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Post by westend1530 on Apr 23, 2013 15:29:31 GMT -5
It looks like my F150 is toast, so I am looking for a new towing vehicle.  What do you think the minimum requirement would be for towing 66, 10' Shasta. I am not necessarily looking for vehicle recommendations, although, I am open to suggestions especially if it's cheep, reliable and will tow the Shasta. What i really what to know is what should I be looking for in towing specifications needed to drag this trailer around Thanks |
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mobiltec
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Restoring The 57 Shasta
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 23, 2013 22:47:29 GMT -5
Im a big fan of worrying more about whether I can stop a trailer or not. Just about anything will tow it. The question is really is can you stop on a mountain curve in time not to go over the cliff. Does your trailer have brakes? Are you going over mountains or on flat asphalt all the time? Kinda need to know the answers to those questions first.
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vikx
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Post by vikx on Apr 23, 2013 23:54:29 GMT -5
I like to stick with a vehicle that is rated to two 5000 pounds with a class III hitch. Just me, they tend to be very stable when towing. Ours is a 2008 Trailblazer.
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Post by westend1530 on Apr 24, 2013 8:04:28 GMT -5
Thanks
I live in Ga and tend to head north which puts me in the North Ga mountains. The F150 did a great job pulling (and stoping) the trailer, I am just not going to spend $30000 for a new one.
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offspringin
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Never question the engineer's judgement!
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Post by offspringin on Apr 24, 2013 8:09:03 GMT -5
We tow with our 2002 Trailblazer, added a aux trans cooler to it. Everything else is stock. Towing 70 compact. We have towed in north GA mountains ( last weekend in fact). Ours has quite a few miles but still seems to pull well. Have never felt unsafe stopping, even down steep grades as long as you practice safe habits to begin with. Going up is decent. Truck has a 4.2L Inline 6 engine just for reference.
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boandsusan
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Christmas parade 2012
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Post by boandsusan on Apr 24, 2013 8:51:25 GMT -5
We usually pull with Chevy S10, SS, Standard, V6. We bought a Ford Escape, V6 Sport with factory towing pkt, in case we wanted to pull boat and trailer, we`d have two tow vehicles. Although the Escape pulls our Compact (and stops it) with ease, I feel more comfortable when we`re pulling with the truck,even though the max tow capacity on the Escape is 3500lbs. I know that anything larger than a Compact and we`ll be using/installing electric brakes on the camper.
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Post by Nana B on Apr 24, 2013 12:03:31 GMT -5
I have a Honda CR-V and am in the market for a Shasta. CR-V towing weight is 1500 lbs. Do all Campers need electric brakes? I believe I have a class 2 towing hitch installed on my Honda. I am very new to this & just wondering if anyone has pulled a camper with a CR-V?
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hauswife
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Post by hauswife on Apr 24, 2013 12:13:01 GMT -5
I've got an 09 jeep rubicon 4 door, rated 3500. An we did just fine with the new trailer, although going up the grapevine in CA was about 35 mph!
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Post by schweetcruisers on Apr 24, 2013 12:33:14 GMT -5
I have a Honda CR-V and am in the market for a Shasta. CR-V towing weight is 1500 lbs. Do all Campers need electric brakes? I believe I have a class 2 towing hitch installed on my Honda. I am very new to this & just wondering if anyone has pulled a camper with a CR-V? You'll need a class 3 hitch, which is above the crv's towing capacity. If you were to find somebody to install one(most licensed shops won't) on the CRV and you get in a accident, your insurance could and probably will deny your claim, and you'll be footing the bill for everything. You also have to consider that even if the trailer is rated at 1500lbs, that doesn't include anything you'll be packing in it, food, water, propane, cushions, etc.! Remember the most important part of towing isn't can you pull it, but can you stop it, when your tow you stopping distance could be increased by 3. I don't think the CRV's little brakes are up to the task of stopping a trailer that weighs as much the CRV. |
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Post by paigenmarc on Apr 24, 2013 12:41:16 GMT -5
What about a used F150? That's what we bought - the extra cab version - and it worked great gettting the trailer home to Houston from Phoenix, via The Grand Canyon. If you buy one that's just a year or two old, you'll still have lots of life in it, and you can save many thousands of dollars by letting the original owner take the "new car" depreciation  |
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Gone Kayaking
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Post by Gone Kayaking on Apr 24, 2013 15:48:47 GMT -5
I agree a used F-150 is probably the best thing next to a new F-150 with eco boost which is what I would get. The Nissan Frontiers and Toyota Tacoma both have 5-6000 towing capacity and do fine as well. I have a Frontier and its fine...though make sure to add tranny cooler (even if it says you don't need to)
The other issue with the CR-V is the short wheel base which will increase sway etc... Same goes for the Subarus. Some Jeeps also have this issue. Great vehicles for recreating but not for towing.....
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Post by Nana B on Apr 24, 2013 18:50:40 GMT -5
Wow Thanks so much for input on Towing with the CR-V. My instincts was telling me that so now I have to find a good used truck & my "Little Cricket". With God all things are possible!!!!
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Post by risgett on Apr 26, 2013 15:02:11 GMT -5
If you want something good and cheap for towing a small camper like shasta's, I would highly recommend a used chevy astro. They are cheap to buy used, cheap to insure, fairly dependable and lots of room to boot. It may not be the coolest looking thing, but I have owned two and you can't beat them for towing something small. They are built on truck frames, have the bullet-proof 4.3 v6, and tow anything 3500lbs or less very well. I got 200,000+ miles out of both of the ones I had and they were both running great when I sold them. Just my .02 cents. Just be aware, some came with just a hitch, and some came with a towing package. If it just came with a hitch, you'll need to add a trans cooler and a 7pin harness. If it has the towing package, it will already have everything you need.
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Post by bigbill on Apr 30, 2013 8:48:26 GMT -5
I tow with a Chevy Silverado ext cab it has the six speed automatic and a 9000 lb tow rating came with brake control all ready installed and wired with connector these can be found on the used market also. I also get decent gas mileage towed my car trailer from Ohio to Chatanooga Tn. and averaged 18 mpg round trip.
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Post by Bow_Tied on Apr 30, 2013 21:02:40 GMT -5
Most of the Shasta's are around 1500-2500lbs tare. If the vehicle in question is rated to 3500lbs you are likely fine. Pay attention to the tongue weight, but still should be ok. What makes a big difference is wheel base - the longer the vehicle the better for comfort and sway control. If picking a shorter vehicle, such as a 2 door blazer (what I use), I strongly recommend a sway control device. a 4 door would be a better choice I suspect.
Brakes - depends on your jurisdiction from a legal perspective, find your local MTO or DMV. In Ontario for example, trailers 3000lbs gross and up require brakes on at least one axle. Most of the smaller shastas don't require brakes, but they make for less stress and reduce brake wear on the towing vehicle.
If you choose a smaller vehicle I recommend at least a V6, probably at least a 3L, preferably more 3.5-4L engine. A 4 cyl can have more horsepower, but for towing low RPM torque is the need, not high RPM horsepower. Something with 200lb.ft of torque is a good start.
Vehicles I would consider: trailblazer/Envoy, Blazer/Jimmy (4 door) with 4.3L, 2001+ Pathfinder (I also own one of these, 3.5L), 2005+ Xterra (4L), newer 4Runner, 2000+? (not with 3.0L), Ranger, Sport Trac, Pilot, Dakota/Durango, Cherokee/Commanche, or of course any full size truck/SUV though probably overkill.
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mobiltec
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Restoring The 57 Shasta
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Post by mobiltec on May 1, 2013 23:46:40 GMT -5
Vehicles I would consider: trailblazer/Envoy, Blazer/Jimmy (4 door) with 4.3L, 2001+ Pathfinder (I also own one of these, 3.5L), 2005+ Xterra (4L), newer 4Runner, 2000+? (not with 3.0L), Ranger, Sport Trac, Pilot, Dakota/Durango, Cherokee/Commanche, or of course any full size truck/SUV though probably overkill. I have seen what the 2005 Exterra can do. My friend has the full offroad version and he tows a new 18 footer, fully loaded and self contained uphill, downhill, no problems at all. The Exterra is a fantastic vehicle and right out of the factory it's ready to go four wheeling in comfort. Amazing veihicles. He has had no problems with it in all this time. My 78 Blazer (not towing anything) had a hard time keeping up with him while he was towing up a mountain grade. I even have a video of that if you are interested. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uTf_gCMMCQ&feature=player_embedded |
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Post by schweetcruisers on May 2, 2013 8:37:24 GMT -5
Vehicles I would consider: trailblazer/Envoy, Blazer/Jimmy (4 door) with 4.3L, 2001+ Pathfinder (I also own one of these, 3.5L), 2005+ Xterra (4L), newer 4Runner, 2000+? (not with 3.0L), Ranger, Sport Trac, Pilot, Dakota/Durango, Cherokee/Commanche, or of course any full size truck/SUV though probably overkill. I have seen what the 2005 Exterra can do. My friend has the full offroad version and he tows a new 18 footer, fully loaded and self contained uphill, downhill, no problems at all. The Exterra is a fantastic vehicle and right out of the factory it's ready to go four wheeling in comfort. Amazing veihicles. He has had no problems with it in all this time. My 78 Blazer (not towing anything) had a hard time keeping up with him while he was towing up a mountain grade. I even have a video of that if you are interested. I currently tow with a 2005 Pathfinder(same engine and frame as the Xterra) while great tow vehicles, that big 4L engine is a thirsty beast. I also have towed with a 2001 Pathfinder and 2006 Titan. With the Titan you don't really know there is any thing behind you and some of them came from the factory with the towing package which have huge extendable towing mirrors and 7 pin harness and a towing button in the dash that basically changes all the shift points in the transmission for better starting power and changes the gear ratio in the rear end. Also you'll probably never have any sway with the longer wheelbase, if you want a SUV the Armada is the SUV version if the Titan. Mobiltec- I messed up a Transmission climbing the Cajon Pass once, in 2001 i was heading back to Colorado from Riverside in a 1998 Blazer. After all the up and down shifting it got stuck in 3rd gear, we did drive the rest if the way with it stuck too, the next day we trade that thing in! |
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Post by Bow_Tied on May 2, 2013 16:30:51 GMT -5
I have seen what the 2005 Exterra can do. My friend has the full offroad version and he tows a new 18 footer, fully loaded and self contained uphill, downhill, no problems at all. The Exterra is a fantastic vehicle and right out of the factory it's ready to go four wheeling in comfort. Amazing veihicles. He has had no problems with it in all this time. My 78 Blazer (not towing anything) had a hard time keeping up with him while he was towing up a mountain grade. I even have a video of that if you are interested. I currently tow with a 2005 Pathfinder(same engine and frame as the Xterra) while great tow vehicles, that big 4L engine is a thirsty beast. I also have towed with a 2001 Pathfinder and 2006 Titan. With the Titan you don't really know there is any thing behind you and some of them came from the factory with the towing package which have huge extendable towing mirrors and 7 pin harness and a towing button in the dash that basically changes all the shift points in the transmission for better starting power and changes the gear ratio in the rear end. Also you'll probably never have any sway with the longer wheelbase, if you want a SUV the Armada is the SUV version if the Titan. Mobiltec- I messed up a Transmission climbing the Cajon Pass once, in 2001 i was heading back to Colorado from Riverside in a 1998 Blazer. After all the up and down shifting it got stuck in 3rd gear, we did drive the rest if the way with it stuck too, the next day we trade that thing in! |
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Post by Bow_Tied on May 2, 2013 16:52:56 GMT -5
Ok, that's weird, I made two quote replies and neither post displayed. I even tried editing the first one! :shrug: Mobiltec: Xterras are nice. Note the 05+ with automatics have transmission failures. The rad corrodes allowing rad fluid and trans fluid to mix.  An external trans cooler that bypasses the rad prevents the problem though. Schweet: Just curious - how big of a trailer and did your blazer have an external trans cooler?? |
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Post by schweetcruisers on May 2, 2013 17:21:03 GMT -5
Bow-tied,
I tow a fully loaded 4000lbs Cargo trailer daily it is a 6' x 10' Pace American, it is my mobile woodshop.
Yes you are correct the 05+ Xterras, and Pathfinders and Frontiers all have a few MAJOR issues, the internal radiator trans cooler cracks and sends coolant into the transmission(I replaced the radiator before this was a issue). The U-joints go out on the front drive shaft(4wd)(Only $150 to fix but it is a part that shouldn't wear out)! Nissan used nylon timing chain guides that wear out and cost $1500-2800 to replace(ask me how I know, come I dare you)!
The Blazer wasn't towing anything, just not a good transmission it only had 85k on it.
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mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
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Post by mobiltec on May 2, 2013 19:38:00 GMT -5
Bow-tied, I tow a fully loaded 4000lbs Cargo trailer daily it is a 6' x 10' Pace American, it is my mobile woodshop. Yes you are correct the 05+ Xterras, and Pathfinders and Frontiers all have a few MAJOR issues, the internal radiator trans cooler cracks and sends coolant into the transmission(I replaced the radiator before this was a issue). The U-joints go out on the front drive shaft(4wd)(Only $150 to fix but it is a part that shouldn't wear out)! Nissan used nylon timing chain guides that wear out and cost $1500-2800 to replace(ask me how I know, come I dare you)! The Blazer wasn't towing anything, just not a good transmission it only had 85k on it. Wow. He has not had a single problem with his in all this time. He has the offroad package. Don't know if that makes a difference or not. |
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Post by bigbill on May 4, 2013 9:20:03 GMT -5
I have no idea how a CRV would tow a trailer but class 3 hitches are available from most major hitch suppliers for them. I have an 08 CRV that we use just as a car but checked into a hitch for carrying my wife's wheel chair, the carrier mounts to a class 3 hitch. I was amazed at the number of manufactures making them also the number of people towing boats with their CRV.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on May 4, 2013 17:00:33 GMT -5
"Can" and "should" are two different animals altogether. On the other hand, we have never seen a CRV pulling a boat or a trailer
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Post by schweetcruisers on May 4, 2013 19:07:35 GMT -5
I would sure hate to have to do a emergancy stop in a CR-V with a 3500lb trailer behind me!
Just because they make them does not make it a good idea to use, they also make Meth but doesn't mean you should use it.
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Post by psyopse6 on May 5, 2013 20:03:26 GMT -5
How about a 04 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner Ext Cab with the larger tire option, just bought a 1971 Shasta 12' from my friends wife, one owner (the trailer) used very little. Think this package is okay? By the way I'm a newby to the forum..
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on May 5, 2013 20:23:20 GMT -5
Welcome psyopse6! Is yours a Compact? As in 12' bumper to ball? If so, your truck should be fine pulling it.
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Post by schweetcruisers on May 5, 2013 21:20:21 GMT -5
How about a 04 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner Ext Cab with the larger tire option, just bought a 1971 Shasta 12' from my friends wife, one owner (the trailer) used very little. Think this package is okay? By the way I'm a newby to the forum.. My best advice would be to read your owners manual. It will tell you what your limits are. Also it sounds crazy but know what drivetrain you have, 4cyl or V6. |
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Post by bigbill on May 10, 2013 19:05:29 GMT -5
If you don't know have your dealer check the vin # to see if the vehicle has a factory tow pkg. this makes a difference. Usually oil and trans coolers and a higher numerically rear end ratio plus other things.
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An external trans cooler that bypasses the rad prevents the problem though.