32 Sunsation tow with 1/2 ton pickup
 

Ok. I've seen this thread for a while, but I waited until I took delivery of my 2006 32 MCOB before replying. I own a 2010 F150 4x4 with tow package. The tow package has the 3:73 option. I also added an air lift load leveler air bag suspension kit and it worked awesome. There was absolutely no bounce in my vehicle and that made the drive much more enjoyable. The kit with onboard compressor cost me $500.

I purchased the boat in KY and drove it back to IL. For the most part, the drive is pretty flat, but does have some hilly stretches. The ride is about 370 miles and it's mostly highway. During my trip, I averaged a solid 12mpg....12.4 to be exact. My average speed was 65mph. My truck pulled the boat equipped with tri axle trailer effortlessly. I can see the benefit of a 3/4 ton during hilly stretches only because of the extra power, but if you aren't in a hurry you will do just fine. My truck has the 5.4L. I wish I had the Ecoboost option because it performs just like a diesel with peak torque at low RPMs.

I'd imagine a Tahoe or Escalade would work, but you would definitely need an air bag load leveler kit because I think the suspension on a SUV is not as beefy as a pickup. The power output however is really the same. So to answer the question and in my opinion only , a SUV can do the job, but you are pretty much at the vehicle's limits when it comes to towing a heavier load. Not to mention the factory rated tow spec is a max 8-9k limit. Hope this helps.

Yes, I pull my Dominator with a F-150 EcoBoost max tow and it does great. I've pulled it with a couple F-350s and it doesn't pull as well as them, but certainly not lacking on power. I'm very happy with it and feel safe.

What kind of highway towing mpg do u average with the Eco?

Buy it for the power not the mpg. I usually see 15 or 16 with mostly highway. That said, highway speeds greatly impact it. In Texas most freeways are 75+ and that drags it down. When I was working in a part of the state where it was 55 I was getting 18.

This is hand calculated.

I have a 34CC that I have towed with three different trucks.

Tahoe......White knuckle....didn't stop, never felt safe
F350 drw 2wd.....loved it for towing left me stuck at the ramp a couple times....end of 2wd for me
Excursion 4wd diesel...7.3 nice!

First, thanks to all for your input. Going to sell his escalade, and stick with my Excursion......however attaching a link to the other toy....

http://s1257.photobucket.com/user/Ju...sort=2&page=1#

I wouldn't condone towing any twin engine boat with any 1/2 ton platform; in towing specs or not.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]523370[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]523371[/ATTACH]I always towed my 32SSR with 2500hd Duramax with no issues whatsoever. But there was one time that I dropped the boat off at the marina on a Sunday and ran down from work Monday to pick it up with my Escalade EXT and put it back in the garage. I only needed to go about 6 miles of secondary roads. The Escalade has plenty of power, just not enough truck. The air ride is also not really intended for heavy towing. I could feel every move the boat made. I took it really easy but I can tell you, it didn't feel good!

Can you explain why you feel that way??

...Too much tail wagging the dog.

We talk/chat/argue about tongue weight, WD vs. WC, airbags, bump stops (Timbrens), surge/EoH, aluminum/steel, GVWR/GCWR, etc. etc....

...when you get in the shlt, meaning, when you get into a really hairy situation where you need to take evasive action; the 1/2 ton truck (SUV/whatever) is not enough overall weight to control all that tail (read: two engines, drives, rigging; all hanging aft of the rear axles of the trailer) trying to wrench the truck all over the road.

It's not capacity. It's not stopping ability.
It's physics.