Tow vehicles

[Rick and Mindy]

I appreciate all the info on mileage. I have always gotten 10-12 MPG with my Dodge 2500 diesel if I don't go over 55 MPH. I was afraid I would see a dip in mpg's by going up to a larger tow vehicle but everyone is convincing me that I'll equal or better that. That's what I was hoping for plus more stability.

[Radio_Flyer]

Just got back from a Luray, Va to Chattanooga, Tn trip with our 36RL towed by an 11 Ram 3500 SRW crew cab. Averaged 63mph and 11.3 MPG. 3.73 gears and stock tires. Installed the Helwig rear sway bar and Firestone air bags before we left. No problems pulling the hills, set the cruise and air brakes and enjoyed the drive and countryside.

[Enroute]

It sounds like you've done your homework and will be making a very informed decision on which truck will best suit you needs. Another thing to think about....is this going to be your last 5th wheel? If you think no, then you might want to consider what your next coach would be; something longer, bigger, or heavier? I had a '11 Ram 3500HD SRW to tow my 36RL (weighs in just under 16,350 lbs) and I found that my SRW was not up to the challenge. I've since traded in for a '12 Ram 3500HD DRW as I know my current 36RL is not going to be my last coach and the weight is only going to get heavier on RV's in the future. Also, I just looked at a '13 F450 King Ranch a few weeks back and that thing had a sticker on it of $74,890! Not only are the the RV's getting heavier, but the cost of all three 1 tons are getting almost to the point where the average consumer cannot justify/afford to buy one. My thoughts are: if you are even thinking of buying a larger coach down the road, buy the biggest truck you can afford now. It is easier to have a truck that over performs than under performs. Just my two cents....

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by Enroute

It sounds like you've done your homework and will be making a very informed decision on which truck will best suit you needs. Another thing to think about....is this going to be your last 5th wheel? If you think no, then you might want to consider what your next coach would be; something longer, bigger, or heavier? I had a '11 Ram 3500HD SRW to tow my 36RL (weighs in just under 16,350 lbs) and I found that my SRW was not up to the challenge. I've since traded in for a '12 Ram 3500HD DRW as I know my current 36RL is not going to be my last coach and the weight is only going to get heavier on RV's in the future. Also, I just looked at a '13 F450 King Ranch a few weeks back and that thing had a sticker on it of $74,890! Not only are the the RV's getting heavier, but the cost of all three 1 tons are getting almost to the point where the average consumer cannot justify/afford to buy one. My thoughts are: if you are even thinking of buying a larger coach down the road, buy the biggest truck you can afford now. It is easier to have a truck that over performs than under performs. Just my two cents....

Well said

[Oriana]

Originally Posted by Rick and Mindy

My wife and I recently purchased a 2013 31 SL Redwood. It is somewhat heavier then our previous 5th wheel. We are not traveling extensively right now but hope to hit the road within the next year. I have been pulling with a 2004 Dodge 2500, cummins diesel with air bags. According to the specs for my truck I have a GVWR of 9000lbs. and a GCVWR of 20,000 lbs. I weighed at a scale last week with the truck loaded and the 5th wheel loaded, except food and clothing, and the GCVW was 20,300 lbs, over by 300 lbs. The GVW for the truck hitched was 9,780 lbs, over by 780 lbs. The trailer axles weighed in at 10,560 lbs. I figured the pin weight at 2500 lbs. The GAWR for the rear truck axle is 6,000 lbs, and with the trailer, weighed in at 5,580 lbs. I know these figures and ratings get to be confusing but I think I should probably be looking for a better tow vehicle. I love my Dodge, but even the Dodge 3500 dually is not rated much better than my 2500 yet I see people pulling larger Redwoods with the 3500.I have been swaying more towards the Ford F350 or the Chevrolet 3500 single rear wheel trucks. They seem to be rated much higher all around. What I would like to know from my fellow Redwood owners, what type of fuel mileage are you getting with these newer HD trucks and at what speed do you pull? Any insight will be appreciated.

We have a 2012 F350 Crew Cab & SRW. During a 4,000 ml trip throught the Western States we got 25.9 mpg on mixed highway & city driving. Hwy driving was 60 to 70 mph.For the next 4,000 miles of short trips in city driving we have averaged about 22 mpg. Towing with the trailer on mostly city streets I got 18 to 19 mpg. This is using the Imperial gallon.

[subdoc4]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

2011 Chevy 3500HD, DRW, 4x4 (really 4x6) Duramax/Allison, Extended Cab Long bed: 17 to 20 solo, depending on speed, 14 to 16 around town, and 9.5 to 11 at 63 to 66 MPHpulling our RL which isloaded tomax cap.

Same except we have a SRW.

[Dave&Ginny]

As far as mileage goes, my 2012 F350 dually 4x4 can usually averages around 11.5 -12 going around 67 mph pulling the beauty. But you have to remember there are a lot of determining factors in figuring mpg. Like the wind, quality of diesel, time of year and humidity. I accessorized my truck for pulling, if I was worried too much about the mpg I'd by a tent and a Subaru.

This past Saturday I took my rig for about a 60 mile run to get it washed and I deliberately went very slow. We were getting 12-12.5 at 64 mph with little wind. Solo my truck can range from 17-20 at 65 mph depending on the wind.

[Buddy]

I bought the 2012 Ford F450 FX4 Lariat DRW first knowing weather I got the Redwood, Montana or New Horizon, I would be able to pull any 5th wheel RV. Naturally I picked the Redwood 36FB and glad I did.

[Rick and Mindy]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

As far as mileage goes, my 2012 F350 dually 4x4 can usually averages around 11.5 -12 going around 67 mph pulling the beauty.Â* But you have to remember there are a lot of determining factors in figuring mpg.Â* Like the wind, quality of diesel, time of year and humidity.Â* I accessorized my truck for pulling, if I was worried too much about the mpg I'd by a tent and a Subaru.Â*

This past Saturday I took my rig for about a 60 mile run to get it washed and I deliberately went very slow.Â* We were getting 12-12.5 at 64 mph with little wind.Â* Solo my truck can range from 17-20 at 65 mph depending on the wind.

Thanks for the input. It's not that I'm so worried about the miles per gallon, but, if I am going to purchase a new tow vehicle I would like to get the best bang for my buck! I see you are from Peoria. I am from Peoria also, still have lots of relatives there!

[Dave&Ginny]

Rick and Mindy,

it's my understanding that Dodge is going to be upping their horsepower as well as Ford in 2014 models. Unfortunately when they do this they usually lower their mileage too. 15 year ago the diesels got better fuel economy but they didn't produce as much horse power as they do today. Today all three of the manufactures are making pretty good trucks that are capable of towing some big trailers without much modifications.

My F350 came from the factory with 800 ft pounds of torque and then I had another 120 tuned into it giving me 920 total. The tuning did increase my mileage but most people won't ever recoup the costs associated with doing it. I will because I average about 4000 miles a month on the truck. Also it's fun to drive! As someone had posted earlier "buy as big of a truck as you can afford because the trailers aren't getting any smaller". Just do your homework and enjoy life.

[Buck]

Dave
Did you use a spartan programmer?

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by Buck

Dave
Did you use a spartan programmer?

Yep...I thought the Spartan looked the best for the Ford. It's capable of tuning up to 200 hp but I don't want the smoke and noise.

[Buddy]

Us retirees aren't in a hurry, I drive 55 with or without the Redwood.

[Rick and Mindy]

Dave and Ginny,

I agree, the big three actually make trucks capable of towing anything, I can actually pull without any problem with my Dodge 2500.......it's the stopping power I'm concerned with. From the research I have done, Ram is coming out with an incredible truck rated to pull up to 30,000 lbs. At first it was coming out in March but they have delayed it now until June. I wanted to wait for it to see what it would be but I'm sure if it is as incredible as they say, the price will also be incredible. It will also require DEF which is not required for the 2012 model. I've been told that by using the DEF the newer trucks actually get better fuel economy. The Ram seems to run a little less in price then the Ford or Chevy. The Ford and Chevy are close in price but the Chevy offers a longer warranty period. I've actually been looking at Certified Fords because they extend the warranty to 7 years and 100,000 miles for the drivetrain. I will not be running as many miles as you so I like the 7 year warranty. Anyway, I'm not in a hurry, just trying to cross my t's and dot my i's.

[Rick and Mindy]

Originally Posted by Buddy

Us retirees aren't in a hurry, I drive 55 with or without the Redwood.

Buddy, I agree, I don't get in a big hurry. When I do travel, I drive about 400 miles a day and then I like to get settled in before dark if I can. I can't tell you how many times I've had someone fly by me pulling a 5th wheel only to pass them later as they are stopped for fuel.

[jpdunc]

With regard to DEF, the following is somewhat related to this discussion regarding mileage.

My wife and I owned a 2007 40' Tiffin Phaeton Motorhome with a 350 CAT diesel engine and no DEF requirement. We consistently got about 7.5 MPG.

We traded for a 43' 2011 Tiffin Allegro Bus with a 450 Cummins diesel engine that required DEF. I have been extremely pleased to get about 9.8 MPG with the larger, heavier Bus and have only used about 12 gallons of DEF during the first 5000 miles. We can buy the DEF at major truck stops for under $3.00 per gallon.

We are keeping the bus and will be using the Redwood mostly as a quasi park model, but if/when I think about a truck, I will have no hesitation in buying a newer model that requires DEF. I am absolutely not a "techy", but it seems that when they engineered the DEF system, they were able to eliminate some of the other mileage-robbing polution control systems.

Just my unsolicited opinion on the topic...

[Rick and Mindy]

jpdunc,

I was led to believe that the new DEF was a good thing and that use of it did increase mileage so it's great to hear from someone who has experienced such. Thanks for the input. I'm still looking.

[Buddy]

I use Chevron diesel with 51 cetane level in Louisiana and also use Ford Motorcraft Cetane and Performance booster in every tank.

[homeguy]

I now have a few questions for those more experienced than myself.
Why would I chip my vehicle? I have plenty of power and I am satisfied with my mileage.

Does everyone use the tow mode when towing their RV? I have towed many trailers but never really use the tox option .

Anyone use cruise when towing?

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by homeguy

I now have a few questions for those more experienced than myself.

Why would I chip my vehicle? I have plenty of power and I am satisfied with my mileage.



Does everyone use the tow mode when towing their RV? I have towed many trailers but never really use the tox option .



Anyone use cruise when towing?

I do use the tow mode when pulling the trailer and it seems to down shift (I assume using the exhaust brake) to minimize using the brakes better than not using tow mode.



Last week end I was driving in the Smokey Mountains just with my truck and I used tow mode even though I wasn't towing. Hardly had to touch the brakes going down hill.



I do use cruise when towing so long as the road is level or only minor hills and that works quite well.