New TV

[dthurk]

Well, we did it.  As you can see by my sig, we bought a new tow vehicle.  It certainly can be a vicious circle, this upgrade thing.  A new camper needs a new tow vehicle.  We got a 2006 (used) Dodge Durango, 12,000 miles.  It's got a tow rating of 7500 lbs.  It should pull our 5000 lb camper a bit better than the Jeep.  I was also looking at a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 truck with a quad cab, 24,000 miles.  It had a 5.7l hemi in it, rated for over 10,000 lbs.  It was the same price as the Durango.  I decided on the Durango for the extra 2 years and the fact that I would not be able to upgrade to a 5th wheel with it, necessitating another new TV.  

We're certainly out of the pop up territory, but have some really nice friends here.  I think we'll stay around for a while.

[TheViking]

Well, we did it. As you can see by my sig, we bought a new tow vehicle. It certainly can be a vicious circle, this upgrade thing. A new camper needs a new tow vehicle. We got a 2006 (used) Dodge Durango, 12,000 miles. It's got a tow rating of 7500 lbs. It should pull our 5000 lb camper a bit better than the Jeep. I was also looking at a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 truck with a quad cab, 24,000 miles. It had a 5.7l hemi in it, rated for over 10,000 lbs. It was the same price as the Durango. I decided on the Durango for the extra 2 years and the fact that I would not be able to upgrade to a 5th wheel with it, necessitating another new TV.
 
We're certainly out of the pop up territory, but have some really nice friends here. I think we'll stay around for a while.

Hey, Look at my sig.  I went way outside the pop-up thing too.  But they can't get rid of me that easy.  You are a full blown Darksider now...embrace it.:Z

[dthurk]

Picked up the "new" TV last night.  The dealer told me yesterday we were the first ones to buy an '06 program car from that dealer.  The new 07's aren't even out yet.  The decision to buy and pick up this car was so fast they didn't have time to get the hitch and wiring harness in it.  I saw and drove it Wednesday afternoon.  Signed the paperwork, then told DW we had a new car.  The dealer's business manager thought I was really bold, but I knew she'd love it.  Had the check from the Credit Union about an hour later, and picked up the car about 24 hours after first seeing it.  DW just left to go to the RV dealer to install the brake controller, then back to the auto dealer to install the hitch and wiring harness.  They'll give us a loaner till it's done this afternoon, probably our old Jeep back.  The new one's set up with towing package, don't know why they don't finish them out at the factory.  Auto dealer is also unwilling to put in the brake controller, don't understand that.  

The car is nice.  We leave Monday morning for a week long trip to the 1000 Islands.  We're really looking forward to the trip.  We like the car, we like the camper, now we gotta see how they work together.  We're enjoying the darkside.  Next step is dry camping.

[mountainrev]

I have an '04 Durango 4x4 with the 4.7.  It's a great vehicle.  Very, very comfortable.  Handles well.  Seats 7 pretty comfortably.  But it is a bit thirsty!  Typically, I get 15 mpg city, 18 or 19 highway, and 15 towing my 2,000+ lb. popup.  

Towing in the flatlands, I leave it in o/d.  I use the tow/haul mode for mountains, and even then, only when going up or down a steeper grade.  I wish you could select "3" on the tranny, but your only choices are o/d (5 speed), tow/haul (locks it out of 5th), 2, or 1.  If I'm going down a very steep grade with the popup behind, I'll put it in "2."  

Do you know what gears you have?  Standard rear end is 3.55.  I have the 3.92, which probably hurts it a bit for gas mileage, but helps for towing, especially in the mountains.

Enjoy!

[tlhdoc]

Dave congratulations on your new TV.  Have a wonderful trip.

[dthurk]

I have an '04 Durango 4x4 with the 4.7.  It's a great vehicle.  Very, very comfortable.  Handles well.  Seats 7 pretty comfortably.  But it is a bit thirsty!  Typically, I get 15 mpg city, 18 or 19 highway, and 15 towing my 2,000+ lb. popup.  

Towing in the flatlands, I leave it in o/d.  I use the tow/haul mode for mountains, and even then, only when going up or down a steeper grade.  I wish you could select "3" on the tranny, but your only choices are o/d (5 speed), tow/haul (locks it out of 5th), 2, or 1.  If I'm going down a very steep grade with the popup behind, I'll put it in "2."  

Do you know what gears you have?  Standard rear end is 3.55.  I have the 3.92, which probably hurts it a bit for gas mileage, but helps for towing, especially in the mountains.

Enjoy!

We've got the 3.55.  Would rather have the 3.92, but we're OK with what we've got.  I'll be experimenting with it to see what seems to work best with it, but towing 5500 lbs. will limit us a bit in options.  I've done a couple of test tows with it, it seems to handle very well.  I had to drop the hitch head a couple of notches to get good stable towing.  I'm hoping for halfway decent gas mileage, if it's in double digits I guess I'll be happy.

[dthurk]

Dave congratulations on your new TV.  Have a wonderful trip.

Thanks, Tracy.  Happy camping to you, too, if you're going out again soon.

[tlhdoc]

Thanks, Tracy. Happy camping to you, too, if you're going out again soon.

I don't think I will be camping again until the 25th, but I may be camping the weekend of the 18th with the scouts, but I don't think so.