Hi Evan,
You asked if 5.8 is enough? For us, we know what we'd choose. But,if you'll
indulge me playing devil's advocate for the next few paragraphs, readon.

The answer to that question can be found in your answer to: Where doyou want
to take your '72 31' Airstream? And, in your answer to: How importantto you
is it to have maximum performance options when you're in a tight spot?All by
yourself? With your wife and kids (grand kids) along?

Never once have we felt our tow vehicles had too much power. But, wecertainly
knew it and didn't like it when we wanted more power and it just wasn'tthere.

Having said that, it would be a struggle for us - but we might succeedat
rationalizing the 5.8 if our usual towing route stayed far away fromthose
little hills east of the Mississippi River. For us, the rationalizationwould
fail totally and miserably if we had any inclination to tow west ofthe
Mississippi.

Back in 1975, we bought a Mercury station wagon with the 460 engine,automatic
and trailer towing package. With the addition of dual exhausts, itwas a truly
spectacular performer while towing our '75 31.' With close to 200,000miles on
it, this vehicle continues to be a serious tow vehicle. When we towour '67
22' to Dayton this summer that's the vehicle we'll use. It's also ourfavorite
vehicle for carrying a silver canoe on the roof (easy to get on andoff).

Back in 1978, we bought a Ford van with the 460 engine, automatic andtrailer
towing package. With the addition of a 5 core radiator (instead ofthe
standard 3 core) and a big transmission oil cooler, it has taken our
Airstreams to every state in the USA, every province in Canada and22 of the
32 states in Mexico. Even today, with close to 300,000 miles on it(yes, same
original stock factory engine), it continues to be the most capableall around
tow vehicle we've ever used. As full timers we have no hesitation aboutusing
it to tow any of our Airstreams anywhere on the NA continent (eventhe '86 32'
we're using today, which is our heaviest Airstream yet).

Plus, the temperature gauge (which I installed) never goes above the"N" in
normal on the hottest day of the year, climbing the longest and highest
western mountain, while comfortably staying with the flow of traffic,with the
air conditioner going full force, all day long (actually, seldom morethan 250
miles
in a day).

Back in 1997, we bought a GMC Suburban with a 6.2 diesel engine andtrailer
towing package. It only had 130,000 miles on it and was a beautifullooking
and smooth running tow vehicle. Last summer, we used it to tow our'67 22'
from the east coast to the west coast and back again. Although it dida good
job, the comparison was apples with bananas. Some little old lady wearing
jeans, cowboy boots and with a cigarette hanging from her lips wouldprobably
fall in love with it and swear by the stars it is her wildest dreamcome true.
But, not us.

Soooo - leaving my devil's advocate role. As you might suspect, thereis only
one criteria that dictates our decision about tow vehicles - PERFORMANCE.
Everything else pales when push comes to shove and the situation getsdicey.
But, I'm not you nor are my needs what should prompt your decisions.If you
really like the 5.8, give it a try. Then, you'll know if you want tokeep it
or give it the boot.

All you got from me was perspective - mine. Yours is what counts. Bye,Terry