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Old 02-03-2021, 11:00 AM   #1
Philb
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Tow performance

Thanks for the add! I am getting ready to upgrade to an 2021 Outback 335CG. My tow rig is a 2021 Chevy 2500 HD with 6.6 gas burner. Could anyone tell me what to expect as far as performance and handling? Just the normal stuff in the RV. Nothing real heavy.
Thanks!
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Old 02-03-2021, 11:47 AM   #2
chuckster57
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Welcome to the forum

Congrats on the upgrade. A bit more info on the truck would help. Single cab/extended cab? Rear gears? Do you have WD hitch, if so which one?

The more we know, the easier it is to answer.
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:15 PM   #3
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Phil, welcome to the forum. Odds are you could get mileage reports from 6-8 mpg from those telling the truth to 18-22 to those who are simply in another world and dreaming. You will be pulling 10K and about 37-38' of wind sail. It simply won't be pleasant at the pump. Your 3/4 ton should do a good job of pulling it, but you will notice that it pulls to the right when passing a gas station. You have the right truck for the job, get out there and camp!
(And yes, we could use a little more info, too)
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:45 PM   #4
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Phil, welcome to the forum. Odds are you could get mileage reports from 6-8 mpg from those telling the truth to 18-22 to those who are simply in another world and dreaming. You will be pulling 10K and about 37-38' of wind sail. It simply won't be pleasant at the pump. Your 3/4 ton should do a good job of pulling it, but you will notice that it pulls to the right when passing a gas station. You have the right truck for the job, get out there and camp!
(And yes, we could use a little more info, too)
HEY WATCH IT! I get 37 mpg when hauling my little 5ver down the road and that is the truth, nothing but the truth, so help me Ford! Hey guys who are towing 37' bumper pulls who have gotten their hitch sorted, how does that work for you? I think that is the question.
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:47 PM   #5
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Crew cab. 3:73 gears. Not really sure on wd yet. Had an Eaz-Lift and it worked pretty good, but it was just for a 4000lb rig. I would like to find something that the wife could hook up without too much trouble. Sometimes she gets everything ready to go before i get off work. Yeah, mpg, or gpm rather, is not going to be great. Thanks!
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:56 PM   #6
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Crew cab. 3:73 gears. Not really sure on wd yet. Had an Eaz-Lift and it worked pretty good, but it was just for a 4000lb rig. I would like to find something that the wife could hook up without too much trouble. Sometimes she gets everything ready to go before i get off work. Yeah, mpg, or gpm rather, is not going to be great. Thanks!
You have a keeper there! My job is to get all the stuff ready for camper travel and my wife's part is the clean up, stocking linens/groceries and making reservations. I also think fuel prices will be on the rise in the coming months due to all the changes recently put in place by the Fed. This might make fuel costs a bit more of a concern. Hope I am not right... Good luck!
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Old 02-03-2021, 01:21 PM   #7
sourdough
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Phil what tranny is in the new Silverado? I'm assuming an 8/9/10 speed?

That trailer has a gvw of 10,500lbs. and is 37' long. My last bumper pull was almost exactly that same size and I pulled it with a Ram 2500 6.4 3.73 6 speed. It was a 4x4 Crew Cab. It pulled it well. Mountain grades will make the gas engine work at some higher rpms - I hit 3500 a few times, but it pulled me up and over fine. If you have the higher number of gears it is going to make the shift points MUCH nicer and it will manage terrain better.

Gas mileage, or lack thereof, should not be on your radar - it is what it is when you're towing an RV. Mine got anywhere from 6 to 9 depending on terrain. I got 10 once with a nice W TX tailwind but alas it was not to be repeated.

With that size bumper pull get a GOOD weight distribution hitch with sway. I used and heartily recommend the Equalizer brand hitch. With that trailer get the 14k hitch head and 1200lb bars. Set it up (or have it set up) correctly and it works like a charm. As far as DW hooking it up, it's a breeze as well; just use the tongue jack to raise and lower the tongue so the bars can slide over the L brackets easily - get the plastic L bracket cushions from Equalizer (Amazon etc.). I will say on the first trip or 2 the L brackets will be hard to push in/out but after a couple of trips she will be able to do it just fine; my DW had no trouble. For the initial trips I just used a 1 1/2' x 4' long or so steel bar as a cheater - no problem. Good luck.
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Old 02-03-2021, 06:31 PM   #8
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It is the 6 speed. Chevy got it backwards, 6 sp with the gas and 8 or 10 with the diesel. I will look at the equalizer hitches. Thanks!
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Old 02-03-2021, 06:50 PM   #9
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Equalizer E4 is top notch as far as I’m concerned too. Not the cheapest or the most expensive, but it is the easiest to use IMO.
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Old 02-03-2021, 07:16 PM   #10
sourdough
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It is the 6 speed. Chevy got it backwards, 6 sp with the gas and 8 or 10 with the diesel. I will look at the equalizer hitches. Thanks!
If it only has the 6 speed it will work, but it will work much harder so keep that in mind - you WILL know it's back there.
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Old 02-19-2021, 04:08 PM   #11
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Picked the Outback up two weeks ago. Went ahead and got the Equalizer 14K hitch. Cruised right thru Memphis, hit I-55 and ran along at 75 no problem. Except for the length, this thing is easier to pull than the Starcraft Comet Extreme was with the Chevy Colorado. I think me and the missus is going to be pretty happy. Unfortunately, it's been too snowy and cold to even mess with it yet.
Thanks Everyone!
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Old 02-19-2021, 04:26 PM   #12
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Congrats on getting the new trailer. I'm glad your first trip went well. That length will sort of grow on you. When driving city or highway just always keep looking at it to see what it does, where the tires are, how it arcs in a turn. My last trailer was right at that same length and it was never an issue except when trying to fit it in places that didn't fit.

With that gas engine you will get into some pretty strange ingress/egress situations to get fuel. Always look for the way out before you pull in. Also make sure you park as far away from the pump island as possible with as gentle a turn as possible for exit. Don't pull in close then plan 45 degree cut to leave the pumps.....the tail will take the pump with the sweep.
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Old 02-19-2021, 04:35 PM   #13
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Yep. I've done quite a bit of towing in my time, but nothing with that much tail swing.
Now I've got to enlarge my RV carport and up it to 50A.
First big trip will be Florida panhandle in May.
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Old 02-19-2021, 04:49 PM   #14
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You better hurry, this place is FILLING up fast! SO many people coming in this year.
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Old 02-19-2021, 07:56 PM   #15
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Sourdough speaks truth here. When I had a gasser with a 27 FR trailer I used Google maps to plan gas stops. Got a street view of which pump I wanted and a planned route out, it helps. And yes tail swing is a reality. I have a fuel station in Gallup NM with my trailers (present FW) marks on the "drunk stoppers" near the pumps. Did some damage to the trailer and skirt. I told the story of my repair to a service tech at my dealership the other day and after he looked at my work he offered me a job doing repairs. So it came out almost unnoticeable.
Also you mentioned towing at 75 mph, a little less of a hurry will produce less work from your TV and better MPG.
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Old 02-19-2021, 08:09 PM   #16
sourdough
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Picked the Outback up two weeks ago. Went ahead and got the Equalizer 14K hitch. Cruised right thru Memphis, hit I-55 and ran along at 75 no problem. Except for the length, this thing is easier to pull than the Starcraft Comet Extreme was with the Chevy Colorado. I think me and the missus is going to be pretty happy. Unfortunately, it's been too snowy and cold to even mess with it yet.
Thanks Everyone!

I failed to mention it but Laredo did; your tires may or may not be rated for 75mpg, probably not. Secondly, towing an RV at 75 mph is dangerous. Go with 65mph, take a little time and be safe.
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Old 02-19-2021, 09:15 PM   #17
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Many ST tires are rated for less than 75 mph. Check the speed rating for your particular tires. Also keep in mind that if you have to stop fast, you won't be able to with a trailer in tow. Stay safe and enjoy your camper!
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