Which truck/engine do I get?
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Which truck/engine do I get?
I'm looking to haul up to 8000lbs of horse in a gooseneck trailer (the trailer's dry weight is 5400 lbs).
I'm looking at early to mid 2000's, and want enough truck but don't want overkill. The previous owner of the trailer has hauled the rig with both a 3/4 ton gas and diesel. The gas 3/4 ton was adequate, but the diesel was great. However, I'm trying to buy the truck on a reasonable budget. Do I get the 5.4L 3/4 ton? There's also a 5.4L 350 available right now as well (way lower kms than the 250's I'm seeing currently). I've also seen the 10 cylinder 250's.
Any insight? Trying to keep my truck cost as far below $10k as possible (seeing many for $6-9k), get half decent gas mileage (not a daily driver, but fuel economy is still in mind), but also want to make sure I have enough power. I should add I want 4x4 capability and auto trans.
I'm looking at early to mid 2000's, and want enough truck but don't want overkill. The previous owner of the trailer has hauled the rig with both a 3/4 ton gas and diesel. The gas 3/4 ton was adequate, but the diesel was great. However, I'm trying to buy the truck on a reasonable budget. Do I get the 5.4L 3/4 ton? There's also a 5.4L 350 available right now as well (way lower kms than the 250's I'm seeing currently). I've also seen the 10 cylinder 250's.
Any insight? Trying to keep my truck cost as far below $10k as possible (seeing many for $6-9k), get half decent gas mileage (not a daily driver, but fuel economy is still in mind), but also want to make sure I have enough power. I should add I want 4x4 capability and auto trans.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2013
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I'll be doing short local mostly flat trips weekly. Probably make a few 4-5 hour trips through the mountain pass each year. I'm not worried about getting up the hills fast, just getting up them without killing the tranny.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Rogersville, TN
I have pulled pretty much the same set up with mine and it never had any problems. If you to with the 5.4 and an automatic then I would budget in a little extra for getting a gear change. Most came with a 3.73, which isn't the best combo for that engine. Obviously the v10 is going to have a bit more power and would be what I would recommend. Either one will get the job done though.
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From: Rogersville, TN
Structurally, the only difference between the 250 and 350 from that year model are the emblems on the fender and the door jamb. Same exact truck, but the 250 has an 8800lb gvwr and the 350 has a 9900lb gvwr. I would opt for the 350 just to make sure you had the payload to hold the pin weight of the trailer.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Spanaway
Structurally, the only difference between the 250 and 350 from that year model are the emblems on the fender and the door jamb. Same exact truck, but the 250 has an 8800lb gvwr and the 350 has a 9900lb gvwr. I would opt for the 350 just to make sure you had the payload to hold the pin weight of the trailer.
Sean
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From: Midland, MI
If you go with a 5.4 get at least a 2005 truck with the newer 3v motor... more power, better gas mileage. If you go with a 99-04 truck, get a V10.
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From: Stephensville WI
My 2007 F-250 with a 5.4L V-8, automatic transmission and 3.73 gears is rated to tow 9200 pounds. I have easily exceeded that. I often easily tow a 28 foot enclosed car hauler at around 8000 pounds.
One word of advise, be careful on your definition of "good fuel mileage". Super Duty trucks are big and heavy. That makes for a great tow vehicle, but the fuel mileage isn't great.
If you want a vehicle that gets 20 MPG and can tow 8000 pounds you should be looking at a new Ford F-150 with an Ecoboost V-6.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: 'Pitlock, Maine
You an go with a gasser OR do a little shopping and find a good used 03 to an 07 6.0 that has already been upgraded with the usual bullet proofing ie: oil cooler, egr, standpipes and dummy plugs and all the other goodies that go with it or plan on doing the bullet proofing yourself. These trucks aren't that hard to come by and with a little due diligence they can be a good work horse especially if you aren't going to be running them any harder than you say. jmho
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From: Midland, MI
Not to mention the 2005+ trucks have a better automatic transmission.
My 2007 F-250 with a 5.4L V-8, automatic transmission and 3.73 gears is rated to tow 9200 pounds. I have easily exceeded that. I often easily tow a 28 foot enclosed car hauler at around 8000 pounds.
One word of advise, be careful on your definition of "good fuel mileage". Super Duty trucks are big and heavy. That makes for a great tow vehicle, but the fuel mileage isn't great.
If you want a vehicle that gets 20 MPG and can tow 8000 pounds you should be looking at a new Ford F-150 with an Ecoboost V-6.
My 2007 F-250 with a 5.4L V-8, automatic transmission and 3.73 gears is rated to tow 9200 pounds. I have easily exceeded that. I often easily tow a 28 foot enclosed car hauler at around 8000 pounds.
One word of advise, be careful on your definition of "good fuel mileage". Super Duty trucks are big and heavy. That makes for a great tow vehicle, but the fuel mileage isn't great.
If you want a vehicle that gets 20 MPG and can tow 8000 pounds you should be looking at a new Ford F-150 with an Ecoboost V-6.
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From: Stephensville WI
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often overlooked...make sure your hitch ball is rated for your load...most local auto part distributor offerings are only rated at 7000lbs when you get to the 2 5/16 ball size. I went with a ball and hook arrangement which is rated for 16000lbs. There are shear loads involved as well as static loads.