Ok guys I got a semi-stupid question. I need to tow a 5500 lb trailer about 100 miles and back again. I have two choices for which truck I will use to pull it with. But here's where it gets messy. Both trucks need ALOT of work. Here are their stats:

1978 Ford F-250 Camper Special: Currently gets 6mpg, C6 trans, 351M motor, needs a water pump, starter, and some electrical issues taken care of. Otherwise runs pretty good.

2007 Dodge Ram 1500: 4x4, 5.7: Hemi V8, 5 speed auto trans, needs $2500 worth of shocks and steering repairs. Lifted 4", 35" tires. Gets ~10mpg (12ish on freeway).

Yes, these are both my trucks, I'm just tied as to which one to take because they both need some $$ dumped into them. The dodge looks most reliable, but with bad shocks and leaky steering it can be tough to handle. The Ford is way easier to drive and needs less money thrown at it, but it sometimes has reliability issues (ie: randomly having the starter hang up or the coil wire coming loose).

I got ~3 weeks to make this decision...figured this was a good place to get some opinions so...what do you guys think? Take my chances with the dodge or the Ford?

(Yes I realize this may or may not be in the wrong area for proper responses)

 

My opinion is since the Ford needs the least cash wise use that one. However cash issues aren't always the only factor. Time can be as well. And electrical issues can take a while to sort out. Especially if you're not that good with them. With that said which ever you choose make SURE the truck is in tip top shape. The last things you want to have happen is to either have the truck beak down and leave you stranded. Or the absolute worst is to have a steering link break causing a wreck and the loss of some ones life as a result. Furthermore I'd suggest that if when the time comes and you don't feel totally comfortable with the choice you made look into renting a truck for the job. And yes I know that can be difficult to do. Since a lot of areas won't rent trucks for toing purposes. But it's worth looking into. Just my $0.02.

 

Well the Ford's electrical gremlin lies in the dash lights. They randomly decide to turn off and not turn back on. Plus, I have to add trailer wiring to the rear harness. Im pretty handy with electrical know how in most cases, but tracking down that dash light issue may take a bit.

The Dodge's steering issue lies in a leaky steering rack. It makes turning the wheels a pain in the butt. The shocks are causing its tires to wear funny and the truck to ride weird yadda yadda yadda.

Unfortunately, I being 18, cannot rent a car yet...makes jobs like this fun!

 

Ford! Dodge sounds like it's issues would make towing a pain. I'd work on getting the electrical in the Ford straightened out and use that. Also, does it still have that big hitch on it? If so, be sure it has a hitch pin through it... I took it out when I was trying to take the hitch out (that sucker is really in there) and don't think I put it back in. Just be sure your brakes are good and I think you'll be good to go. Lastly, take pictures if you end up using it cause I want to see lol

 

X2 on the pics. And like I stated before make sure you truck which ever you choose is in top notch shape. As you sould know by now there are many of knowledgeable people on here who can and will help you sort it out. You just have to be patient and willing to accept their suggestions, advice, and trouble shooting techniques. I can't stand it when someone asks for help, and when they get the help they requested they argue as to why they think the answer to the problem isn't the answer, just to find out later that it infact was the answer. (I.E. timing issues, vacuum issues and so on.)

 

The F250 is 10 times the truck the 1/2 ton Dodge is, Fix the electrics in it, it'll be alot safer trip.

 

no problem on the pics! She ain't too pretty right now but...she does run! Yeah I'll have to look into those electrical gremlins. Maybe one day when we get above 32 degrees for once up here! Yeah it still has the ridiculously huge hitch on it. Even without the in, we dragged the truck UP a flatbed tow truck in park, with the brakes on, by the hitch. We couldn;t even get it to come loose!

 

Ah come on lol. It was 22 here today and about 12 with wind chill. I was outside almost all day messing around.
I've been laid off since thanksgiving. I hate being stuck in the house so I go outside no matter the temp, lol.

To keep this on topic, fix the electrical gremlins on the Ford.

 

Who cares how pretty she is? We want pics. I for one love beaters as well as show rigs and trailer queens. No offense intended towards those with the super nice trucks on here.

 

Ok OK I'll get some pics of her with the trailer if she ends up being the pulling rig...which she probably will be. Gotta remount the drivers mirror also, as the door I tossed on her didn't come with one.

And hey I agree about the temps around here. 17 today, wind chill around 10ish. Not too bad if ya stand in the sun lol.

 

I would think if the Ford dash lights are just intermittent its not really that big a deal to use it on the tow job, unless you loose gauges also? Could be a circuit board or a bad connection with the dash bulbs, one loose kills the rest, I think???

Water pump and starter are quicker and cheaper than the Dodge front end issue. (needs $2500 worth of shocks and steering repairs)....WTH, sounds like it needs more than shocks and a p/s pump leaf fixed. Sounds like 4 ball joints, tie rods, trac bar, wheel bearings ect....

A 6 MPG now but will drop painfully with 5500 hanging off its tail end and great steering rig. Beats 10 to 12 MPH until you hook up that 5500 trailer and then more like 4 or 5 and hard to steer and possible other pending steering issues right out of the box....Ford all the way every day.

You can get a plug and play into the taillights for the trailer wiring, does your trailer have elec brakes and do you have a elec brake controller in the Ford?

When towing something you want 2 good things, steering and stopping of the tow rig and the trailer! Do you have any buddies with a rig that is more ready to roll and just cover the fuel+meals and a few dollars more?

 

The dash lights 98% of the time don't turn on. When they do, they cut out while driving. I still gotta look into that.

The dodge...yup, 4 shocks (4" lift), sway bar bushings, and a steering rack. Technically needs all fluids changed too. Labor costs are driving it way up.

The trailer is a 5'x7' u-haul. No trailer brakes on it and the ford doesn't have a brake controller anyway.

As for friends with trucks... Man I wish. All my buddies drive puny little cars.

 

Have you replaced the headlight switch, that rheostat is a common item to get corroded and affect the dash lights operation. Maybe get in there and try to clean it first?

Shocks on the Dodge are not that much or that hard to replace, neither are sway bar bushings. Steering rack?? Wow just got google smart on that Dodge issue, looks like a common $$$ one.

U haul 5x7 weighs....?5500 lbs after you load it with? If you are renting a trailer can't you rent the u haul truck to tow it? Or have a 25+ buddy rent it and do the driving.

One way or the other you are spending alot of CASH to make this trip, hope its worth it. I bet its Ford truck related somehow?

 

A 5'x7'trailer with 5,500 lbs. and no trailer brakes!! I wouldn't even think of trying it. Better to rent a truck or truck and trailer combo that can handle that type of load. We'd like to see you come out of this adventure alive.

 

the f-250 should handle 5500. I'd pull it.