My dad recently passed away, leaving my mom with a Jacyo 5th wheel and a truck. The truck was in an accident so we need to buy a new one that will pull the 5th wheel without any problems.

Not sure on the model, but it's a Jayco 26' 5th wheel with one slide out. If I had to guess I'd say the weight is about 8000lbs.

The truck I've been looking at is a 2001 F250 V8 5.4L with 106,000 miles on it, a 2" lift with gas pro magnum shocks on front and an add-a-leaf on rear. I tried googling whether or not this truck would pull a 5th wheel ok but there seems to be a lot of mixed opinions. My mom and I are having a difficult time doing this without my dad's input.. really hoping you guys can help us out.

Would I have any trouble trying to tow a 5th wheel with that truck guys?

 

It'll do it. But you wont be the fastest truck on the road.

 

If you searched before and got mixed opinions, guess what your going to get now? thats right! mixed opinions....

but seriously, it depends on where you live and where you are going to tow. and also if you like to pass traffic and drive fast with that 5th wheel, or if you are content on staying with the pack or a little behind.

If you are trying to be frugal and stay within a budget, then the 5.4L is something to consider as a diesel or v10 will be more money. lots of guys on here apparently have a bunch of money, and you will hear them say -dont waste your time unless its a diesel- but the costs add up quick with a rig like that.

good luck on your decision!

 

Go with the v10! There not much more if any more than the 5.4 used. Much more power that you will want with the set up. You will spend the money on fuel with the 5.4 because its going to work hard. The v10 will get about 10 mpg towing or not and make life driving more fun. I had one and its a very very good engine and proven over many years. Diesel everything is more money, fuel, oil, filters, fuel filters and maint.

 

That 250 is the same frame and suspension as a one ton just with smaller blocks on rear springs. It will do the job fine but as like said not fast. If you are buying just to pull the fifth then decide how important speed is. If using for other purposes like farm chores or yard work then 5.4 will be fine as long as you maintain it. Diesels are more expensive to maintain unless you do the work yourself.

 

First off, sorry for your loss - as they say, time heals all wounds.

On to your question - it's going to depend a lot on the terrain you're driving in, 8,000 isn't a super heavy trailer but it could feel a lot heavier towing over mountain passes w/ a 5.4. If you're on flat ground the 5.4 should do it no problem. As said before, you won't win any races but you should be able to cruise plenty fast enough. A v10 would do it easier but don't sell the 5.4 short. If you can afford it, I might suggest looking at a 2005 and up truck, the 3v 5.4 found in those trucks has about the same power the early v10's did. And you get the torqueshift transmission as well which is a big improvement over the earlier automatics. First step though might be to determine the actual weight of the 5th wheel, either contact Jayco or post the model here or in the towing forum and see if someone has a similar trailer and can help you.

 

Thanks guys, really appreciating your input.

Speed isn't too important, but that being said I'd like to be able to keep up with traffic and drive at normal speeds, as I'd do without towing. I would probably never opt to pass someone on the highway when I'm pulling a 5th wheel.

Usually we only camp within 300 miles of where we live with a very occasional cross country camping trip (less than once every 2 years.)

So it wouldn't put an unhealthy stress on the vehicle?

I believe their last truck was a Chevy Silverado, 5.7L 1/2 ton.

I live in the in the U.P. of Michigan, so about as high up as you can get.. So I'll also be putting a heavy BOSS V plow on this truck in the winter months.

 

For example, my brother is stationed in North Carolina for the airforce. So if we were to visit him with the 5th wheel we would be driving through the mountains to get there. But this type of trip is rare.

 

If your last truck was a 1/2 ton and pulled it fine, i dont see why a 3/4 ton wouldn't be able to do it better. If it squats the rear end too much maybe look into helper bags.

 

I guess what confuses me about it is that the 1/2 ton is:
a) a lighter truck
b) a 5.7L as opposed to the 5.4L I'm looking at

So if it's lighter and has slightly more power wouldn't it pull better than a heavy truck?

 

5.7 vs 5.4 is in the same ball park power wise. And you have to think about the axles. Thats what is different in the trucks. a 3/4 ton has bigger axles than a 1/2 ton. Bigger axle means strong and will be able to pull better also the gearing can be different which will also help towing. The heavy duty trucks (3/4 and 1 ton) trucks are made for hauling more weight.

 

Thanks for your reply.

IMO their 1/2 Silverado towed their 5th wheel fine. So if an F250 5.4L would be about the same (or better?) than I think it'd be sufficient for what we'd need it for.

 

I would opt for something a little newer myself. I had a 2006 F250 with the 5.4. My TT at the time was 8K fully loaded. I towed that thing everywhere and was able to keep up and even pass people. I traveled some of the same area you are thinking.

The 05 and ups have a better tranny and better cooling for it.

You also want to pay attention to the mirrors. Get one with the tow mirrors on it.

Also check for the intergrated trailer brake controller (TBC). If you can find one with it then that is the preference. Aftermarkets will do just fine though. Not a deal breaker.

 

dont go with a boss V, watch this

V-Plow Comparison

 

if a 5.7 1/2 ton Silverado can do it then then the 5.4 will do it fine. I also agree with senix on the 05+ 3v 5.4 it has similar power to the early v10. Also remember the SD weighs considerably more then a 1/2 Sivlerado so even if the power is similar between the 5.7 and 5.4 it will seem much slower and underpowered.