Question for the towing experts
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Question for the towing experts
I am happy to say I am getting ready to add a new Ford to my family. A 65 F100. The only catch being I have to drive about 750 miles to haul it home. I have a 2004 2WD 5.4L and I am planning to haul the new (old) truck with a trailer from U-Haul. Not one of the dolly-type trailers, a full trailer. My question is...should I rent the trailer at home for $50/day for 2-3 days, meaning I have to haul the empty trailer for half of the trip. OR, should I pick up the trailer close to where the truck is for a flat fee of $300. I think the empty trailer weighs about 2000 lbs. So would I save enough money by hauling the empty trailer to get the truck, or am I going to spend an extra $100-$150 in gas anyway dragging the empty trailer? I get about 17 mpg on the highway, being conservative without a trailer. Just looking for someone with experience pulling with one of these trucks. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
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From: Neenah, Wisconsin
I'd get the trailer and haul it.....I doubt you'll make much of a difference with an empty trailer, when i pulled a 3500 lb car hauler i got 16 on the highway unloaded, 13 loaded with 6500 lbs
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
look at it from a wear 'n tear perspective.
a good 2 axle trailer weighs in at 2,000 lbs or more by itself. so you're going to be towing 750 miles with a 2,000 lb weight for nothing. also you should factor in the fun of towing an empty trailer which just sucks.
and your mileage on the highway will likely be 12-14 mpg with that thing back there
17 mpg = 44 gallons to get there, @ $3/gallon that's $132
13 mpg = 58 gallons to get there, @ $3/gallon that's $174
IMO, you're only going to save about $50 by taking the trailer both ways. add in all the little things that happen with towing a trailer and it just isn't worth it to me.
as for the towing, I've got pics in my gallery of a setup similar to what you are describing. My truck had no problems yanking that load around at highway speeds of 60 mph.
a good 2 axle trailer weighs in at 2,000 lbs or more by itself. so you're going to be towing 750 miles with a 2,000 lb weight for nothing. also you should factor in the fun of towing an empty trailer which just sucks.
and your mileage on the highway will likely be 12-14 mpg with that thing back there
17 mpg = 44 gallons to get there, @ $3/gallon that's $132
13 mpg = 58 gallons to get there, @ $3/gallon that's $174
IMO, you're only going to save about $50 by taking the trailer both ways. add in all the little things that happen with towing a trailer and it just isn't worth it to me.
as for the towing, I've got pics in my gallery of a setup similar to what you are describing. My truck had no problems yanking that load around at highway speeds of 60 mph.
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Are there any strong opinions on a full trailer vs. a two-wheel dolly type setup? That would be less weight for both legs of the trip. I'm not sure I like the idea of having two wheels of the old truck on the road for 750 miles myself. Thoughts?
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Those are my thoughts, too. I'm not driving it back because:
a) It's 750 miles
b) It's a 3-speed that probably does, what 55 mph max?
c) It's 750 miles
d) It runs, but I don't know how well (she's a fixer-upper)
e) It's 750 miles
f) See a, c, e above
Thanks for the input guys. Right now I'm leaning toward getting a trailer just for the return leg. I'll post some pics if all goes well.
a) It's 750 miles
b) It's a 3-speed that probably does, what 55 mph max?
c) It's 750 miles
d) It runs, but I don't know how well (she's a fixer-upper)
e) It's 750 miles
f) See a, c, e above
Thanks for the input guys. Right now I'm leaning toward getting a trailer just for the return leg. I'll post some pics if all goes well.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 554
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From: Newport, Wa.
This has nothing to do with the trailer decision, but the 3 speed transmission doesn't govern the hiway speed. That would be the rear end ratio. If it's a 6 cylinder it might be geared pretty low, but if it's a V8 it could have 3:73s or higher and move right along.
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Matt300ZXT
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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