Bought my first toy hauler got questions!! - Diesel Forum

azbgwlystyl · 08-02-2007, 12:05 AM

Took us a while but I originally bought this truck with the intention of hauling a toy hauler. We bought a 24' Keystone Tailgator, has a sway bar, haven't taken her out yet, still waiting on the temp tags. I have two question, is a weight distribution hitch a good bye or do I really need it being that the hauler is not that big? And two, my truck has a 6 inch lift, and 35's, want to get a little better mileage, at least when towing, I know it may look a little funny, but was thinking of buying a second set of rims and tires for when we tow, can always find almost new takeoffs on craigslist here for pretty reasonable, was wondering if it would improve my mileage to go down to some 275's, or even just 33's? Thanks folks in advance. Sucks bein a newbie, took me four or five tries to back the beast up into our storage spot, lmao!!

azbgwlystyl · 08-02-2007, 12:07 AM

Forgot to mention, the truck does have airbags in the back and a ATS transimission with copilot lockup convertor, with magnetech covers on the tranny and diff.

STurbo90 · 08-02-2007, 12:23 AM

With a 24' a weight distribution hitch is most likely necessary, since you are probably overweight on your tongue load on your hitch if you still have the factory hitch.

Probably overloaded on the total weight also without it.

There should be a sticker on the hitch that says WC & WD capacity.

As far as smaller tires when towing, maybe you might get a little better mpg with smaller tires, but probably not worth the effort.

The main decrease in mpg is the wind drag from the toyhauler.

azbgwlystyl · 08-02-2007, 12:30 AM

Pretty sure its not the stock hitch, the guy I buoght it from definately set her up to tow, I will take a look, I did look when I was having my exhaust modded and I can't remember what it said. I am only getting about 12-13 mpg now, am just worried I'm gonna get even less hauling, hear some people get the same mileage no matter what, could be my case, guess we'll find out soon, when I take her out.

gmoore · 08-02-2007, 12:30 AM

An equalizer hitch system would be a good thing to have. It will assist in reducing/preventing trailer sway, caused by road or weather conditions. It will also "tie" the two vehicles together for better handling and ride.

With your lift and tires, you will appreciate anything that helps to prevent the trailer from "controlling" your truck.

Depending on loaded trailer weight, you would benefit from smaller diameter tires(lower gearing).

Another thing that effects handling while towing, is tire sidewall flex, particularly on your trucks rear tires. I have found that running the rear truck tires and the trailer tires at max rated pressures, helps alot with road ruts and cross winds.

Good luck

Roger45 · 08-02-2007, 12:41 AM

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I am only getting about 12-13 mpg now, am just worried I'm gonna get even less hauling,

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You can take that to the bank [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] You should be able to find a sweet spot though. I watch and try to keep my RPMs to 1995-2010 and I get my best mileage. Empty 13 MPG, hauling my 10K 5er 10MPG...all depending on hills and if I have to *try* my chip performance [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

Djc94 · 08-02-2007, 11:46 AM

I've got a toy hauler and I use air bags and a weight distributing hitch, also an anti-sway bar. Works perfect. I can set the air bags to whatever pressure I need to compensate for the load I have in the bed of the truck, such as firewood, and can adjust as firewood is burned. I didn't have the air bags when I first started pulling this trailer, and let me tell you, they do help. Concerning mileage, I've gotten as good as 20mpg running empty on the highway, and 14mpg pulling my trailer. I believe you would see better mileage with a smaller tire because of gear ratio and rolling resistance depending on how much wider your 35s are compared to stock.

azbgwlystyl · 08-02-2007, 01:46 PM

My 35's are substatially wider than stock, gonna have to buy some and experiment, I'm not sure about the maintenance on this beast, runs great but gonna run through and change the CPS prematurely, and oil and fuel filter, hoping will help a little, and hoping to get a 6 position chip here shortly.

Djc94 · 08-02-2007, 04:39 PM

Changing out the cps won't necessarily mean you won't have a problem. IMO, better to just throw the new cps in the glovebox along with the tools needed to replace it. Also, if you're going to change the oil, you might as well send a sample off and get it analyzed. I use www.blackstone-labs.com. If they know you got their name from Dieselstop.com they usually will give you a discount. Go to their webpage and order the kit. My last sample analysis cost me $20 and I had the data back in about a week. Just my $.02 worth. If you get a chance, put some pics up and show us your truck and trailer. Take it easy. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

sandfun · 08-03-2007, 01:33 AM

weight dist a must...it will be so much more stable with it.....towing my box i get 13 mpg....dp chip with tow tunes will nhwlp with power and economy....i tow heavy with a 6in lift and 35s....your load shouldn't hold you back much ...unless your not chiped....iv'e done many modifications and reading to tow a buggy on truck and 1 in the toybox....pm me if you want..

GAZ4x4 · 08-04-2007, 05:37 AM

Definitely get the weight distributing hitch, toyhauler trailers are very heavy on the front end.

I tow a 26' Weekend Warrior and I use a weight dist. hitch along with a set of Firestone airbags.

hwyman92307 · 08-04-2007, 03:44 PM

I have an 06 F350 CC LB with 35" tires and a 23' toy trailer. The WD hitch is a must! Very easy tow with no surprises. I normally get 14/15 hwy and 11/12 city mileage. Just finished a 2500 mile round trip where my mileage averaged from 7.5 at it's lowest (ouch!) to 12.5 at it's highest. Mostly stayed in the 65/70 mph and 2000 rpm range. It all depended on terrain and we had a day or two of fighting the wind. Don't know if it is a coincidence or not. But my worst mileage came when I was fighting the wind on a tank of 5% biodiesel. The mileage was calculated by hand and increased tire size was compensated by using the odometer on a Garmin GPS. I'm not a math wiz, best I could come up with.

RickHredf250 · 08-04-2007, 07:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I have an 06 F350 CC LB with 35" tires and a 23' toy trailer. The WD hitch is a must! Very easy tow with no surprises. I normally get 14/15 hwy and 11/12 city mileage. Just finished a 2500 mile round trip where my mileage averaged from 7.5 at it's lowest (ouch!) to 12.5 at it's highest. Mostly stayed in the 65/70 mph and 2000 rpm range. It all depended on terrain and we had a day or two of fighting the wind. Don't know if it is a coincidence or not. But my worst mileage came when I was fighting the wind on a tank of 5% Biodiesel. The mileage was calculated by hand and increased tire size was compensated by using the odometer on a Garmin GPS. I'm not a math wiz, best I could come up with.

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Were you following me???? Your trip sound sjust like mine except witha 97 CC F250 auto 4.10 gears 285 tires pulling a 22.5 TT with 100% Biodiesel. Mileage worked out to about the same as yours.
And I use a Garmin street pilot tied into laptop.
I have the WD hitch but do not use it, I did use the sway bar for the interstate, and I have the Firestone Ride Rites and use them at about 68 fully loaded and down to 58 as the fuel we were carrying went down (left home with 250 gal on board.
Rick H...

JB4LCM · 08-04-2007, 07:45 PM

Your 35s are rated at what? D or E???

I had 35" BFGs (325s) on my 2001 F350 PSD. I SUCKED the fuel pulling my 37' toybox (5th wheel). But I seriously DOUBT you are close to max with a 24' box.

If they are D rated, then you will have a larger flat spot under the tire - now you're pushing a tire and pulling a trailer. If they are E rated, keep em maxed at 80 Psi - you can most likely go 50-60 in the front tho.

I dropped back to a 285 - which is a 32" tire. BIG difference in towing - and more importantly - better braking power with the smaller tire. Not overworking the brakes on such a big tire.

They put them stock Mickey-mouse tires on these trucks for a reason -to TOW. We put the 35s on em to make em look better. Take your pick - looks or performance.

JB

Brad777 · 08-04-2007, 09:07 PM

I also utilize the weight distribution hitch and air bags. Like a couple others have said previously, the tongue weight of a toyhauler is much more than the standard trailer. I'd definitely advise to keep it. BTW, I have a Tailgator (278) also. FYI, they seem to pull best loaded. If I don't have my toys with me, I carry water. You might not have this problem since you likely don't have so much trailer in front of the axles. Also, I have a 6" lift and 37's with 20" wheels. The truck pulls like a dream. I've pulled the steepest canyon in Utah and had power to spare. Be safe and enjoy!