Grampa Kilt Has Gone to the Dark Side, Sort've!

[GrampaKilt]

Ah, remembrances of when the family car was the tow vehicle...

FWIW, last year, Canadians bought about 75,000 F series Fords, most were 150s. They bought 60,000 GMC/Chev pick-ups combined (I bought one of them!). I think Dodge sold about 30K RAMS and all other brands were in the 10K or less range.

I bought a Sierra only because the price (part of a fleet deal) was incredible (OK, I'm very fond of the Sierra Nevada, so the name was appealing...) My son purchased an F150 and I can see why it takes top place. I'll mention one reason. For fuel economy, Ford went with a V6 with turbo while GMC/Chev went with a V8 that backed off to V4 while cruising. We compare mileages. My son's F150 has been under 10L/100km. I might get 12L/100km.

Best wishes on your hunt for a new TV. GK

[Steve Sanders]

Ah, remembrances of when the family car was the tow vehicle...

My "family car" is my TV now. You just have to get a small enough camper. Quicksilver 8.1.

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[Merlin]

Interesting discussion.  We are towing our 2016 16TBS with our 2004 4-Runner.  We replaced the engine with only 100k miles on it last summer. Although the body is in great shape the vehicle has a lot of underside rust (WI winters...).  Our other vehicle, a loaded 2016 Nissan Maxima, has a lease expiration in December so I am thinking about buying a truck to replace it with, to use as our primary TV.  Trying to decide between the Honda Ridgeline RTL-E and Ford F-150 XLT.  We love the new Ridgeline styling and ride, but like the beefier towing capability of the F150.   

Any advice would be great - thanks!


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My advice is free, but worth what it cost you.  . If you tow only in Wisconsin or neighboring states and only a few times per year, with the rest of the vehicle usage being daily driver miles, get the Ridgeline and a sway control hitch. If you tow long distances or frequently, get the F150. My reasoning is the Ridgeline will be just adequate for the 16TBS, but a great daily driver. Conversely, the F150 will be a great tow vehicle, but overkill as a daily driver if used only infrequently for towing. There is not much experience yet with the Ridgeline as a tow vehicle, but you may get some better advice on a Ridgeline forum. 

[dlb53151]

For any others looking at the Ridgeline versus F150,  thought I would share a good, objective YouTube video on the Ridgeline towing capabilities, pulling a 5k lb trailer, so is at the max tow capacity.....




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[dlb53151]

One more Ridgeline video to share....

Here is the overall punchline: 

If towing at or less than 4K lbs trailer empty weight occasionally (few times a month during summer months for camping trips) and the occasional weekend warrior trip to the dump with yard waste, moving kids to / from college etc. go with Ridgeline.  Better ride, gas mileage, lower depreciation rate, easier navigating the parking lots etc.  Otherwise go with the F150 or equivalent Chevy or Toyota.

One critical point:  even if you have a lightweight trailer for now and like it, make sure you challenge yourself "do I anticipate getting a bigger trailer and / or towing a big boat at some point, pause further to reflect.  Otherwise you will have PPD "post purchase depression" since you are now tied to an inadequate a $40k TV (if looking at the RTL-E like I am).

In my case I was diagnosed with
the severe, wet form of macular degeneration (retina eye disease) at age 45 requiring monthly treatments I
am sticking with my 16 footer TBS since I don't want to push the capacity of my vision at some point with a bigger trailer. 

Life is all good at age 50 right now and my wife and I are enjoying our third camping trip with the TBS, taking the week of this week up in Grand Haven MI at the Eastpointe RV Resort (aka Paradise).




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