I am about to retire. Plan on buying a very small tow behind RV (Scamp or Casita with dry weight of under 2,000 pounds, probably 13 feet.) I need to buy something that could tow that but it also has to be my daily vehicle as well since I can't afford two cars. Need to be able to go over mountains as I live in a fairly hilly area. My head is swimming from trying to figure out what to get. I have yet to go to a dealership as I am trying to do some research first. Have looked at Ford F150, Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma. Planning on buying new either 2015 or 2016. Once I get to looking at the different models.... that's were I need advice! Any thoughts on what I need to get in a tow vehicle. Appreciate any help

 

Going with a light camper will give you a lot of options. My family has a 5th wheel and 3/4 ton truck. Over all it's nice for vacations until we try to visit downtown areas...parking lots really shrink. Couple times I've had to pull in the mirrors and drive over the corner of a berm just to get through a parking lot toll booth.

What other features do you need/want in a car? How many passengers will you normally have? Will you be off roading or seeing lots of snow? What do you drive now?

 

I have a 2001 Rave that has seen its better days. Have two years to retire and thought I'd better get that replacement vehicle now while I am still employed. Don't really plan on off road stuff. Will want to be able to put 3 more passengers in my vehicle on occasion but that is not on a regular basis, usually it will just be me. Not planning to tow in snow but do live in an area where going over mountains is most likely. I am leaning towards the Ford F150 but then get overwhelmed with all the engine choices. Need to keep the cost in a very reasonable range

 

Since you like the F150, you can close your eyes and pick an engine for what you'll be towing. I have the 3.5 naturally aspirated in my Taurus X (80,000miles) and really like it but not sure I'd want it in an F150 with a trailer. I hear the 3.5 ecoboost tows very well and is fun to drive. But then I wouldn't feel bad at all with the 5.0. I don't see how you can lose either way. Since you have time, you might as well use it to patiently wait for a great deal. If there are popular options that you know you don't want, you might actually save a little money by ordering one. We did that on a 2000 Mustang...ended up cheaper than anything on anybody's lot.


Since your current car is 15 years old, it sounds like you might be the type who keeps a car for a while. An F150 will likely out last the smaller vehicles that can also tow your preferred trailer size. If you see a lot of road salt make sure you keep all the seams, rocker panels, and wheel wells clean...maybe even spray on a little WD40 before snow flies and an F150 will stay pretty for a long time.

 

Get the Eco-Boost! You will not be disappointed! Either Super Cab or if those passengers are big, the 4 door Crew Cab.

 

One more plus for ordering a truck built the way you want...you know you'll get the exact color scheme you want as well as all the exact options you want...since you have time. It's a lot of money, might as well be completely happy with it.

 

Good for you doing research before you lay your money down instead of after. It's amazing how many people buy a camper then want to know if their truck can tow it. More often than not, it's "no".
In your case, your target camper is small and light enough you can tow it with just about anything you want.
The best thing is to educate yourself about what you have to have, then stick on the pretty options you might like.
As '65Ford says, the 3.5 Ecobeast is popular for towing, but in my experience turbos increase maintenance costs. The normally aspirated 5.0L doesn't have the torque of the 3.5 but oil and filters is all you have to worry about. The spark plugs are good for 100,000 miles.
Here is a document for you to peruse: http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...Tgde_Sep30.pdf

It is Ford's towing guide. Much of it doesn't apply to you, but everything you need to know to tow is in there.
In your shoes, I'd look for the F150 with 5.0L supercab with 3.55 gears in 4x4 with 145" wheelbase. The 4x4 can come in handy from time to time, especially in the mountains with or without a camper in tow.
The 2015 has fthree optional tow packages the 53A, 53B, and 53C. Of the three, I'd go with 53C because it includes the integrated brake controller.
As far as trim levels go, you have the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum to choose from. The XL is going to offer the greatest payload, but also the fewest creature comforts - some of which are necessary, such as tow mirrors.
I'd recommend the XLT as a minimum. If you're going to drive long distances, driver fatigue can be a real issue, the more comfortable your truck, the better you'll feel. Also, if you dread driving you will eventually start to avoid it. I have the Lariat and wouldn't trade it for the world.
Things you might want:
Adjustable pedals - depending on how tall (or not) you are.
Telescoping steering column.
LED information center - it's much more useful and informative than the simple text information center.
Power folding heated mirrors - getting out to adjust them gets old really quick.
Premium stereo with sub woofer - it won't rattle windows when you pass by, but sounds really good at reasonable volumes.
Back up camera - makes hitching up a breeze.
One thing you don't need is the integrated GPS display/center - updates are expensive and if the unit quits, you don't even have a radio any more.
Pretty much everything beyond this is a matter of taste and how much you want to spend. The dealer will have an order guide. Tell your sales rep you want to peruse it on your own. It will tell you all the options available and what they consist of.
Good luck!

 

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If you're going to drive long distances, driver fatigue can be a real issue, the more comfortable your truck, the better you'll feel.
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This cannot be overstated...amazing what a few little differences make.

 

You guys ROCK! You all have given me good information to consider and have helped to take some of the guess work out of it for me. Keep the information coming if you think of something else I need to consider. THANKS!!!!

 

I may as well be the one to toss the curve ball here. That trailer is so light weight it can be towed by a multitude of vehicles besides trucks. If I didn't need a truck and was sure I wasn't going to go bigger in trailer size, I would put that on the back of my wife's Toyota Highlander.

Steve

 

Steve the Toyota Highlander has been in the consideration as well as a truck.... cost was a bit high but if a truck is close to the cost of the Highlander, it may make it back into the mix. Thanks for reminding me!

 

I just threw out Highlander as an example, but there are any number of SUVs out there that are rated to handle the weight you are considering. They are not exactly giving away those F150 ecoboosts either, though I think they are great trucks.

Obviously I have a couple of trucks as noted in my signature, something that hits me over the head whenever I have to drive in dense traffic and am not towing, but work very well when I need a truck.

As with any buying decision it will boil down to what vehicle best suits your needs.

Good hunting,

Steve

 

I just threw out Highlander as an example, but there are any number of SUVs out there that are rated to handle the weight you are considering. They are not exactly giving away those F150 ecoboosts either, though I think they are great trucks.

Obviously I have a couple of trucks as noted in my signature, something that hits me over the head whenever I have to drive in dense traffic and am not towing, but work very well when I need a truck.

As with any buying decision it will boil down to what vehicle best suits your needs.

Good hunting,

Steve

 

That's an awful light trailer even for a F150.

My wife's minivan could pull it.

I'd lean towards explorer, Colorado diesel, etc.

 

You could tow that with something the size of an Escape without issue, and you'd save a lot of money buying and operating it. Small trailers towed by bigger trucks can be a real pain to backup/maneuver in tight spaces as it can be difficult to see where the trailer tires are in the mirrors, and short wheelbase trailers on long wheelbase trucks can be tricky to back up.