What are you towing your Cyclone 4012 with

[flamingknitter]

Renshi - I tow my Landmark by myself with a Chevy 1 ton dually. I also have an Avalanche for my daily driver but I have to say that I really like the dually better. It took a little while to get used to the "hips" but I haven't really had any problems parking. Width isn't usually my main issue - it is length. I haven't been brave enough to try the drive through yet. I don't want to get stuck or scuff up my shiney paint. I was in Carson City, Nevada yesterday and they had a 5500 and a 7500 on the lot, used. I was sooo tempted.

 

[truknutt]

It took a little while to get used to the "hips" but I haven't really had any problems parking. Width isn't usually my main issue - it is length.

Now that's a good one..."hips" ! Never heard dually fenders referred to using that term!

Is that a female thing? When I tell the DW to watch the fenders, she automatically stares at the fronts!! Have to try that on her!

 

[russell]

I tow with an '08 F-450 and it does just fine. Very stable with enough power( is there ever enough power?)mileage hovers around 8.0 to 8.5 when towing, 12 to 12.5 average when not towing. I can't imagine towing with an F-250 or 2500. A 4012 is HEAVY!

Russ

 

[boon3869]

4012 Pulled with Dodge

We pull our 4012 with a 2005 Dodge SRW crew cab 4x4 with the diesel engine. I changed the gears to 410's and have added air bags. I have towed no problems for the past 2 years. Have pulled and descended many long 7% grades. Have upgraded brakes. I have had zero problems. Usually pulling between 60-70mph.

 

[sporlan]

I pull my 3950 loaded down with an 08 SRW f350. The truck pulls great, no problems.

 

[leftyf]

Never been overloaded.

 

[Bob&Patty]

Lefty, you never stop do you. You have far toooooo much time on your hands. LOL

 

[jmgratz]

Hey Lefty, Rough roads don't bother you in that rig. ROTFLMAO

 

[sporlan]

I have a 2008 f350 srw with Mickey Thompson wheels. They have an offset and are almost as wide as a dually. I find it strange that people say "dually's are more stable". The last time I towed my 3950 loaded down, I never noticed it tipping over when I turned a corner???? I guess when I start tipping my truck on corners I will consider a dually. As far as I am concerned the only advantage to a dually is a higher tow rate, thats it! I have the same motor and axel!

 

[rogerdlett]

i got a 2007 cyclone 3850 with toybox loaded with 2 Gold Wings I pull it with 2003 F250 7.3 Desiel getting bout 10 MPG

 

[PUG]

I guess I am the village idiot but I pull my 3950 width a single axle chev 2500 duramax. I have upgraded the tires to 265s which gives me a load weight right at the tires max rating. I have Firestone load levelers which are a must. I went to a Michelin tire which makes a very big handling difference. Dualies would give you a little more assurance in case of a tire blow and be more stable. I recently did a trip from Idaho to Omaha and loaded the garage with 2500 plus and came back through South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. I was grossing about 29500 and it handled it fine. Quite a load but axles, tires, bearings, etc. etc. handled it fine. If buying a new rig now to pull it, I would go to a 3500 or more!

 

[rockhound454]

I pull my 3795, loaded with two 4 wheelers all through the mountains of Idaho with a 6.0 Crew cab 4x4 dually with no problems. Average 10 mpg pulling and 14 mpg empth - Aw yes 410 gears. It is a real good combination. I have found no reason to chip the truck or alter the suspension. It is my 4th Ford and have no problems with any of them. I think the dually is necessary for safety.
Geting ready to head to Jackson Hole Wyo and chill a bit.

 

[trvlrerik]

I am using my srw as a daily driver and a puller also (08 f350 6.4 4X4) One reason I have other than tight spots I can get into, is tire replacement costs. at $250 a tire that extra 500 I keep in my pocket is another week out camping. I do agree however in high winds and blowouts the drw trucks have the advantage.

 

[spookdawg13]

Road Warrior 405 - who has one? What do you pull it with?

So, we went from a 2005 27' JayFeather TT (no slides, 4800 lbs), to a 2007 31' Bunkhouse Cherokee TT (one BIG slide, 7900 lbs) to a 2010 5th wheel toyhauler (12900 lbs, 3 slides). Pulled all of them with the same truck, 2001 F350 4x4 7.3L diesel with the SRWs. Truck gets 14-15 mpg normally, ran at 13 mpg with the JF, 11 with the Ch, and now about 8 mpg pulling the Road Warrior with all of our 'stuff', a full size ATV, all my tools, and a full tank of gas in the on board fuel station tank. We didn't take any test runs, just ran it right out on a cross-country hill-filled extravaganza for 3 weeks from Seattle to the Grand Canyon and back. About 2 weeks in the turbo went out on the truck (over 130K miles and it was already making some strange noises for about 2 years prior, so maybe it was just it's time). The replacement (re manufactured and replaced solo by Ford dealer) lasted 3 days and about 500 miles - it had gotten something in it and eventually broke the central spindle. Ford warrantied the repairs and this time replaced the turbo and everything it touches for free - over 1500 miles and 8-10 high mountain passes later, no problems on the way home. So, pulling was not a problem, and with the new turbo system installed we never even saw a rise in the operating temperature above the lowest portion of the normal range. Braking was also not a problem with the prodigy brake control and 6 trailer brakes (loving the triple axle) - dropping into Susanville, CA from southern OR...coming down I-70 into Salina, UT...north on I-84 toward the Tri-Cities in WA. I never did weigh the whole thing, but my estimate is about 14K for the trailer and 8500 for the truck. Just under my GCVWR. Is any body else pulling one of these? With what?

 

[Jean1861]

Just bought 2010 395RW. This is our first, yes first, motor home/toy hauler. Are we crazy, or what? We are looking at Dodge Dually 3500, 4x4, deisels....2005-2007 and are pretty sure that truck can handle the load. (?) After reading some of these postings I'm getting pretty worried about blow-outs, etc. and am regretting going so big with no experience in hauling...other than a 5th wheel horse trailer about 16'...which was a piece of cake with an F250. Should I go to truck driving school? I feel like I was pretty naive with this purchase...but really want to live on the road in extended stay RV parks for a year or two at the beginning of my retirement. Any thoughts? Advice? Reassurance? Hauling tips? It's a beautiful motor home...would like to keep it in one piece for a while.

 

[davebennington]

Jean1861,

First welcome to the Heartland family. As far as the TV I think you are on the right track in selecting a 1 ton TV, and Dodge is a strong puller. I would however select a 2006 or newer if for no other reason the 2006 and newer can be equipped with an exhaust brake. Good luck with your search and travel safe.

Dave

 

[Jimmyt5]

New Dodge 2007.5 or newer comes with exhaust break...........

 

[jmgratz]

As far a driving ability goes you should have no problem as long as you use good common defensive driving skills. Remember it takes longer to stop so greater following distance; it needs a larger area to turn so you have to turn a little wider. A big thing to remember is you are taller. Measure the height of your rig so you know how tall you are. You are probably between 12'6" and 13'3" but you will need to be sure. Then keep a lookout for tree branches and low bridges, low hanging traffic lights etc. The difficulties I have had is when I get off the main roads. City streets also have low branches. When possible I will ride in the center (not the curb) lane to stay away from the branches. Find a large empty parking lot, set out some cones (you can buy some at Wal-Mart) and then practice your turning, backing, and driving. After that it is having fun. But most of all Go Go Go RVing....

 

[sgtbigb]

2010 King Ranch

Wow! 2010 King Ranch, Is there a lot a difference between the 09 and 2010?

 

[Jean1861]

Thanks to all who offered help. Jean