rcchallenger
La Mirada, California
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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I Tow a Raptor 3612DS with the SRW F350 in my sig. It actually tows very well. I have never felt unsafe with my set up but I also don't travel as much as you have described.
I haul fully loaded (112 gallons of water and the toys in my sig) up California's Cajon Pass without any difficulty. I have also experienced some pretty severe cross winds in the Devore area at the bottom of Cajon without any difficulty. I've driven through the cross winds and seen smaller tag alongs (considered to be within the tow ratings) lying on their sides while I pushed on through. Some people feel safer with dually trucks and I'm sure they are probably more capable than my SRW but I have experienced zero problems with my set up.
2005 Ford F350 XLT 4X4 SRW Powerstroke Diesel Firestone Air Bags
2006 Keystone Raptor 3612DS
2006 Yamaha WR450
2006 Yamaha YFZ450
2005 Yamaha TTR230
2006 Kinroad XT250CC Go-Kart
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Seventy-Eight
Ontario
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Joined: 08/26/2008
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RCChallenger-- This is good news ....since part of my question was also wondering if anyone had any experience with the Raptor 3612DS...I am wondering..how do you like yours (towing considerations aside)? Thanks again. This has all been very helpful.
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rcchallenger
La Mirada, California
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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Seventy-Eight wrote:RCChallenger-- This is good news ....since part of my question was also wondering if anyone had any experience with the Raptor 3612DS...I am wondering..how do you like yours (towing considerations aside)? Thanks again. This has all been very helpful.
I like my Raptor a lot. We have experienced a few minor problems but nothing serious. I have probably towed mine 4,000 to 5,000 miles total. I'm not sure how it would hold up under everyday use but that is not what we bought it for. Weekend riding trips in the winter, local beaches and Twin Lakes (In Bridgeport, CA) in the summer is pretty much all we do.
There are a lot of Raptor owners on this board. I'm not sure if anyone full times but I'm sure there are others that travel more miles than I do.
The one thing I did right away was replace the crappy tires the manufacturer uses.
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threeaces
Clackamas, Oregon
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Joined: 12/20/2004
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I tow my 2008 3612 Raptor with a SRW Dodge / 6.7 diesel. The truck tows the Raptor just fine, with better stability than when I towed a WW FSW 2800 (bumper pull). Stopping is also not a problem. I have added Firestone air bags to the rear and will be upgrading to 18 inch wheels and tires rated at 3,680 per tire this Thursday. The stock tires have performed fine, but I want the extra safety margin.
As for the Raptor, we love it. Plenty of room for the bikes, kids, junk, etc. We have had it for approximately 5 months and used it about 12 times (day trips + weekend trips). Believe it or not we have not had one issue yet (knock on wood). I keep thinking I should take it into the dealer to have the little odds and ends fixed under the warranty (this is normal with a new trailer), but don't have anything to fix!
Derek
Wife & 2 boys (7 years old & 4 years old)
2007 Dodge 1-ton SRW Quad Cab LB (6.7 Cummins / 6-speed Auto)
2008 Keystone Raptor 3612DS
2006 Honda CRF250X
2007 KTM 50 SX JR
2005 Honda CRF50
1979 Honda Trail 90 (950 orig. miles )
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jtgroover
Hooliville #645
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Joined: 03/28/2006
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fly-boy wrote:For the kind of miles you travel I would not even consider a mainstream TH at all. You will have problems with any of them- They just are not made for sustained traveling like that and things will break regularly and over a short few years the thing will literally fall apart around you.
As someone mentioned- get a featherlight or other custom made toy trailer.
If I were just hauling sport bikes I would consider a big horse trailer with living quarters. No problem fitting the bikes and the build quality exceeds any recreational RV 1000 times. Hart and 4 Star are my favorites and I woudl have outfitting done by Outlaw for the interior.
I Agree with Chris on this 100% Featherlites are the Shiznet
Git-R-Dun
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RVpullinGuy
North Ogden, Utah
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Joined: 07/01/2006
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As you've heard from almost everyone else... no way with your truck and that trailer. Since you've asked... I would go with a Chevy Duramax and Allison combination. The best pulling combination in this class of truck IMO. Having said that... I think all of the newer trucks would do a fine job for you if sized appropriately. But if you do your research carefully and look at the independent and hands-on reviews and analysis... Duramax / Allison all the way! Even after Ford and Dodge came out with their upgraded motors and transmissions to try and compete better with the two or three year old Duramax/Allison design... they still fall quite a bit short. Look at the specs and find out for yourself.
Good luck with your choices.
RVpullinGuy
2006 Chevy 2500HD Duramax/Allison CC SB
2005 Sierra T28 Toy Hauler
YamRaptor700, KawiKFX700, (2)Hon400Ex, Hon250EX, SuzLT80
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lincster
Mesa Az
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Joined: 01/27/2003
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RVpullinGuy wrote:As you've heard from almost everyone else... no way with your truck and that trailer. Since you've asked... I would go with a Chevy Duramax and Allison combination. The best pulling combination in this class of truck IMO. Having said that... I think all of the newer trucks would do a fine job for you if sized appropriately. But if you do your research carefully and look at the independent and hands-on reviews and analysis... Duramax / Allison all the way! Even after Ford and Dodge came out with their upgraded motors and transmissions to try and compete better with the two or three year old Duramax/Allison design... they still fall quite a bit short. Look at the specs and find out for yourself.
Good luck with your choices.
But Chevy can't match specs on tow ratings to Ford. There is more to towing heavy than just the motor/tranny.
2006 F350 PSD CC 4X4 Dually w/Tow Boss package to pull 2006 LE3905
Lincsters Truck/Trailer
Lincsters Rail
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MadMav
Colorado Springs, CO
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Joined: 03/12/2007
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Oh it can.........just not on paper. 
Mav
Maverick
'08 Dodge 3500 SLT Mega Cab Dually, 6.7l/6 speed. Oh yeah!
'08 Winners Circle 36SRV-H5
1 wife, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 1 cat
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Badhabt
Puyallup, WA
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Joined: 09/06/2005
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I tow a 07 3612DS raptor with a 06 F350 dually tow boss, 26000 GCVW, 4:30 axle, integral brake controller, dual alternators etc. Why? I didnt want to think about did I buy enough truck. I didnt have to air bag it, didnt have to add a brake controller, better stability, wanted to be safe for me and the people around me on the road. Not one issue with the truck in the 12k thats on it. I drove all three duallys before I bought the Ford. Pricewise it was more than the dodge or the chevy. Its hard for people to believe that you hardly know the trailer is there, but believe me with this truck I can say that its definately true. Do I have more power than the chevy? No. Do I have the allison tranny? No, but the Torqshift with tow/haul, the 6.0 diesel and the 4:30 axle has not let me down in roughy 7K towing miles with 4 quads weighing in at GCVW of 24,500+. It does feel and ride like a "truck" but thats what I wanted was a truck to tow with (nothing against the chevy or the dodge). As for the Raptor is a great trailer, I have had a few minor glitches (water leaks on the plumbing fittings) but nothing major. Love it as much now as I did when I brought it home in Oct 06.
06 F350 4X4 Crew Cab Dually Tow Boss
07 Raptor 3612DS
92 Banshee - sons now
06 YZF450 50th Anniv Edition - sons too
06 Raptor 700R 50th Anniv Edition - mine
06 Wolverine 450 - wifes
07 Wolverine 450 SE - my other toy
04 YZ250F - spoiled sons newest toy
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Bparrot
Everett, WA
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Joined: 09/28/2006
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Quote:I wouldn't touch the PSD if I could get a Cummins. However, I wouldn't touch the Cummins if I could get a Duramax/Allison. Quote:
I couldn't agree more and my mechanic who actually works on Metro Buses agrees also. He wouldn't touch the Ford Diesel if he could get the Cummins and then would rather have the Allison/Duramax....if you're talking engines and such. He said all of them have other issues to deal with...but I love my Chevy and I've had Dodges and Fords.
2008 Chevy 3500 HD CC,LB,SW,Duramax
2008 Fuzion 362
2003 VTX 1800
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