What are people using to tow a 2720 Trailmanor(3100 lb. dry)

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Philip

Bill

Do you have any idea of the mileage you get with your Ford Explorer when towing the TM.

As you should expect, it varies wildly with terrain and altitude, and that's why I avoid giving one single number to anyone. On our cross-country trips, we expect about 18 mpg in the midwest, which isn't far from our non-towing mileage. Running up and down on I-25 from Albuquerque to Denver, for example, we expect about 16. That road has some long climbs in places (Raton Pass, for example, or Castle Rock to Monument, CO), and some altitude in a lot of places. Naturally, snaking up I-70 west of Denver, it is much lower.

Bill

I tow with a F150 with 5.4 3valve with 6 speed trans and 3.55 rear end. Best mileage towing has been 17.3. It has much more power and better mileage than my previous vehicle Dodge Ram Van 2500 - 14 mpg towing.

I tow a 2720 with a Honda Ridgeline. Works well for us, but we have only 2 adults and 2 dogs. MPG when towing in fairly flat areas is approx 16 mpg. We generally tow at around 60 mph - obviously, mpg goes down quickly as speed goes up. When not towing, we get around 20 to 22 mpg on the freeway and 16 mpg around town. The Honda has a 5000 lb tow rating.

I weighed my 2005 TM 2720 the first year we had it. I had it fully loaded, to simulate a week long vacation. It weighed 3380 on the axle. I did not weigh the tongue. I estimate the total weight at 4,100. I hve the optional 40 gallon water tank.

My smaller truck is the 2002 Chevy 1500HD crew cab with 6.5 foot bed. The larger one is a 2008 GMC 2500HD crew cab with the 8 foot bed. I can easily fill either truck, but I start off with two motorcycles, plus the stuff that entails.

I get between 13 and 16 mpg when running empty and between 9 and 11 when fully loaded. Both trucks are gas and 4wd.

Because of the stuff I take with us, I would not consider any other vehicle other than a crew cab truck with at least a 6.5 foot bed.

Frequently we take both trucks, because if we take the kids (26 and 28) to go some off road riding then we also tow an 18 foot ATV trailer.

We are quite likely not average.

The new Highlander would deserve a good look. Probably good mpg and 5000lb towing.

Here's my 4Runner in tow mode.

For the first year and a half I towed my 2720SL with a Ford Explorer Sport Trac with the big V-6. It worked well in most situations, but was a tad weak in the mountains, so I got an F-150 with the Triton V-8 and it handles the Rockies well.

If I lived closer to sea level, and spent most of my time towing there, the Sport Trac might have continued to work OK (though certain eastern mountains would still give it fits), but up here I just had too many concerns about transmission, brakes, etc.

[Philip]

Bill,

Thank you again for the information. It is invaluable.

Phil

[Philip]

Originally Posted by PopBeavers

I weighed my 2005 TM 2720 the first year we had it. I had it fully loaded, to simulate a week long vacation. It weighed 3380 on the axle. I did not weigh the tongue. I estimate the total weight at 4,100. I hve the optional 40 gallon water tank.

My smaller truck is the 2002 Chevy 1500HD crew cab with 6.5 foot bed. The larger one is a 2008 GMC 2500HD crew cab with the 8 foot bed. I can easily fill either truck, but I start off with two motorcycles, plus the stuff that entails.

I get between 13 and 16 mpg when running empty and between 9 and 11 when fully loaded. Both trucks are gas and 4wd.

Because of the stuff I take with us, I would not consider any other vehicle other than a crew cab truck with at least a 6.5 foot bed.

Frequently we take both trucks, because if we take the kids (26 and 28) to go some off road riding then we also tow an 18 foot ATV trailer.

We are quite likely not average.

Wow! You guys are really into toys. I can appreciate that - I would like to get my motorcycle out west with me but not sure how to do it in a practical manner.

Thank you for the great information. It will help me in making my decision.

Phil

[Philip]

Originally Posted by larsdennert

The new Highlander would deserve a good look. Probably good mpg and 5000lb towing.

Here's my 4Runner in tow mode.

Thank you for your comments. I have looked at the Highlander. The new model is the only one with a 5000 lb TW. Since I only want to have one car, I don't think I want to live with such a gas hog for extended time.

I am however seriously considering a used 4-runner. How has it worked for you? Do you tow much in the mountains? Approx. how many miles a year? Is your 4-runner a V6 or V8. What model are you towing and roughly waht MPG do you get in tow mode?

If I went with a 4-runner, I could get a used one and sell it after I stop camping to get an efficient vehicle.

Again, thank you for the help,

Phil

Philip

If your TV is a pick up, check out the link below. There are several companies that make similar items and they are very easy for one person to use.

http://www.motorcyclecarrier.net/ramp-master.html