Tow Vehicle Preferences for more than 5K lbs

[bridgeman]

I'm partial to Fords and have an F350 with the 7.3 powerstroke, I get 15 mpg pulling my 23cc and 20 when I'm not towing. I got the 1 ton because the price was right but a 3/4 will serve you well. If your patient you can pick one up for a good price, try to find one made between 96 and 02. Stay away from the 6.0's unless they're made after 04

[workinpr0gress]

The first gen. Strokes were the best mid between power and economy, next to a ist and 2nd gen. cummins dodge with taller gears. The cummins has dead flat big torque numbers just above idle. I've personally seen 20 mpg towing 7000to 8000 lbs at 65 mph on the back of a cheap 2wd 1st gen cummins that's turned up mechanically to about 700lbs of torque. Love those early cummins and powerstrokes.

[floorboy]

I tow my sceptre 8-10,000 miles a year. I have 251,000 on an 01' f350 powerstroke and dont have any plans on changing trucks for a while. Plenty of power, I quit checking fuel milage 100.000 miles ago though.

I would get a 3/4 ton for the added stability and some more braking power. I dont think there is a while lot of difference between 3/4 ton and 1 tons other than some springs.

[76Red18]

If you have some wheel spin at the ramp already you need more weight in the rear of the tow vehicle or one with 4 wheel drive. Not much weight difference between a 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickup. If you just want a tow vehicle look for an old 1/2 ton 4 x 4 with a good motor and tranny with a cooler. Should be quite a few available in areas where there was once lots of construction. We sure do have a few here in Florida. Trailer brakes will stop the trailer.

[ScottM]

I used to have a '00 F150 4x4 with the 5.4L that towed my 24 Seabird and my father's 23 Sceptre with no problems. My towing profile was very similar to McGillicuddy's, so I would think something like an F150 would work just fine. The tow/haul mode was nice to have, so make sure it has the factory tow pkg already. I believe that pkg also includes a tranny cooler and oil cooler. Braking never seemed to be a problem but admittedly I never had any emergency stops to really test them out.

[gofastsandman]

Not 100% sure about Dodge or Ford, but GM 1/2 ton 4x4s are all 3/4 ton axles and suspension. The 3/4 ton 4x4s are pure profit. Same truck w/ an extra spring leaf.

We had a guy at the shop who was spinning his Dually w/ a 27 Contender at the ramp. An old tire guru said he had little siping in his tires. He got some with lots and no worries. Couldn`t believe the difference.

Cheers,
GFS

[strick]

Love those early cummins and powerstrokes.

Not sure if you are looking at diesels but I'm going on almost 280K on my 01 F350 7.3L work truck. Probably the best running truck I've ever had and I've ran nothing but diesels since 1987. I average about 15mpg but the truck is loaded to the hilt with a custom fiberglass box and 50 gallons water plus lots of gear.

Never had a duramax but my buddies like them. I've had 3 dodge cummins diesels and all were good trucks. You can expect excellent fuel economy with a cummins. Right now I've got an 3/4 ton 06 mega cab and I average 18mpg towing the 25 seafari and 20-22 mpg empty. Power up the ying yang.

Be very careful if you are looking at Fords 2003-2006 6L diesels.

Also I'd stay away from the new trucks and the diesel particulate filter until they work out the bugs in those.

strick

[DonV]

Also I'd stay away from the new trucks and the diesel particulate filter until they work out the bugs in those.

Not positive about all the details, however my brother has a new 2010 F250 diesel (I think it's a 2010) and he went to a muffler shop had them take his filter/cleaner off, had a exhaust pipe welded in it's place and changed a chip or something in the computer. Runs like a completely differnt truck, tons of power, double the mileage (a biggie at the price of diesel fuel), pulls like crazy and accelerates like a gas truck. However it's not real good for the warranty.

[NoBones]

2008 1 Ton Dodge dually 6.7L Cummings diesel (40,000 miles) for big loads...


1999 1/2 ton Dodge 5.9L gas (294,000 miles) for weenie loads...


Or "Blondies" 2003 4.7L Durango for the flats boat..



OK, I'm a Dodge fan....
They have all been great trucks!!

See ya, Ken

[Spidercrab]

mr no bones

hear da piture of U wit yer first weenie load