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Fullsize pickup for a toad?

stepdad
Explorer
Explorer
Hey good folks,
Next spring we're gonna get a diesel pusher and I was wondering how many folks have a full-size pickup for a toad. I have a 2008 Ford F-150 4X4 I would like to use as a toad. Is it feasible? Easy hookup? How big a diesel engine would I need?

~Thanks, John
13 REPLIES 13

UsualSuspect
Explorer
Explorer
I have the 07 Chevy 2500HD, Crew Cab 4X4 Duramax Longbed set up to tow, as well as a Jeep. I can tell the Duramax is back there on grades, but other than being longer than the Jeep, on the flatlands I barely notice it. I am not the slowest on the road, nor am I the fastest, but then again motorhomes are not know for winning a speed contest or having a decent 1/4 mile run down at the strip. It may take a few minutes more for me to get there than someone with 550 HP, but I am usually not in a hurry anyway.
2007 Fleetwood Excursion 40E Cat C7 350 HP
2007 Chev 2500HD D/A Long bed CC (Yes, it is my TOAD :B)
2011 Toyota Tundra
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara (Backup towed)
Gone but not forgotten, 2008 Jayco 299 RLS

mci7
Explorer
Explorer
I use a 2004 F150 with a CanAm 800 ATV or a EZ Go Golf Cart, the F150 claims to be 3850 lb, the CanAm 800 lb, behind the ISM500 it is not noticeable at all, not even fuel mileage difference.
Dave M
Dave M
Central Virginia
Had MCI Conversion 20+ yrs
Presently 2001 Foretravel w/ISM500
Usual Toad 2004 F150 Ford w/Can Am 800 Max

mowermech
Explorer
Explorer
lanerd wrote:
You would need a DP that is rated for at least 10,000 lbs towing. I'm sure an F150 is over 5000 lbs.

I towed our 2000 tundra (right at 5000 lbs) with our Safari prior to getting our current toad. My Safari was rated at 10,000 lbs towing and it only had the 330 CAT. Worked very well.

Ron


I tow my Dodge 1500 quad cab short box with a Ford V10 coach (see sig).
I use a Roadmaster Stowmaster towbar.
It works.
after the Glacier/Waterton Hamfest, I may report on how it went towing the truck with a Kawasaki Brute Force 750 in the bed.
CM1, USN (RET)
2017 Jayco TT
Daily Driver: '14 Subaru Outback
1998 Dodge QC LWB, Cummins, 5 speed, 4X2
2 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATVs.
Pride Raptor 3 wheeled off-road capable mobility scooter
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"

discovery4us
Explorer
Explorer
Just returned from a 1500 mile trip using my truck as a toad with the RZR in the bed. I have a little 275 HP ISB and I know its back there on the hills but doable and on the flat it is no different than my jeep.

FIRE_UP
Explorer
Explorer
stepdad wrote:
Hey good folks,
Next spring we're gonna get a diesel pusher and I was wondering how many folks have a full-size pickup for a toad. I have a 2008 Ford F-150 4X4 I would like to use as a toad. Is it feasible? Easy hookup? How big a diesel engine would I need?

~Thanks, John


John,
Your '08 F-150 is NOT FLAT TOWABLE. Ford, in it's infinite wisdom, did not set up their electronically controlled transfer cases in the 150 versions to have a "N" (otherwise known as NEUTRAL) until the 2012 model year. GM, as in GMC and Chevy, have been flat towable for years. And, so has Dodge. But, apparently it was not on Fords top of the priority list to make their F-150s flat towable 'till the '12 versions.

Now, I'm pretty sure that just about ALL F-150s for quite some time have electronically shifted transfer cases. But, just in case there were some produced that have a manual shift, i.e. lever on the floor that has an "N" in the shift pattern, then those most likey can be flat towed without any issues. But, a check in any owners manual of something like that would be in order to confirm whether they can or, cannot be flat towed.

Now, on SOME of the Ford Ranger 4x4 units, an "NTK" kit (Neutral Tow Kit) can be installed to make them flat towable. But, not all of them can or will accept the NTK. Only certain model years can be converted. Anyway, hope this answers your questions.
Scott and Karla
SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext Cab 4x4 Toad
2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing
KI60ND

smlranger
Explorer
Explorer
We will tow our 2014 F150 Super Crew with a 900lb golf car in the truck bed for the first time this week. I will let you know how it goes. I don't anticipate any issues.
2019 Grand Design Solitude 384GK 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA

gemert
Explorer
Explorer
I tow my Dodge Ram 4X4 with no problem. Make sure your tow bar is also rated over 5K. While researching tow bars I found a lot of them to be limited to 5K. I bought the Ready Brute Elite with integrated surge brake. Works great.
Jerry
Chief USN Retired
2003 Beaver Patriot Thunder C-12 505HP
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4

DSDP_Don
Explorer
Explorer
You just need to check if your Ford is towable. Ford has been on again/off again with it's tow ability over the years.

We've towed a Dodge Dakota 4 door, a Nissan Frontier 4 door and now the Chevrolet Silverado 4 door. The Chevrolet has been the heaviest at about 5500 pounds. We've been towing it for three years without any issues.
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 - All Electric
2019 Ford Raptor Crew Cab

imgoin4it
Explorer
Explorer
We tow a 1500 crew cab Silverado with a 400 Cummins. Of course we have a 10,000lb hitch, tow bar, etc. No problems.
Howard,Connie,& Bella,
One spoiled schnauzer
2007 Newmar KSDP
4dr Jeep Wrangler

BobandShaz
Explorer
Explorer
We tow our F150 no problem. Make sure you get the options so it can be towed 4 down
Bob and Sharon

2006 Winnebago Sightseer 29R Ford F53. Roadmaster Eagle 8000. 2001 Ford F150 7700 4x4. Still shopping for toad brakes. FMCA F286179

The_Texan
Explorer
Explorer
If your Ford F-150 has the electronic 4x4 selector, it is NOT towable. Ford did not start making their F-150 electronic transfer case towable until model year 2012. GM & Dodge both have made their full size trucks towable for over a decade, but Ford failed in this department.

Yes, we have towed the last 2 full size GM trucks we owned and they make an excellent toad. We have towed with both a 300 HP ISB Cummins and a 400 HP ISL Cummins, so size is not a real factor.

Bob & Betsy - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"


2005 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2017 Rzr 4-900 riding in 16+' enclosed trailer in back.
Where the wheels are stopped today

lanerd
Explorer II
Explorer II
You would need a DP that is rated for at least 10,000 lbs towing. I'm sure an F150 is over 5000 lbs.

I towed our 2000 tundra (right at 5000 lbs) with our Safari prior to getting our current toad. My Safari was rated at 10,000 lbs towing and it only had the 330 CAT. Worked very well.

Ron
Ron & Sandie
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH Cummins ISL 400hp
Toad: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT2
Tow Bar: Sterling AT
Toad Brakes: Unified by U.S. Gear
TPMS: Pressure Pro
Member of: GS, FMCA, Allegro


RETIRED!! How sweet it is....

Ranger_Smith
Explorer
Explorer
I dont think the ford 4x4 is towable four down without the manual transfer case
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