150 or 250?
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150 or 250?
I am going to buy a used Ford truck, about an'86 to '90, to use for hauling a travel trailer which weighs around 4,500 lbs dry (I think). This is a 21' trailer and will be hauled around Arizona, Utah, Montana, etc in moderate mountains. Should I be looking to a 150 or a 250? Anything I need to do to it? I am willing to go for a new engine and tranny, if necessary, but can't do the work myself. Thanks.
Jim
Jim
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150 or 250?
You want an F-250 :-) Look for one with 3.54 gears, the mileage won't be any worse than a F-150. Or in my case thats how it is. The C-6 is a good strong automatic trans also. You will want nothing less than the 351W. I might catch it on that one, but thats just my opinion 
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Superdave
94 Ford Aerostar XL 3.0L
82 Ford F250 4x4 XLT,400 CID,C-6 A/T,8700lb GVWR. Black & Silver
.Superdave
94 Ford Aerostar XL 3.0L
82 Ford F250 4x4 XLT,400 CID,C-6 A/T,8700lb GVWR. Black & Silver
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
150 or 250?
I think the previous post is right about at least a 351 V8. May want to consider the 460 v8! I have a 95 f150 with a 300 I6 (which is supposed to tow better than the 302 v8) and I pull a 2000 lb trailer. I think I could pull a 4500 pounder but for the wind resistance. With my 2000 pounder I can tow at 75 mph on fairly level ground but am back down to 60 - 65 on hills or with a strong headwind. I have a manual tranny with 3.08 rear gear though. The owner's manual says I could pull 2000 lb with manual and about 4000 or so with auto tranny.
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150 or 250?
If this is strictly going to be a hauler, don't even consider an F150...your bottom line should be an F250 or F350. The choice of engine size and gasoline or diesel depends on what you can live with. Diesels are a little cheaper to operate over the long haul, but routine maintenance can be moderately more expensive (parts are sometimes higher), but you'll find diesel fuel everywhere. If you want a gasoline engine, I wouldn't consider anything less than a 390 in a non-FI truck or a 351 in a FI truck. MPG is already out the window, you're looking for pulling power, endurance and ease of maintenance. Non-FI engines are easier to maintain because they don't have sensors and computer modules...sometimes its also easier to get these repaired out in the boonies. And if you get disgusted with high gas prices, you can always retrofit a gas engine to run on propane at a reasonable expense. Make a list of what you expect this truck to do and what options you can't live without, then talk to a few owners of hauler trucks and compare your notes to theirs before you buy. It'll pay off in the long run.
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