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Old 09-02-2010, 02:28 AM   #1
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we are now proud owners of a 26 foot sunset trail . i need to up grade to a bigger truck any sugestions
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Old 09-02-2010, 03:07 AM   #2
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Get the biggest truck you can afford, It wont be long and you will want another camper it's bound to be bigger. That's how it goes ussualy
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Old 09-02-2010, 04:59 AM   #3
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If you can afford a 3/4 ton diesel that is the way to go. The 2011 Ford and GM 3/4 ton trucks have amazing pulling power exceeding last year's one ton models.
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Old 09-02-2010, 05:25 AM   #4
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i am thinking about F150 5.7 L gasoline 2008---2009 year will this do the job ?
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Old 09-02-2010, 05:52 AM   #5
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I agree.
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Old 09-02-2010, 06:18 AM   #6
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It would do the job, without alot to spare. I agree with GoToGuy, 3/4 Diesel. We've gone from a camper 4 years ago to a 35' Seville, none of it planned.
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Old 09-02-2010, 11:30 AM   #7
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my 09 F150 5.4 4x4 pulls my sunset trail 29QB with ease even when up through the mountains to VT
but I wouldnt mind a F250 diesel for a bigger camper in the future



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Old 09-02-2010, 11:37 AM   #8
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if you get an F150 the 6speed in the 09 is a big advantage over the 08

Edited by: gsxr
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Old 09-02-2010, 01:36 PM   #9
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I agree on the 3/4 ton. Especially if you are buying a new truck. No point in buying a 1/2 ton and having to trade it in in a year or two. You will take the depreciation hit. (Around 20% in the first year alone) I don't know anyone who has complained about having too much truck.
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Old 09-02-2010, 02:15 PM   #10
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Something to concider----a larger truck will take less of a pounding. Brakes, suspension, tranny, and rearendare usually heavier-duty. If the diesel is a bit costly a 3/4 gasser would still be a step up. Most everyone will tell you that there is no such thing as too much truck. The bigger the truck, the less it will have to work.
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Old 09-03-2010, 03:19 AM   #11
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I think what you mean to say is you would like a ford with a 5.4 ? I would say yes this truck will pull it but I doubt that it would be rated to pull much more. To know for sure you would need to know what the trailer is rated to weigh and then look at what the factory rates the truck at, Though like I said I can't imagain this truck would not be rated enough.



I would also want to make sure what ever you were to get has a trailer tow package, This will get you a bigger alt , transmision cooler and should already be wired for the trailer lights.
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Old 09-03-2010, 08:45 AM   #12
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the 09 F150 5.4 are rated from 8300-11000lbs
yes make sure you get the tow package and the integrated brake controller(if it doesnt have the brake controller it can be added if you have the tow package)

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Old 09-04-2010, 03:48 AM   #13
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I recently went from a 2006 F-150 to a new 2500 Ram CTD. As long as you're getting a truck anyway go with a 3/4 ton or bigger. It doesn't have to be a diesel. Take advantage of the bigger frame, axles, tires, brakes and suspension a larger truck will give you for very little if any extra cost. The difference is amazing.

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Old 09-08-2010, 12:49 AM   #14
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I agree with the others in that if you can afford a 3/4 ton, you might as well get it. In saying that, I have a 2009 F150 with the max tow package and built in brake controller towing my 26 ft Sunset Trail, and it has no problems whatsoever. I usually forget its back there.
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Old 08-12-2011, 08:03 PM   #15
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we now own a 2010 FX4( HAULS THE CAMPER WITH EASE..14.8 MPG HAULING CAMPER 19.5 NOT
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Old 08-13-2011, 01:18 AM   #16
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Congrats on the new truck! what model and manuf.? Edited by: fixit5561
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Old 08-13-2011, 01:39 AM   #17
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As everyone has said, a 3/4 ton would be the preferable way to go.



Use www.autotrader.com and play around with the search functions, both basic and under the "Modify Search" button. You can adjust for type of fuel, 2wdor 4x4. distance from you,different sort orders, ie: all kinds of different criteria. most if not all dealerships are nowlisting their inventory onautotrader



I just found my bro-in-law a primo 2006 2500HD Chevy diesel with only 9000 miles, yes 9000 miles that had been garaged and never ever saw winter. it was essentially brand new by using autotrader



if you get the heavier truck, it will should already come with such things as tranny cooler, oilcooler.ie: all the things that make towing a trailer easier.



also get the longest wheelbase you feel comfortable with. of course a long bed crew cab tows the best but takes2 weeks to go around a corner and you have to park it in BFE. the next bet is a short bed crew cab (that is what we have) but even the extended cab long bedtrucks do fine. the issue is the tail wagging the dog syndrome. when a semi goes blowing past you and the pressure wave they are pushing encounters the front of the trailer, it will push it away.the pivot point is the hitch. so the front of the truck wants to steer into the semi. the longer the wheelbase on your tow vehicle (for a bumper pull trailer)

the more it resists wanting to move. (of course you will still need a mechanical sway controller on the hitch).



side winds also want to move the truck/trailer around and longer wheelbases help control that.



our current trailer is a Crossroads Cruiser 30 ft CT30QBX and I definitely can feel when a semi comes by. the old one was a 28 ft Salem, and it would move the truck.





having pulled both bumper pulls and gooseneck trailers in the 26 to 30 ft range, bumper pulls are definitely more susceptible to side winds and semis. gooseneck / 5th wheels have the pivot point in between the truck axles so they don't get the same kind of wind loads that a bumper pull does. we used to have a couple 30 ft gooseneck horse trailers with living quarters andthey just didn't move the truck around as much as the bumper pulls do





Edited by: drcook
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Old 08-16-2011, 11:13 PM   #18
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Hey, we just bought the ZT31SB which is listed to be 7558 pounds...We own a GMC Sierra 1500HD with the towing package, which is listed to have a towing capasaty of 10300 pounds..we were quite nervous about hauling our TT with our truck, but we pressed the Hauling button, and our truck did great..But Im not saying I would not like to upgarde to a 2500HD, but for now, our truck withh do the trick, Our trailer is fiberglass by the way,so its a bit lighter than other models..



I forgot to mention that we have the 5.3l engine.., we have the Air ride system installed on our back suspension, and we use a sway bar and torsion bars..Edited by: mishka
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Old 08-17-2011, 01:05 AM   #19
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I just bought a Sunset Trail 26BH this year, and upgraded my TV at the same time. I had an '08 Expedition with the 5-spd and the 5.4L. It towed it ok, but not to my standards. I upgraded to an F250 gasser with the 6.2L V8. Love the truck. Couldn't justify the extra capital and mtce costs on the diesel, and I don't feel I need it. I've put over 3000kms on the trailer this year (mostly in the rockies of Alberta), and haven't had a power issue yet. I get anywhere between 20-25 L/100kms mileage towing, better when empty.
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Old 08-17-2011, 01:53 AM   #20
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I have the Sunset Trail26bh too. We started out by pulling with our 20045.4 Expedition mostly because we pulled our old 24' trailer with it and it did fine. (The Exp is alsomore comfortable forour 3 grandchildren). After pulling the new trailer in some horrendous winds and feeling a little unstablewe decided to try it with our 2005 5.4F-150 Crew. It pulls a bit better with the truck. I think because of the longer wheelbase.

That being said, even though our F-150 has the HD tow package and does a good job towing, when we decide to purchase a new truck we think we might as well get a F-250.
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