Tow Vehicle Preferences for more than 5K lbs

[ct9amr]

We had a Mercedes r350 v6 and it did fine for just at 5k.
I believe the r500 with the v8 is rated higher.
But we switched over to an Armada and it tow's with no issues.
The plan is to take the boat to others locations in Florida and maybe even a few Keys trip's so we had to upgrade.

[Fr. Frank]

'02 F250 Lariat Crew Cab 2WD, 7.3L V8 diesel (Navistar), 199,280 miles. Factory "Command Tow" package, incl Limited slip diff. The Command Tow package includes the heavier axle and differential used on the F350/450 with single rear wheel set. Rated at 16,400 lbs bumper pull, and over 21k with a gooseneck.

Never had wheel spin with either the Seafari, or my old 23' Tsunami. I get 14 mpg pulling my Seafari, and about 18 mpg combined mileage, 21 mpg straight highway, (and that with injector erosion issues from once getting badly contaminated fuel).

By contrast, the same '02 truck with the 5.4L V8 gas motor was factory* rated at 10 mpg city and 14 highway, and the V10 was factory rated at 8 mpg city and 11 highway, and that's pulling nothing. *(EPA doesn't rate pickups)

I echo keeping away from the '03 to '06 6.0L Ford diesels. Get the older 7.3L, or the newer 6.6L. There are early 7.3L motors with over 1 million miles on them. It can't be beat for longevity.

[Wags23]

Like Father Frank said those 7.3's can't be beat. I'm pulling a 23 footer with my 2003 excursion with the 7.3 powerstroke. I love the truck for keeping the gear and rods in.Plenty of room.

[ScottM]

There are early 7.3L motors with over 1 million miles on them. It can't be beat for longevity.

I was watching a show the other day, might have been Two Guys Garage, and they were talking Dodges with the Cummins and those that go 1 million+. That is pretty impressive when you're talking light trucks. They had a guy's '01 2WD 2500 with 900K on it in the shop for some maintenance. The owner used it to haul boats around the country.

[77SceptreOB]

How about the Chevy Dura Max diesel? Are they as good as the Dodge/Cummins and Ford/Powerstroke in terms or longterm durability? Just curious.

[Fr. Frank]

Not very scientific, but looking on Ebay, I find only 16 Chevy or GMC diesel pickup trucks listed with over 200K miles. In contrast, I found 41 Dodge diesels with over 200K miles, and 92 Ford diesels with over 200K miles.

[Old'sCool]

Not very scientific, but looking on Ebay, I find only 16 Chevy or GMC diesel pickup trucks listed with over 200K miles. In contrast, I found 41 Dodge diesels with over 200K miles, and 92 Ford diesels with over 200K miles.

That tells me the Ford guys are dumping theirs.....but they're not selling

[McGillicuddy]

In the past 20 years or so, Ford has about 50% of the HD truck market & Dodge 30%. I presume Chevy holds the balance. So maybe reelescape is on to something... I've heard it said that the Cummins 5.9 and the 7.3 Powerstroke are million mile motors but they have a penchant for destroying everything after them with their torque and hp... Maybe these guys ought to be using Allison transmissions. I currently have any number of Fords with the 7.3 L Powerstroke in my market but I am hard pressed to find a 5.9 L Cummins Dodges... When they pop up you must be decisive or they are gone.

I wonder Toyota will do something with a Hino diesel?

[Islandtrader]

In the past 20 years or so, Ford has about 50% of the HD truck market & Dodge 30%. I presume Chevy holds the balance. ?

When you do the math on the FF survey, it is pretty close to your statement.

149 total trucks for sale

92 Ford= 61%

41 Dodge= 27%

16 GMC= 11%

Let us know what you get...that 21 is waiting to get wet