What & Why is your TV?

Have been doing a lot of thinking about TVs, their types, sizes, capacities, etc, and thought I'd ask the question:

What is your TV... and more interestingly, WHY is it your TV?

I've always been a "van man". I've liked vans for years for various reasons... carries lots of people, plenty of room for gear INSIDE, long wheelbase, etc.
I've always preferred vans over pickups or today's SUVs.
Based on this "preference", if I had to go buy a new TV tomorrow, it would probably be a full size van.

Now I'm trying to keep an open mind, and that is why I want to ask for some feedback on WHY are you using the type of TV you currently are using.
What kinds of issues have you run into with your particular type (good or bad). Would you consider switching to a different type of TV, and why?

My boys have me thinking about a full size SUV such as a Yukon, but they tend to be much more expensive in comparison to the van. I'd also consider 4WD which is hard to come by on a van.

Again, if you have any feedback, good or bad, I'd like to hear it.

Interesting question Ed. In my case I had the TV before I bought the TM. I've always been partial to Honda's and Toyota's. I had a small Toyota pickup and ran across a very good buy on a slightly used Tundra 4WD, Access Cab that was equipped with everything that you could get on a 2002 model.

After acquiring the Tundra I started looking for a TT and concluded that a full sized upright was too heavy for the Tundra. I had no interest in a larger truck, therefore, I started looking at options for a trailer. My first serious look was at a Hi-Lo. Did all types of reserach, spent a Saturday driving to a delaership with a large inventory, etc.

Somewhere in this process I learned of the TM and started the evaluation of them. I especially liked the idea of the king bed. I then ran across a a 2004 3124KS that was on a dealer lot on consignment and had been there for over a year. Goes without saying that I got a good buy on it.

In my opinion the Tundra and the TM are a perfect match.

It will be interesting to track this thread and see how other folks have made the decision.

Bill

I wouldn't tow with anything less than a full size PU. 4WD has saved me many times on wet or muddy ground.

We found the crew cab with the 6.5foot bed to be too smal. So we added the 2500HD crew cab with the full 8 foot bed.

I can carry 5 adults in this truck, along with 5+ mountain bikes. Sometimes we have 3 motorcycles and only 3 or 4 bicycles.

The Polaris Sportsman X2 ATV will not fit in a 6.5 foot bed and still close the tail gate for towing a trailer. It requires a full 8 foot bed.

With the motorcycles in the bed of the 1500HD I could not remove the wheel from the front of the TM due to the sag. The 2500HD sags less and starts t higher, so I no longer have that problem.

Fuel economy is not my biggest concern. We only drove the 2500HD about 3,500 miles in the first year.

With 2 ATVs, one of which is legally allowed to carry a passenger, three motorcycles, 5 plus bicycles plus the tools, spare parts, gas cans, awning etc. even with a 1500HD towing the ATV trailer and the 2500HD towing the TM I am running out of room. Not sure what will happen with a few kayaks or a couple of canoes in the future. Maybe another motorcycle or two.

As you see by my sig I have the Durango with the 4.7 V-8. It is what I had when I got the TM so by default it is what I use. I find it adequate for my 3124, but not an overwhelming performer. The main problem is torque - it produces its torque at higher RPMs so when starting out and when towing in the mtns, I have to keep it revved up to 3-4K rpms. A parts man at the Dodge dealer told me once that this engine "likes high revs" - which is because of the torque curve.

I like the SUV because it gives me good space for storage, the ability to carry 6 people (7 in a crunch), and is a comfortable daily driver. It is AWD which is a great advantage in Colorado.

I get anywhere from 11 to as much as 13 towing the TM - depending on the amount of mountains I try to tackle. It gets 14-15 in normal daily driving, and as much as 17 on the highway.

I've had good luck with Chrysler products over the years, and this one has given me good service - 157,000 miles - burns no oil, interior is in almost new condition, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on the road for a long trip. I should say that it has been maintained by the dealer - oil changes and the regular 30,000 maintenance service.

With that said, I'm looking at what my next TV will be and my first choice is a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0 L diesel. SUV design, great torque for towing, and 24-25 mpg non-towing mileage. 2nd choice would probably be a pickup - with a diesel.

I am just a pickup kinda guy.

It is some things that I just don't riding in the passenger compartment with me:

Firewood, with all of the assorted bugs and spiders.

A generator and gas because of the obvious reasons.

My sewer tote.....need I say more.

Dirty, sandy chairs, mats and stuff after a rainy trip to the beach.

When not camping, I use the truck for lumber, trash, mulch, etc. runs.

[Wavery]

I'm a pick-up guy too.......for the reasons mentioned above.

I tried the smaller trucks but IMO they don't have adequate weight to stop the TM safely in some conditions.

We went to a full sized xtra-cab truck for the weight and because the grandkids are coming camping with us now......oh ya....and to get rid of that darn WDH. We feel much safer and far more comfortable in the bigger truck. It actually gets better MPG (towing) then the smaller truck which was an unexpected bonus.

Our TV came first so it wasn't really a selection. In our case it was the TM that was chosen to accommodate the TV (a lot of acronyms).....

Phil

While everyone's needs differ slightly, we found the Tundra V8/3124KB combination to be ideal for us. Bfezel sums it up pretty well; we also have a fiberglass bed topper on ours, to which we attached carriers for our two kayaks. This allows us to carry a tremendously varied load, depending on our destination and plans. And the V8 Tundra is more than adequate taking on mountains. As many will attest, trying to pull a trailer near max towing capacity up and down mountainous terrain is no fun at all.

I think you are wise to investigate the capabilities and match them to your needs before buying. All the current TVs are good; they're just good in different ways and for different needs. My one caveat would be to investigate the issues with short wheelbase vehicles towing any trailer close to its tow limits. The RV Consumer Group has some pretty scary stories about why this can be dangerous. Some of our members have similar stories to share. Good luck in your search.

I previously had 1999 Dodge Ram Van 2500. I currently have 2009 F150 5.4 6-speed ext. cab. I would have bought a late model Ford or Chev van if the car makers would put the same improvements in vans that the have on PU trucks. My pickup handles like a car, has no wind noise, no engine noise, gets 17 mpg towing and has an updated interior with plenty of storage. It has the transmission temp gauge and integrated brake controller which is superb. I do miss the space that the van had as well as the visibility, but I don't miss the dog house over the engine.