Downsizing from diesel Truck and GN to half ton and BP.......ideas for tow vehicle???

[PonyFever]

I know you’re back to thinking about trucks but I was in a similar situation to you a few years ago. We had a great GMC 2500 Diesel but unlike you, we had the quad cab so two kids could fit really comfortably in there. When I stopped trailering a lot the truck sat A LOT. We had a Volvo sedan and a Volvo station wagon that we drove all the time. The truck was just OK for driving kids around in but I’m not sure how crazy I’d be about dealing with all the baby paraphernalia on trips in a truck (or even locally). I was a minimalist with baby stuff but a stroller would be tough to put in the cab part of the truck. Everything you’re carrying gets put in the bed of the truck and even though we had a tonneau cover on it, I can’t imagine trying to deal with the stroller, diaper bag, etc. in the bed of the truck. Even though our truck was very plush (leather everything, plenty of room in back, beautiful handling, the only reason you knew you were in the truck was the muted sound of the diesel engine), it didn’t have the capacity to hold anything but the kids in the back. Even for around the town stuff, one of the seats would have to be folded down to put the groceries in the cab.

And let me play devil’s advocate here: what about the eventual need for a third row seat?

We sold our truck and trailer a few years ago because it just wasn’t worth having it sit there. Just this past summer I upgraded my 12 y.o. station wagon to a new XC90 when the right deal came along. I waited until a good deal on a Brenderup came along and jumped on that too. You may not want to go the European trailer route, which is fine, b/c there are a lot of nice truck size SUV’s that have the creature comforts needed with a baby on board. I also like the Jeep models that Jim refers to but those would be overkill for the Brenderup (besides I just really like Volvos). Besides, with an SUV you could get down to two vehicles instead of a truck and two cars!

Good luck with your decision!

[NRB]

Thanks Pony Fever, I am actually considering going the big SUV route. Because I really do not haul anywhere. But I like having the capacity should the need arise at o dark thirty to haul my horse to a vet clinic… And since the clinic is 4 miles away from the horse a SUV would suffice… I test drove the Toyota Tundra Crew Cab (hated it) then the Toyota Sequoia (loved it) then the F150 crew cab. All in 4wd format. The Ford is still my favorite for hauling a trailer. The engine and tranny are just so smooth and powerful. But like you point out the crew cab truck is horse friendly, not baby friendly.

I’ve driven a used Tahoe and thought that it drove like a boat, lots of play in the steering wheel and the suspension felt too soft to tow with. But I know a handful of people who tow with Tahoes. And many tow a WB sized 2h BP with dressing room trailer…

The Tahoe is rated to pull 8000 or 8800 lbs. the Sequoia 7100. And the Tahoe gets better mileage (by a few mpgs). So on paper the Tahoe is the better tow choice. But the Sequoia has a better feel, a slightly stiffer ride (which I prefer if I’m going to tow) so I’m still stuck looking, thinking it over and weighing the options and possibilities.

[Jim_in_PA]

Interesting that you liked the Sequoia but not the Tundra…same platform. But maybe it’s tuned a little different in the SUV uniform. If I had to go “big” SUV, I’d also be considering the Sequoia. There is a lot to like about it.

[NRB]

[QUOTE=Jim_in_PA;7485456]
Interesting that you liked the Sequoia but not the Tundra…same platform. But maybe it’s tuned a little different in the SUV uniform. If I had to go “big” SUV, I’d also be considering the Sequoia. There is a lot to like about it.[/QUOTE]

i think that the Tundra Crew Cab would be perfect if you hauled around 6ft tall people all the time. The amount of space in that cabin is enormous. But It’s wasted on 5’4" me and my shrimpy little kiddos. 6’2" hubby appreciated it but he was fine in the Dodge, the Sequoia and the Ford Super Crew. It handles like a stiff truck (Bonus for towing) so the ride is less comfy than the Sequoia. And it is literally huge. It is the same physical size as my F250 although the wheelbase is 13" shorter. (145" vs 158") Although the Sequoia is no itty bitty car either. I just really loved driving it. It handled really well. Of course they had us in the top trim package (out of my price range) but if the base model comes with the same maul shift technology on the auto shifter…and the same traction controls then it may work for us…

I had thought that the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Denali would be better gas mileage than the Sequoia. But then I realized that with the domestics I’d have the option to go from the standard 3.08 rear axel ratio to the 3.42 for improved tow capacity. I assume that with the 3.42 rear end I’d get MPG closer to the Sequoia.

I am biased towards the Toyotas in that I’ve had 2 Tacomas, put over 200,000 miles on them and never had a problem. They were good little trucks. But they were also CHEAPER, ugh. and never towed anything around but me…

[NRB]

ok so the Platnium trim package has a different suspension system than the 2 lower trim models AND the Tundra trucks. I wonder if that was what I was feeling?

Truck have “Independent coil-spring high-mounted double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and low-pressure nitrogen gas-filled shock absorbers; live axle with trapezoidal multi-leaf rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted low-pressure nitrogen gas-filled shock absorbers”

and the loaded Sequoia has “Electronic modulated Air suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension system” whatever that is…

[Jim_in_PA]

I have the air suspension on my Grand Cherokee Summit and it’s amazing…so yes, that might account for the difference you felt in the Sequoia you test drove if it was so equipped. It’s a different feel than a “regular stiff truck” suspension!

[Want_A_Tundra]

Might be worth peeking at a Tundra double cab instead of a Tundra crew cab. There’s still plenty of back seat space for car seats (actual back seat that even an adult can comfortably sit in!) without being quite as cavernous and the price is way more reasonable.

I went from a F150 Super crew to a Tundra Double Cab and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I found the double cab drove and handled better than the crew cab too.

Gas mileage… I get about 18 mpg. I have the 5.7 L.

[NRB]

Hi Want a Tundra, I didn’t do that. I did look at the Ram double cab version and decided it wasn’t enough space. I also have two 40lb dogs that will need to ride in the back with the kids from time to time. I’m assuming that the Toyota double is same size and Ram double. But I can peek inside next time I’m free and in the area.

Drove the Ram 1500 Crew Cab Hemi 5.7L V8 last night. Hands down best truck we’ve driven so far. Interior is WAYYY nicer than the Ford/Chevy/GMC/Tundra. Ride much better than them as well (Note I haven’t driven a GMC truck only the Yukon) . The engine and tranny worked seamlessly. Really, really, really a nice ride. And I could get the Ram Boxes and have more place to store stuff.

NOW I have to just figure out Ram Crew Cab truck OR Tahoe SUV??? (or buy a family members Yukon when it comes off it’s 3yr lease this summer) I know that the Ram will tow better and be the safer tow vehicle, but the Tahoe/Yukon will carry people, kids, luggage and dogs better. So difficult to predict my future and what I will do horse wise. Am looking to retire my horse to retirement farm run by equine vet. And any future need to move him I can use a local shipper. (local to him in his new location… not local to me) With a 19mo in the house I don’t have time to show or take lessons, so next horse would just need to be trail horse. My towing needs would be to vet in emergency and to trail heads. Both local little windy Virginia back roads. So I wouldn’t be getting on the interstate and getting blown by big rigs. Littlest one would start kindergarden in 3 more years…so not much free time until them. I could sell the SUV and go the truck route in 3 years if I get the hankering to take lessons and show again…

So hard to decide…

[TimelyImpulse]

I just did the trip from VA to GA with my f150 and new trailer. Ended up going down 29 from Culpeper to NC and hooking into 85. The gas mileage sucked down 29, but it is through the mountains and it was windy. The driving experience was great-- the only white knuckle and swearing moment was through Atlanta when the semi drivers were in my lane-- very narrow through the city.

I’ve been happy with my downsized truck choice. Fits the kids and dogs, super comfortable to drive, gas mileage is decent when not towing, and is fully capable of towing what I need.

[Jim_in_PA]

You also now have the option of the small diesel in the RAM that has similar towing specifications to the Hemi and excellent fuel economy. I would have bought that same engine in my JGC if it had been available at the time of my purchase.

[airhorse]

Find a nice used Excursion with the 7.3 diesel.

[soloudinhere]

Since I have absolutely zero use for a gigantic truck at this point in my life, and my home driveway doesn’t even really offer space to store one, I decided this go around that I’m buying a european trailer. I have an order in for a Boeckmann Champion R with a few extra features. The additional cost is far, far less than a new truck we don’t need for anything but my hauling, but we have a plethora of V6 SUVs available to us and this was the perfect match.

I am probably going to replace my Rav4 with a diesel Jeep Cherokee when they become available and that whole thing will be my rig.

[NRB]

[QUOTE=Jim_in_PA;7491388]
You also now have the option of the small diesel in the RAM that has similar towing specifications to the Hemi and excellent fuel economy. I would have bought that same engine in my JGC if it had been available at the time of my purchase.[/QUOTE]

Actually Jim the diesel can tow less than the Hemi. The hemi in the crew cab outdoorsmen can tow 10,000 in the 3.92 rear axle ratio and 8,600 in the 3.55. But the Diesel in the same truck can only tow 8,750 in the 3.92 and 7,750 in the 3.55. Weird eh? It will get better gas mileage though. I wouldn’t buy a first year edition of this diesel anyway. I’d wait a year or two and let them work the kins out first. Look at what happened to the 6.0L Fords.

Timely Impulse, good to hear. Did I ask you what rear axle and engine you have on the Ford?

SoloundInHere I have yet to feel comfortable with towing a fiberglass trailer…I’m assuming the Boeckman is same construction as the Brenderup. I hear they tow wonderfully. but I’m old school skeptical… I do hear you on the no place to park a big truck, mine sits on the street, no room for it in my driveway.

[TimelyImpulse]

I have the 5.4 V8 with a 3.73. It took quite a while to find one with that axle.

[ryansgirl]

[QUOTE=NRB;7492399]
Actually Jim the diesel can tow less than the Hemi. The hemi in the crew cab outdoorsmen can tow 10,000 in the 3.92 rear axle ratio and 8,600 in the 3.55. But the Diesel in the same truck can only tow 8,750 in the 3.92 and 7,750 in the 3.55. Weird eh? It will get better gas mileage though. I wouldn’t buy a first year edition of this diesel anyway. I’d wait a year or two and let them work the kins out first. Look at what happened to the 6.0L Fords.[/QUOTE]

They have had that Diesel engine available for the Jeeps for a couple of years now (not sure exactly how long but it’s not new to them). They are just now offering the option of having it for the Ram 1500. I checked the specs too and was surprised by the diesel towing less but the bump up in gas mileage is huge. I might test drive one for fun when I’m in for my next oil change on my current Ram :).

[Jim_in_PA]

NRB, the 3.0 diesel engine going in that RAM isn’t new…it’s been used for a number of years in the Grand Cherokee for international sales and in the current US edition for about a half of year. (and in a ton of other vehicles outside of the US) But yea, it’s new in the RAM, so I can understand your concern. I’d still seriously consider it if what you are hauling is well within the limits because the fuel economy is really good and it’s still a very tough truck.

That said, I didn’t know they downrated the towing on the RAM with that engine versus the Hemi. It’s identical in the JGC (7200) for both engines and I would have bought the EcoDiesel in a second instead of the Hemi I have in my JGC if it had been available. While I’m not unhappy with the typically 16 mpg I get in general rural driving and 20-24 mpg on the highway, the diesel would have kicked that up quite a few notches, although the going-in cost would have been higher due to the premium they get for the engine.

[NRB]

The entire family test drove the Tahoe and the Sequoia tonight and I’m still undecided! LOL. I wish the Ram had a SUV (bigger than the Dakota)

The Tahoe has a ridiculously small cockpit area for Hubby in the passenger seat. He was crammed up against the dash, (he is all legs) He did point out that if he was not in front of the infant seat he’d have more leg room. Long story as to why we put infant seat where we do…but point is we could make it work better for hubby by constantly moving the infant seat around. (A PITA but doable) The Tahoe has a weird top heavy feel to it. Like its laterally unstable. Nice brakes, engine still works and hunts for gears but I realize I’m being picky there and I could live with that.

Sequoia has way more space up front (and in back) for the hubby. He loves it. But I’m not impressed with its tow capacities and it is HUGE and expensive. Plus I noticed that the cabin is noisy (lots of wind and engine noise) But laterally it feels more stable than the Tahoe.

The Ram is still hands down a better feeling ride all over… better than the Tahoes or Sequoias. Better user interface in a huge touch screen system. Better entire and 8 speed tranny. Better seating for front passengers. But it is a truck, I still have a hard time parking it in tight spots and wonder if it will get much use. I mean it would be awesome on long road trips…but once you got to your destination and had to park it (in a garage in a city in a small spot) and you can’t put more than one other person in it with our family…its not the most convenient run around a big city type of vehicle…

I’m most worried that what I get won’t get used…I mean I have a big truck that’s hard to park and No One ever drives it… so I don’t want to go there again.

[Want_A_Tundra]

Wouldn’t the Sequoia have similar issues to the Ram as far as parking go and being inconvenient in a big city? Sequoias can’t be that much smaller than a Ram… they are built on the Tundra frames.

Though, I know going from my F150 super crew to my Tundra double cab that not all trucks are equal when it comes to parking. The Tundra is way easier to park, it has a way tighter turning radius than the Ford did and much better visibility.

Can’t compare to a Ram though, I never even test drove one, as I was shopping for quality and durability after the Ford and its crappy quality.

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=NRB;7492399]

SoloundInHere I have yet to feel comfortable with towing a fiberglass trailer…I’m assuming the Boeckman is same construction as the Brenderup. I hear they tow wonderfully. but I’m old school skeptical… I do hear you on the no place to park a big truck, mine sits on the street, no room for it in my driveway.[/QUOTE]

It’s not the same construction as a brenderup. My bockmann has aluminum double panel walls to shoulder height. The Portax is all aluminum but more money, mine is fiberglass roof aluminum floor and sides, which really isn’t a different construction than say, a Hawk which also has a fiberglass roof.

You’ll have to read about the differences with the european trailers. I really enjoy that I can drop the trailer on any V6 vehicle with a hitch and don’t need to deal with brake controllers, hitch classes, etc. It can tow on anything above a Class III. The load on the vehicle is totally different and so is the way the trailer is balanced.

Would I haul it on a 3000 mile trip to california? No, probably not. But as a runabout, it’s a great way to have a trailer and not have to have an excessive everyday vehicle. My jeep is rated for 7200lbs and it doesn’t even know the Bockmann is back there.

[darlyn]

sorry i missed your post earlier asking about the tundra but it looks like you got that questioned answered.

i love my crew max. love love love. might have said that earlier though. it is tough to park in city conditions but i’ve made it work though not on a regular basis. it’s my everyday vehicle.

it is huge and comfortable inside. those tiny kids of yours will grow. just saying.