The REAL experience | Half Ton Toy Hauler across the country
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- Air Bags: amzn.to/3xjxRNH
Transmission Cooler: amzn.to/3xlhBvT
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @jordanray
Follow me on Instagram / jordan.ray.vlogs
If you'd like to support the channel in other ways:
paypal.me/jordanrayvlogs?loca...
Custom Merchandise: jordan-ray-merch.creator-spri...
All music sourced from epidemic sound (1 month free trial): bit.ly/3dhu5Xk
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you.
Good video. You definitely looking at your rv truck capabilities .
RVs are a money pit
Your mechanical skills have increased the usage of camper. But they are a constant headache. Get a 2 motorcycle trailer and tent camp out of your truck. Lots of options to eliminate expenses. Good luck and you will make it work
Remember folks, you'll want to go down hill in the same gear you would up it in. Just manually down shift to get engine braking and save your brakes from overheating.
No thermostat? That trucks going to be cold-blooded in the winter. Also without the thermostat, coolant flow rate can be too high.
Left unrestricted the coolant can't transfer the heat from the engine or radiator quickly enough .
Leading to overheating under a load (ie: mountains/hills)
Living in AZ for most of my life and pulling trailers, campers and boats I learned that all my trucks had transmission and oil coolers. Living now in VA and after having a camp trailer, I to have learned more about towing capacities. Good luck and enjoy.
Where the truck is happy says it all, listen to the machine. It will tell you when it isn't happy.
Went through EXACTLY the same situation with our towing setup. With our camper being slightly larger, I had questions about its capability, did extensive research, and was assured by the camper and truck dealerships we would have no issues. After the first camping trip, I cannot agree more with the white knuckle effect when towing (especially with inclement weather). We opted to buy a 2011 2500HD Duramax (to save on total cost) to avoid excessive wear on our 1/2 ton. Another big gap was in tongue weight being significantly heavier than the data sheets. Great advice about doing extensive research, verifying the data/specs, and using a weight distribution hitch. We love our setup now and enjoy the life... hopefully you all can figure out your sweet spot. Truck looks great and looking forward to your future content!!
With our F150 5.0, and a 7x18 toy hauler, we found that 60 mph was the place to be. Locked out gears 7 thru 10 and let it roll in 6the gear at about 2700 rpm. Next to zero mental stress at that speed, and mileage was mid 11’s. Going faster just ages you quickly and makes for a horrible day.
Part 2 - we made the 6-yr old F150 our daily driver, and picked up a F250 XLT package with the 7.3 liter godzilla gas motor and 10-speed trans, for $58,000 last yr. Probably the last truck I will buy for towing at my age.
Hey Jordan! Good review on towing with a half ton. We specifically sought out a gas powered 1 ton single rear wheel ram when we decided to buy a camper. I will never own a modern diesel powered heavy duty truck. What some people don’t understand is that a modern diesel with an emissions problem can and will go into limp mode if you don’t get it into dealer for service by a set amount of miles and literally leave you stranded.
If I could share one bit of advice is if your transmission is hunting for a gear frequently put the transmission in manual mode and drop down gears till it stops hunting. When we haul our camper, 6 speed auto, I manually put mine in 4th gear which is direct or 1.1 ratio and leave it there. With a 3.73 axle ratio that puts me at 2100-2700 on the tach, depending on cruising speed. The only time it wants to drop gears is on big hills, with no hunting. Another thing is when going down long grades you can get better engine braking by downshifting, 3500-4000 RPM really helps.
Hope that helps.
Great review on tuck towing. It's definitely a learning curve when you start going on long trips. Just heard you say you were going 72-74? May want to check what speed your trailer tires are rated for. Lots of trailer tires are rated to 65-75mph. As a full timer when I move I pretty much just set the cruise at 65 and let everyone pass me. 😂
“Habitual Hobbiest” 😂
Part 3 - my son-in-law just bought a 2022 F250 XLT with 50k miles for $41,000. Thats not bad for a vehicle that can tow well.
When it comes to tow vehicles, overkill is always a good thing for several reasons including safety, handling and tow vehicle wear and tear. I knew a guy who pulled a 7,000 lb travel trailer with his F150 and he went through several sets of bearings in the rear axle because they are load-bearing in half ton pickups. The full floating rear axles of a three-quarter ton or one ton solves that problem. In addition, if you snap an axle shaft on a half ton pickup it can come completely out of the axle housing, tire/wheel and all. Sure it's rare but it does happen and could cause a bad wreck. That can't happen with the full floating axles of 3/4 ton and 1 ton pickups. A lot of people think horsepower is the main factor when it comes to towing but that's far from the case. Having a heavy, strong platform with strong brakes and running gear is much more important. You don't want the tail wagging the dog at high speed in a strong crosswind!.
Get a slide in camper for the truck and a Wee Roll cargo trailer for bikes and gear.could always use the trailer for camping in as well.
So even less space than they currently have with the small trailer and going well over the truck's bed weight capacity with camper and trailer pin weight. Absolutely horrible advice!
I'm just really glad you got to travel with Jess. You could, if you wanted to, get a older truck with a diesel as a project. You like to tinker on things, why not a truck for towing / travel? Just a thought. Good vid man
Half tons are great for lighter 5k lbs or under especially car trailers. Travel trailers tow completely different. I feel if you're are towing a camper regularly do it right with at least 3/4 ton.
Ditto on the radiator. Maybe an electric fan on the front to help push air.
it is a good truck but for a toy hauler i think you need a little more, i would say a 3/4 ton would be a lot safer. i also think for snowbirding you need more living space in the trailer. that would make it more comfortable
Thank you for sharing your videos and info about your Truck and your toy hauler! Mr Jordan Ray 😊
All aluminum cargo wont fall apart like an rv
Thanks for your real input on the “trailer” lol toy hauler.. I saw in Jess’s video someone called the toy hauler a trailer..
Those truck wheels are sick!! Love the bronze look
Thanks! They are Fuel wheels
Get rid of the leveling kit , put the shroud back on the front and you’ll increase your fuel efficiency by 2-4 miles per gallon
Always enjoy both channels…
i find it interesting how wildly different your perspective on RV ownership is than mine. i live half time in my RV it stays parked permanently in a RV park for work and i commute 300 miles back and forth from west Texas where the RV is to Austin where my house and family are, a week in each place at a time. everyone i work with does this so none of us ever haul our RV's. but i fully understand most people outside of my field do haul them around that's their point. but man once my crap was parked it really didn't have any of the wall issues yours has, mine is older and cheaper than yours but i guess because it stays stationary it just isn't exposed to all the twisting and jostling forces hauling puts on it. i really appreciate you sharing your perspective here, i've been thinking of getting a second RV meant for toy hauling, but man i don't want to have it falling apart every time, I'm fine renting a uhaul trailer to get to Sturgis and tent camping for the week im there for get on adv fest every year. i just don't think i would use one as much as you guys do and I'm definitely not moving my stationary RV around if it's going to have walls ripping off the frame
First time I towed a big tv (fifth wheel) was with an old Dodge 3500 dually diesel with a standard transmission! That truck was a beast. Couldn’t care there was a 35’ fifth wheel hooked up lol.
Those old cummins are golden.
As for gear change in the truck, If you switch to a 3:73 ratio ring an pinion in the rear diff, you may have a little better experience.
I retuned the engine in my silverado and changed shift points, made a big difference. downside is I have to run premium fuel, but it's not a big deal for me.
Great video! You have a very nice looking truck! I have a 2017 GMC half ton and really like it. I only pull a 7X14 tailer that we haul our bikes in when we need to get somewhere and not able to ride.
My rig is really close to yours. The trailer is 24 foot an weighs 6K empty. The truck is a 1994 diesel 3/4 ton with the towing setup. But like yours is a 3.42 gear ratio. I believe is was a mobile welders truck, used to haul a small trailer back an forth from Chattanooga to Texas. It was great for that. Its also usable for my trailer. 16 mpg towing is nice. But the amount of heat produced pulling that much weigh up hill with a 3.42 gear ratio is more than any cooling option that will fit can handle. Short of putting a second radiator in the bed, a 3.42 is to high for that weight. Mind you my whole setup cost me $6K. The truck was $1800 the trailer was $4K, an I spent $200 driving to Pennsylvania to buy it. So I put up with more than I should. When I do upgrade, it will not be for a new truck or a 1 ton. It will be an older commercial class truck. Just around me now on facebook is a dozen commercial class trucks for sale for under $10K, 3 are class 8 trucks. Some nice ones in the $15K range.
Your daily driver does not have to also be your tow truck. You can buy a mid 90s box truck for $5k, insure it for RV use for very little an not have many problems with it because your not driving the wheels off it an its running practically empty. Your truck now is newer but its your daily driver, any your over working it. So is it really going to hold up better than something bigger but older?
That is a nice ass truck. I would have thought it would have a higher tow rating. Hell... we use to put helper springs on half tons back in the square body days and pull fith wheels pretty easy with brake controllers and some 3.73s or 4.10s.. but the national speed limit was 55. Good call with the trans cooler. I have heard the 6l80 likes to burn up
I would try re-sizing tires before changing gear ratio.
From what I have read and heard 65mph is what you should do with a travel trailer.
Hi Jordan, i had a 27 ft travel trailer which i liked but i found the build Quality awful. I switched to a simple enclosed 16 ft all aluminum trailer for towing my bikes . and switched to sleeping in a nice stand up tent , with a nice big cot, and full size chairs. you might consider looking at building your own camper ( there are many videos on this , using all different sizes of trailers ) I think your skills and ingenuity you could build a great trailer,. its amazing what people are doing with them! and you can build it out to YOUR design. mine is only set up for my bikes and with lots of E-track for shelves to carry gear for camping . it is wired to plug into electric ( i have a small fridge and freexer also ) i didnt put in any windows or ceiling fans cause i didnt want to compromise the roof ( i use it for bikes winter storage ) its nice and light and i pull it with my 2010 tundra with ease. check out enclosed trailer campers to see some options people put in , or leave out !
Great video thank you very well done thanks again cheers to ya.
That's some good information. Thank you
See about getting a good tuner for the truck and as for room look at maybe a grey wolf 22rr i got a 19 last year for 22k . It is a much easier layout once you take out the heavy ass table.
Get yourself a good "tuner " for your truck, I have a 16 Silverado 5.3 and bought a Edge tuner and the difference is amazing, also tow a Greywolf22rr with my Street Glide and my wife's Softail slim and get 13 mpg.
Lbz Duramax is a forever truck as long as you maintain it. …and it’ll snatch that camper anywhere as fast as you want it to.
Go diesel you won’t regret it.
Thanks Jordan
great info Jordan Thanks buddy!
Not sure if this has been covered, but does your truck have a fan clutch? If so you could gain a few horses and more efficient cooling by going with an electric fan or fans.
Great review! 😀
Somewhere in there I missed why you went all the way out across the Mississippi river to get to Milwaukee from Ohio :D
Oh I went from Ohio to Milwaukee to Sturgis. 😬
Good info. Thanks
One TH-cam channel I watched once said to find the right trailer for you, then size of truck recommended and add 1/2 to 1 ton more in size. The person said it's all matter of safety as the lighter one may pull your load but not as safe as the larger trucks. The Professional Monkey TH-cam Chanel went from 3/4 ton to 1 ton for this same reason.
Your great with your hands, you could get a truck from Copart or other salvage yards close to you. You want it close enough that you can go and inspect it before bidding for serious water damage that would include corroded wires and water level. Sometimes the floor can be soft due to water as well as the wiring corroded in this case you leave it for someone else.
perfect canidate for 4:30s
From the start knowing what you intended to do with it I would have gotten 3/4 and Diesel Turbod
So many people forget about payload. Max trailer is not what you want to necessarily use as the key capability. It is good for salespeople only. Use payload keeping in mind your tongue weight comes off of that.
Tow ratings are based on specific conditions and grades and driver comfort are not in the test criteria. Usually with minimum speed requirements and they are not the speed limit.
Generally a lot of people who tow heavier loads like 65mph but as always that is a personal choice. You do you.
Very true, I think the truck could tow locally more weight perfectly fine, but for thousands of miles it’s not enjoyable, but doable.
good review, thks for the info
You upgraded your suspension you should modify your engine intake and exhaust probably could do it for less than $1,000 and get better performance out of it
Hi Mr Jordan Ray my dad knows how tow a RV because he trade in old RV for a brand new 2024 Shady RV and he trade in his 2019 Ford f-150 xlt fx4 for a 2023 Ford f-150 xlt fx4 because old Ford warranty went out and he purchases a new 2024 pontoon boat! 😊
Right now pick up trucks are stacking up on lots. Dealers are giving big discounts on left over 2023 trucks.
The max towing sticker is a lie. 11,500 is when your towing on flat road in 70F ambient temp. Better hope you have a strong tail wind. If your towing get a diesel. Period.
Jordan, can't you attach walls to your awning and get a bigger living space, creating an extra room?
We saw others with that but after Sturgis and how windy it was we were unable to even put it out, it was so aggressive and we saw many others damage their awning.
Was your cat happy to be home.
She was happy anytime being near us. Camper, travel truck days, anywhere there’s food 😂
❤❤❤❤
$8000 regear is absurd. Can be done for 1/4 of that
😎✌️
Awesome talk Jordan thx. Gives me ideas n funds approximate n things to look for thx again tell the worse half lol her two wheels hilbily13 says howdy
exhaust and a programmer?? Not even sure if that's available for that vehicle
I do have the AFM deleted, and I never did a louder exhaust because I love how quiet it is even at 3,000 rpm 😂