Considering Eagle 324 BTS and Tow Vehicle, Looking for Advice...

[KYEagle]

Hello! I have a Silverado 1500 pulling an Outback 250RS. The wife and I have decided we want to get a Eagle 324 BTS. We wont be able to use the Silverado 1500 to tow the Eagle 324 BTS, so we will need to look at some new USED truck options. (For your reference the Eagle 324 BTS is listed at 8,020 lbs unloaded and 10,600 lbs GVWR).

I am firmly in the Silverado/Sierra camp for trucking options. Do you all recommend I go with a 2500 HD Diesel 6.6L Allison Transmission Duramax with 3.73 rear axle ratio? That would get me 13,000 lbs towing. Anybody know what the miles per gallon would be in a 2500 HD Diesel 6.6L towing that weight of trailer? I would love to get some feedback from other Eagle owners using 250/2500 level towing vehicles.

Many thanks for your help and here's hoping we can find a solution and find a permanent home on your Jayco forum! Kevin

[TCNashville]

Hey Kevin, I have a 2012 Eagle 320RLDS @ 10500 GVWR with a 1400# tongue. I tow it with a Ford F-250 with the 6.7 liter diesel and I average 12mpg. The Ford has a little more torque/horsepower than the older Duramaxes, but fairly comparable. Mileage varies with driving habits, terrain, weather etc. The Allison/Duramax is a great combo, even with a 3/4 ton gasser, you'd be just fine. I think the tongue on that trailer is around 950#'s, probably loaded you're looking at around 1150#'s. Just watch your payload capacity, Hope this helps, Terry

[mwebber78]

Any newer Ford or Chevy HD in the last several years with either gas or diesel will easily tow that camper. I pulled a 9k lbs Cruiser 5th wheel with a 2007 Chevy 2500HD with 4.10. That was a great truck!

[tinlizzie23]

Not sure I can help much, as I am firmly in the Ford camp, and not too familiar with Chevys. If it helps, I tow with a V-10 Ford gasser with a 3:73 rear, and it tows and controls the 11,000# 5er with ease.

[stratos19]

Hey Kevin,

Don't have the setup your asking about, but maybe a little help to ya:

2012 GMC Sierra 4X4 Duramax pulling a 2013 Eagle 284BHS. GVWR is 9000 lbs. Loaded weight was 8300 lbs. Mileage last week in the north Georgia mountains was 10-11 mpg. Only trip so far as camper is brand new.

You WILL enjoy pulling your camper with the GMC/Duramax. The exhaust brake works awesome! I felt comfortable pulling up/down the mountains even in the bad weather we encountered.

Hope this helps,

[cekkk]

I'm a Ford guy, too. But if you're looking for a truck that's a few years old, I'd avoid their 6.0 & 6.4 diesels and go with the Duramax. I guess the V10 gassers have a good rep. The two guys I know that have them say they slurp the gas, but gas is cheaper than diesel fuel, and they cost less than the diesel engines.