How would a 97 pull this???

[tucsonlx]

So I want to get a small trailer for some camping with the family (wife needs a shower) and I really don't want to get a new truck to pull it. I was thinking something along these lines Outback Division of Keystone RV manufacturers of Recreational Vehicles and Towable PopUps. or a comparable Aerolite which is listed at about 500lbs lighter Aero-Rv.com - Aerolite Ultra Lite RV Travel Trailer and Expandable Hybrid Campers . Does anyone here pull a trailer like this, how does it do. What did you do to your truck to pull it. I was thinking of a supercharger now that they are available again and some OME replacement springs with some new shocks and perhaps some airbags. Or am I just better off selling the truck and buying something else. We would pulling it up to Durango and other areas in southern Colo and Arizona. Thanks

[douglashuft]

I don't know how much difference the aerodynamics would make on the highway for the boxier trailers you are looking at. fwiw My tent trailer is 3000 lbs and my 1993 80 pulls it just fine. The pop up I tow is not suitable for hardcore off road but I have towed it places where you definitely would not take a low clearance vehicle or larger rv.http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.p...9&d=1211952762

[jamisobe]

I think you can pull it with modifications you suggest.

I have pulled a heavy tandem axle car trailer with no trouble at all.

[sundaypunch]

A supercharger is a huge expense given the value of most 80's. You need to be a pretty serious 80-enthusiast to go that route and have it make sense. If you have a built truck that you really like a supercharger is one thing. Putting one on a stock 80 doesn't make sense to me.

I have a 3000# popup and the 80 is a dog with it in flat Michigan. We drove to CO this summer (no popup) and it made it really clear to me that the 80 would still not be a good tow vehicle even with the supercharger. A hard-sided camper is going to be even more brutal.

If I had to have a LC and wanted to tow a hard sided camper I would go with a 100-series. Aside from that I would try to choke down going with a typical big-3 tow vehicle with a diesel or huge V8. Where I live every other house has one for sale cheap.

[jamisobe]

Short of motor or exhaust modifications for more power you could go for a gear swap to 4.88s or if you are really ambitious and want to increase tire size, 5.29s.

[cheap 40]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

We drove to CO this summer (no popup) and it made it really clear to me that the 80 would still not be a good tow vehicle even with the supercharger. A hard-sided camper is going to be even more brutal.

Just got back from my first trip west last week - ain't that the truth!! It was made very clear to me that I would need something else to haul the 40 to Moab someday..........

Tony