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Old 04-21-2019, 06:30 AM   #41
jsb5717
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Good feedback, thank you. To quote Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park:

"You spent so much time trying to figure out if you could, you didn't stop to ask if you should"

There are a lot of challenges out there. Ignorance, Arrogance, Stupidity, Wisdom, Experience, Compliance. They are all on the roads. Sites like this are a great help and should be required reading for anyone before being allowed to buy a towable.

Happy Easter and stay safe!
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Old 04-21-2019, 07:28 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines View Post
Chris, about half come on here looking for approval of their less than stellar choices. Pulling 39 foot TT's with F-150's, towing big Montana's with 2500's, we could go on and on. Usually when shown how they have erred in their choices the arrogance starts our usual 4-page weight police/anti-weight police diatribe. (I like that word and don't get to use it often )
I have a close friend towing a very large Montana (2019) with an equally nice 2018 3500 Ram, equipped to the hilt, extra 50 gallon tank, bed cover, more Kentucky go-fasters than a 20 year old kid with a credit card! He won't pull over the CAT scale because he doesn't really know how to do it. Wife won't tow nor will she drive the truck. I haven't said much to him because he knows he's over but just doesn't care. He tows to Florida and then tows back to New Hampshire. Uses it sparingly during the summer so he can't justify the dually.
His weight of course isn't over by a ton, but it is by probably 8-900 pounds. Just one example of one who is aware of the circumstances but chooses to ignore it.
Jim, this is why we chose to go with a DRW rather SRW Ram 3500. The Ram 3500 SRW can have a GVWR of 12,300#, as much as the 2012 DRW. Can have a payload at or near 4,000#. Well so glad I wanted to future proof our selves.

Current Ram Laramie 3500 DRW has a yellow sticker payload of 5,411#, well as I have posted in other threads I ran the TV across ODOT scales ready to pull with full fuel, full DEF, hitch, and all of the stuff we carry, 9,950# on a 14,000# GVWR, so down to 4,050# left for pin.

Had we gone with a SRW 3500 (12,300# GVWR) we would have had 1,700# less payload. Take the 1,700# from the 4,050# we have now and you get 2,350#. We would have been about 350# over GVWR with our 2,700# pin.
When I see Ford and GM SRW 350/3500's (Only 11,500# GVWR) towing large 5er either they don't carry anything in the TV, or are over GVWR.
We full time and the Ram is our only vehicle so it is a daily driver, and we both drive it without issue.

So unless the next Home is a DRV Mobile Suites we should be fine.
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Old 04-21-2019, 01:05 PM   #43
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You have to ask, is there a safety margin built in? Probably, but no one except the engineers know what it is. So you can't count on what you dont "know".
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Old 04-25-2019, 08:36 AM   #44
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Debadged, deleted and tuned with owner's satisfaction. Do you think a little yellow and white sticker would convince him otherwise?
I went down that path of using a power tuner on a 2nd generation RAM 2500 Cummins. I'll not make that mistake again. I have met a few with TVs that are less that optimal for their need so they "chip" or buy a power programmer not realizing there are many other components that are not designed to tow/haul that weight. But, I see them all of the time and try to keep my distance.
So now I tow with a 2016 Ram 3500, SRW HO Cummins with AISIN transmission. No need to "power tune". My 5th wheel is 35 feet, 2350 HW, 15,000 GVWR, which is within the TV limitations.
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Old 04-25-2019, 11:59 AM   #45
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Tuning an engine to improve towing is just such a joke. Power is never the issue, that is why the F-150 with a turbo'd V6 CAN tow stuff and get it moving. Industrial equipment that moves 10s of tons may only have 200 HP (but a few thousand lb-ft of torque). Tuning the engine may help HP some, but torque is largely a matter of engine geometry and design. That is why gassers work well enough (although diesels work better). Suspension, brakes, chassis, axles, those are the "towing factor" things. A "chip" ain't gonna solve those deficiencies.

I am in the club of "not having enough truck" since when we bought it, we never thought that a 5er could possibly be in our future (lol). We currently do not have the 5er yet but have started looking at some and my truck is woefully not up to the task. A well sized TT will put my truck at its limit to the shock of many fellow campers and sales people haha
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Old 04-25-2019, 12:24 PM   #46
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Sounds to me that if you are have enough money to purchase a Very Large 5th wheel you have enough money to purchase the proper tow vehicle. At least a 450/4500 or higher just to be safe.
An aluminum Ford F-150 will not safely pull a 37’ tt. I don’t care what they say the tow rating is. When you try and tow a trailer that weighs twice as much as the truck the tail wags the dog. My friend tried this combo and nearly killed himself.
Just saying. Better safe than sorry.
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Old 04-25-2019, 12:27 PM   #47
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I think the need for tuning is directly related to the truck. To me it's not about trying to compensate for not having enough truck (or shouldn't be). With the newer trucks I can agree. However...

My last 5er was an older Kit Roadranger that I pulled with a 2000 Ford F250 7.3 diesel. It was plenty of truck for the trailer. I used a tuner to change it's shift patterns for towing which made all the difference in the world when climbing hills. The tranny was built to heavy duty spec but was still only a 4 speed tranny. Changing shift patterns dramatically helped to hold the RPM's up so downshifting was minimized which improved the entire experience.

My current 2012 RAM diesel has a 6 speed tranny and I'm noticing much less drop in RPM's. I do have a tuner but the difference from Stock to Tow is minimal compared to the Ford.

The more speeds they build into the tranny, the less alteration seems to be needed...if any at all.
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Old 04-25-2019, 12:30 PM   #48
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Originally Posted by jsb5717 View Post
I think the issue of tuning is directly related to the truck. To me it's not about trying to compensate for not having enough truck. With the newer trucks I can agree. However...

My last 5er was an older Kit Roadranger that I pulled with a 2000 Ford F250 7.3 diesel. It was plenty of truck for the trailer. I used a tuner to change it's shift patterns for towing which made all the difference in the world when climbing hills. The tranny was built to heavy duty spec but was still only a 4 speed tranny. Changing shift patterns dramatically helped to hold the RPM's up so downshifting was minimized which improved the entire experience.

My current 2012 RAM diesel has a 6 speed tranny and I'm noticing much less drop in RPM's. I do have a tuner but the difference from Stock to Tow is minimal compared to the Ford.

The more speeds they build into the tranny, the less alteration seems to be needed...if any at all.
And the new gen GMC/Chevys will have a 10-speed Allison, should be interesting haha
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Old 04-25-2019, 01:56 PM   #49
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And the new gen GMC/Chevys will have a 10-speed Allison, should be interesting haha
Indeed! Likely no need at all for tuning. I paid $3500 for my last tranny (6-7 years ago). I wonder what it would cost to replace one of the newer ones.
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Old 04-25-2019, 02:00 PM   #50
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At least a 450/4500 or higher just to be safe.
An aluminum Ford F-150 will not safely pull a 37’ tt. I don’t care what they say the tow rating is. When you try and tow a trailer that weighs twice as much as the truck the tail wags the dog. .
While I agree (from experience) that an F150 is not the best choice for pulling a 37ft TT, I think saying at least a 450/4500 is a bit of a stretch. Just got done pulling a Passport 3350BH for 2 years with an F150. I hated it, and kept it slow and fairly local, but it was capable and not unsafe. Although I had made a few upgrades to the rear suspension, shocks, sway bar, and added a Propride hitch. Expensive? Yep. Fun to tow? Nope. Capable for short runs? Absolutely.

I then upgraded the TV to an F350 and it was easier than pulling my boat with the F150. One handed relaxed pull at 62mph on I35. There's a world of difference in suspensions between an F150 and F250 and higher. Most of my issues seemed to surround how the length of the TT would be able to manhandle the independent front suspension of the truck. One little push from a semi would cause a major shift in the orientation of the front of the F150. IMO, if all weights are good, a 37ft TT will handle effortlessly behind any SD truck.

But for me its a non issue now. Since I had upgraded the truck, and now had a payload capacity went from 1406 to 3633, I now have a new 5er.
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Old 04-25-2019, 04:00 PM   #51
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And the new gen GMC/Chevys will have a 10-speed Allison, should be interesting haha
Kinda have to chuckle, not sure they can justify calling it an Allison when they got together with Ford to design and build the 10 speed
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Old 04-25-2019, 04:30 PM   #52
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Pretty confident the Allison 10-speed is not the Ford/Chevy 10-speed found in the F-150 and 1500
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Old 04-25-2019, 05:01 PM   #53
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Pretty confident the Allison 10-speed is not the Ford/Chevy 10-speed found in the F-150 and 1500
Allison “Branded” transmission built by GM. Who has an 11 year joint agreement with Ford to design and share internals.

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/...ado-hd-pickups

I doubt we will know for sure until each come out and get tore down. But....isn’t it strange how both Ford and Chevy have a 10 speed all tested and ready to go for 2020 HD/Superduty trucks?
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Old 04-25-2019, 05:02 PM   #54
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I was not aware of new Ford SDs getting a 10-speed as well. That is more suspect. Although not improbable to see the industry move that direction as a whole just as they did with 6-speeds.
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Old 04-25-2019, 08:13 PM   #55
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These FB forums are fun to peruse through. I can't make this stuff up. My concern is how much of these responses influence new RV owners.
Click image for larger version

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Old 04-25-2019, 08:26 PM   #56
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And what's that saying?....You can't fix stupid?
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Old 04-25-2019, 08:41 PM   #57
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And what's that saying?....You can't fix stupid?
I guess he's saying that you'll be looking at his TDI tailpipe in your RAM 2500 along interstate 70 cresting over the Loveland pass as he tows his 26' 6000 lb tt in full control. Who needs a capable HD truck (or any truck for that matter).That's all.
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Old 04-26-2019, 02:35 AM   #58
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Quoted from https://www.heavyequipmentguide.ca/a...3500-hd-trucks

"Allison Transmission Holdings Inc., the largest global provider of commercial duty fully automatic transmissions, announced , along with Chevrolet, the availability of a 10-speed, fully automatic transmission in the new Class 2/3, 2020 Silverado 2500/3500 HD trucks. Equipped with the Allison branded 10-speed transmission, the 2020 Silverado HD will debut in February 2019.

We built the new 2020 Silverado HD with more differentiation than ever before, to meet the needs and priorities of our customers," said Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD."
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Old 04-26-2019, 05:17 AM   #59
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Quoted from https://www.heavyequipmentguide.ca/a...3500-hd-trucks

"Allison Transmission Holdings Inc., the largest global provider of commercial duty fully automatic transmissions, announced , along with Chevrolet, the availability of a 10-speed, fully automatic transmission in the new Class 2/3, 2020 Silverado 2500/3500 HD trucks. Equipped with the Allison branded 10-speed transmission, the 2020 Silverado HD will debut in February 2019.

We built the new 2020 Silverado HD with more differentiation than ever before, to meet the needs and priorities of our customers," said Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD."

??????? Same article I posted?



Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. announces the availability of a 10-speed, fully automatic transmission in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD trucks. Equipped with the Allison branded 10-speed transmission, the 2020 Silverado HD will debut in February 2019.

“We built the new 2020 Silverado HD with more differentiation than ever before, to meet the needs and priorities of our customers,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD.

Rest of paragraph:


“By offering the new Allison 10-speed, tested and validated in partnership with Allison Transmission, each transmission will deliver the legendary quality and durability that customers have come to expect."


And the next paragraph after quoted:


“The Allison branded automatic transmission, manufactured by General Motors, is designed for high-performance and low-maintenance.”

It wasn’t my intent to pee on Chevy Jim, it’s just it isn’t an Allison transmission. It’s built by GM and I’m sure GM used some cash or a heavy hand about future of GM using Allison, for Allison to “lend” their Brand to the Transmission. Chevy makes a nice truck, really they all do.
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Old 04-26-2019, 10:28 AM   #60
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Justin, all is good! I think we just got our info at the same place. Look for my PM.
Jim
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