Towing advice needed. Engine/Year/Etc
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Fountain
Towing advice needed. Engine/Year/Etc
Over the last 10 years I have had a 95 PSD and a 98 12V Cummins. I now am in the market for a different truck. This is what I would use the truck for. Occasional use around the house and to pull an 84 -22 foot Alpenlite fifth wheel. We live in Colorado and generally go up into the mountains. Not the steepest passes but there are some pretty good grades. Total miles traveled per year is around 2 thousand. The rest of the time the truck sits. So I don't need some expensive rig to sit and wait. The truck has to be a 4x4 extended cab with an 8 foot bed, automatic. What is a good engine/ axle ratio that I should be looking for? Any years better than others? Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Well, I can't recommend anything but the Ford lineup. Just wouldn't feel right doing that here on FTE.
You've got a small trailer, so I don't think you need diesel, and it's very high priced right now. I guess I would recommend a Superduty with the V-10. I don't like the 5.4L V-8 motor in an SD, but it would do the job for your trailer. But if I wanted the smaller 5.4L motor I would say go with the F150. It's enough truck for your trailer, and the 5.4L is enough motor too.
If you go SD with V-10 motor, the 3:73 gears will do you well. If you go F150 with V-8, the 4:10 are a better choice but hard to find. So the 3:73 would be okay. Don't go 3:55. Not a good choice.
Also, the diesel is not a good choice for a motor that will sit around a lot. The turbo can corrode and get sticky leading to failure.
You already know the cab and bed style you want, so all that's left is to go shopping.
Bill
You've got a small trailer, so I don't think you need diesel, and it's very high priced right now. I guess I would recommend a Superduty with the V-10. I don't like the 5.4L V-8 motor in an SD, but it would do the job for your trailer. But if I wanted the smaller 5.4L motor I would say go with the F150. It's enough truck for your trailer, and the 5.4L is enough motor too.
If you go SD with V-10 motor, the 3:73 gears will do you well. If you go F150 with V-8, the 4:10 are a better choice but hard to find. So the 3:73 would be okay. Don't go 3:55. Not a good choice.
Also, the diesel is not a good choice for a motor that will sit around a lot. The turbo can corrode and get sticky leading to failure.
You already know the cab and bed style you want, so all that's left is to go shopping.
Bill
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 501
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the 5.4l is enough for that truck. i pull my 5th wheel with mine with no problems. get the 4.10 gear for towing. 250 would be better for towing vs the 150. bigger truck and brakes. handles the weight better, but a newer 150 would do what you want
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 4
From: Rogersville, TN
ive got a 2000 f250 reg cab 5.4 with 4.10 gears and a 5 speed and a 1997 f250 reg cab diesel with 4.10 and 5 speed. the trailers i pull range from about 5k to 12k lbs. it does great on flat land and small hills. the only complaint i have with the 5.4 is when i get on a long, steep grade. say 10% grade thats about 3 miles long. then i have to run it in 3rd gear. it could make it in 4th, but id have to run it wide open. id rather just drop down to 3rd, slow down a bit and not tax the engine as much.
if you go with the 5.4, make sure to get 4.10's and a 5 speed. the auto 3.73 can be a dog when it comes to towing......especially with an extended cab. if you go with a v10, remember that they arent all created equal.....the new 5.4's make as much or more power than the old v10. so youd be better off with an 2008 5.4 than a 1999 v10. short of comparing every engine, tranny, and rear end combo from the different years, just be sure to get 4.10's if you get the 5.4. get a newer v10 if you choose that route, just be prepared to stop at every gas station you see. you can practice owning a v10 by taking a 100 dollar bill and ripping it up every 2 or 3 days and see if you miss it lol. or just get a diesel and not worry about it......
if you go with the 5.4, make sure to get 4.10's and a 5 speed. the auto 3.73 can be a dog when it comes to towing......especially with an extended cab. if you go with a v10, remember that they arent all created equal.....the new 5.4's make as much or more power than the old v10. so youd be better off with an 2008 5.4 than a 1999 v10. short of comparing every engine, tranny, and rear end combo from the different years, just be sure to get 4.10's if you get the 5.4. get a newer v10 if you choose that route, just be prepared to stop at every gas station you see. you can practice owning a v10 by taking a 100 dollar bill and ripping it up every 2 or 3 days and see if you miss it lol. or just get a diesel and not worry about it......
