Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-03-2011, 12:04 PM   #61
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 628
As for speed, I discovered that 55 mph or whatever the speed limit was, increased my mpg from 10 to 13 mpg. So for a 500 mile trip, I will save close to $50 (assuming no speeding tickets). Hmmm...How much am I willing to spend so that other people can get there sooner.
devans0 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 07-03-2011, 09:07 PM   #62
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
Meanwhile we have quickly realized that the minivan is an inadequate tow vehicle in the mountains. Truck, here we come.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2011, 09:19 PM   #63
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post
Meanwhile we have quickly realized that the minivan is an inadequate tow vehicle in the mountains. Truck, here we come.
Some things you have to experience first hand to really understand.

Give some consideration to buying a little more truck than one that just meets your current needs. Odds are you'll be wanting to upgrade the size of your RV in a few years and you don't want to find yourself back in the same situation.
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 08:01 AM   #64
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ls99's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 6,499
+1. Delete words "a little".
__________________
There must be moderation in everything, including moderation.
ls99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 10:24 AM   #65
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
First things we will look at are a Chevy avalanche and an F150, both of which have tow ratings north of 8000 pounds. The current trailer is 3300 GVWR and most of the bigger ones we would look at are 5000 or a bit over. So is there an obvious problem or shortcoming wit pur initial choices?
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 10:44 AM   #66
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ls99's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 6,499
For mountain running, stopping ability is paramount.

Especially with the rare but not impossible trailer brake failure from whatever reason, like controller or wiring thereof, malfunction.

Thus look for 3/4 ton vehicle. They have substantially stronger frames, larger and more robust braking systems than 1/2 tons. Oh and avoid anything with "P" rated tires.

Cheers.
__________________
There must be moderation in everything, including moderation.
ls99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 10:52 AM   #67
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Brat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 7,109
I know a little about trucks/suvs and towing. Son has Fords and tows often (with kids you will want a crew cab). You need to go at least one step above the 150 Ford engine. You also want the 'towing package' which gets you a heartier cooling system and beefier breaks. Pay attention not only to the pull capacity but the hitch. You want what my husband calls a 5-pin connector for trailer breaks. I know this sounds like overkill but you now will be driving mountain passes and operating a vehicle at high elevation. [I have heard that drivers who spend extended periods of time in Denver and the Bay Area often need their vehicle systems adjusted for each environment.]

That RV consumer's program I mentioned earlier includes a PDF file on towing including the selection of a vehicle to tow a trailer. Before you upgrade your set-up I highly recommend reading their analysis.
__________________
Duck bjorn.
Brat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 10:59 AM   #68
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post
First things we will look at are a Chevy avalanche and an F150, both of which have tow ratings north of 8000 pounds. The current trailer is 3300 GVWR and most of the bigger ones we would look at are 5000 or a bit over. So is there an obvious problem or shortcoming wit pur initial choices?
Having recently been down this same road, the shortcoming is in the mfg ads emphasizing how much a vehicle can tow (pull), not how much payload it can carry. Payload is THE limiting factor - the total weight limit of the passengers, cargo and hitch weight on the tow vehicle.

My advice (I have fresh bruises on this subject) is to pay very, very close attention to the payload sticker on any vehicle you think about purchasing. Don't trust the slick brochures, read the actual sticker on the vehicle. It is located inside the driver's doorway and is usually a sentence in small type written just above the recommended tire inflation pressures. You will likely be surprised at how low this number is - I know I was. A 5,000 GVWR trailer can have a hitch weight of 750, and your truck may have a payload capacity of only 1,000 or so. By the time you add the wife, kids, dogs, suitcases and other assorted stuff you can easily exceed the payload limit of the truck and end up with the rear end dragging and the front end in the air - not good and not safe.
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 12:05 PM   #69
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Brewer, one more thing...

The reason I emphasize looking at the payload number on the actual vehicle is the manufacturer's brochures say things like "maximum payload of 1,580 lbs". This is the payload capacity of a bare-bones, stripped-down vehicle, not what sits on the showroom floor. Every piece of optional equipment reduces the payload capacity. Add automatic transmission, upgraded wheels and tires, trailer towing package, floor mats, etc. and the available payload goes down significantly.
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 12:14 PM   #70
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
Actually, I just came down a 5 mile 6 percent grade and only tapped the brakes twice. The trailer generates so much drag it is an air brake.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 12:31 PM   #71
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
haha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345 View Post
Actually, I just came down a 5 mile 6 percent grade and only tapped the brakes twice. The trailer generates so much drag it is an air brake.
Like someone said above, the main thing is that you do not want your trailer to push your truck off a mountainside, or drag it across lanes under a side-draft. Get a one ton without the dualies and you will be happy ever after, unless you go to a fifth wheel, in which case you want dualies. You need wheelbase, adequate power train, and big brakes and axle/differential. I am not familiar with the SUV you mentioned, but if you do SUV be sure to get a long one on a truck WB.

You may spend a bit more on vehicle and gas, but you and your family will be more relaxed and safer. Your destinations are likely to be nearby anyway.

I have never heard anyone complain that they had too much truck.

Ha
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
haha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 12:54 PM   #72
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
While I wouldn't think you'd need a 1-ton truck (Chevy 3500/Ford F-350), I do agree with ha that you'd be better served with a larger truck, maybe a 2500 or F-250 - and in your new location it needs to have 4WD.
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 02:04 PM   #73
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
Thanks for the info. Clearly I have research to do before a purchase.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2011, 02:44 PM   #74
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
haha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo View Post
While I wouldn't think you'd need a 1-ton truck (Chevy 3500/Ford F-350), I do agree with ha that you'd be better served with a larger truck, maybe a 2500 or F-250 - and in your new location it needs to have 4WD.
You are much more experienced than I am; so if you suggest this it is likely fine.

Ha
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
haha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2011, 10:15 AM   #75
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ls99's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 6,499
I foresee more exciting travel trailer and tow vehicle learning events by brewer.
__________________
There must be moderation in everything, including moderation.
ls99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2011, 01:43 PM   #76
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
Just a data point, but my Silverado half-ton is rated max towing at 4800lbs. Will allegedly tow more with towing package - i.e. tranny cooler, etc. I'd derate by 10% min.
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire

...not doing anything of true substance...
HFWR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2011, 02:21 PM   #77
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Quote:
Originally Posted by HFWR View Post
Just a data point, but my Silverado half-ton is rated max towing at 4800lbs. Will allegedly tow more with towing package - i.e. tranny cooler, etc. I'd derate by 10% min.
Read my posts above regarding payload. The "tow rating" is marketing fluff and isn't a realistic indicator of what weight trailer you can attach to your truck, suv or car - unless you pull it with a tow chain that applies no weight to the tow vehicle....
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2011, 03:04 PM   #78
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
Quote:
Originally Posted by ls99 View Post
I foresee more exciting travel trailer and tow vehicle learning events by brewer.
Not so much. I am listening and reading up. It also looks like a 2500 Silverado has a pretty modest price premium over a 1500. So I will have to go kick some tires and test drive when i have the time. In the next few years, I suspect most any full size truck will do given the 3000 point trailer weight with a hitch weight of under 300 pounds. Since I want to buy for the long term, I am listening closely and reading up. I am averse to physical risks, so a bigger truck is what I will look at.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell

Ezekiel 23:20
brewer12345 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2011, 03:27 PM   #79
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Punta Gorda, FL
Posts: 828
My trailer weighs around 5000lbs, at least the last time I scaled it, probably more now. My Avalanche pulled it OK in the flat lands, but it was a strain in the hills. I got a 3/4 ton dodge diesel, more than I need now, but everything is beefier. I'm getting ready for my first trip pulling the old camper, so I'll see how it goes.

The Avalanche does ride a lot better though. The 3/4 ton dodge is definatly a truck. The F150 with the eco boost may be another truck to look at.
dm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2011, 03:35 PM   #80
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Punta Gorda, FL
Posts: 828
Getting ready to roll. I'm heading for the Indiana dunes. Of coarse since I don't have to work we are going Thursday, after the holiday's.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg level 1.jpg (486.8 KB, 14 views)
dm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
39 and thinking..... panhead Hi, I am... 18 01-28-2010 12:23 AM
59 and Thinking potto0213 Hi, I am... 2 01-25-2010 10:46 AM
61-1/2 and thinking about it gray_jay Hi, I am... 10 07-17-2006 03:56 PM
Been thinking lately brewer12345 Life after FIRE 79 07-18-2005 12:38 PM
Thinking of RE Surfs_Up Hi, I am... 38 09-26-2004 11:48 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:35 PM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.