What size fullsize for towing?

[Tractorman]

Actually,I would recommend a Semi. After all, you can never have too much truck!

 

[Maverick]

Did we find a 6.0L Mavy?

Not yet, but I picked up a reliable little beater so that I can sell my truck and really go after another truck with some cash if the right one pops up.

 

[Ozwynn]

I have a semi. It is too much truck for the average user. I get scared when I see an 80 yo man using a semi to pull his 5th wheel........ 'specially if it has a gear master in it (tells a novice big rig operator when to shift).

That being said, I plan on using mine to pull a 5th wheel.

 

[gribly]

Hey Tractorman, is that Truck Norris at it again?

 

[adsm08]

And you are the only person in the whole wide world that I have heard say that.

I wouldn't want any less than the 2v 5.4 in a Super Duty... and honestly I don't know how they could sell any less either.

I've driven both the 5.4 and the 6.8. I like the 5.4 better. I just seems that the 6.8 doesn't have as much pep. The 300-6 had issues with power loss due to crank flex. The Chrysler 302 straight-8 had the same problem. The 6.8's crank is in the same ball park as those two.


As for the 5.4 2v being the smallest engine I'd ever want to see in a Super Duty, I think even that is a bit small for the SDs. I wouldn't want anything less than a 6.2 if I was going for gas.


On a side note, chili powder makes everything better.

 

[koda6966]

Back to the main subject, the other day we checked out a crew cab F250 with the 5.4 engine. He's keeping his options open though because it was a dually and he wants a single.

 

[06RangerXLT]

if he has the cash get a 7.3 power stroke. if not, a chevy 2500 HD will take that with ease, gas or diesel. i sell em, ive seen what they are able to do and i was surprised. as long as it aint a dodge, im cool with it!

 

[gjm4l]

We have a 07' 6L 2500 chebby xcab at work that pulls our bobcat great , even better than I expected even though the trailer brakes have been out the last time or three I pulled it (I can't remember the size 'cat, I do know it's a bigger model but I'll look tomorrow to verfiy) Looked today it's an S250, frankly no clue how much bigger a cat gets but I do know that thing will do work!

 

[gribly]

I had an '04 6.0 2500 for a work truck for a few years, loved it other than the weird shifting tranny. On a side note - a girl I know had four horses killed due to an allison in the snow - it downshifted and engine braked around a corner on the highway in the snow - jack-knifed her truck and horse trailer and the whole shebang rolled a few times. She has a Ford now - claims it's twice the truck for towing trailers in Canadian winters.

Yeah, yeah, I know, woman driver - she builds her own mud trucks from the ground up and drives a rig for a living, so that argument don't work.

 

[03ranger30]

My dad has a 7.3 powerstroke one ton (single rear wheel) and it towed his jeep, which may or may not weigh more than that skid steer, with no problems, would defiantly recommend a 7.3

 

[Will]

I've driven both the 5.4 and the 6.8. I like the 5.4 better. I just seems that the 6.8 doesn't have as much pep. The 300-6 had issues with power loss due to crank flex. The Chrysler 302 straight-8 had the same problem. The 6.8's crank is in the same ball park as those two.

Um, no. The V10 is much stronger than the 5.4. The rest of what you're saying--I've never heard of any of that. Of course I'm young...

The 5.4, even a 2V engine, is a real player. I've been watching R. Miller Excavating out of Columbus, Indiana for at least 10 years use one. They have an extended wheelbase F350 dually with a massive walk-in utility bed and it lives with a trailer on it with a T300 Bobcat. Combined--that's a pretty massive load. Over 20,000 combined--probably close to 25,000#. It's a 5.4 from the fender badge, and I think it's an automatic, too. I don't know these people, but I see this thing several times a day. And have for at least 10 years.

I question whether some people know the difference between enthusiasm and knowledge. I've said before that my dad drove over-the-road with a 275hp engine. That's an 80,000# vehicle. You need 400hp for a 15,000# combined weight? You don't.

 

[Will]

My dad has a 7.3 powerstroke one ton (single rear wheel) and it towed his jeep, which may or may not weigh more than that skid steer, with no problems, would defiantly recommend a 7.3

That skidsteer is probably close to the weight of 3 Jeeps. A 7.3 is suitable for a 25,000# medium duty truck. A Ranger can handle Jeep towing duty.

 

[Beef52751]

I am a anti-diesel pickup guy

May i respectfully ask why???
I wouldn't trade my 03 6.0 for anything......except a nice 6.4 i guess

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

May i respectfully ask why???
I wouldn't trade my 03 6.0 for anything......except a nice 6.4 i guess

The amount of money they consume if anything goes wrong is hidious. On top of the more $$ upfront, more maintenance costs and in the case of the 6.4 gasser milage burning a more expensive fuel.

Jerking the cab off of a 6.4 to do much more than change the oil and filters is kind of daunting too. Although a mock bodylift session (pick the cab up 3" like doing a bodylift) will get a lot of things done... it still seems excessive.

They have a ton of power and are a hard worker for sure, I just don't have a use for them... too much to go wrong for what I would get out of one.

My 5.4 F-150 does what I need very well, dependable as a hammer, nice to ride in and handles very well compared the '04 F-250 at work and above all is paid for.

My biggest toy, weighs a shy 5k with me on it plus whatever the plow weighs. I know it is there but for the not really often fairly short distance (roughly about 30 miles) towing I do it does very well.

 

[Tractorman]

Hey Tractorman, is that Truck Norris at it again?

Yup. Actually, pictures from last spring when we did a bunch of yard work.

I post it up because it seems that everyone thinks you need to have a F350 dually to pull anything.

Will more truck be better? Yes of course.

However, using that piece of flesh lodged between your ears may hurt, but can actually work! For the most part, a load and rig isn't safe or dangerous by its setup, but by the driver of the setup.