Towing Requirments

Potszer · 11-08-2010, 07:25 AM

I'am thinking about buying a 1988 Sunline camper and also a used truck to pull it with,my question is the best model of truck and size to buy,would a v6 or small v8 do it , and any info you can give me on gas mileage to expect and etc. I will be going from Fl. thru mountains and deserts. thank you for any advise you can give me. I have never owned one so I need plenty of help.

luvrque · 11-08-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potszer

I'am thinking about buying a 1988 Sunline camper and also a used truck to pull it with,my question is the best model of truck and size to buy,would a v6 or small v8 do it , and any info you can give me on gas mileage to expect and etc. I will be going from Fl. thru mountains and deserts. thank you for any advise you can give me. I have never owned one so I need plenty of help.

Welcome to the club,
We need to know the size of the camper.
I am sure you will need a V8 unless you are talking about the smallest camper.

quaddriver · 11-08-2010, 08:14 AM

Funny thing about mileage....

My F150 pulls my 5000lb boat at 10-11mpg.

My 4000lb sunny at 8-9mpg.

They are essentially large sheds being towed. (large sheds with a bathroom and a microwave, but still)

At lower speeds and not so hilly, I can pull my sunny with My F100 6-cyl. With a stick even. (But I built this drivetrain - literally - so I am aware of its capabilities and breaking points)

luvrque · 11-08-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quaddriver

Funny thing about mileage....

My F150 pulls my 5000lb boat at 10-11mpg.

My 4000lb sunny at 8-9mpg.

They are essentially large sheds being towed. (large sheds with a bathroom and a microwave, but still)

I find the same type of results:

My 2008 Tahoe 5.3 V8 4 speed auto pulled my 5,000lb boat @ 12.5 Avg.mpg

My 3,500lb Sunline QUE @ 11.3 Avg.mpg

I now bought a 2011 Tahoe 5.3 V8 6 speed auto. The 6 spd. makes a nice difference in mileage. I am getting 3 to 4 more mpg not towing, but I expect to get at least 1 or 2 more mpg towing.

Potszer · 11-08-2010, 10:40 AM

I will be buying a 24ft or smaller. thank you for your quick reply.

luvrque · 11-08-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potszer

I'am thinking about buying a 1988 Sunline camper and also a used truck to pull it with,my question is the best model of truck and size to buy,would a v6 or small v8 do it , and any info you can give me on gas mileage to expect and etc. I will be going from Fl. thru mountains and deserts. thank you for any advise you can give me. I have never owned one so I need plenty of help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potszer

I will be buying a 24ft or smaller. thank you for your quick reply.

OK, for a 19ft to 24ft.TT you need a V8 to pull comfortably.....imho
As far as the used truck goes, get what you want. brand & size don't matter for a 24ft. or smaller TT....imho
Mileage: No way to know for sure what you may get. It all depends on the TT & truck you get (the rear axle ratio means a lot)

For example: My 3,500lb 17 1/2ft.Sunline QUE got 11.3 Avg.mpg with my 2008 Tahoe 5.3 320hp V8 with a 3.73 rear Axle.

Steve Collins · 11-08-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Potszer

I will be buying a 24ft or smaller. thank you for your quick reply.

You may also find a lot of valuable information by reading through some of the threads over in the Towing and Tow Vehicles forum. A lot of your questions may well already be answered.

As you will see, there are a lot of variables and you will want to learn as much about the various aspects as possible before you make any purchases.

For example, my previous tow vehicle was a '98 Dodge Ram with the smaller 5.2 V8. It was fine on the flats, but really bogged down in the Adirondack Mountains. Since you know you are going to be towing through mountains, that may affect your decisions.

Potszer · 11-10-2010, 01:34 PM

The Sunline I looked at is a 1987 Satellite and on the plate it has the weight of 5000 pds. and 2500 tonge weight . Does anyone know where I can gey the specific specs on this model??? thank you

**Sunline Fan** · 11-10-2010, 02:43 PM

Good Afternoon Potszer,

Unfortunately we'll need a little more info beyond a 1987 Satellite. Satellite is just a model/series name, there's a specific number to the floorplan. The Satellite line can take in about 18' to 24' units.

If you don't know the specific number, that's fine, just describe the layout of the trailer the best you can. Like the location of all the components inside. Pictures or an internet link would be even better yet if you have that available.

Once we figure out what model you have, I can get you a bunch of numbers on it with explanations of them.

By the way, the numbers you found on the trailer, the 5000 and 2500, that is not the total weight and tongue weight. I suspect 5000 is the GVWR (the total weight the trailer can carry fully loaded) and I suspect the 2500 is the max weight rating of each axle, which would mean it's a dual axle trailer.

The dry weight of a trailer in that range should be around 2000-2500 pounds with a tongue weight of around 500 pounds.

Jon