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Towing

B

Blackcoffee

Well-known member
I am thinking about downsizing trucks. Has anyone towed say a 15’ airboat with a Colorado, Ranger, or even a Jeep Gladiator. My concern is not weight but all the wind drag making the truck downshift or run lower gears at highway speed. I also wonder about sway on windy days. Thanks
 
Tries towing mine around town with my Jeep Grand Cherokee and it didn't like it at all. 14 ft aircraft boat. V6 Jeep 2WD
 
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

It was a windy day towing south on the turnpike today. It's got me thinking of up-sizing to a 1 ton. Got one to trade?

:fishing
 
No I am driving a 1/2 ton and at my age seat comfort makes a long drive better. I sat in a gladiator and really liked the leg room and seat. It was a upgraded one. I had a feeling it probably would not do the job because airboats create so much wind resistance when being trailered.
 
Are diesels still available in a Colorado? If so, it's a large enough truck to tow unless your name is Dorthy and you live in Kansas.
 
The Colorado diesel doesn't make any more power than a half ton man can buy what he wishes and he'll go right back to the dealership and get him something bigger
 
In my opinion a half ton pickup is a good all around tow vehicle for any single axle trailer. You can tow bigger, but 3/4 to 1 ton is what you want with 2 axles. Jeeps are squirrelly enough by themselves, they make towing a chore.

If you want comfort, the new crew cab trucks can be rigged out with plush seats and plenty of leg room.

As for power, only the diesels and big gas motors will hold overdrive on the Highway with all the drag of an airboat. You can have Eco or you can have boost, just not at the same time.
 
I would expect a 15 foot airboat to cook the transmission of any midsize truck pulling it fairly quickly.
 
I really liked the low seat in the Gladiator. I have a 6.2 in a Chevy 1/2 ton that pulls great but the truck has had issues and I am done with it. I have a lead on a friend trading in a F350 which I will try to get. I’ve had F350’s before.
 
Not pushing Ram, Ford or Chevy but I have a 2017 2500 Ram with a Cummins and the only way you know the boat is behind you is to watch the fuel economy go down.
 
I have had all three diesels and fuel economy goes down as the speed goes up. There is a sweet spot for better fuel economy but unfortunately it’s not where I drive.
 
I’ve got a 2015 f250 6.7 I tow my big ass boat with excellent as long as I stay under 70mph if I go 70 or more mpg drastically diminish. My neighbor has a new f150 with a baby diesel makes more hp/tq than mine and tows a 32’ camper to se ga every weekend. Says it gets 20+mpg towing it.
 
:rebel: I HAVE HAD TOYOTA TUNDRAS now for 18 years and I pull 13ft 6 inch boat with a 350 chevy with belt drive from north of Gainsville to the Everglades on a fairly regular bases and it will get the job done. Ive caught my self going way over the 70 mile an hour speed limit ,but she does like the fuel but with a 38 gallon fuel tank you can put some miles down :rebel:
 
My 4x4 Tundra can pull the Space Shuttle and pass everything on the road but a gas station.

You can literally watch the gas gauge move any time your towing above 60mph. It drinks more fuel than any tow vehicle I have ever owned.

I would be looking at a 1 ton diesel probably the Ram
 
Swamp if you are considering a Dodge I'd suggest a nice older one, I've had 2 a 05 and a 13 the 05 was a great truck and would still get about 10 mpg pulling my 28ft enclosed trailer and 20 mpg empty as long as I kept it under 75. My 2013 never got better than 18 empty if I babied it and still got around 10 towing with no real difference in power level that you tell by the seat of your pants. Just my 2 cents
 
Dirtman said:
Swamp if you are considering a Dodge I'd suggest a nice older one, I've had 2 a 05 and a 13 the 05 was a great truck and would still get about 10 mpg pulling my 28ft enclosed trailer and 20 mpg empty as long as I kept it under 75. My 2013 never got better than 18 empty if I babied it and still got around 10 towing with no real difference in power level that you tell by the seat of your pants. Just my 2 cents
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Do you by chance know anyone that has a 2018 if so have they had good luck with the motor
 
I have heard the 19 & 20 Ram may have fuel pump problems. My son has a 19 and runs a fuel additive to help prevent problems. All the newer diesels need to have the fuel filters changed at recommended mileage. I used to push it in the past but would not now.
 
Blackcoffee said:
I have heard the 19 & 20 Ram may have fuel pump problems. My son has a 19 and runs a fuel additive to help prevent problems. All the newer diesels need to have the fuel filters changed at recommended mileage. I used to push it in the past but would not now.
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👍10-4
 
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