I am a fairly new owner of a ~ 5,500 lb boat and trailer, it is a Bryant 219 with a 5.7 on a dual axle trailer. My wife's 2008 Honda Ridgeline has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Looking for a tow vehicle and I am considering a new 2010 F-150 Super-Crew 4x4 with the 5.4 (they seem to be making pretty good deals on new F-150 trucks). I am also looking at used F-250/350 Diesels or possibly a used SUV, like a Lincoln Navigator/Ford Expedition. Budget < $30,000, preferably less, if used.

Now this will probably stir up a discussion of gas vs. Diesel with some strong opinions. I have never owned a Diesel, but from what I hear it is the best for towing, although it may be overkill for my towing needs. However, the F-150 has a towing capacity of ~ 9,600 lbs.

What my requirements are:
6 passenger capacity, at least (me, wife, two kids and two friends)
prefer 4x4 for boat ramps
if a used Diesel, prefer < 100,000 miles

So, what are your experiences with towing needs like I have mentioned above? I live near Dallas, TX, but make occasional trips to Colorado. This would also be my daily driver.

Thanks,
Bill

 

if i were you, id get a F250 diesel, or an excursion diesel. with a gas motor, your MPG is going to TANK. diesel you will still get decent mileage from when pulling a trailer.

also, look for something with a LS differential. ive seen 4wd trucks go into boat launches because only 2 wheels spin on a slippery ramp.

 

I would have to disagree, the F150 will tow that amount without any problems and I don't think your gas mileage would be terrible either. I tow two boats with my '06 F150. My Proline 21 and my brother's Grady White 25. The Proline is about 6k lbs. and the Grady weighs in around 10k. I only tow the Grady twice a year and the truck does have to work hard with it. With my Proline there aren't any issues. I've heard the towing is even better with the newer models because of the 6 speed tranny with tow/haul mode.

I think a Supercrew Lariat or a well equipped XLT would be perfect for your needs. For the amount that you are towing, I think a diesel would be a little overkill.

The only problem you may have is the amount of people you want to carry. The Supercrew can only carry a total of five people. The only way around that would be an Excursion or other SUV that you can tow with. Any truck that you look at will only be able to hold a max of five, or six if you get bench seats in the front.

 

Folks like to throw towing capacity at the job.

But the new F150 with the 5.4 is well within the capacity for your job, and if it's also a DD, then you may will likely find the 150 crew cab a nicer ride.

Actually, if you want to be "well within" the capacity of boat + trailer + people + luggage + gear, you probably want to make sure you get the 3.73 rear end.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f...ations/towing/

 

im not saying the f150 cant do it, but id rather have the efficiency going from Texas to Colorado. remember, colorado isnt exactly flat...at all.

 

2010 F150 SCrew has been the about the best for towing that I have had. 3.55 gears 5.4 and 6 speed auto. Have had 2 months and have done 7,000 miles so far. Towing 4,000lb boat(19ft Ranger) with 4 (big adults) and fishing gear for a week in Canada. 13.4 mpg on that 2100 mile trip keeping close to speed limit. Hills not a problem, kept in tow haul mode. It would down shift to 5th and pull it thru 95% of the hills. It did a double down shift only a few times and then still kept at speed and pulled it thru. This truck replaced a 2001 F250 SuperCab with 5.4 and Auto. Not sure of gears but if it had to down shift more than once on a hill I would be letting off the gas to keep from giveing it a hear attack. I'm sold on the 5.4 engine. I did allot of work on the 2001 F250 (190,000 miles) and the engine compartment was hell to get at the Cops and Plugs. The newer 2010 looks like a piece of cake in comparison.
Last week I did a 1100 mile trip with 3 adults and luggage. 19.4 mpg keeping at about 74mph. Had about 150 miles of that at 79mph.
In the past I've had 2002, 2003 GMC 3/4 Crew 8.1 gas Allison Transmission- 12-13mpg loaded or not. Great towing but hated the gas mpg. 2004 Gmc Denali with 6.0L. Was also great towing and got 13-14 towing my boat and 16-17mpg on road. Got close to 100,000 miles and the full time 4X4 transfer case was making way to many new noises. The 2010 F150 XLT SCrew has been my favorite. Especialy the sync system. And the 25% off of sticker didn't hurt either.

 

I will say as a former 6.0 diesel owner- they can be great or they can be a money pit. Consider $100 for an OC if you do it yourself, with 3.5 gallons of Rotella syn 5-40, no more than 5k- PERIOD! At least $35 for fuel filters, change at least every 10k no more than 15k. I spent in excess of $8k last year on batteries, alt, HPOP,ICP, IPR, FICM, 4 inj & glow plugs/ harness, trans flush and filters. On top of that fuel around here is around 50 cents a gal more than gas right now. You need to be religious with the service on a 6.0, but when they're right they are awesome especially with the 5r110 trans! I loved mine but it just wasn't good financially for me to keep it. I bought it as a toy when I was a foreman for the company I work for, and when the economy took a crap I had to give back the company truck and go back to operating the equiptment and driving it every day. I haven't towed with my 150 yet but from what it sounds like, a diesel would be more than you need. Not trying to steer you one way or the other just giving you food for thought from a former diesel owner. Maintenance on a newer diesel isn't cheap. Good luck with whatever you do. There is a thread in the 6.0 forum on what to look for if you do want a used 6.0, I'm sure I could dig it up if you need it.

 

you'd be better with a 7.3 excursion.

 

Sure, a 7.3 would be better- maybe. If you can find one with under 150k, they're getting scarce. And the 6.0 isn't as bad as it was originally made out to be. Things got progressively better and by 06-07 MY most don't have near the complaints as the earlier models, although there were alot of trouble-free 03-04s as well. How about a V-10 Ex?

 

i was thinkin a diesel to maintain some fuel mileage.

 

For the daily driver - definately F150 over a bigger truck. For passenger room - SUV. If you are set on a truck - then F150 super crew w/ 4x4 for boat launch ramps.

09-10 F150s are pretty sweet, ride nice, fairly good mpg for a truck, and for me more fun to drive vs the larger 250/350 trucks.

 

I just suggested a V-10 Excursion as an alternative to a diesel, if he needs an SUV for more than 5 passengers. What about a 5.4 Expedition with the 3rd row seating? As I said before, gas is almost 50 cents a gal cheaper around here. That savings plus less maintenance on a gas as opposed to a diesel will more than even out. I do agree with the F150 Super Crew but I don't think you can fit 6 passengers in one, can you? I don't know- do they offer a front bench seat? And with that said, how comfortable would the driver be on a longer trip? This is all just my .02, not trying to pick a fight here. Just offering some opinions, ya know?

 

F150 supercrew with bench front seat can take 6 people....

As far as the guy talking about saving gas mileage, would seem silly to upgrade to a 250-350 diesel to improve 3-4mpg of the more expsensive fuel, for his occasional trip to colorado espically considering he wants to use the truck as a daily driver.

A 09+ f150 would be perfect to use as a daily driver and fully capable to tow that boat. The 6sp tranny is wonderful fyi

 

I appreciate the comments and figured that I could stir up some strong opinions.

My family is thinking about a SUV for the extra seats, to bring extra friends? However, similarly equipped new Expeditions are ~ $10,000 more than an F-150 so; if it is a SUV, then I would have to go with a used Expedition or Lincoln Navigator.

It sounds like the F-150 should take care of my needs and I like the idea of a new vehicle, if possible. Around Dallas, they are giving ~ $10,000 off MSRP with the rebates. Has anyone seen any better deals around the country?

Thanks
Bill

 

I don't know about the Expedition but a guy I work with has a Navigator and its AWD. Gets around 14ish mixed driving, but recently it has developed a strange noise he thought might be coming from the T-case.
Personally I want to be able to pick when I want my vehicle in 4x4, but thats just me.

Agreed!