What size fullsize for towing?

koda6966 · Oct 9, 2011

Posting this for a friend because I couldn't answer his question, he's wondering what size pickup he would need to tow around another pickup, and occasionally (once or twice a year) tow around a tractor or skidsteer.

Reason why I didn't put it in fullsize is because he's not looking at a specific manufacturer yet.

Also, he wouldn't be using a goose neck. It would be done with a class V hitch.

85_Ranger4x4 · Oct 9, 2011

What kind of tractor?

A JD 4450 counts different than a Ford 8N...

I tow my 5000ish (probably heavier) WD-45 on a car trailer ok with my 2002 F-150 with the 5.4. A 3/4 ton is a lot more truck even with the same engine though... since I don't tow alot I appreciate the half ton being more user friendly and all around handier.

Skid steers are heavier than they look too, dunno much more about them than that though.

wrecking-crew · Oct 9, 2011

Old Ford, Chevy or Dodge truck.

koda6966 · Oct 9, 2011

It's not big, the skid steer probably weighs more than his tractor does.

The skid steer is an New Holland LS170. Little bugger just like mine. Looks like this one.

koda6966 · Oct 9, 2011

I lied, mines the LS160. His might be a bit bigger, I don't remember what the difference was in the two. Never seen them togeather.

Here's a size comparison you guy's can relate too better than a picture. It's with my ranger on this one, and I'm the guy in the green shirt. (I'm 6'1 by the way)

koda6966 · Oct 9, 2011

The tractor he has is a bit bigger than an N, my neighbor has an N. I think his is a 1620? Something like that. I know new holland makes the exact same one prettymuch.

85_Ranger4x4 · Oct 9, 2011

koda6966 said:
The tractor he has is a bit bigger than an N, my neighbor has an N. I think his is a 1620? Something like that. I know new holland makes the exact same one prettymuch.

2500#, not much to worry about there. The skid-steer weighs more.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/005/9/2/5928-ford-1620.html

Ozwynn · Oct 9, 2011

this is a tough one .......... I would get atleast 3/4 ton ........ full float axles and a heavy transmission (no aod/e, 4l60e, 700r4, th350, 4r70w......... ect.......) with a monster aux cooler.

but I tow for a living.

gribly · Oct 9, 2011

Well, the machine is about 5500-6500lbs from what I found on google, plus trailer weight. You'll want an F-350 or F-250, gas or diesel. I did about 10,000lbs today with an '05 Ranger FX4 Level II, but that was only for about a half a mile - do that trip twice a year. Once to put the sailboat in the water, once to take it out. The little Ranger can accelerate and move around just fine with all that weight, but it would handle terrible and have zero emergency braking at highway speed - the reason you want a bigger truck is to control and stop the load, so if he can't afford a diesel, it's not a big deal. Shoot, the Ranger also has to tow the whole boat and trailer out up soft sand, and it does it - but it's spinning all four the whole way up the beach.

Sasquatch_Ryda · Oct 9, 2011

Depending on how much he is towing, I would be looking for a diesel 1 ton pickup.

85_Ranger4x4 · Oct 9, 2011

For that kind of weight I would go with a V10 F-250/350.

koda6966 · Oct 9, 2011

He's an anti V10 guy, as am I. lol

koda6966 · Oct 9, 2011

Am I correct that ford only makes a 5.4 for the superduty for gas engines, other than the V10?

85_Ranger4x4 · Oct 9, 2011

koda6966 said:
He's an anti V10 guy, as am I. lol

I am a anti-diesel pickup guy, so I won't suggest one for someone else.

koda6966 said:
Am I correct that ford only makes a 5.4 for the superduty for gas engines, other than the V10?

Yup, it would do it just fine. 4.10's make a world of difference with them.

We have a '04 F-250 service truck at work, it is right at its weight rating just sitting there with a full load of tools in the service box but it still gets around and hauls very decent with 3.73's though. Since that is what most fleets get, white XL 5.4's are pretty cheap and available. '05's got the three valve 5.4 which are spunkier.

koda6966 · Oct 9, 2011

He's leaning more towards a 6.0 Silverado.

What size fullsize for towing?

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