow vehicle ?

Hi I'm wondering which one makes the best one for pulling a 17' Casita travel trailer up overt the mountain passes ( from the desert (1086') To the pines (5000'-7000') The Chevy 1500 or the Ford 150, What have you experienced and how is your truck equipped (motor, rear end gear ratio, other
Thanks Jim
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Old 02-21-2021, 11:43 AM   #2
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Any current 1/2 ton truck ( Chevy Ford Ram ) V6 or V8 will pull a Casita up and over any mountain in North America .
We have a 2019 Ram 1500 with a V8 engine and 3.92 rearend and made it up and over the Eisenhower Pass without issue
Payload is a far bigger consideration IMHO
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Old 02-21-2021, 11:44 AM   #3
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All these trucks are very good for pulling a Casita. In my opinion....bigger is better....especially when going up mountain passes. I have a 2019 Ram 1500 crew cab with a 5.7 Hemi....3.92 rear.....4x4 with a tow package. It doesn't know the trailer is back there and I don't use any WD system. With the 8 speed trans....this truck gets 20 to 21 mpg when not towing....and 16 to 17 mpg when towing. It handles the trailer better than my 2003 Chevy 2500 did and get much better mileage. Our new Ram is the best riding truck we've ever had. Ford and Chevy are great trucks.....check out the Ram as well.
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:49 PM   #4
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Think dealer....

Quote:
Originally Posted by James R Williams View Post
Hi I'm wondering which one makes the best one for pulling a 17' Casita travel trailer up overt the mountain passes
.....not brand. Which dealer has treated you right in the past? Location is important, will they loan you a vehicle when yours is worked on? My local ford dealer has even helped me out when I was broken down out of state. They called a South Dakota ford dealer and set up everything to get me back on the road.
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Old 02-21-2021, 01:27 PM   #5
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Warning on Ford, they sell three DIFFERENT tow packages from really basic to comprehensive. So its all about WHICH tow package. Its nearly impossible to fully upgrade later.
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Old 02-21-2021, 06:49 PM   #6
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The 2007 Silverado RWD Crew Cab Classic with the V8 rides like you are in your easychair at home and pulls like a dream.
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Old 02-21-2021, 10:18 PM   #7
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I think this thread will go on for ever,,
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Old 02-22-2021, 12:37 AM   #8
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and a 2002 vs a 2007 vs a 2020 ford/chevy/whatever will be a totally different experience.
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Old 02-22-2021, 08:59 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES View Post
I think this thread will go on for ever,,
...with no resolution because this is entirely a matter of preference.

Since all the discussions about towing with a passenger vehicle eventually get taken over by the truck folks, perhaps I should turn the tables and suggest a nice mid-sized crossover...

For such a small trailer and given a full-size truck preference, I’d lean toward an F150 2.7L Ecoboost. Reserve power when you need it and decent everyday fuel economy. Lots out there. Overpriced, but all trucks are. I’d look for a tow package with the integrated brake controller.
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Old 02-22-2021, 09:14 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Jon in AZ View Post
...with no resolution because this is entirely a matter of preference.

Since all the discussions about towing with a passenger vehicle eventually get taken over by the truck folks, perhaps I should turn the tables and suggest a nice mid-sized crossover...

For such a small trailer and given a full-size truck preference, I’d incline toward an F150 2.7 Ecoboost. Reserve power when you need it and decent everyday fuel economy. Lots out there. Overpriced, but all trucks are. I’d look for a tow package with the integrated brake controller.
Comparing apples to oranges - One is a “ passenger” vehicle and one is a “ work / towing “ vehicle .
If I was doing most of my towing in the mountains then the Ford F150 3.5 liter Eco - boost would be my first choice .
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Old 02-22-2021, 09:36 AM   #11
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As I've mentioned a few times before, whatever brand/model you choose, you might want to consider either a turbocharged engine (like Ford Ecoboost) or a diesel engine because of their "high torque at low RPM" characteristics.

See this discussion:
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...ad.php?t=94726

Although I don't like to recommend (or bash) any brands/models, if you read far enough down in that thread, you will find partial pix of the window sticker on our F-150 and discussions of various features.

Good luck on your search and decision(s)! [emoji5]

Ray
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:00 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve dunham View Post
Comparing apples to oranges - One is a “ passenger” vehicle and one is a “ work / towing “ vehicle ..
False dichotomy. Light trucks carry passengers too- crew cabs have become the most popular pickup body style- and passenger vehicles can be competent towing and hauling vehicles. My Pilot has greater payload than some full-size trucks.

For a smaller trailer both are viable options and have been used successfully by many. The choice comes down to non-towing use, the kind of gear you want to carry, and personal preference. The OP prefers a truck, and I was joking when I suggested a crossover.
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Old 02-22-2021, 11:24 AM   #13
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I prefer Fords or Ram pickups personally.

Right now I have two trucks (and a SUV).

The one with the biggest engine is the 04 Dodge Dakota with 4.7 V8 and 3.55 axle ratio. It has pulled our 3,000 lb (loaded) Scamp across the Rockies several times on our trips from GA to all West Coast states and AK. It pulls our Scamp well but is thirstier than our newest truck, the 2019 Ford Ranger. It got about 14 MPG pulling our Scamp.

Our Ford Ranger is great for both towing and for driving around town due to its smaller width and length than a full sixe pickup. It has the 2.3 4 cyl with Ecoboost (turbo) with 3.73 axle ratio (standard engine and drive train) and pulled our Scamp better than our Dakota and also is being used to tow our 19' Escape which is much heavier than a Casita 17'. The top 3 gears on the 10 speed transmission are all overdrive for economy and I was surprised how climbing some of the steep grades on our trip back from MT rarely needed to drop below 7th gear (which is 1:1 ratio) and spends a lot of time in 10th gear on flats while doing 65 MPH pulling our 19' Escape in tow/haul mode. The combination of turbo and 10 speed transmission work really well for towing and also when driving without the camper. It got about 17 MPG pulling our Scamp, and about 14-15 MPG pulling the heavier Escape.

If you ever plan to upsize to a 5th wheel camper, then just make sure the payload is high enough to haul both the trailer pin weight and payload, some new full size trucks have a lower payload rating than my Ranger (which is 1732 lbs)
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Old 02-22-2021, 11:36 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon in AZ View Post
False dichotomy. Light trucks carry passengers too- crew cabs have become the most popular pickup body style- and passenger vehicles can be competent towing and hauling vehicles. My Pilot has greater payload than some versions of the F150.

For a smaller trailer both are viable options and have been used successfully by many. The choice comes down to non-towing use, the kind of gear you want to carry, and personal preference. The OP prefers a truck,, and I was joking when I suggested a crossover.
I'm with Jon. The modern, full sized four door pickups like the Ford F150 Super Crew, are comparable to many SUVs comfort wise, but sometimes suffer from low payload. I call the modern F150 my generation's version of the Lincoln Town Car of my parent's generation.

The higher the trim level on an F150, the lower the payload, unless you get the HDPP, or whatever they call it. The payload ratings on some Platinum F150s are laughably low, Toyota Tacoma level. Even my Lariat trim truck suffers from lowish payload. These trucks tend to have super high tow ratings, but I run out of payload capacity on my truck at less than 60% of the tow rating. As you go above the Lariat trim level, it just gets worse. Check the door sticker.

Not limited to Ford either. That pesky door sticker will tell you. I remember meeting a guy towing with a Cummins powered Nissan Titan truck. I asked his payload, rating. He told me over 2,000 pounds. I told him "thats really impressive!". Then I opened the door to look "inside". Actually, I wanted to see the door jamb payload tag, but I didn't tell him that. On the door tag, it listed 1,2xx pound payload rating. Oops!! I left the discrepancy alone.
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Old 02-22-2021, 11:37 AM   #15
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Best Truck?

I have a 2015 Chevy Colorado with a V-6. Tow capacity 7500 pounds. We spent all last summer driving over 15 thousand miles across the country. The trip average was 15 MPG. Only used a sway bar on recommendation from Casita. We spent a lot of time out west. We had no problems towing. The Casita saved us a few times because we would not have a reservation for a campground & they would have one very small space left. Only one time did we end up in a Walmart Parking lot. I think any truck would be good. So look for one that would fit your needs. Do you want to upgrade to a larger Fiberglass Trailer one day? Do you want more truck bed space? Enjoy your travels.
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Old 02-22-2021, 12:02 PM   #16
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Any full size half tonne should suffice but some models will perform better than other depending on option package. I use a 3/4 diesel because I also carry quads. The motor never labors and actually uses less fuel than my half tonne.
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Old 02-22-2021, 12:19 PM   #17
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I agree about any full size truck will pull campers but towing package helps. I tow a 13 ft Scamp and my 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 Work Truck 4.3
V6 gets 23mpg. I don't have the towing package & dealer said transmission cooler wasn't available for my truck. I towed my Scamp 575 miles at 60mph & transmission temp never got over 196 degrees so I probably don't need a tranny cooler.
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Old 02-22-2021, 03:14 PM   #18
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Best full-size pickup is Ford--as long as it doesn't have the 5.4 3-valve sludgemaster engine with prone-to-failure VVT phasers and spark plugs which cannot be removed without special tools and procedures.







This engine has been discontinued and will not curse newer Fords built after 2010.

Play it safe and buy an Toyota.
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Old 02-22-2021, 03:59 PM   #19
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I've towed my 3500lb (dry weight) trailer with a 4.3 as well. Does fine on the highway but labors in the hills. Gas mileage goes way down into the mid teens but, at the time I couldn't afford a separate tug so the 4.3 had to do.
When I could afford it I bought a 3/4 diesel. Lots of power, cross winds not an issue and better fuel mileage but it also means another vehicle plus maintenance and insurance costs. Diesel is a better option if you can afford it and if you travel a lot. Otherwise any half tonne should do the job.
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Old 02-22-2021, 04:26 PM   #20
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I was always a GM man. I couldn't afford a vehicle just for towing my trailer so I ordered a 4.3 1/2 tonne GMC with the trailer towing package as recommended by the dealership for my trailer. Worked well but the vehicle was a bit of a lemon. Heater quit, wipers quit, lights didn't work .... one thing after another. Very disappointed with vehicle and warranty work from dealership. No more GM vehicles for me.
Then I bought a Ford 3/4 XLT Lariet diesel with a locked Dana rear end. Excellent truck. Strong, powerful and really nice to drive. Much better fuel mileage. I guess it depends on what vehicles are available and what you can afford and of course some good luck.
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