Posted 2008-06-05 11:26 AM (#85254) Subject: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Member
Posts: 14
Location: NJ
I just purchased a Exiss 307 Alum GN 3H with LQ, 7'W x 30'L. Now I need a tow vehicle. I do not expect to tow that often, some short weekend getaways maybe a few time a year if I'm lucky and only 1 long trip per year 500+ miles each way. I am considering an F250 4x4 super cab, 8' bed. But the question is engine choice (5.4L gas or diesel). Has anyone towed this vehicle with a F250 5.4L?
This vehicle will be a daily commute the rest of the time.
Posted 2008-06-05 11:36 AM (#85255 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
I would not even consider the 5.4! A lot of people on here will tell you to get the diesel, but for the miles you will be towing you should seriosly look at the V10. Also with that big of a LQ you should also consider a dually. Look at all the options. Good luck.
Posted 2008-06-05 7:39 PM (#85275 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Location: KY
An Exiss 307 should only be about 24' on the floor. A 3/4 ton truck will do fine....Personally unless it is needed, I would leave off the 4x4. The 5.4 l engine is a good engine but not adequate for pulling imo. I had that engine in a 150 4x4 and it had a hard time handling my stock trailer with 3 horses in it. The diesel engine will last a lot longer but with the squirrely prices I agree with the v10.
Posted 2008-06-05 8:31 PM (#85277 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
Originally written by PRC on 2008-06-05 11:26 AM
I just purchased a Exiss 307 Alum GN 3H with LQ, 7'W x 30'L. I'll be honest, I'm not familiar with the Exiss 307. I assumed his 30' length was on the floor. But even if it is only 22' on the floor that is still a lot of weight on the hitch assuming an approx. 8' sw LQ.
Posted 2008-06-05 9:08 PM (#85279 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Michigan
I think you should check the weight of your trailer before you purchase a truck. I have been checking the towing guidelines (on internet) for the 2008 Silverado 2500/3500 and the 2008 Ford 250/350. The newer trucks cannot pull as much as the older models. My 2003 Silverado 2500 diesel with allison transmission can tow almost 15,000 lbs (I saved the towing guide from when I purchased it). The new models cannot unless you buy one ton or 3500 with diesel, as gas is still rated too low.
I do know that my truck is at its maximum with my 14,600 lb trailer but does haul the trailer comfortably.
If you purchase a new truck, check that you have E rated tires and they are properly inflated. Trucks appear to be reasonably priced right now and you should be able to get a good deal on one. There are many listed in horsetrailerworld.
Posted 2008-06-06 6:47 AM (#85293 - in reply to #85275) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Expert
Posts: 2614
I might leave off the diesel engine,but,pulling a trailer that size,I wouldn't leave off 4X4.First time you try going up a hill with anything besides pavement,unless you get a heck of a run at it first,you'll wish you had it.We tried it with a 3/4T and we did not have a trailer anything near the size of our LQ.It would slip pulling a BP on the right terrain.Ask Hosspuller if you don't believe me.
Posted 2008-06-06 5:42 PM (#85314 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
The more options you have on the truck, the less weight it will be rated to tow. It's simple math. A Crew Cab, Long Bed 4x4 weighs more than regular cab, short bed 4x2 truck. Both trucks equipped witht he same engine and trany will have the same GVCW. Subract the weight of the truck from the GVCW and thats how much your trailer can weigh.
I don't know about the GM or Dodge trucks, But the ford trucks did not change their tow rating. ( F250/350 Crew cab, 4x4 auto =15,700lbs.)
I tow a 4h with a 8' shortwall LQ with my F350 CC 4x4. My trailer has a 26' floor. When I've gone across the scales fully loaded. My truck front axle is under, my trailer axles are way under their rating. But my truck rear axle is right at or just barely over it's rating and my total GVCW is right at it's max rating. Luckily I don't usually load 4 horses, My wife and all the kids plus camping gear every trip. So I'm usually under it's rating. But I will buy a dually the next time I buy a truck unless I downsize the trailer before then. And as more of my daughter leave for college, there is less need to have such a large trailer.
Bottom line. A F250 will be able to tow the trailer. Your GCVW will probably be OK. But your trailer may push the F250 rear axle over it's limit. The F350 gives you a little higher rear axle rating. And the dually bumps it substaintially. An F350 or a dually cost so little more than the F250.
Posted 2008-06-06 7:36 PM (#85318 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I like pulling with a dually due to the fact it just feels more stable, nothing like going down these steep twisting Ozarks with the feeling your trailer wants to push laterally a tad.... I like the 4x4, like CRG, cuz you need it to climb some of these steep washboard loose gravel hills...!
Posted 2008-06-06 9:14 PM (#85324 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
RANT ON
OP...don't take this wrong, because your post is just the last of many on this forum with this question...but I am fascinated by people who buy large trailers and then try to go cheap on the towing vehicle...
And you have used the same statement that many of the others have said...OH, I plan on this being my daily use vehicle, so I want GREAT FUEL ECONOMY...
HORSES with LQ TRAILERS are EXPENSIVE!!!
And in the current economy...DOUBLY SO!!!
But if you cut corners on your tow vehicle...you will find out JUST HOW EXPENSIVE those savings could be...
Posted 2008-06-10 12:55 PM (#85473 - in reply to #85454) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Danielsville,Ga.
I have a Dodge diesel,but my buddy has a V10 F-250 super-duty,Auto.It pulls a 4 horse,non LQ. sundowner.he claims 9/10 mpg. at 65 Mph.He's not the type to exaggerate.My dodge Dually gets 12/14 pulling 3 horse silver star,non-LQ.
Posted 2008-06-10 2:30 PM (#85475 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
PRC- I have a 350, V10, CC, SB and pull a 4H with 6' LQ. I have all the power I need. I probably pull a lot like you expect to. It is the designated horse puller, but is also the proverbial family vehicle. How you drive will make A LOT of difference for fuel economy. I tend to be fairly light footed and will go 65 rather than 70 mph, but for general use I will get around 15 mpg without the trailer. With the trailer it will be around 9-11 mpg depending on the terrain. I had a lot of people try to tell me to buy the diesel for power and fuel economy, but unless you are putting 50,000 miles per year on will it pay off. Even if you get 50% better mileage, you still have a $7,000 engine to pay for. I have been happy with my V10 since 01 and plan to keep it. It's a good engine, and you don't have to listen to the rattle or worry about the recent problems Ford has had with their diesels lately.
Posted 2008-06-10 6:17 PM (#85485 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Member
Posts: 30 Location: Fort Jones, Ca.
Just to add to he confusion, I have a '99 and '02 Dodge diesel pickups. I tow my 3H gooseneck (Trails West Classic, warmblood package) with the '99 as I have not put the hitch in the '02 yet. Believe it or not, I get 15 - 17 mpg towing and 20 or better unloaded. I have put and Edge chip in the '99 since it does have less power than the '02, but I cannot complain about the mileage and towing capabilities. Where the gas engine (I don't care how many cylinders it has) runs out of power is pulling grades or heavy loads as it just does not have the power curve, or torque of the diesel. I agree that with the aqdded cost of the diesel engine, you have to keep it a ong time or really use it to pay for itself and the diesel fuel is more (go figure?) than gas. If I was going to consider buying a diesel truck, I would seriously look for a Dodge and see if I could find a 2007 with a 5.9L or look for a 2005 - 2006 with the 5.9L. ALL 2007 rigs with the new engines and smog are having various problems and poor fuel usage. If you look at the fuel cost of the big block gas engine and compare that to the diesel mileage, you may be pleasantly surprised. Bottom line, neither are cheap, but for towing / hauling, I vote diesel.
Posted 2008-06-11 5:24 AM (#85497 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Southern Indiana
I borrowed a friends v10 once and about cried when it got 4 miles to the gallon while pulling my trailer compared to my diesel that gets 12 while pulling. That means I can travel 3 times longer instead of having to pull over and refuel......... the 5.4 is a nice engine to pull with-- I prefer the diesel for better MPG.....Best advice I can give ya......borrow freinds trucks and pull with them and see what ya like.........
Posted 2008-06-11 7:23 AM (#85498 - in reply to #85497) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by coltaffyjo on 2008-06-11 5:24 AM I borrowed a friends v10 once and about cried when it got 4 miles to the gallon while pulling my trailer compared to my diesel that gets 12 while pulling. That means I can travel 3 times longer instead of having to pull over and refuel......... the 5.4 is a nice engine to pull with-- I prefer the diesel for better MPG.....Best advice I can give ya......borrow freinds trucks and pull with them and see what ya like.........
4 mpg ????? Was that normal for your friends truck? Sounds like it was sick to me. How big is your trailer?
Posted 2008-06-11 9:08 AM (#85508 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Veteran
Posts: 134
For what it is worth I'll add my two cents. I had a 4-horse 12' sundowner that I pulled with a 2500HD Chevy Duramax single axle. The truck had airbags and excellent tires. The engine handled the load fine, but I will say that my husband told me he prayed alot every time I left the driveway. Before all you people say" Boy that was dumb" I already know that,but I hated the thought of driving a dually. To make a long story short I now own a 3500CC Duramax Dually and I couldn't be happier. I wouldn't have believed the difference the duals made until i actually drove one pulling the trailer. First thing I did was tell my husband he was right. Made his day. I absolutely love my Duramax, Tons of power,extremely comfortable ride, and I also get decent mileage pulling a trailer. Plus I don't think you can beat the combination of the duramax engine with the allison transmission. Also I live in Montana so I know what its like to pull a grade with a load. Hope this helps Good luck
Posted 2008-06-11 11:00 AM (#85520 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Youngstown, OH
I have had both. My first truck was an 01 F350 V10 CC SRW. I had plenty of power but my trailer (315LQ) was definitely not as stable as it is with a dually. I moved from the 01 to an 04 F350 CC DRW diesel and have never looked back. For the first two years it was also my grocery getter. I would definitely recommend the dually over SRW.
Posted 2008-06-11 11:10 AM (#85522 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
I do not expect to tow that often, some short weekend getaways maybe a few time a year if I'm lucky and only 1 long trip per year 500+ miles each way.Yes the duelly will give you more stability. But the OP was originally asking about using a 5.4 engine and still using it as a daily driver, in New Jersey no less. Hard to compare driving and parking a duelly from Montana to New Jersey. For most of us having the biggest truck we can find is totally not practical.PRC- I've got the 3.73 rear end and it works fine for me.
Posted 2008-06-11 11:35 AM (#85527 - in reply to #85254) Subject: RE: Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Maybe this will help you a little. It is another link with the same question that you have. By the way...according to Exiss website your trailer will weigh about 6600 empty.
Tow Vehicle for a GN Trailer
RANT OFF