Hello,

Well I was hoping to use the 85 F-250HD I’m restoring (a multi-year process so far) but it won’t be able to tow as heavy a Travel Trailer as I’d like.

Don’t want to spend $40,000 on the latest and greatest Ford. Looking for something 3-5 years old. Don’t need a lot of bells and whistles, the fewer power accessories the better IMO.

BUT must be reliable and a workhorse. Need to tow a trailer around 11K – 12K (maybe a bit more or less) lbs

Any recommendations of a suitable Ford Truck? Reliable, Workhorse, the fewer power accessories the better

Your experience and knowledge are appreciated

Thanks
Rgds
nonrev

 

12,000 is pretty much the max the latest aluminum-bodied F150's can tow, and they came out less than 2 years ago. So if you are looking for something older than that then half-ton trucks aren't going to fit the bill.

 

Look for a retired municipal truck? Something in an f250 or f350 SRW.

In our area PG&E (pacific gas and electric) or CalTrans is constantly auctioning off vehicles that are clean, well maintained, and have barely over 100k on them. Something like that would be budget friendly but reliable.

 

I hate to mention this on a Ford Forum but some folks on RV forums are saying the RAM 2500 or 3500 diesel is the better truck. Thoughts on that??

 

My nephew is an engineer and has done a ton of work on diesel trucks. His opinion of the Ram is that it is a great engine, but all else is poorly done. His favorite, and what he drives, is a Chevy/GMC of around a 2007 vintage.

 

Hi,

Funny you should say that. A fella on one of the RV forums also said a 2006-07 Chevy or GMC LBZ with less than 100K. He said best year for Duramax and it has a good Allison Tranny

 

Yes, that's what my nephew says as well.

 

The ram has the best engine, and the transmissions are ok. The allison behind the duramax is a really beefy trans. I still like the ford as the best "truck".

There is a disadvantage in the diesel V8 design versus the more industrial i-6 of the cummins. The ram would be my choice hands down as a tow rig. That's all you see pulling multicar trailers from LA to SF. It's just cummins after cummins after cummins. Towing two or three vehicles up or down I5.

 

What engine does your 85 have? My 89 with the diesel has a tow rating of 11,400 with a 460 it's 12,500. Most of the sites don't back as far as 85 but a 85 should not be much different than a 89 or 1991.

P.S. Just saw your other post here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-limits.html. Looks like there are some number discrepancies depending on if you are looking at factory literature or sites like Trailer Life or Camping Life.

 

Here's the link to his other thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-limits.html.

The issue is his transmission and axle ratio. Ford rated a manual tranny w/a 3.55 axle at 11,500 lbs, as shown on my web site: Towing - ???Gary's Garagemahal. Now, if he had a C6 his rating would be 15,000 lbs. Or, if he had 4.10's and a manual tranny it would be 16,000 lbs. And, if he had both a C6 and 4.10's it would be 18,500 lbs.

If it were me and I liked my Bullnose I'd seriously consider swapping in a ZF5 and 4.10's. The 4.10's would give a 16,000 lb GCVWR and the ZF5 would give a serious 1st gear for starting and an overdrive for cruising w/o the trailer.

 

I see, thanks.

 

The tow ratings with a manual trans, especially with taller gear ratios, were pretty laughable back in the day. Gary's chart from the '85 owners manual shows what I remember from my '85 F-250HD, 7800 lbs with a 351, manual trans and 3.55 gears. Nobody can believe me that the GCWR was really that low, especially given that the GVWR was 8600 lbs! So I guess I could only load the truck to the 8600 lb max if I was towing a trailer that weighed negative 800 lbs?

 

My son is an ASE certified master and works for Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram Trucks as it's now called ... He says the only good Ram is one with a Cummins and that is the only good thing about them!

He drives an 07 Chevy Duramax 2500 Classic.

Personally, I have yet to see an older (new era) Ram that didn't rattle.
Maybe a city truck, but none that run the kind of roads we have here in Maine.

Sorry, I'll stick with my Fords ...

-Enjoy
fh : )_~