Tow vehicle for CD22

M

Mike_J

New member
I have been browsing this forum to get ideas advice and have found some advice, though most suggestions seem to be for CD-25s...
I currently have a 2004 GM Safari, which, though rated to tow 5500#, but only 2000# without weight distributing hitch and sway control :(
I reckon a ready to launch CD22 is between 4000 and 4500 lbs and you can't use a WD hitch or sway control with surge brakes, so my Safari is out I think.

So I am looking at a half ton truck of some sort and am considering the following specs:

4x4 extended cab or 4 door "crew"
5+ litre engine
6.5 ft box (want to be able to sleep in it if I get a canopy or a camper)
Automatic (4 or 6 speed?)
Electronic Locking differential or Limited slip?
Trailer package and heavy duty payload?

Any thoughts on whether this would be a good fit for towing the CD-22?

Looking forward to towing and launching Natural C-lection easily!
 
Hello Mike,
A truck with the specs you describe will tow and launch the CD22 easily. I've been towing with my farm truck - a regular cab long box F150 4x4 with the 4.6 litre engine and limited slip diff. Easily handles the weight, the 4.6 is a bit anemic on steep hills but whats' the hurry.

Try searching the forums, lots of discussion re towing and tow vehicles.

We will be towing to Nanaimo this summer so our paths may cross. We originally purchased Blue Skies in Victoria so it's a return home.
Bill
 
We hoping to go to the Comox get together at the end of July followed by a tow to Port Mcneill where we will meet up with my wife's sister and brother-in-law who have a North Pacific trawler. They are familiar with the area so will be good guides. Blue Skies will be staying in Nanaimo after that - we are still waiting for a slip - no parking for boats at our condo.
Bill.
 
We have a 2004 Silverado 1500 Z71 4x4 extended cab with the smallest V8 (I think it's a 4.6L?). It is great for pulling our 22, and it gets about 18 mpg hwy without the boat. I don't think you'll need a half ton unless you're doing lots of trips over passes...
 
Thanks. The silverado 1500 is definitely on my list along with the sierra 1500 and the F150 and the ram 1500. I thought all of these were "half tons", though what matters is that any one of them would be fine towing the CD22.
 
John Frazey (johnf) showed up at the Sequim gathering last year with a beautiful new F-150 with the Eco-Boost V-6. He was very happy with it's towing capability and mileage. He tows a CD-22 with it. You might drop him a PM for details now that he's had it for a while.
 
That new 3.6 is a brute with twin turbos. Outpulls the 5.4 in my truck. A freind test drove one and he's pretty sure he got air under the tires when he matted it off the line. Good economy too Much better than mine The engine may be more complex long term but lots of capability. My 07 f150 lariat has been plenty for long tows Just was looking at Peterbilts this morning maybe one of those? With a cummins. For when the Ranger 31 beckons. Enjoy shopping ! George
 
We went thru this recently. I had a Honda Pilot which was 10 years old, and had towed a 22 with it on relitatively short hauls (although over some moutains). I wanted a unit I could sleep in the back under way.

You can use a weight distributing hitch with surge brakes. Many of us have done that--and they work well, if set up properly.

We ended up with a Yukon XL (1500 chassis) 4 x 4, Hi Low range and neutral transfer case so we could tow it 4 down. It has over 6' 6" sleeping room in the flat back, with the rear seat out, and mid row folded. We got the bench seat second row--and a large ice chest sits on the seat, so we have food as we drive. The smaller seat folded forward allowed me to nap as Marie drove.

The reasons we went with the bigger vehicle is the weight, and smoother driving. We drove 7500 miles, and zero problems towing 5500 of those miles. I prefer having a vehicle which weighs more than the load. We saw several trailers out of control at higher speeds with light trucks.
 
Depending on what your needs are, vans also make good tow vehicles. We have a 12-year-old Ford E350 with a 4x4 conversion that we love for its huge secure storage ability on long trips with the family and critters. Will likely replace it with another one.
 
I am now the proud owner of a new GMC Sierra 1500 5.3l 4x4 with a tow package etc. thanks for the feedback! Now to get some time on the boat!
 
Hi Mike,

You have had your new vehicle over a year now. How's it working out? Whats your MPG like towing and not towing? I'm planning a vehicle upgrade in 2014, and still undecided on what to get.

Martin.
 
Just thought I would throw in my thoughts on our 2011 F-150 w the Ecoboost engine.

38000 miles...running with a topper and a small load of gear in the back from Portland, Oregon to Lewiston, Idaho (no boat) and back we get an average of 18.6 mpg including cruise around 72 mph on I-84 and around 60 mph on the non interstate roads.

If we run from here to the coast on cruise around 59/60 mph we get about 21 mpg.

Towing the boat on 1-5 drops it down to about 10-12 depending upon speed...usually run 67-70 mph.

Really happy with the truck so far...nice ride, great acceleration and no problems so far. We have the 5.5 foot bed so I can fit it in the garage but would like the 6.5 foot bed so I could setup my mattress in the back. LOVE the space in back seat area...always folding up the 2/3 and 1/3 seats for loading stuff.

Hope that helps any current shoppers....

John
 
wow that is quite the spread between towing and not towing mpg.

in dad's 3/4 ton cummins (1999, 4x4, ext cab long bed)
17-18mpg hwy not towing
17mpg hwy towing

in our 2005 hemi cherokee, 5.7l, 4x4
14-15mpg hwy not towing
10-11mpg hwy towing. as low as 8, high as 12.

I'm in the market for a new daily driver/tow vehicle myself. the cherokee is my wife's car, so I'm going to get rid of my jeep liberty and get either another cherokee, silverado, or F150 I think so I can tow without her having to make sure she has all her things removed for the day.

pretty cool that Bob's Pilot could tow a 22. I didnt know the hondas had any tow capacity. techincally my jeep liberty has a 5k tow rating but seems like a lot of boat for a little jeep.
 
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