Ford Motor Company and Harley-Davidson forged an alliance in 1999 to produce special-edition pickups, and the timing was such that both companies were able to jointly promote their 100th anniversaries in 2003.
Sunline Coach Company reaches a milestone in the 2005 model year as well, celebrating 40 years in the RV business. Sunline’s newest model, the 40th Anniversary Edition Tran-Sport, is Sunline’s first effort in the SURV segment.
We hitched the Tran-Sport to a 2005 Harley-Davidson Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab. As you might imagine, the Super Duty handled the 28-foot Sunline with relative ease. Top Super Dutys are rated to tow up to 15,000 pounds when properly equipped — 19,200 pounds if you’re pulling a fifth-wheel. The test vehicle carries a tow rating of 12,500 pounds (15,900 pounds if towing a fifth-wheel).
Significant changes beneath the skin highlight the 2005 Super Duty. Ford upgraded the entire brake system with bigger rotors and larger, stiffer calipers. The Super Duty is the first pickup to be delivered with a factory-installed integrated trailer-brake controller as part of Ford’s TowCommand system. The base engine is Ford’s modular 5.4-liter V-8 that produces 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The 6.8-liter V-10 in our test unit delivered 362 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque.
The T-2675 Tran-Sport is a 28-foot 1-inch model featuring a sizable forward living area complete with a queen-size bed, a convertible sofa with a table and a good-size galley.
Access to the garage area comes from either an interior door or through a curbside ramp gate. The 48-inch-wide gate opens to reveal a 70-inch-wide x 93-inch-deep garage area. It’s the perfect size for a couple of dirt bikes, one larger street bike, an ATV or up to 750 pounds of cargo.
With more than two centuries of on-the-road history, one can’t help but be struck by a sense of American pride when you slide behind the wheel of a towing combination like this.
Pick up the March 2005 issue of Trailer Life for full test impressions and details on this Easy Rider combo — then subscribe to Trailer Life so you can stay informed on the latest tests, previews, tow vehicles, and technical and RV-lifestyle information.
Sunline Coach Company, (888) 478-6546, sunlinerv.com
