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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tow Vehicle Recommendation?
    Posted: 09 Nov 2018 at 9:12am
Originally posted by lostagain

I say always drive down wind for the best mileage.  Don't worry about where you are going, just keep going down wind.  You'll end up somewhere.  Just  check the weather each day, and follow the wind direction.  Who knows the amazing places where you will end up. Wink
Best idea I've heard since they invented sliced bread. Driving into headwind? Turn around! You might discover something! Star
bp
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Nov 2018 at 7:15am
I say always drive down wind for the best mileage.  Don't worry about where you are going, just keep going down wind.  You'll end up somewhere.  Just  check the weather each day, and follow the wind direction.  Who knows the amazing places where you will end up. Wink
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2018 at 1:58pm
Those are normal numbers for towing an rPod. You should get that with pretty much any vehicle with a modern drivetrain at that speed. That's because at 60-65 mph about 2/3 of the hp requirement is aero drag on the trailer.  For that same reason, you'll find headwinds/tailwinds will make a huge difference. 
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Ifishlbj View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2018 at 12:31pm
Just pulled our 179 back from Port Aransas, Texas to Georgetown, Texas. TV is a 2018 GMC Canyon CC 2wd with V6. 13.5 mpg cruising at 65 mph. Very little wind. Strong head wind knocks it down some. We are happy with these numbers and the 179.
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2018 at 3:48pm
I considered a newer truck, then couldn't justify the expense, I have two tow vehicles now and prefer the older 4WD. My odds of stuck are minimal and if I get so poor to worry about gas mileage, the RV would be the first to go. I have spent considerable time equipping my primary tow vehicle to do what I want it to do and starting over even with a heavy optioned 30-50K expense isn't what I want to do. I'm used to not having warranties and enjoy fixing things myself.
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2018 at 11:56am
I'll have to wait for a recession to slam the auto industry before I can think about buying a new truck.  But then my IRA will get slammed to, so I guess I'll stick with my Dakota and see how many miles I can squeeze out of it.
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Fred & Maria Kearney
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2018 at 8:11am
lostagain, I think probably Ram 1500 has caught up with F150 on fuel economy now. The 2019 1500 comes standard with a mild hybrid powertrain which might even give it the edge on the city cycle. 

But these are all for empty trucks not towing anything. it looks like we all agree that there wouldn't really be any difference to speak of towing with any of these choices. 
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2018 at 8:51pm
The Dodge Dakota I have now doesn't do much better than the Ram 1500 with a hemi I sold almost 10 years ago.  It was a 2006.  Chrysler has never gotten the fuel efficiency of some other brands.  But towing is towing and you're never going to get really good mileage.  As I said earlier, it'd take a lot of towing to make up the difference between current fuel consumption for my Dakota and the price I'd pay for my dream truck.  So, I just carry an extra 20 gallons of gas so I can by pass the really expensive gas stations, try not to drive with a lead foot, and when the wind is blowing, I just slow down or wait it out if possible.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2018 at 12:16pm
Originally posted by Shane

The only problem I see with a 4x2 to a 4x4 is getting stuck in the mud, we just went on a trip to a campground near Starved Rock in Illinois, and it rained all weekend long, mud mud mud it was bad. Two trucks gotten stuck and could not pull there rv's out. 4x4 saved my trip from becoming even worse.
That is truly the dilemma. We had an easy decision in this department, as we needed 4x4 without regard to the towing issue in the first place.
bp
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Shane View Drop Down
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Posts: 98 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2018 at 11:32am
The only problem I see with a 4x2 to a 4x4 is getting stuck in the mud, we just went on a trip to a campground near Starved Rock in Illinois, and it rained all weekend long, mud mud mud it was bad. Two trucks gotten stuck and could not pull there rv's out. 4x4 saved my trip from becoming even worse.
ENGINE 55,TRUCK 44,BATALLION 12
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