which tow rig?

[chico4554]

i have looked into the v10s. That is the only way I would go earlier than 05' for a super duty. The ones I have found around here are not much less than the 05' and up 5.4s i have found. And the 05 and up have the 5 speed torqshift rather than the 4 speed. I dont need to be able to tow 15,000 right now, probably more like 7,500-8,000 at the most.

 

[Will]

I think you are poised to make the best decision here.

Like JohnnyO, I used a 2500LD for years, two actually. One was a 5.7TBI with the 700R4 and the other was a 6.2 Banks turbo'd diesel with the 700R4. I pulled my B2 all over with those. The 200hp 5.7 was a little weak, but that 6.0 is something like 350hp and you won't feel that 7,000# trailer behind it.

Here's something else, which I have pointed out before. A SRW HD pickup comes with 235/85-16s. Those tires are rated at 3,084# each. I think you'll be suprised to find that the payload for even a LD 2500--if that is, is very close to that of a SRW 1-ton. Because a semi-float 9.5 of that year has a 6,000# rating. Even though a 1-ton axle has a 9,900# rating (that 11.5" they are using now), the rear axle rating on the door sticker is going to say 6,084# because that's what the tires are rated at. And the 1-ton is heavier than the 2500LD. I threw just as much firewood in the back of my 9.5 semi-floater as I throw in the back of my 10.5 full-floater. The frame is not a problem--a Ranger frame is strong enough to haul an 8,000# trailer behind it.

Definately make sure you are getting something for your money--if you spend $6,000 more for a truck it should make your life $6,000 better. There maybe be reasons the F250 or F150 is better, but some vague idea that one is tougher or something isn't a reason. The 6-speed and extended cab miles and year might be. But if I drove the cheaper one and it felt good and solid I probably would want to keep the $6,000 in my pocket.

 

[wizkid00104]

F-250

 

[Ric]

I had an 05 F150 wiht the a 3.73 and a 5.4L. Pulling a BII from SanFrancisco to tucson, az on a twin axle trailor proved to be more than the truck wanted to pull comfortably. It also only got 10mpg and I only went the speed limit. My 2002 V10 F250 pulled excellently but was brutal on gas, even when it had no load.
I currently use a 2008 Nissan Titan to tow with and love it. Of course, it's not a very popular selection, especially here. I also score 15mpg towing and am super comfy.
Without knowing what you really want to spend, and how much you plan to drive it when it's not laden, it's hard to recommend what I would do. But I can tell you, I love this Titan.

 

[jobar]

If your looking to save a few bucks go with the GMC. Yes, the f150 and f250 are great trucks, but for 6000 more, it would be a no brainer for me to pick the GMC.(considering you go look at it and feels like a strong truck).

 

[FordMan016]

the f250 is the best for your all around towing, but if your just towing your trail rig and trailer the f150 is the best for that and mpg... in my opinoin would be the 150.

 

[chico4554]

i checked out the gmc and it was pretty nice. I was very clean and the engine ran well. The tranny was the 4L80 as i compared it to my buddies 2004 chevy 2500 HD. The guy was kind of a dick but oh well. He only had one arm so maybe he was angry at that. I may throw him a low ball offer. Im in no rush.

I have looked at nissan titans. How do you get 15 mpg towing when people get 12 mpg with them around town and maybe 16 on the highway? I do like that engine, it has more power than the 5.4 triton and the torque is a wee bit lower rpm. I couldnt find much in my search unless i wanted to spend over 20k.

 

[Jspafford]

I will chime in on this...

I had a 2002 F-250. It was the 2 valve 5.4L and the one your looking at is the 3 valve, it is supposed to be better, but, mine was a GAS HOG! I got 13.1mpg ONCE in 2 years. My average was around 11-12. I hate Ford automatics also, they shift like crap. Sluggish to downshift, yada, yada.

I do plan on getting another f-250 someday, it will be a PSD, and a 6-speed. The frame/suspension/chassis on my f-250 was top notch. Very beefy and performed well.

At work, we have both a 2001 2500 (2wd automatic) and a 2005 2500HD (4wd automatic) Both trucks are used for hauling...I work for a RV dealer. Both trucks have made hundreds of trips from Columbus to Elkhart to pick up new RV's. Both trucks still run great. Nothing has been done to the transmission, rearends, engines, etc. They both have the 6.0L. The 2005 is the one I drive the most, it plows snow great, the 4WD seems to grip extremely well for plowing. It has over 128K on it with original brakes...yeah, I know, it tows trailers day in and day out and still has the OEM brakes. All that's been changed is the oil, tires, and the instrument cluster.

So, I vote for the chevy...sorry guys.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I was going to touch on the gas mileage a bit. I vote out the f150 because it is small and ment for full beds of dirt or towing a boat to the lake not really large trucks and stuff. But gas mileage, the 6.0L I think is a tremendous gas sucker, from the few people that have them I know they don't average very high numbers like 10 mpgs usually, a PS diesel will get probably close to 15 or 16. even when towing a heavy load. If you are going to be doing long trips with towing I would go diesel because it won't feel the hurt like the gasser will on long trips.

But if you are just doing short trips then the GMC would be fine I think.

 

[chico4554]

the the 6.0 aint no champ for mpg. I think if I dont have a truck by the time i have a full time job (hopefully by June), I may go diesel. In fact I dont know if ill have enough money to buy anything till then cause it looks like i cant get a loan.

 

[Will]

Ewww--the EPA site fueleconomy.gov has the 2500 2wd listed at 11 town/ 15 highway. That's going to produce 7-8mpg towing anything substantial--which is what I got with the 5.7 tugging my B2. And Sambo got that with his '96 F250 5.8.

The F150 4x4 lists at 13/17 so it looks better to me already. Except that the price difference is enough that you will never see the efficiency gains (if any) from using the Ford.

And the diesel will be worse unless you tow for a living.

Which is why I always say--there are plenty of these around for people that seriously want a tow vehicle that gets good mileage.

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

the the 6.0 aint no champ for mpg. I think if I dont have a truck by the time i have a full time job (hopefully by June), I may go diesel. In fact I dont know if ill have enough money to buy anything till then cause it looks like i cant get a loan.

What type of diesel are you considering? New or used? Ford is dropping International Harvester this fall........Ford is going to start building their own diesels. Ford will be putting their name on the line with building their own diesels, I hope for Ford's sake it works out. But then, the 6.0 PowerStroke isn't evidence that out sourcing is always the best either.

 

[chico4554]

i would go with a nice 99-03 7.3, preferably with the 6 speed, or a 03 -up 24 valve cummins with 6 speed only. Not the newest cummins though.

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

i would go with a nice 99-03 7.3, preferably with the 6 speed, or a 03 -up 24 valve cummins with 6 speed only. Not the newest cummins though.

The 7.3 PS's are slow when compared to newer diesels, but is one of the best diesels international built for ford in terms of reliability. Their power can be increased relatively easily with some inexpensive mods. A cummins is a good choice too. Keep us updated when you find the right rig.

 

[chico4554]

im going to check out the F-250 tommorrow. I talked with my dad tonight about co-signing a loan and he said we may be able to work something out in a week or so. I would have to figure out what insurance would be then match it up the what the payment would be for a monthly rate. If the payment is not too bad I may go with the F-250 if it turns out to be a nice truck.