Towing Concern

Hi all,
I recently came across TrailManor and am very interested in buying one. The problem which might not be a problem at all is I own a 1995 Nissan extended cab pickup with a V6. It is in very good condition just over 130,000 miles and I just finished a valve job and it runs great. I have a Reese bolt in hitch rated at 5,000 lbs and the vehicle is rated it 3,500 lbs towing capacity. I used to two a ski boat all over California and never gave it a thought. So my question is how will my towing experience be with a TrailManor camper? I will probably put a new radiator and add a transmission cooler to my truck. Also electric brake control and if necessary some air bags or whatever is the best solution for a little extra weight.
Please give me some feedback.
Eventually we will get a better tow vehicle so if I have to go slow until then its OK. I would rather buy the bigger TrailManor and go slow until I can get a newer tow vehicle. I am getting pretty excited about the purchase. Years ago we had a Winnebago and we sure miss going camping. Thanks to all.

[TrailManorMan]

"Towing concern " is a good way to think, 3500 lbs. capacity I doubt is enough for a "big" TM. And barely enough for a small TM, that said the weights are empty and you won't pull empty

[Padgett]

First question is "how many of you are there ?". If just 2, one of the smaller ones is fine. Second there are a number of things that can be done to reduce weight but depend on the kind of camping you do. I just bought a 2720SL and really did not notice towing it as much as when towing a small car on the dolly and my Jeep has a v6.

That said there have been real improvements in tow vehicles (TVs) this century, both More Power, and More Gears.

Of course being in Atlanta the biggest challenge around is Monteagle pass, everything else is pretty flat and near sea level.

Besides it may convince you to upgrade a bit. Am biased but there are a lot of 2011-up Grand Cherokees with the factory towing package like mine around. See the thread on tow vehicles.

ps don't want to start a holy war but if you want speed, get a V8, if you want torque, I'll take a six any day.

[Bill]

OK. Speed? That's OK, but not really a concern since you shouldn't take your TM over 65 mph. Torque? That's more important, since it talks about how fast you can merge into traffic. But how about stopping capability? How about maneuverability in an emergency? How about rear axle load capability (GAWR-R)? Air bags or helper springs don't change this one, by the way. How about hitch weight?

We've talked about all this before, and though horserpower and torque get all the attention, don't forget the others - they are important, too.

Bill

[Padgett]

Agree and why I bought a GC after having been all GM since 1978: big 4 wheel disk brakes and independent rear end with ABS and traction control. Factory class IV towing package. 2238 lbs curb weight on rear (is almost 50-50) with a GAWR of 3700 lbs. 245x70x17s to match. Handles the 2720SL like a dream, was running 65-67 (mainly because I needed to familiarize myself with it and getting new tires) on cruise with air on NP. And can open the tailgate with the garage door down. Reminds me of my old Jags in a lot of ways except can rev a lot higher.

Is there anything worse than a convert ?

[scrubjaysnest]

We have the 4.7L v 8 in both the GC and the ram. For speed both have no trouble pulling the TM in the sweet spot of 62. Both have plenty of stopping power and the grunt for pulling in the mtns above 10,000 feet. GC doesn't pull the TM much, it spends its summers resting. For moving the TM is tight spots the GC is better.

This century, very funny!

[Padgett]

Well it is true. When I was a kid, the only people with sixes were those who could not afford a V8. But then I grew up with Jags and Corvairs and Fieros and learned the differences between even fire and odd fire and the value of DOHC. My Reattae have iron 3800s and the Vixen a straight six 2.4 liter TD. All products of the 1900s.

Also have a V8, a warmed over iron 400 designed in the '50s with a 4 speed and posi for when feeling like going to a track but its purpose is not to be a daily driver. With a carb and point ignition it will also survive EMPs (though might need to replace the alternator's regulator)

Have an '06 Crossfire 6 speed (Fiero replacement) but the 3.2 liter SOHC FI 6 is really a product of the last century with fixed valves and an early variable intake to spread the torque curve. So something of a transition vehicle.

The '12 heep OTOH has a 3.6 liter DOHC FI engine with variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust. Only thing missing is direct injection but was not available on gas engines for tow cars in '12. This means 90% of the peak torque is available from below 2000 to over 6000 rpm. It can also run on E85.

Coming into 2015, the big thing will be DI which allows near diesel compression on trash gas. We are talking 200 hp/liter for a streetable car which is amazing.

So to stop rambling a bit, the issue is that for the same displacement a six produces more torque (towing power) than an eight and is easier to tune for more. Since a modern 3.5ish liter six now produces over 300 hp and has a very wide torque band, as far as I am concerned that is the answer. I also like the sound of a healthy six better than an eight as a side benefit. Do find a wide torque band coupled to an 8 speed lockup trans humorous. Though occasionally a granny first would be nice.

If someone wants to discuss why the above is true, perhaps a new thread under TVs would be appropriate.

[Redtail Cruiser]

Not sure what you're asking, but Ford introduced their 3.5L twin turbo V6 in 2011. It has direct injection with 365 HP and produces 420 lbs of torque at 2500 rpm's. It coupled with a six speed trans and a 3.73 non-slip rear end is impressive to tow with. In a F150 this set up has a 11,500 pound tow capacity.

I recently used mine in to tow my TM through the Eastern Sierras and went over both Sherwin and Deadman's Summit (8300 ft & 8500 ft). I used my cruise control and never dipped below 62 MPH, could have gone 75 if I wanted to.

I put a deposit on 2000 3023 yesterday. The price was pretty good and the condition was real nice. It has Reese WDH too. I ordered what I need to install electric brakes on my Nissan. I'll just have to drive slow till we get a different vehicle. We are supposed to inherit a dodge Dakota 4door V8 later this year.