Very general questions re CG/RVpark living

[Acadianmom]

I don't know if you read blogs but RV Sue posted one time about a cargo van she was looking at. The company is Pacific Fleet Sales in Seattle. That's a long way from you but might give you an idea of what is out there and the price. A trip from Seattle would be nice if it wasn't winter.

All that about sway bars, hitches and towing packages is one of the reasons I drive a motorhome. I bought a car that could be towed 4 wheels down but haven't decided that I need to spend $3,000 to get it ready to tow.

Martha

[MelissaD]

There are so many variables to mpg's..

SNIP (for convenience of reading)

Any idea what that set of modifications ought to cost, and whether to take it to a camper world type place or ???

Thanks in advance.

Not sure exactly but probably $300 for the hitch receiver (part that bolts to frame of vehicle), another $200 for the brake controller, and installation say another $200. As for sway bars probably $150 plus $100 to install it. All just guesses. The WDH is separate. So around $1,000. But the van might already have sway bars. They will be mounted along the bottom of the rear axle.

As for the WDH they run $300 to $600 generally but some are up to $1000. That will also depend on the actual trailer you get.

Melissa

[OTW]

Melissa thanks!

Okay I'm going to have to make a move on this trailer I want (and I really do) but don't want to do that until I know I can get a right tow vehicle. So please bear with me a little longer because I'm getting really conflicting info.

I have spent HOURS! looking for a cargo van 3500 6.0L and these are not plentiful, period. They also guzzle gas. My question now is, do I reeeeeally need a 3500? (I'm pretty much looking at GMC/Chevy).

I just went back to GMC towing sheet again for cargo vans to see just what the deal is with a 2500 (3/4T). Well, I understand that as long as you get the 6L and not the 4.8, they're saying that the 2500 cargo van handles 10,000 pounds. (There are many more 2500s around.)

I've been using 10K as my basis. But the bottom line is, the trailer's GTWR is 7,000 pounds and I would be taking out its entire dinette assembly, replacing it with a lightweight stand-alone table and two pretty light patio chairs, so the difference adds to what I can put in it without exceeding (hopefully not even meeting) the GTWR. The only thing that would live in the empty cargo van would be tent poles, a couple of tarps... lightweight stuff. I might add insulation and paneling, but might not.

I know the 3500 has heavier build, which would be nice, but realistically I guess my question is, would a 2500 with the 6.0 in it do it? This has been driving me nuts. Can't imagine this research without internet because I've been at this for 3+ days nonstop, tracing down histories, etc. on the few 3500s that are out there anywhere near my price range.

[MelissaD]

Gas mileage between the 2500 and 3600 6.0L gas engines is pretty much nil. The weight difference between the 2 vans is minor (2-300#) but the towing and durability of towing is very different. Since the bodies/frames/interioir are the same, any gas mileage difference will be in the rear axle gearing, which will mean improved towing. The difference in weight between the 2500 and 3500 is improved springs, tires and beefed up drive train components.

Check with your local motor vehicle department to see if there is an issue with a vehicle plate of over 10,000#. Most people get the 2500 if their state has a 10,000# passenger limit. Some states require a commercial plate above 10,000# and a 3500 van might require that. In Indiana we are good to 14,000# so we get cut some slack on the 3500 series vehicles. RV laws very by state so you need to check in your state.

With out seeing the actual vehicles involved to see their actual spec's; I'm just making generalities here. A properly spec'd 2500 should do the job but a properly spec'd 3500, would just do it better.

[OTW]

Thank you, I hadn't thought of that. I'm now also giving open thoughts to a pickup truck but one with a back seat. 2-3 people I've talked with said that they thought a GMC/Chevy 1500 would be adequate for towing a 7K pound trailer and with my desired leeway to make it 10K-capable, I looked it up and sure 'nuff, it says their 5.3L 1500 is rated for either 9600 or 10,500 lbs. towing capability. My impression is that the 1500 with 5.3L engine seems to get decent gas mileage by comparison to a 2500. Does that sound like a vehicle I should also consider? I had ditzed the idea of a 1500 series anything, but 1500 trucks seem to be spec'd for it. Could you please confirm if you think that would be okay? With a back seat a truck might be okay. (Sure would have a damned site more amenities in the cab, that's fer sure.)

[MelissaD]

A pick up with a back seat will weigh more and reduce the cargo capacity or hitch weight that you can carry. Tow ratings are often rated on the smallest two person cab. If you want the larger cab I'd really look for a 2500 series truck. The rear axle in the 2500 is different design (full float) and much better for towing than the 1500. There are many different designs of "extended cabs". If you look in the picture of my truck it's a crew cab and the back seat actually has a 1/2" more leg room than the front seat. Many of the extend cabs you can only fit a child in the back. Just depends on what/who you want to travel back there. My back seats fold down to a flat deck area I can put a dog kennel or other cargo. If you add a bed cover it will add weight and reduce cargo capacity/towing capacity. It all adds up and it adds up faster than people realize.

The 1500 will be pushing its limits to get it's "promised numbers". Since the 2500 and 3500 are built on the same frame/body etc... and just minor changes in the drivetrain and suspension the 2500 is often down rated on paper for administrative and legal reasons to meet state 10,000# weight class limitations. Because of this the 2500 will preform and last much longer than the 1500 ever will towing. That's just my opinion from hauling car parts and talking to dealers and guys on the assembly line for the last 14 years.

Gas of diesel is your choice. Smaller trailers gas is fine but over 8 or 9,000# then I like diesel.

Best of luck in whatever you decide.

[OTW]

Melissa, that's what I've come back to, after a brief departure into 1500-land. Going to look at a reputable lot I discovered not far away that has some used 2500s in Chevy/GMC tomorrow if I can schedule time, just to see how they feel, drive, etc. Not buying anything, just looking but I've gone as far as I can online at this point. Thanks SO much for sharing your knowledge.

[Bethers]

I'm back here because after using the Thetford for a couple months - I switched it out for an older brand they have here and I like it MUCH better. The Thetford has a hose INSIDE the tank. It will eventually cause leaking as it rubs against various parts. Especially if used, like most do, as the hose to connect to the rig. The one I have now, the hose is external and you have the option to replace/use whatever you want. I believe it originally comes with one. But I was already using my own, so the fact the cg didn't have one anymore was not a problem. There are less parts to this - I can't imagine anything (other than a wheel broke - maintenance here replaced) going wrong.

I'm not sure the size I'm using but this is the tote:
https://accessories.lazydays.com/barker ... 44-11-0709

This said, I'm happy for it here - love my site. But if I was PAYING for a site, the price would have to be wonderful and the site just as wonderful for me to not have sewer connections seasonally. I wouldn't want to carry a tote around with me for use at cg's. I understand those who do while boondocking - but ONLY if they are close enough to tow it to a dump. Obviously you can't tow it down streets ...

[snowball]

we (my husband and I ) put our house up for sale thinking it would take a long time to sell...it didn't sold within a few days.'
when we moved out of our house we moved into our 5th wheel which we had bought with the plans to full time in it.
Larry wasn't ready to retire so we lived in a KOA in Salt Lake City Ut...they have sites set aside for full time use...on it they have storage
sheds...when in reason you are allowed to do what you want you are responsible for watering lawns although they do mow them.
have full hook ups...you pay for the electricity you don't get cable tv there although it is available for other campsites...I put out my stuff
I am bad about lowering the blinds but do it when I remember....this hasn't added to what others have posted but thought I would
give my experience....when I leave AZ I plan on lighting at KOA for a month unless I change my mind by then
sheila

[daydreamer08]

This is a great post. I have so many of the same questions.
Thanks,
Lori