Another question for Jeff the great
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls SD
Another question for Jeff the great
I currently have a 99 F150 supercab 2 wheel drive V6 5speed. I tow a tent camper 5-7 times a year about 100 miles each way per time. My wife is getting tired of putting $40+ in evey 300 to 400 miles. What does Ford offer for me to replace the F150 with that has a Man. trans and can get better fuel economy? She like the Escape but that is Front drive, will it handle the load? The tent camper weighs 2700lbs. We have 3 kids with two in car seats yet. Gas keeps going up, we would love a small diesel in a F150.
Thanks for your help.
Dan
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Jeff the GREAT?!?! Where DO you people come up with this stuff?? I'm begining to think there are all these secret messages going on behind the scenes, telling everyone to make sure you compliment Jeff. This is just nuts; I have nowhere to go but down......... 
Back to answering your question, though. The manual transmission is the hard part. An Escape with a manual tranny can tow a max of 1500 lbs, and that's with the vehicle empty. (Now, that's what Ford says. I want to know HOW you tow that camper. Up and down lots of hills, with lots of stop-and-go driving? Then the manual Escape is out. But, if those 100 miles each way are all level interstate, well.....) The V6 auto will tow 3500, but the truth be known you'll get about the same mileage as your current ride. So where's the sense in that? You've got the right idea, though: F-150 diesel. Can you wait a year or two?
Back to answering your question, though. The manual transmission is the hard part. An Escape with a manual tranny can tow a max of 1500 lbs, and that's with the vehicle empty. (Now, that's what Ford says. I want to know HOW you tow that camper. Up and down lots of hills, with lots of stop-and-go driving? Then the manual Escape is out. But, if those 100 miles each way are all level interstate, well.....) The V6 auto will tow 3500, but the truth be known you'll get about the same mileage as your current ride. So where's the sense in that? You've got the right idea, though: F-150 diesel. Can you wait a year or two?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls SD
Thanks for the quick response! Hills are not a problem, mostly interstate. If you are serious about the diesel being a reality in the F150 I could probley convince my wife to wait.
Thanks Again Dan
Thanks Again Dan
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Originally Posted by 99F150
...If you are serious about the diesel being a reality in the F150 I could probley convince my wife to wait...
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 212
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From: New Joisey
I towed a 24' Baja with a '98 Explorer Sport (2 dr V-6) up and down the hills in the Poconos from central Jersey. The dry weight of the baja was 4100#. Add fuel, dual axle trailer, junk, beer, 4 people and thats a lot of weight. I am not saying it was the safest or smartest, and I would never do it again but the truck handled it no problem.
The load was too heavy for the truck.
The load was too heavy for the truck.
