Green Versys

I doubt that there will be anything air cooled left in HD's line up 10 years from now.

Paleez... Let's hope not!

Pushing the envelope...they are still 40 years behind Japan and Europe!

Notice I said "their" envelope... not "the" envelope! And there are still people saying they should stick to the way they've been making bikes forever... 

I don't think this is anything new to a manufacturer that puts out a redesigned series of bikes (Rushmore). And I would bet that HD expected this to some degree. I was one of the guinea pigs to Fords new Sync system and that was a nightmare. Two years later I bought another Ford with the same system and it works great. I own an HD Rushmore (2014) and I love it. I wouldn't have considered an HD prior to the upgrades.So I commend HD for pushing their own envelope to produce a more current technology product. Until something really bad happens (engine failure) due to the newer models, I'll remain a happy customer to HD.

As Dyno Brian said in his post... You can pull with anything, but it is where the power is and how much RPM the motor is turning to do the same job. The guy with a 37' trailer and the F150 is killing that truck. It's working fine, but again, I slap that trailer to a Diesel and his F150 is sitting in the dust and refilling at the pump stations more than ever before. All the while pulling what he's got, but internally, the RPMs and everything he is straining along the way will have him having issues sooner than I will with the Diesel.

My rule is over 24', use a diesel. Usually, over 24' and with the width and hole that trailer punches through the air, a gas motor will have a tougher time from there up in size.

I run down the road doing 60 mph @ 2200 RPM out of OD. Normally my truck runs around 1750 RPM @ 60 mph in OD and not towing. Will climb to 3500 RPM when pulling a long grade if I want maintain 60 mph. I don't agree that I'm killing the truck. I use it as a commuter truck 95% of the time hauling nothing but myself around . The service I'm using the truck for in not nearly as severe as others use a truck.

BTW, I've passed plenty of diesels pulling grade with 5th wheels that can't do more than 45 mph during my travels. Not picking on them, just my observation.

A diesel is not for me (not that I wouldn't want one!), but a twin turbo-charged 6 cylinder producing 420 lb.-ft of torque at 2500 RPM, absolutely.

60-65 is fine, but I can promise you that if I was pulling with my F350 diesel and the same setup as you have now, you'd never see me. I could maintain the speed limit with ease and run where I normally run at 70-75 again with ease.

Again, you can pull anything WITH anything. It's just how efficient it is while doing it. Yes, the load levelers and such are to be expected when running close to max capacity. You can freakin pull 10k pounds with an F150. Wouldn't advise it, but can be done and if a weekend warrior where you pull as you mentioned, 5% of the miles a year, you probably have no issues.

We ran over 15k miles a year while racing for at least 4-5 years straight. Pulled several sized trailers. We never pulled a 37 footer, but we had some larger trailers at max capacity. If we had tried that with an F150 of today's standards, I would have been over it by the time we got back from Texas.

It isn't about bigger trucks and it certainly isn't about one ton vs half ton. What it is about is the weight of a trailer being pulled from the back of the truck. That weight and strain it causes on a truck over time will show itself sooner on a smaller capacity truck vs a larger capacity one.

Again, do what ever seems to fit your needs. If you pull to a local camp grounds or once a year through the mountains and running below the speed limit and in one gear lower to pull the hills, cool. I personally won't be doing it as I would have a larger capacity truck with a better motor running a comfortable pace up and down the mountains...

I have a V10 right now with a 17' trailer where we have it fairly medium to heavy at times depending what bikes we are hauling and where, etc. The V10 pulls fine. Can run 70-75 with no issues. However, same trailer with the Powerstroke and it is night and day. Again, the V10 doesn't have any issues, but unless you've pulled with a proper vehicle for such tasks, you cannot really ever compare as they are so different and the stress you have while pulling with an inferior truck is also something to consider.

I miss my diesel and anything I get in the future will be diesel. And I've pulled with a Tundra, F150, F250, Chevy 1500, 2500 and F350s and Chevy 3500s. Motors like 302s, 351s, V10s, Powerstrokes, Duramax, etc.,etc... There's no doubt that they all can do the same job and even be put into action with a trailer heavier than they are rated for. But, there are a few that do better than others and when the maintenance comes into play, you will see what I mean even on that part of it.

Not to mention the space and area. You need to consider that also in these fun movers, toy hauler types rigs. It all looks awesome on paper until you have to use it... As they say with building a barn or shop building. Always go bigger than you think you'll need as too often, you end up wishing you had more...

Can't argue with you. I'm sure I would be happy with a bigger truck for the +/-1,000 miles a year I tow but the other 19,000 miles would be a waist for me.

I've been towing with this truck for 4 years now w/o any adverse breakdowns (yet ) as a result of towing.

Ecoboost? With a good tune can probably get you upwards of the 500ftlb mark. Speaking of such... not to thread jack but have you done a tune on one yet?

I love mine still. It has been a great truck with good all around gas mileage but great power.

Do you tow with it? If so what and how does it do?

BTW, don't look at the 5th wheel toy haulers. Some of those are crazy nice inside and are unbelievable. Your other half may not settle for anything else. Don't take her to an RV show like the one at the IX Center. You'll be buying a 1-ton and a 5th wheel in no time! But on the otherhand, you can write it off as a business expense...

37' damn, that's longer than I would want with a bumper pull. Do you have problems getting into campground?

By "bumper pull" I assume you mean not a fith wheel. The hitch receiver is mounted to the frame and does not effect the bumper. Definitley too heavy for a bumper. I don't have any problems getting around even in gas stations. Just need to allow for a little more room. Most campgrounds are acccomodating larger rigs these days, but I haven't gotten "stuck" yet. And, the longer they are the easier they are to back-up into a spot. The only problem I have had was backing into a spot that was perpendicular to the main road and the road and asphalt parking was only about 10' wide. I tried to keep off the grass (as I normally do) but gave up as I couldn't swing the front end of the truck in the narrow space. Gave up and used the grass and had no issue.

What I have learned from pulling trailers. Is going up the mountain is a small strain but going down the mountain is bad when your close to the weight your truck can handle. No matter how good your trailer brakes are the truck will be doing most of the braking. I have caught brakes on fire going through mounts in Cali.

Can't argue this. Good brakes on the trailer and a really good brake controller (again don't go cheap!) are only as good as they stay cool.

Coming back from Gettysburgh a couple years ago I accidenlty got on the Lincoln Highway over the Aleghanies and the BRP (stupid GPS ), that was pushing it as the grades are VERY steep. There were two passes. The first I went over and was pushing too hard. I'm sure my exhaust headers were red hot after that one! The second pass I got behind a logging truck that had pulled out in front of me at an intersection thankfully. He got on the far right of the road going up the pass doing 20-25 mph. I got behind him, kicked it down to 2nd gear and just putted up the pass behind him. No problems that time and the truck did great, just slower.

A twin turbo charged ecoboost F150 is in my future but not now. That truck I would have not problems going out west in.

I'm on my second travel trailer with my 2007 F150 w/ 5.4L and 3.53 gearing. Last trailer was 6,800 empty - 33' long and the new one is 7,600 empty - 37' long. Your always gonna have people insisting you need a 3/4 or 1-ton truck .

My "experience" has been, invest in a good weight distribution and sway control system. I have the Equalizer and it is very good. 18 wheelers I barely notice even going in oposite directions on 2-lane roads at 60 mph.

I have no desire to take this rig out west into the mountains, but have towed to the OBX and to Boston/Cape Cod last year w/o any problem maintaining 60-65 mph while getting 9-10 mpg . Even while passing larger rigs while climbing grades. Yes, the truck will run to 3,500 rpm while climbing some grades in 3rd gear but that's what it's supposed to do.

For the 5% of the miles I tow total for a year, I can't see spending the extra $ in payments and gas the other 95% of the time. Plus the 1/2 tons ride better (IMO).

Good rule of thumbs, take your towing capacity and buy a trailer the is 80% of that weight empty. You should also deduct for your toys since you are buying a Toy Hauler. If you buy new, expect to get 30% off of MSRP. That's a good buy. If you can get more then that's a really good deal.

Now who is this "Dyno Brian" others have referenced:confused:?

I know that Enterprise has ecoboost f150s in their fleet, but they won't let you tow with anything in their retail fleet. I will tell you though, I rented a 5.0 v8 crew cab XLT for a trip to VA and found it to be a fantastic ride. Hauled my bike (diagonally) with the tailgate closed, and accommodated my wife, kids, dog, and I very well while averaging 19+ MPG highway. If I were buying one, I'd buy an Eco-boost XLT with 4WD and the longer full-size bed. That extra foot or so in the bed makes a HUGE difference.

I'll have to call Enterprise and see what they have. How would they know if you towed with it? Did it include unlimited mileage?

I just ordered a new ecoboost super crew fx4, can't wait to get it.

That dealer in Canfield is Fairway Ford. Yes, they do advertise rediculously low prices on their trucks, BUT, not everyone will qualify for the advertised price. There are some rebates out there that aren't available to everyone and another one requires a trade in. That was the gotcha for me. Sure, they were going to sell me their $50k F150 for $38k, but they wanted to rape me on my 2011 Explorer on trade ($30k).

I haven't been to the dealer, just viewed the website. I'm afraid to go there becasue I just may end up buying

The dealer I bought from (Coughlin Ford) sold me the truck at invoice, threw in $500 of his holdback, plus I get $4250 in rebates. The real deal closer was that he gave me $35k for my Explorer.

Wow, you did good on the Explorer. I traded in my wives 2011 Limited with every option except tv's and rear buckets back in March and got $34k on a new Honda Odyssey. They sold me the Honda for $2.5k under invoice so I was happy.

I know I would be really happy with the Ecoboost for towing. That's why I won't visit the dealers!

or pay to borrow someone's truck, rentals are expensive, they charge crazy prices for miles and such its a pain, i had to rent a few times before i bought my sanford&son s10

Everything I've heard/found is that trucks do not come with unlimited mileage, so that could add up quickly.

I could see paying someones truck payment for a month or so for 1-1/2 weeks of use.

Any Ecoboost owner takers?

Enterprise Avis ect. Hell they have Camero Vett and Stangs too

Yea, but they only rent "small" trucks that cannot tow my 8,000 lb. trailer.

Just buy the Crew Cab EcoBoost, you wont be sorry!

I'm sure, but I would really like to know what it's like to go without a truck payment for a while

BTW, if anyone is on the market there is a dealer in Canfiled that does 25% off of sticker on all F150's in stock and thay usually have over 60. Everything from $25-$55k

go to dealership, ask to test drive, hmm and haw, waffle on whether you want it or not, they will invite you to take it for the weekend, return on monday and say "nah, not quite what i needed"

I've thought about this, but I really need it for a thousand miles of travel. So longer than a few days.

I haven’t had any luck searching the internet. But does anyone know of any rental companies or dealers renting pickup trucks? Not the ones you can rent from Home Depot to bring supplies home, but one that can be used to take on a trip.

Particularly I would like to rent a Ford F150 Crew Cab with the EcoBoost engine. I’d like to take it on a trip towing my trailer to see how it does before buying one. –Thanks.

Oh by the way I decided to just go to Burton for some coffee and ride around.

On my way home I did happen to see a Green Versys rolling south on 534 when I was coming east on Cold Cork Springs road. Thought about chasing it down then said to myself you've already been that way today and didn't.

I was out on 534 Wednesday past Cold Cork Springs but was heading north to Harpersfied Bridge. Can't say I've seen another Versys in these parts so if it wasn't me, good to hear their may be another out there

Never had any complaints with my Toshibas.

South of SR84 is pretty decent for me out of Perry. Some nice twisties just not enough of them. If the rain holds off I'm hoping to make it on my season opener!

WTF:wtf:! His clothes were blown off during the crash... such a squid... what a perfet ending for his need to impress

Welcome!

D&S Automotive in Mentor are really good. I've had all my bodywork done by them for the last 20 years and they always do a great job.

http://www.dsautomotive.com/

i am torn between peaceful two up and adrenaline rush single rides, dont have the means to afford two bikes at present and no one single bike truly meets both perspective i guess.

I've always thought one of these would be a good compromise for both. Any thoughts???

As always, great editing Doc Thanks for posting.

just an un edited raw clip from the ride, i was start editing today, but i dont think i am going to get enuf time to edit it any time soon....

Looks like it was a good day to ride! Thanks for posting the video for those of us who couldn't ride this weekend

Nice colors and sound... You've gotta tie down whatever strap was flapping in the wind

If you don't like the strap flapping in the wind, perhaps you should get your own setup so we can learn how it's supposed to be done

JK:D

If you like I can scan my paycheck when we get home. My wife and I are on a dedicated run. We run 6,770 miles a week and make 29.02 cpm each. You can do the math, now only figure 50 weeks as we get two weeks vacation at $850 a week.

The other run we ran was 5,218 miles per week but paid 30.02 cpm each.

Fyi we don't split the miles either.

My old man ran for eagle and made over $70,000 most years.

6770 miles * $0.2902 each/mile * 50 weeks + $1700 = $99,932.70 each/year

Unless my math is wrong..

Okay this is how we roll. I guess we pretty much take everthing including the kitchen sink.Though it is a blow up affair.

Nice:D

Tank bag.