Once the season starts, I'm going to start a "Post Your Trailering Setup" thread so everyone can post pictures of their Tow Rigs & Boats. That way we can all admire each other's rigs!

Right now I'm about 49' long total, 19' of that is the Excursion and the trailer's about 30... I figure the boat and trailer are about 7800lbs loaded. The 6.8L V10 is a gas hog, but it pulls it really well.

I don't know Chris; this might create a lot on insecurities on the forum! You know they say size doesn't matter but.... :rolling_laugh: :rolling_laugh: :rolling_laugh:

Sorry, I just couldn't resist beating Mikey to the punch...:punch_out:

That is totally outrageous :wink_thumbup:

It is so amazing what you have over there... there is nothing... nothing in the UK that competes with your tow vehicles... I just looked up the Ford Super Duty :eek_animated:

Still there is a reason for this in the UK... Fuel is currently $9.00 per Gallon ... and thats a US Gallon :shakehead:

:rolling_laugh: it's not just length that matters....it's how thick you are..... :rolling_laugh:

gas v diesel
 

hi guys

i have a chevy trailblaiser in the states. it run on gas.
the price of gas in the US is so cheap to me that it does'nt hurt a bit.
we have a 07 merc ML IN in the UK that runs on diesel its pretty good on enconomy but the price of diesel is astronomical.

ed cossey:yes_grin:

It's funny to hear Americans complaining about the "soaring" gas prices. I'd love to be paying 3 and change per gallon... ;)

The gap between gas and diesel is the big story. Production costs alone dictate it should be less than regular gas. Based on the huge premium you pay for a diesel vehicle in N.A. and the inflated price per gallon, the "enconomy" of diesel is becoming diffcult to justify persuing.

Due to the price of gas I am considering putting a sail on my boat.

Ozy car prices
 

I am due to upgrade to a 4x4 but which one?
I like the Grand Cherokee - 2nd hand average about $32,000
The wife likes the Toyota Prado - 2nd hand about $40,000+
See attached a couple of pages from the local newspaper for prices on second hand ones (I could never afford a new one).
Fuel is expensive (where isnt it?), so I have to be wary of fuel consumption as the wife uses it daily for her work (aged care worker).
Any advise would be greatly appreciated - bare in mind I need it to tow 1.5 tons regularly :wink_thumbup:

Did a little bit of research and found the Toyota Prado in Oz is the same as the Lexus GX470 Sport Utility - we have the 6 cyl motors though.
Typical of the wife to have Champagne taste with me earning a beer wage!!

Car Prices
 

hey Dudders

thanks for the look at your Aussie car prices, they look nearly the same in dollars as english pounds. we have the Grand Cherokee over here, but ive never seen a Toyota Prado before, I think the Prado looks great, your missus must have good taste.

By the way I went to Southampton today and called into Southwater Marine, I spoke to Dave Allen, nice guy, he said they dont carry many bits and pieces for Mariah. and recons the States is the best place to find spares,I wished i had taken a camera they still have the Mariah Sign on the door, he said that Jim Fulkes lives in Naples Florida but keeps a low profile.

Ed Cossey.:wink_thumbup:

Heres my combo...truck has airbags to end the squatting now and I have pulled across the scales at over 42k in the dodge

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...es/misc025.jpg

brett

good looking combo there!

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/gall...nd_truck_2.jpg

what do you guys think of the combo gotta be six stalls i figure

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

Good looking combo there Lance! What size lift is on the truck? Does it affect towing at all?

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

it does affect towing alot, it did the job from calgary alberta to vancouver island last year and with gas prices it was about 800 dollars....one way, i am towing the boat back here and when i do i am gonna put the regular tires on i know it will look wierd but it will save on gas and my transmission there r alot of steep long hills in between, so i prepared the truck for that i put on a heavy duty transmission cooler, throttle body spacer cold air intake and a jet chip with the truck only bein a 1500 sport package with a 5.7 litre 360 v8 it is still alot of boat, i wish i had a new twin turbo diesel but for now i will stick with this and when i switch the tires back i will get all my original power back which was quite alot, i figure i lost about 30 percent with the tires that are 35's, and the lift which is a five inch lift

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

Switching tires down might be a good idea for a long tow, but if you wanted to keep your current tire size, and planned on keeping your truck for a while, maybe you could get it re-geared? I'm assuming you're running stock gearing, I can't remember if it's 3.54 or 4.10 on the 5.9L. In which case, stepping up to a higher gear such as 4.56 might be really beneficial. Re-gearing is a great way to bring everything back to stock driveability if you've added larger tires. When I had my lifted Wrangler, I had it regeared to 4.88 and it was a night and day difference. Even running 33 and 35' tires seemed like I was using the OEM tires. Gears will run you a few hundred per axle, and then you'll have to find a 4x4 or specialized truck shop that can install them. I highly suggest Yukon Gears from Randy's Ring & Pinion. I had great luck with mine!

Good job on the transmission cooler and aftermarket parts. I'm sure that'll add some pulling power, and keep things cool while towing!

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

Nice combo there Lance kinda like mine except my boat isnt as big haha. I have the 93 Shabah and im towing it with a Chevy Siverado 1500 4x4 it has the 350 V8 and also has a 7 inch lift kit on it with large oversized 35's for tires. Come summer time i will get some pictures of both up.

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

ya get some pics up it sure looks nice with a lifted truck and the boat on the trailer

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

I was reading some of the old posts and came across this one. There was no "multifuel" button :( Now that we've all gone green, can I say I have a couple "hybrids"?

Re: Gas vs. Diesel
 

My diesel dually Ford doesn't even know there is a boat back there. But then again it was bought to pull the 15,000 pound fifth wheel so a 19 foot boat is nothing.

My old 97 F150 with the 5.4L pulled the boat nicely for years.

I love it though when someone mentions how cheap the gas/diesel is around here. Tell that to the Exxon folks when they send me my monthly diesel bill of $1300 just for commuting to work last year when the price was right at 4 a gallon with a 40 gallon tank filled at least 1.5 times a week. Made me break down and buy a little car for commute (scares the devil out of me in something that small).:eek_animated: