Re: [A/S] Tow Vehicle Choice

["David Crook" <blackbamboo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Good Evening Tom (et al),

Just a couple of Suburban comments, concerning towing our 1972 - 27 ' -
Overlander.  For six years we towed our Overlander with our 1986 1/2 ton 6.2
diesel.  I have a standard, Reese, weight distributing, hitch with a single,
Reese, friction type, anti-sway device.  With the 6.2 1500 Sub I experienced
no sway and had a safe top towing speed on flat ground of 60/65 mph.  Fuel
mileage was great.  We had verrrrry poor acceleration and passing a slower
vehicle on the interstate required a long flat section.  Braking was
adequate in all respects.

Two weeks ago, I bought a 1999, C2500, Sub with a 7.4 Vortec SFI (454
cu.in.) engine.  I transferred the hitch to the new factory receiver. The
new Sub has the factory towing package.  We just returned from a nine day
camping trip at Silver Lake in Brooksville, Fl. It was 380 miles round trip
from Fort Myers. We carried four adults, two sea kayaks, one a tandem, two
mountain bikes and a Vision recumbent tandem on Yakima roof racks (Lots of
windage.  Our san Juan tandem sea kayak is 23.5 ' long). The Overlander had
full fresh water tank, full pantry and fridge, lots of luggage, all kinds of
folding chairs, tables, etc and assorted camping stuff.  The difference was
AMAZING !  After twenty miles of getting to know the towing characteristics
of the new Sub, I set the cruise control at 70mph, towed in OD all the way
and the temp gauge never moved off normal.  Outside air temp was around
ninety degrees.  We had the front and rear air on the entire way.  I had
plenty of acceleration in all situations.  The rig never slowed on the North
Florida hills. Steering and braking were rock steady.  It is the first time
I was passing some of the slower semis instead of ALL of them passing me.
The gas tank holds 44 gallons.  We made the round trip plus side trips
(without the Airstream) to Ocala National forest and returned with a quarter
tank of gas.  Let me know if you want to see an email photo of the entire
rig; boats, bikes people and all.  I think we have the perfect combo of
Airstream and tow vehicle ;->

David Crook
72 - 27 ' - Overlander, 99 Chevy C2500 - Sub - 7.4 Ltr - Vortec