what are you towing with

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

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Brent & Susan
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:13 am
Location: Iowa Eastern
Cardinal Owners: 06 31RKLE
Location: Iowa Eastern

what are you towing with

Post by Brent & Susan »

Hello fellow cardinal owners. Was wanting to know what other owners of a 06 31rkle are towing this rig with. Gas or diesel 3/4 1 ton etc. Thansk in advance Brent
Brent & Susan
06 31RKLE
02 Chevy crew 6.0
4 fur kids Shotzi, Sierra, Charile mini schauzers and Andy giant schnauzer
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Me&Margie
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:33 pm
Location: Washington Stanwood
Cardinal Owners: '07 31RKLE
Location: Washington Stanwood

Re: what are you towing with

Post by Me&Margie »

Good Morning, Brent:
We tow our '07 31RKLE with the '06 F-250 in our sig. We get right around 12/13 mpg with the bird in tow, but I contribute most of that to the fact that the truck has only 9,000+ miles on it. Yeah, I know, whats wrong with that picture!!?? We have a pretty good trip planned for this summer so that will change. Bottom line though, we don't really have any complaints as to how the truck handles the bird.
Hope this helps..................Marv
Marv & Margie
'07 Cardinal 31RKLE
'06 F-250 PSD S/C 4X2, Hijacker, Line-X.
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Heat84
Posts: 204
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:34 pm
Location: Massachusetts Wilbraham
Wife and three Queens and a King
Oh yes and my best buddy Lacey my dog
Cardinal Owners: 29ft
many add on like fireplace, central vacuum wet suspension just to name a few
Location: Massachusetts Wilbraham

Re: what are you towing with

Post by Heat84 »

:-\ The reason for this picture is simple because for One if I stick to 60 MPH with trailer in tow my gas miles are around 11.0 to 12.5 . The only reason I can see for difference is or might be the the amount of hill climbing on a trip.
At time's I forget the 5iver is in tow and look down and I doing 70 to 75 Mph which isn't a good idea unless of course you a Troper in the hunt.
look at the sig it's in there oH yes it's GAS. Enjoy your summer.
MIKE & BRENDA
29'WBL FIFTH WHEEL
2006 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY LARIATE
ALL THE WHISTLE AND BELLS
Full time summer
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dfredendall
Council, Moderator
Posts: 2396
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:11 pm
Location: California Highland
Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3350RLX- Luxury Edition
Location: California Highland

Re: what are you towing with

Post by dfredendall »

I tow my '07 30RKLE with a '08 F-350, 6.4 diesel. I had a '99 F-250 V-10 with 3.73diff. and 4 spd overdrive auto trans. I felt I was over loaded and under powered, and got 7-9 mpg. The '08 5 spd trans is markedly better with the closer ratio gearing. My '08 has 3.73 diff. and I average 10 mpg overall. I tow between 60-65 mph, and often with a second trailer. I am happy with it. Diesel made towing much easier for me.
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
Highland, California
2018 3350RLX- Luxury Edition
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
There are great experiences and new friends everywhere we go!
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Traveler II
exempt member
Posts: 3082
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:25 pm
Location: Minnesota Lindstrom
Cardinal Owners: 2008 30 TS
Skype ID: User name: janestonge46 (iChat only)
Skype name: jane-stonge
Location: Minnesota Lindstrom

Re: what are you towing with

Post by Traveler II »

As you can see from our signature we are towing with a 3/4 ton diesel Chevy. We first bought our trailer and than looked at different tow vechicials. We wanted to stay away from a dully but that is what was recommended. We understand that they offer more stability, which I’m sure they do. We wanted to use the truck as a second car and just thought the one we picked would be easier to park and get around in.

This is our first fiver and our 2nd season of traveling with it. We have 18,000 miles on the truck and we have pulled our rig so far about 11,000 miles. As you can see most of the time the truck is not used except to pull.

We are getting around 9-10 mpg towing and about 15-16 not. I had hopped for better. When we are on the interstate we travel at 60 and two lane roads what ever is the posted speed limit.

As a side point we have been RVing now for ten years and had motor homes before this. I find this set up easy to drive and we have just about the same room we had with a 40’ MH. The ride is not the same as a MH, but its not bad.
Jim & Jane
2014 Ford 350 King Ranch, Trailer Saver BD3 Air Hitch, IS Suspension, Disk Brakes
Nights camped in 2012: 142
Nights camped in 2013: 186
Nights camped in 2014: 185
Nights camped in 2015: 232
Nights camped in 2016: 165
yellowbird

Re: what are you towing with

Post by yellowbird »

we're pulling a 2009 cardinal 3100 rk with a 3/4 ton chevy diesel with single rear wheels. it seems to pull better than my 2005 cardinal 30ts that we were pulling with a 2005 ford f250 diesel, even though the new bird is quite a bit heavier. so far we have made about 4 short trips and are getting about 11mpg. shifts seem to be a little smoother with the allison transmission. the truck only has 4000 miles on it and i'm hoping to get a little better fuel mileage. so far we're quite satisfied with the chevy.
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WVcampers
Posts: 1192
Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: West Virginia Pocatalico
Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3250RL Luxury
Location: West Virginia Pocatalico

Re: what are you towing with

Post by WVcampers »

We tow our 30TS with a 2004 F350 Crew Cab with dual rear wheels. I prefer the DRW for the ride and stability. I have towed with SRW, there is no comparison. I do not run 55 or 60 MPH. I will usually run the speed limit or more. It seems a lot eaiser to either run slower or faster than the traffic when on a 4 lane highway, so I usually choose faster.Interstate limit in WV is 70 mph. The truck is 6.0 diesel, auto trans, 3.73 gears. I get 9-10 mpg in the hills. When we get to flat land I will get 11-12 mpg. The truck has 58,000 miles on it. I could not be more satisfied.
Randy & Carol
Elbie (weiner dog)
2018 Cardinal 3250 RLX Luxury Edition
2019 Ford F350 6.7PSD Lariat 4x4 SRW
Tim

Re: what are you towing with

Post by Tim »

Towing my 05 29WBLE with an 04 2WD Chevy 2500HD D/A. When towing we average 12 to 12.5 mpg. Around town I'm averaging 17-18 mpg and when solo on the highway it averages 21-22 mpg. I have no mods.
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bigdaddy1
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: Tennessee Humboldt
Cardinal Owners: 2019 Cardinal RLX
Location: Tennessee Humboldt

Re: what are you towing with

Post by bigdaddy1 »

We are towing our 07 30rkle with 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with 6.7 Cummings Diesel and 6-speed trans. We get appro. 11 towing (if I can keep my lead foot under control) and about 17 naked. We only have 6500 miles on truck but should get her broke in more this year. :mrgreen:
2019 Cardinal RLX
2015 F350 CC SRW Lariat Platinum Diesel
rpfan
Region Leader
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:50 pm
Location: New York Poughkeepsie
Cardinal Owners: 2009 3802BH (due in Nov13th!!) Have been enjoying ever since!!!
Location: New York Poughkeepsie

Re: what are you towing with

Post by rpfan »

We tow with 05 F450, in our sig :thumbrt:
Rich, Fern, Bethany & Justin
2005 F 450, CC, Duallie, 4wd, 25K Air Safe hitch, 100 Gal.aux. fuel tank.
2009 3802 BH LX Edition, 5 slide
Leave no roller coaster unridden!
tschmalz

Re: what are you towing with

Post by tschmalz »

We tow our 08 30 RKLE with an 05 Dodge, 2500 Diesel with six speed manual. Running empty and mostly highway driving I get 20 to 22 mpg. With the trailer on and full load, (two bikes, two kayaks on roof, and full water) get between 12 and 14, depending on the terrain. With the manual transmission I can be pretty selective about the gears and RPMs to help with the mileage. I know pulling and gas mileage are a big concern but I would advise anyone who is pulling a decent size rig with a diesel, and travels in any kind of mountain terrain, to get an exhaust brake. Best investment I ever made. While my TV handles the 5ver okay, and I am under the weight rating for the vehicle, if I had it to do all over again I would've got the 1 ton Dodge.

We've been pulling RVs for twenty years and this was my first diesel. Should've got one a long time ago.
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dennis1949
Posts: 481
Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:38 pm
Location: Alabama Decatur
Cardinal Owners: 2016. Blue Ridge 3045RL
Location: Alabama Decatur

Re: what are you towing with

Post by dennis1949 »

I tow my 2008 31rkle with a 2001 3/4 ton dodge diesel. I usually get between 12 to 13 mpg with it.
Dennis Carpenter
2016. Blue Ridge 3045RL
2012 3/4 GMC Z71 truck
Decatur Al.
navybanker

Re: what are you towing with

Post by navybanker »

Towing with the '04.5 GMC 2500 Duramax in front of '07 31RKLE. Unfortunately have the LLY duramax engine. It will overheat in the mountains when outside air temp is above 90! I didn't know about dieselplace.com before I purchased it used. Recently installed LBZ turbo mouthpiece and modified air intake from "Killerbee". We hope this improves performance and reduces the overheating problem!!! :lol: We travel with two friends one driving a '03 2500 duramax (LB7) and the other an (LBZ) '07. Neither have had the problems with overheating over the same mountains. They wait for me to catch up. They are pulling Montanas with dry weights 2,000 lbs heavier than my bird. We can't wait to test it out this spring. The bird is okay!
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Future Fulltimers
Posts: 847
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:35 pm
Location: Tennessee McMinnville
Cardinal Owners: 2006 30TS
Location: Tennessee Eastern (Deceased)

Re: what are you towing with

Post by Future Fulltimers »

We have a Chevy 3500 diesel. We like the extra power especially when it comes to mountain climbing and the dual wheels seem to give it a little more stability and comfort. :thumbrt:
Wayne & Peggy Williamson
Rocky
GoodSam Lifetime Members
2006 30TS
2007 Silverado 3500 Classic 6.6L D'Max
AirSafe 25k hitch
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Grape Escape
Posts: 160
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:13 am
Location: Canada Southern Ontario
Cardinal Owners: 2008 30RKLE
Location: Canada Southern Ontario

Re: what are you towing with

Post by Grape Escape »

Per Signature
Just picked up 2009 F250 V10 to pull our 2008 30 RKLE. Both 5th wheel and truck are new to us. Can't wait for inuguaral camping trip in May at Alleganey State park
2008 Cardinal 30 RKLE tv 2009 Ford F250 XLT SE Crew 4X4 V10
Reese Signature 18 k slider, Michelin XPS rib tires 225/75x16

previous trailers
2006 Rockwood 2607 tv 2005 Tahoe
2002 Traillite 23' tv 2001 Pathfinder
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