Re: [A/S] Tow vehicles

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dave,

While I have little experience with towing with a real vehicle, I've come to
some pretty nifty conclusions.  My first tow was a 1991 Chev conversion Van.
I purchased the Hensley to sort of  limit my short comings.  However, I
eventually purchased an '02  F250 crew cab 4X4 PS diesel super duty to
accommodate my future towing needs, what ever they may be.

Without towing, my fuel mileage is 18.5 highway and around town combined.
I've not yet towed any considerable distance.  However, a couple of things I
think are important to consider.  I have two pets that stay in the truck or
van while I shop.  Can't stand to see the he tears in their eyes when I tell
them to stay home.  I just pick up my keys and they know I'm headed out in a
vehicle.  Anyway, the conversion van with the 350 V8 quickly over heats with
the AC
running for the pets.  The truck never budges off normal settings even when
the ambient temperature is near 100 degrees.  On the asphalt of the Super
Wally World that might reach 130 degrees, the truck still cools the cab
without overheating.  I think this translates into towing performance.

I expect my mileage to drop a bit  towing my '74 Argosy 22, but not by much.
Also, I expect the truck to tow without overheating the tranny (yep, there
is a gauge) or the engine
when I travel out west into Utah, Arizona, etc.  The Power Stroke Diesel has
about 10 years performance behind it and I feel confident that it will
perform admirably.

True, the new Vortec and Allison combination can  be a great combination,
but it's new!  I like tried and true for the  amount I'm investing in a tow
vehicle.

The 15K miles on the F250 have been  a little bumpy  at times, but it's
still a great vehicle.  IMHO, look carefully at the 4X4.  It seems to
increase the turning radius and you might find that this aspect is more
embarrassing than the need to be towed out once in a live time! :)  The four
wheel super duty disk brakes are a wonder to use with or without towing.

10 mpg suck, even if the great sound of a V8 is totally overwhelming!

                                                  Regards,

                                                 '74 Argosy, Joy