Perfect Towing Vehicle

[Toucan]

I know this has been covered before but I'm still a bit confused. I'm in the process of purchasing a C-25 and will next be looking to tow it up and down the East Coast. I've got my eye on either a Ford Excursion or a 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban. I really don't want a truck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
javascript:emoticon(':smiled')

 

[JamesTXSD]

Check the tow ratings of any vehicle you consider; a full up CD-25 is going to weigh in excess of 8,000 pounds (ours weighs in at 8,700) on the trailer. You want to do more than just pull it, you want to be able to control the trailer and stop it. We converted our surge brakes trailer to electric over hydraulic, and that made towing much more comfortable, especially on long steep downhills.

I haven't towed with either of the vehicles you're considering, so I can't offer hands on opinions. We used to have a 1/2 ton Tahoe, and there's no way it would have been up for this boat. I've heard a lot of good things about towing with the Excursion, but I would assume there are different engine/rear end options that would make a difference.

Good luck with the search and welcome aboard!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[bill j]

I am considering the same (purchasing a CD-25) and have been reading about the new Ford F-150 eco-boost with towing rating of 11,300 lbs and good torque. Anyone with experience here?? thanks - bill j

 

[Sea Wolf]

Toucan-

I've been reading everything that has been written on this and several other C-Dory sites for 10 or more years now, and here's my summary and overview based on those discussions:

I'd get the Ford Excursion with the Diesel engine if you can find one!

The Diesel models are resold at a premium, but well worth it.

Stay away from any gas V-10 engines (if available), they're gas hogs!

The Excursion may be rated at 3/4 or 1 ton (don't really know), but if so, get it anyway. A 3/4 or 1-ton rig is better for towing a CD-25 than a 1/2 ton, period. A 1/2 ton rig is not up to the task, often. And reserve capacity is cheap insurance.

Another good idea is to set the trailer and tow vehicle up with electric over hydraulic brakes with brakes on both axles, and corrosion resistant rotors and calipers. Well worth the investment in salt water and the salt found everywhere on eastern roads.

Get a galvanized steel or aluminum trailer (popular back east). Buy only one, not a cheapie and then a replacement for a rust-out.

Seal up the trailer wiring and lights well to limit corrosion.

Add guide-ons on the trailer.

Flush the trailer, boat, and motor(s) well with fresh water at every use and opportunity.

Others will add to the list or have different opinions, this is mine for just 2¢!

Good Luck!

Joe. :teeth :thup

 

[Byrdman]

I have a 2005 Excursion with the 6.0 diesel. Have made several cross country hauls with it towing everything from a CD16 thru CD25 and a heavier 25' boat that weighs out at about 9,250 pounds with trailer, fuel, water, boat, motors....and stuff on board. I have the two wheel drive version with positive traction option and love it. It is set up on the 3/4 ton frame. I would stay away from a 1/2 ton anything with a CD25 or heavier boat, motor, trailer set up. Forget the dry factory weights..... you will have a heavy load with a CD25 set up for use.

Byrdman

 

[thataway]

My advice is to try and find a Ford Excursion with the 7.3 L diesel--vintage about 2000 to 2001. These are very large SUV's. They do have a premium for older vehicles, because of the reputation. They handle the load of the 25 or Tom Cat well. These older 7.3 L engines are some of the best built. Baring that, then I would consider one of the new Ford Diesel, Excursions--I have not done the research on the specifics of the current model, but the most recent (2011/2012) seem to have better diesels than a few years ago.

If you can find a diesel Chevy 3/4 ton diesel, Suburban--then that might also be an option. Best if you can find one with an Allison Transmission, and engine exhaust brake.

 

[G Gallagher]

I too am thinking about a new ( or used) tow vehicle. My boat, motors, gas, equipment , double axle trailer about 7000 lbs. I am not reading anything about the Toyota Tundra.

What do you think of them ?

 

[Socrateur]

Just a quick update to Thataway Bob's post: The Ford 7.3 is available up to the 2002 model year. That's the one I have in an F250 to tow my CD25. Works great. Other brands have good ones too, but research the best model years to choose from if buying used. Now you know about Ford in terms of old school workhorse diesels before environmental restrictions and the resulting mechanical and electronic complexities kicked in.

 

[Dreamer]

Sadly, there are no new Excursions. The similar looking vehicle now is a stretched Expedition. This is on a half ton chassis where the Excursion was on the Super Duty chassis as is an F-250. The 7.3 was available about half of the 2003 model year. The 6.0 Power Stroke that replaced it has good power due to new 4 valve per cylinder heads. The 325 hp and 650 ft lbs torque of my 2006 6.0 is plenty for the heaviest C-Dory.

 

[SENSEI]

OK guys
we have hashed this out many times and all I got to say is it wont get to good a milage but it will go anywhere that you want to go......lol.....

 

[Forty Two]

I too am thinking about a new ( or used) tow vehicle. My boat, motors, gas, equipment , double axle trailer about 7000 lbs. I am not reading anything about the Toyota Tundra.

What do you think of them ?

I have driven a Tundra a few times. They are really nice trucks, but the milage is surprisingly bad. My preference for towing is an F350 diesel with 4 wheel drive - much better on fuel. I drop it into low range for retrieving the boat - just a little throttle and it climbs right up the ramp without a bunch of motor revving and wheel spinning. Its kind of exciting, and fun to watch others do this but I would rather not.

 

[breausaw]

Just a quick update to Thataway Bob's post: The Ford 7.3 is available up to the 2002 model year. That's the one I have in an F250 to tow my CD25. Works great. Other brands have good ones too, but research the best model years to choose from if buying used. Now you know about Ford in terms of old school workhorse diesels before environmental restrictions and the resulting mechanical and electronic complexities kicked in.

If you can find an F250 or 350 ext cab or crew with short box, 7.3 power stroke under the hood, and low mileage, jump on it!
My 2000 F250 XLT ext-cab 4x4 has been my dedicated tow vehicle for over 11 years, just pushed the odometer over 70K.
Sure it's been in the shop a couple of times, just normal wear and tear stuff. I also use a SuperChips Max MicroTuner on middle setting, adds about 100 extra hp in addition to about 150 more foot pounds of torque; no other modification required.

 

[localboy]

Perfect? The torque, power & room of our F250 Super Duty w/ the gas mileage of a Prius. :lol: :wink:

 

[jrassier]

I have a 2000 Ford F250 pickup six speed manual with the 7.3L (International T444E) engine. 177,000 miles on it to date . So far I have replaced the cam position sensor after if failed at 120,000mi. The truck is bullet proof! 15mpg towing 6800 lb at 70mph.The Ford 7.3L Excursion is built on the same chassis. It should be a solid tow rig .I have a coworker that put 230,000 on his 2002 7.3L Excursion. I think it was in 2004 when Ford began using a 6L diesel due to emission requirements. I don't have any personal experience with that engine. I agree with Bob/Thataway . The Duramax coupled with an Allison tranny is another bomb proof tow package!

Welcome to the Brat's

Jim

 

[hardee]

My Tundra is the 2001 version, just right for the 22. My brother-in-law has a new 2011, the BIG version Tundra and I think it would do a 25 OK, but the gas mileage would take a hit. For a 25 I would consider a Dodge Ram, 2500 minimum or a 3500. Either with the Cummins and a 6 speed would do it easily, add a Banks kit booster and the jake and you have a towing machine.

Roger's tow rig, that's what I started my son driving in so I didn't have t worry about him in any traffic. Worked well for that. :wink

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[T.R. Bauer]

I like all three brands with the diesel. One of my brothers loves his duramax, I like the 7.3 a lot, and the dodge 5.9 is legendary. I have a very old truck with the 6.2 chevy diesel and it has been a very good truck. It gets 23 mpg empty in a 3/4 ton 4x4 truck with a meyers plow on it.....That is pretty hard to beat.....

Personally, if you are going to pull heavy loads, you really should have a real truck to do it. Any of the 3/4 tons and larger will do the trick, it then just comes into brand preferrence which I am not getting into.

 

[localboy]

...6.2 chevy diesel and it has been a very good truck. It gets 23 mpg...

Wow. I wish. Our '05 F250 (6.0 liter w/ turbo) averages out to 14 mpg. I think the newer diesels have suffered in [mpg] efficiency due to all the emissions requirements. (I am not a heavy footed driver.) When towing we get 11 mpg. :roll: But it does the job without issue. I've even towed over the pass w/ no issue.

 

[thataway]

Actually there are "new" Excursions being made--just on the Ford 250, 350 and 450 truck chassis. But these are custom after market units. You buy your choice of a new Ford X50, and for another $23,000 there are several outfits which will graft on the back of a 2005 excursion. Total cost starts at about $53,500, on up!

Part of my post about the newer Ford engines was based on a conversation with a fellow at a truck stop a few days ago. He claimed that he was getting 14 mpg with a 2011 Ford 350 4 x 4 heavy duty towing a trailer weight about 13,000 lbs--and had put over 35,000 miles on that specific truck in a year.
He had blown the engine on a 2009 in less than 30,000 miles. The down side of our conversation is that it took him almost half an hour to fill the DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid--urea) tank on the truck! And I had picked that lane to fuel--of course a pickup will fill faster than on the road tractors....two in each lane, while this guy tried to fill the DEF tank.

If you really want a "hauler" there are all sorts of custom/semi custom trucks built from what appear to Peterbuilt, etc, with an extended sleeper, on up to various trucks with 4 doors, and a lot of space plus over 400 hp and torque up into the 1200 plus range--again all you need is $$. There are also a number of the on the road tractors, which have an extended sleeper which can be from 90 up to 230" long, and include shower, dinette, galley, full bunks etc, and are sold at about 500,000 miles. I have seen these for less than $30,000!

 

[T.R. Bauer]

...6.2 chevy diesel and it has been a very good truck. It gets 23 mpg...

Wow. I wish. Our '05 F250 (6.0 liter w/ turbo) averages out to 14 mpg. I think the newer diesels have suffered in [mpg] efficiency due to all the emissions requirements. (I am not a heavy footed driver.) When towing we get 11 mpg. :roll: But it does the job without issue. I've even towed over the pass w/ no issue.

The 6.2 diesel was designed to get excellent fuel efficiency. On the downside, it only has 150 or so hp since there is no turbo. Like all diesels, it has decent torque. But in the regards to efficiency, it reminds me of our trusty C-Dory boats. One isn't going to win any speed records that is for sure, but it is simple and efficient to operate. I have towed my CD 22 a number of times with it with no real issues, except you are not going to pass anyone on 6% grades with it. However, it still gets around 15-17 when towing. I rarely tow with it anymore as we almost always hook the boat to the 25 foot v10 motorhome as it is a much better camping platform than the boat is.

I really like the old diesel motors for the most part and agree with that all the torque, hp, and the emissions stuff, the MPGs has really suffered. It is too bad too as not everyone needs 650 lbs of torque and 400 hp in their trucks. I know I don't; I am not in that big of a hurry....

 

[duff]

our primary tow vehicle is a 2006 dodge 3500 with 5.9 cummins great tow vehicle with great mileage 20 to 22 empty under 70 mph 12 to 14 pulling my 25 we also have a 2011 f350 with the new ford Diesel great truck good power doesn't get the mileage of our dodge we have a E350 4x4 van with the v10 pulls well but not like the diesel trucks, the V10 ill pull the 25 fine but not like a diesel. but with 373 gears it does get decent mileage.