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Post by kathyb on May 31, 2016 8:22:20 GMT -5
We are so glad I found this KZ Family Forum. I’ve gotten so much info from all of the threads.
We hope to buy a trailer and have our eyes on a C262RKS Spree or C260RKS Spree Connect (both 6,800 lb gross weight, 28.8 ft) new or used. We have a pop-up and have enjoyed it (volunteered at Yosemite for 2 summers 6 years ago and stayed in it! We don’t want to stay in it the next time we volunteer!)
We do not have a truck and are hoping for some info on what to buy.
We thought that the 2016 Ford F150 3.5 V6 ecoBoost with the high capacity tow package would work well (10,000 lb towing capacity) and got good ratings from Consumer Reports. However, one used car dealer familiar with trucks said to get a V8 and that the V6 with turbos won't last. Now we are confused.
We would also like to find a used Ford (2015) as the 2016s are quite pricey. We can find one by doing an internet search but want to find out from any of you which truck would be best to pull a 6,800 lb trailer, V6 or V8.
We test drove a 2016 F150 yesterday and loved it but it was quite pricey! We also drove a 2016 Silverado and wasn’t as impressed.
Any suggestions on which thread I could also post this on besides the Spree thread?
Kathy and Elliot
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aron
Newbie RV’er
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Post by aron on May 31, 2016 11:35:22 GMT -5
There doesn't seem to be a "tow vehicles" type of thread here on this forum. Perhaps you'd be better off posting that question on a more generic RV forum like rv.net or rvitch.com? For what it's worth, I have a 2015 Expedition with the 3.5 Ecoboost engine, and I've been pleased. From what I've read in other places, they seem to be pretty reliable overall. And based upon the specs from Ford, the Ecoboost engines have more power than the old V8s.
Perhaps the used car dealer didn't have any Ecoboosts on his lot, so was trying to steer you to purchase something that he had available?
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Post by kathyb on May 31, 2016 12:58:15 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply. I will try other threads/web sites.
The used car dealer actually had ecoBoosts to sell. He was weird. Said he traded his trucks in every 4-6 months. He gets board with the same vehicle!
Hadn't considered and Expedition. What is the GVWR of your trailer? |
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Post by muddog on May 31, 2016 14:33:34 GMT -5
Hi Kathy and Elliot,
We recently traded in our Trailmanor 2619 (hard-walled pop-up approx. 3500 lbs loaded) for a KZ Vision 23BHS (5400 lbs dry with accessories). We were towing the TrailManor with a Toyota Tacoma V6 Double Cab Pre-Runner rated at 6,500 lbs.
After getting the new trailer, we were in the same dilemma of getting a more capable tow vehicle. We liked the F150's, but the price tag on a new one was hard to justify.
We ended up finding a used 2015 F150XLT V6 3.5 EcoBoost SuperCrew with about 18,000 miles on it. It was Ford Certified, so the drivetrain warranty was 7 years, 70,000 miles. It was a rental, so the rental company had taken the hitch off. Dealer put one back on (first one was only rated for 8,500 lbs...made them take that one off and put a 12,700 lbs hitch on so I could get the rated capacity I paid for if ever needed). We got them to throw in an additional drive-train/bumper-to-bumper warranty (10 years/100,000 miles) at a steep discount.
We've towed the KZ Vision several times with the F150 and have been very happy with the power and tow experience.
Can't say anything about longevity of V6 Eco vs. V8, but figure the warranties will cover anything that happens in the next 100,000 miles.
--jim
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Post by lynnmor on May 31, 2016 18:56:08 GMT -5
Go to the Ford website and do a "build your own" truck. That is how you will learn about all the options. There are many different configurations, some may have very little payload and tow ratings, while other options can bring ratings way up. Now armed with the real information, you can go shopping for new or used. I think that you will have a hard time finding a used truck with all the heavy duty options that really should be there.
The V6 and the V8 should perform OK. The V6 will use less fuel when not towing, but won't save you anything when dragging a trailer. Be aware that Ford recommends premium fuel for the V6 while towing.
I believe that the Connect trailer has one piece frame rails while the Spree has the three piece welded together "I-beams." Check to be sure, I don't want any more trailers with the welded fake I-beams that are on my 261RKS.
One thing that I don't like about the Connect is the closets beside the bed. Put a heavy shirt on a hanger and ask the salesman to hang it in the closet for you. That should be fun.
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Post by johnr on Jun 1, 2016 9:25:04 GMT -5
Hi! Is that 10,000 lb. the gross vehicle weight limit? If it is, you need to subtract the truck weight from that number to get your max trailer weight. I'd say go with the V8 if I had to throw my hat into the ring. Better to have more engine than you need than get on some hills in the future with not enough engine. Remember, driving is the easy part, you've got to be able to stop that RV. Make sure the suspension and braking systems are good for trailering.
Good luck!
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Post by muddog on Jun 1, 2016 13:02:29 GMT -5
Here's the 2015 Ford F150 Towing Guide. www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/15RV%26TT_Ford_F150_r1_Jan12.pdfI have the SuperCrew 4x2 GTDI V6 with 3.15 Axle....GCWR is 15,800 and the max loaded trailer weight is 10,700 lbs. The 2015 V8's have a 9,100-10,900 max loaded trailer weight rating depending on axle and towing package. Towing up and down grades has been no problem for me (been up and down the CA I-5 GrapeVine and other steep grades). The tow/haul mode reduces gear searching and allows for engine braking on descents. Braking has been much better than the Trailmanor/Tacoma combo....both axles of the KZ Vision have electric brakes (Trailmanor was single axle) and the F150 brakes a lot better than the Tacoma did with and without trailer. |
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Post by kathyb on Jun 1, 2016 23:28:36 GMT -5
Thanks for your replies. I am more educated now. Didn't know what GCWR was but now I do thanks to you! Did a search, too. Besides the internet, the GCWR can be found "on a label inside the vehicle's door frame." That Ford web site was very helpful, also. Crazy. If they specs say it can tow so many lbs you would think they would take the vehicle weight into consideration instead of making you do the additional calculations.
I still have a lot to learn!
Kathy |
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aron
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 17
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Post by aron on Jun 2, 2016 11:29:53 GMT -5
Kathy: to answer your first question, I have towed a 6000 GVWR trailer very comfortably with my Expedition, and I have ordered a 6500 GVWR Spree 240BHS that should be delivered in July.
Regarding all of the calculations, the manufacturers can only really do so much to publish certain numbers, because people use their vehicles in very different applications, with very different vehicle options. For example, I have no doubt that I could safely tow nearly 9000 lbs with my Expedition (15,100 GCVWR - 6100 TV GVW), if I'm the only one in the vehicle and have minimal extra cargo. However, once you add the rest of my family and all of their associated gear, the available payload of the TV becomes the limiting factor, keeping me to about 800 lb of hitch weight, which would translate into a maximum of around 6500lb. Since everybodies' situation is different, and there are so many options available which affect weight, the manufacturers can't really do much more than publish a maximum weight rating.
Though I suppose it would be more helpful if they had an online calculator to help you figure this out. Too many people (including me, initially) think that the maximum tow rating is what they can really tow, even if they have the vehicle loaded down with a bunch of other stuff.
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aron
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 17
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Post by aron on Jun 2, 2016 11:35:49 GMT -5
Be aware that Ford recommends premium fuel for the V6 while towing. Good catch--I hadn't noticed that in the manual previously. I've towed probably 2000 miles using regular gas, without any noticeable loss of power. But I guess I'll be filling up with premium the next time I start towing again. I'm glad that gas prices are still pretty low. |
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Post by lynnmor on Jun 2, 2016 12:31:25 GMT -5
Be aware that Ford recommends premium fuel for the V6 while towing. Good catch--I hadn't noticed that in the manual previously. I've towed probably 2000 miles using regular gas, without any noticeable loss of power. But I guess I'll be filling up with premium the next time I start towing again. I'm glad that gas prices are still pretty low. The Eco-Boost would be prone to knocking with its relatively high compression ratio and the turbos boosting pressures even higher. Add the high heat from towing and matters get even worse. A knock sensor detects that knocking and the computer reduces timing advance as well as other adjustments. While many of the "never had a problem" crowd continue to use regular not knowing that the MPG and horsepower dropped. It is also better for the engine if it is run without knocking. Yes, it will knock, but the adjustment is quick and you might not detect it. With better MPG, the higher cost of premium may not cost you any more. |
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