Which rv/5th wheel solution for full time?

[mbryson]

I think with your bikes in the back, the van might be the way to go. However, an Excursion is pretty sweet but will need some suspension upgrades to tow well (most have them and if they don't the "upgrades" are stock F350 springs that bolt in). The factory springs are a joke on an Excursion. You are on the bumpstops quite a bit. The wagon is AWESOME in a big SUV way. They are big and drive that way esp. compared to a Toyota. The cargo area in the back is at least a foot shorter than the van but I would imagine a bike standing up could fit without the front tire on? The van would be sweet in that you could just have a bike rack back there with some kind of security strap to keep it from flopping around. 4WD is nice for the mountain passes in any kind of inclement weather in my opinion. 2WD would be fine 95% of the time, though.


One other thing with towing with the Ford gassers. You will rev the shit out of them. They like it. The 5.4L V8 I've towed with is my wife's 32 V Lincoln. It tows almost as well as the V10 but I like the SuperDuty chassis/brakes much more. The Navigator is impressive for what it is, though. The diesels just grunt and go. If they don't, you are towing HEAVY. With both engines you'll want to maintain at LEAST 60-70 when approaching any hill while towing. The diesel will lose speed MUCH slower than the gasser. The gasser I just peg as fast as I can (safely) as I'm approaching a hill. The V10 will carry the load further faster up the hill than the Lincoln, but not by a whole lot. Downhills are just the opposite and I slow down quite a bit more to keep control. I like the manual trailer brake actuator on most brakes. I've used it to keep the trailer behind me in corners before under dry conditions going down the hills. Slick conditions you just slow WAY down as shit can happen fast even at 30 mph or so. 20 is better in severe storms in canyons. People behind you can kiss your ass as they pass you when they can.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Here's our latest video, shopping at Intermountain Airstream in SLC (Utah's only Airstream Dealer).

[video=youtube;QFdI163k8bY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFdI163k8bY[/video]

 

[Deleted member 12904]

I had a V10 Superduty and was not a fan at all. Towing a 5th wheel toy hauler to Wendover in a head wind the truck couldn't hold 65mph and got 3mpg. I didn't even make it to Wendover on a tank of fuel I had to pull over and dump gas cans. I averaged 10-14mpg empty but towing the toyhauler 6-8mpg was average. I would not even think about it personally for a full time tow rig.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Marc, should I even look into the 5.4L v8? Or will it be too gutless?

 

[frieed]

Steve,

A couple things to watch for...
Airstreams tend to be very heavy and you want about 13+% on the tongue for stable towing. Not an issue for a 3/4 or 1 ton.
That, and trailer rated tires are typically rated for a MAX of 65 mph.

I pulled my trailer (8' wide, 12' high, just over 8200# total load) across southern Idaho last summer into a 25 mph headwind. My truck had no trouble maintaining 65mph. It stayed in 4th @ 2700rpm and got around 7 mpg. Normally, with no wind, I get about 9 mpg @ 65 and it stays mostly in 6th (6 speed tranny). With trailers, speed kills (gas mileage that is). On the plus side, Airstreams are known for being aerodynamic, to some degree.

 

[sixstringsteve]

the 27' flying cloud (the one we want) is 5400 lbs dry, with a max of 7300 lbs.

 

[frieed]

cool, maybe I'm thinking of older ones. My trailer is 6500# dry with a gross of 8500#

 

[mbryson]

Marc, should I even look into the 5.4L v8? Or will it be too gutless?

they are spunkier than you'd expect but I wouldn't consider one until they get to the three valve motors? I don't have any experience towing with a 2 or 3v 5.4l. I think they will surprise you and disappoint you at the same time? I would stick to the 7.3l or V10. I'd LOVE to try a V10 3v manual transmission truck. I think that'd be a pretty cool truck. The newer the rug will have a newer trans (5speed auto from about 2003-04). That could make a LOT of difference as well

 

[jeeper]

I just got done with the shopping videos. I think the air stream is the only way for you to go. You will hate the other RV's. it was obvious in the videos that you can't handle being in an poor quality RV for a few minutes. No way could you live in one.

 

[TRD270]

they are spunkier than you'd expect but I wouldn't consider one until they get to the three valve motors? I don't have any experience towing with a 2 or 3v 5.4l. I think they will surprise you and disappoint you at the same time? I would stick to the 7.3l or V10. I'd LOVE to try a V10 3v manual transmission truck. I think that'd be a pretty cool truck. The newer the rug will have a newer trans (5speed auto from about 2003-04). That could make a LOT of difference as well

Our new rescue trailer is probably pushing 9k, and our 5.4's struggle to pull it. Also the 3V motors had some issues with the cam phasers as well as the timing chain guides. Once problems are remedied with aftermarket support they are a long lasting motor, no powerhouse, and not great on MPG but they will go for a long time.


Edit, I was just looking at your weights you expect to be at. If your sub 8k I think the 5.4 will do. We have a big bubba's 4 place with 2 quads and a side by side and the 5.4 pulls that no problem

 

[Rock Taco]

One thing I have noticed is your video editing turn around time has increased! lol

Those air streams look really nice!

 

[sixstringsteve]

I just got done with the shopping videos. I think the air stream is the only way for you to go. You will hate the other RV's. it was obvious in the videos that you can't handle being in an poor quality RV for a few minutes. No way could you live in one.

Yeah, that's exactly what we're realizing. I don't think we're going to find anything we like more.

 

[sixstringsteve]

One thing I have noticed is your video editing turn around time has increased! lol

Those air streams look really nice!

I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I get home from work, straight to editing, then to bed. But I love it.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm on the lookout for a 7.3L E350 now. I'm not sure if I want the extra long ones, or the regular ones. Let me know if you see anything. Budget is under $30k, but I'm hoping to spend $15k or less.

 

[RustEoldtrux]

Would you be interested in an E450 with a Super Duty 7.3l? We will be moving soon and won't have room for it.

 

[bryson]

Would you be interested in an E450 with a Super Duty 7.3l? We will be moving soon and won't have room for it.

What body? That could be a cool rig!

 

[RustEoldtrux]

Ex-UTA bus, about 18 passengers with all seats. It's surprisingly easy to drive and gets about 10 to 12 mpg. We only use 5 of the original 2-passenger seats, and have added a small couch and table inside. The kids love going places in it because it has plenty of room for everybody.

 

[thefirstzukman]

Why not do a truck with this type or a variant of instead of a van? a 7.3 E350 is going to be a hard find but trucks are abundant. A truck would fit you more for your everyday vehicle also. I have a 7.3l truck and its great if all you do is tow but I would look into the eco boost maybe.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm a fan of the ecoboosts, I think they're fantastic motors.

A truck with that storage compartment could work, but I like to be able to walk back in there in nasty weather, or to grab something. I like the idea of the van being a mini-version of our setup, so we could spend a night or two in it away from the airstream if needed.

I agree though, a truck would save me a ton of time, money, and hassle shopping for it. But since it's my home, I want to do it right.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Would you be interested in an E450 with a Super Duty 7.3l? We will be moving soon and won't have room for it.

I think that's a little bigger than we want to go. Post up a pic though, it could never hurt.