What truck to tow my tow hauler?

[fergie1111]

So have a 2011 Ford F150 with the ecoboost V-6 engine that is supposed to tow 11,500 LBS. It does but wont pull at elevation and high temps without overheating. Ford has no fix for this problem as of yet and has been working on this for the past year. So im in the market for a newer truck. I will only be using the truck to tow my 22' toy hauler. the hauler weighs 5200 dry and probably 9000lbs at the most if its fully loaded. My ford is all over the road when its windy. My buddy towed my camper with his Dodge 3500 and I couldnt even tell it was back there. Im open to all suggestion about a new truck. Diesel or gas? Dodge 1500 or 2500, Ford 250 gas or diesel? Chevy 2500 gas or diesel?

[riwolfman]

A half ton pickup will definatly tow what the manufacturer says, but on the highway it will constantly shift out of overdrive on every hill and the engine will scream all the way to the top. The brakes are small, wheel bearing are small, truck weighs less so gets pushed around by wind amd trailer creating a tense rather than enjoyable experiance. Others on here are right. 2500 or 3500 is the way to go and once you try a diesel with engine braking you'll wonder how you ever did without it. My 3500 Denali pulls my 43' toyhauler like nothing and I rarely touch the brakes on a steep grade. 11mpg towing and 18 not towing.

[clinter35]

I've had them all, and think all are great. Currently in a 12 ford f350 powerstroke and impressed. Just my 2cents, but if your looking for great ride and comfort, go with the Chevy, if your after an engine that will probably last forever go with dodge. If you want lots of grunt and a solid truck go with the Ford. This is all diesel truck comparison

[wirenutz]

we tow our 2007 38 foot all american sport with a 1999 four door freightliner, with a 7.2L cat motor

[lincster]

MaxspeedGSX1300R wrote:
LOL Lincster you got me there, no sand driving ever for me.

Although, I can't imagine too much sand in NY.... LOL

[MaxspeedGSX1300]

LOL Lincster you got me there, no sand driving ever for me.

[lincster]

MaxspeedGSX1300R wrote:
Something like this .... I can tow what ever I want

Yeah, but lets see how you do going into the sand following me......

[MaxspeedGSX1300]

Something like this .... I can tow what ever I want

[Chlirod]

To the OP, here is a review of my recent experience. I think it relates closely to your current need.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27109643.cfm

[Doughboy12]

Ric Flair wrote:


It's not an ecoboost but he did eat Mexican food last night.

Looks like he could benefit from a tire pressure monitor...lol

[Ric_Flair]

It's not an ecoboost but he did eat Mexican food last night.

[ksss]

The alt. in Boise isn't that high but anywhere you would want to go camping is a climb and its always hot. Likely just an unfavorable combination for the Ecoboost.


I would look ahead and see what kind of trailer you may want to get into during the life of the new pickup and buy according to that trailer. Maybe a 3500 SRW CCSB would cover you for all but the largest fifth wheels, it would make navigating around town easier (than a DRW). I would also make it a diesel, the downside is for whatever reason the cost of Diesel in Boise is always higher than anywhere else.

[mike_mck]

steiny93 wrote:
i'm all about getting a big truck (as you can see in my sig)

but at 11k of trailer the 3/4 diesel is a lot of overkill
i'm very surprised to hear you are having issues with a 1/2 ton and that weight

my daily is a gaser and if I only had 11k of rv to pull I wouldn't be in a diesel

Lets not forget it is a boosted v6. Not exactly the optimum set up for towing. If it was a NA 5.4 I'd agree no problem

[mike_mck]

64thunderbolt wrote:

musclecarsKC wrote:
linster and 64thunderbolt. Thank you for your insight. linster, I you are right. We might have to go the route of 64thunderbolt for a while until we find what we really want. Looking a F550's would love a Topkick or Kodiac but haven't found any around this area to check out.

My truck tows very well. Some new ones will do better but mine has been paid for since the day I bought it.

If you go the 550 or the others you mentioned will the drivetrain keep up with the added wgt? An F450 would do just fine. A friend has an F450 with 4.88's and won't break any speed records but doesn't know what a hill is. It's a 6.4 with a 200 hp tow tune.

I have a 1999 F550 and the drive train will keep up just fine. Dana 135 rear end. Same trans as the F450. 4.88 gears. 19.5 in wheels. I went with 19.5 245's Load rating F. 4300 lb per tire rating. I never worry about what I am towing.

[mike_mck]

IOWASTROKER wrote:
F-450, modified, but with 4:88 gears, forget any good mileage...but going down the road in style...and quite safely!!!!! Bigger brakes, etc. etc. Buy what you can afford. Do you have a sway bar setup currently?? Equalizer??? Good luck and have fun looking:))))

I have a 99 F550 with pick up cab. 7.3L and 4.88 gears. empty flat freeway staying 70 and under gets me 15 mpg. city 12. loaded with 4K lbs in bed and 3000 on flatbed trailer Phx to Flagstaff loaded and back empty 12. The Phx to Flag is about a 6000 ft climb.
If the OP is looking for a used truck, In the ford family stay with the 7.3's (bullet proof Motors) unless you are going newer then jump to the 6.7. My 7.3 has 235K miles and runs as new. My sons 2002 F250 with 7.3 has 328K miles 3.73 rear end and can get 18 to 19 hiway and 15 to 17 easy city driving. The 6.0 will be a******shoot and not worth the risk. The 7.3 is a 500,000 mile motor.
I'm not familiar with the Chevy and dodge trucks enough to offer a reasonable opinion.

The above is just my opinion and remember opinions are like butt holes everybody's got one.:B