Truck recomendation
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Truck recomendation
I need a Ford truck that can;
1.) tow an 8,000lb(w/ trailer) boat(Sea Ray 270 Amberjack)
fairly long distances (interstate).
2.) has a back seat for 2 kids (4drs not a must but leaning that way)
3.) single hub prefered (don't want the wife knocking the fenders of a dually).
What it the minimum truck (for the $) that can do this comfortably? New or used.
-bll
1.) tow an 8,000lb(w/ trailer) boat(Sea Ray 270 Amberjack)
fairly long distances (interstate).
2.) has a back seat for 2 kids (4drs not a must but leaning that way)
3.) single hub prefered (don't want the wife knocking the fenders of a dually).
What it the minimum truck (for the $) that can do this comfortably? New or used.
-bll
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Truck recomendation
I'd say an F-150 or 250 with a quad cab(I think that is the right name, extended cab with 4 doors). An F-150 supercrew would be small, have 4-doors, and probbably tow 8000. I think that the F-150 supercrew is smaller than a 4 door F-250 or F-350.
Logan
Logan
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Truck recomendation
You could probably tow that w/ a 1/2 ton as long as you option for the 5.4L and the highest gears you can get. A 3/4ton would make life alot easier though. AN F-250 supercab w/ the V-10 should yank that around pretty well and the diesel would pull that thing w/ ease. You could opt. for the heavy duty 1/2 ton option and get the 5.4 and that should be up to the task as well. I just wouldn't try yanking aroung a boat that big w/ the 4.6. It would probably do it but it would get tiresome lugging around for long distances.
"like a rock" on the sides of roads everywhere.
72 F-100 4x4. fresh 390 4bbl, NP435 tranny, spooled rear, 2"skyjacker springs front, 2" custom shackle flip rear, "mild" fender trim, 35x15.50 TSL/SX tires.
"like a rock" on the sides of roads everywhere.
72 F-100 4x4. fresh 390 4bbl, NP435 tranny, spooled rear, 2"skyjacker springs front, 2" custom shackle flip rear, "mild" fender trim, 35x15.50 TSL/SX tires.
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Truck recomendation
I like your idea about the F-250. The F-150 just seems a little too small. Diesel or V10, that's the question. I need a truck that has a enormous warranty. I don't want to have to work on it. I'm either going new or something that I have to build from the ground up, preferably FE powered if I go custom. I have '66 Galaxie with a reverse cooled 427. I spent 6 years developing the cooling system for that 427 to run 11:1 compression on 89 octane gas. So I have plenty of FE experience. Your truck sounds mean! The 390 is the poor man's 427. I'm actually running a 390 short block under my 427 top end. It has the same power as the 427 short block and is much more fun. You can run the **** out of it without having to worry about loosing an $1800 block when something lets go. All you have to do is bevel the cylinders at the deck so the big 427 valves clear.
But I'm into boats now and I need a serious hauler that I don't have to lift the hood on.
Thanks for your response!
-bll
But I'm into boats now and I need a serious hauler that I don't have to lift the hood on.
Thanks for your response!
-bll
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Truck recomendation
The trailering Magazines and The Ford truck Bible both recommend a 3/4 or full one ton truck if you plan to do extended trailering of anything over 5,000 or so. Not sure if a 150 can haul 8,000, don't have my maual handy.
An F150 with the 351 engine will do OK for occasional work, but I and the books would recommend the bigger trucks with 460 engine. My 460 easily hauls my 30 foot trailer, 8,000 dry I believe. I have towed it as far as 1,000 miles in one trip from Portland Or to Los Angeles through lots of Mountains and the dreaded Grapevine, in 105 plus heat and a forest fire to boot, jeez. No problemo. On most hills it doesn't hunt a lot from OD to 3rd. Only on big hills does it go to 3rd or even lower.
Do make sure all your fluids are fresh and topped up. Check them at every stop. get a good weight distributing hitch, sway bar and trailer brakes.
Strangely my Owners manual does not list tow ratings or even the 460 engine in the F250 supercab, but there are thousands of them running around.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
An F150 with the 351 engine will do OK for occasional work, but I and the books would recommend the bigger trucks with 460 engine. My 460 easily hauls my 30 foot trailer, 8,000 dry I believe. I have towed it as far as 1,000 miles in one trip from Portland Or to Los Angeles through lots of Mountains and the dreaded Grapevine, in 105 plus heat and a forest fire to boot, jeez. No problemo. On most hills it doesn't hunt a lot from OD to 3rd. Only on big hills does it go to 3rd or even lower.
Do make sure all your fluids are fresh and topped up. Check them at every stop. get a good weight distributing hitch, sway bar and trailer brakes.
Strangely my Owners manual does not list tow ratings or even the 460 engine in the F250 supercab, but there are thousands of them running around.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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From: Baileyton, TN
Truck recomendation
For lack of required maintenance, ease of operation, heavy duty and pulls well, go for a Diesel in a F250 crew cab, it will merrily pull 13,000 lb all day, anywhere, and pulling less means better fuel mileage. The gas guzzlers are neat to look at, but they cost big bucks to tow anything.
Wm
'96 F450 Custom Crewcab 4x4 Flatbed, Powerstroke, Banks Powerpack, Chip, Tranny control,Aux tranny, engine worked giving 340 hp and 660lb ft torque
Wm
'96 F450 Custom Crewcab 4x4 Flatbed, Powerstroke, Banks Powerpack, Chip, Tranny control,Aux tranny, engine worked giving 340 hp and 660lb ft torque
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Truck recomendation
Thanks guys F250 Diesel Crew cab 4x4 (ramps can really be slippery) should do just fine.
Now these diesels are reliable right? Not the gas engine conversions of the 80s where you had to replace the head bolts every year cause they stretched from all the high compression!
Would the long bed be more controllable than a short bed for towing?
-bll
Now these diesels are reliable right? Not the gas engine conversions of the 80s where you had to replace the head bolts every year cause they stretched from all the high compression!
Would the long bed be more controllable than a short bed for towing?
-bll
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Truck recomendation
The Powerstrokes come with a 100,000 mile warranty and I know of a few with 250,000 plus miles on them without major repairs. I think you'll be happy with one.
alanscott
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alanscott
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From: Southern California
Truck recomendation
bll,
Regardless of bed length, in my experience, the longer the wheelbase, the more stable the tow vehicle. But I recommend the full size 8' bed. It wouldn't be long before your regret having a Toyota sized cargo bed on a full sized truck.
Regardless of bed length, in my experience, the longer the wheelbase, the more stable the tow vehicle. But I recommend the full size 8' bed. It wouldn't be long before your regret having a Toyota sized cargo bed on a full sized truck.
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Truck recomendation
Yeah I think you're right. Better go full size. The wife will just have to forget about parking anywhere close to the front of a store. hehehe They're long!
Ok now I know what I want. Time to start pricing.
-bll
They're long!Ok now I know what I want. Time to start pricing.
-bll
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