RV Tow Vehicles
Good (and safer) things are coming to our RV Tow vehicles that do all the pulling of our campers, 5th wheels, pods and everything else!
Starting in the model year 2015, they will all finally have a standardized rating. Been delayed - so not sure when it will actually take place?
What will the standardized test be based on?
The new SAE Industry standard will involve acceleration, braking, towing up a steep grade in 100-degree temperatures, understeer and stability.
All of this translates to not only how much tow you can stick behind your truck, but how much you can safely tow with your RV Tow Vehicles!
We've all seen that overloaded camper or slide in camper on the back of a pickup that is extremely overloaded. Well, now we can measure and be sure NOT to do that. Safer for everyone!
Now the "bragging rights" of different brand pickups will have an "official" means to brag (or stay quiet!) about things. All the pickups made today are really good trucks and very well made.
It just is a little scary to see a 5th wheel camper, with 3 axles on it, being pulled by a basic pickup truck - we all know it just can't stop well!!
I just can't imagine trying to control that 3 axle camper without having at least a dually pickup truck
Diesel Engines and Emission Standards
Since the "serious" RV'ers with a pickup truck are using diesel engines as their "choice", we are discussing them only.
Seems like the EPA standards for diesel engines have been changing every few years - with no real time to measure or recoup manufacturing costs for the engine companies.
2010 saw some pretty big changes again and therefore the Industry changed dramatically. Many of the engine companies started using a "urea" product to meet the new standards.
Urea tanks are standard equipment for most new diesel trucks, buses, cars, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) manufactured in the United States after Jan. 1, 2010.
An automotive grade of urea will be injected into the vehicles' exhaust stream to "scrub" nitrogen oxide (NOx) from the diesel exhaust. NOx is the real culprit in emissions!
The big problem with the urea system is it adds additional expense to the manufacturing of the engines, requires storage of the urea on the vehicle and must be available for diesel purchasers.
Well, that is a tall order.
Seems most brands have adapted this "concept" to reduce emissions and urea is now showing up in truck fueling centers nationwide.
Navistar had tried meeting emission standards without the "urea" design - after several years of trying, they stopped. They are also adapting the urea method.
Pickup Truck Stopping Power!
For years, RV Tow Vehicles didn't have any ability to use the engine and transmission to slow them down while on hills. The driver could put the transmission into a lower gear, but it was all controlled by that only.
Finally, the newer pickup trucks are adding an engine/transmission controlling brake system to their vehicles. It is similar to a PAC Brake that larger Class A's have.
However, these newer systems are actually using computer technology to activate and control it - pretty cool, huh!?
Bottom line - Do your research and homework BEFORE you purchase that pick up!
Another topic to be sure to research is your RV Hitch Weight abilities. Just because it has a ball attached to the bumper doesn't mean it can tow what you have or want to get!! Be sure to review our page on RV Hitch Weight before any final decisions are made on your tow vehicle.
Also, the new standards for pickup type trucks are finally standardized in 2013. Here's a page explaining the testing required for the new standards.
