Here is the deal, I have some land about 40 miles from where I live, and I tow my tractor back and forth, lately about 3-4 times a month. Before it was fine, because I had a small tractor. But a couple of months ago I got a new tractor, that when on the bumper pull, it totals about 10.5k. I have a 2005 F-150, 4x4, Screw, King Ranch with 3.73 gears. It has a 2'' leveling kit with 305/65r18 tires which are about 34.5'' tall. And it is my daily driver. As it stands now, 10k is pretty dang heavy behind this truck. I first I was just gonna upgrade to a diesel 4x4, model doesn't matter to much. But as I have been looking, I am now kinda wanting to keep my truck. I have had it since it was almost new, and my Aunt owned it before that, it is totally babied, and in like new condition. My worry is that I know the history of my truck, and to get a diesel for the same value (I would trade, truck is paid for) they have about 100k miles on them. And who knows the history on them, or how they were cared for.
So, should I just throw some add-a-leafs on it, go slow and call it a day. Or just get the bigger truck? What could I do to make it tow better? I have tossed the idea around to regear, maybe to 4.56 ratio, cause my tires are decent sized. But that would be about $1,500 to do so.
Also which, would my truck handle better: a 2,250lb bumper pull, or a 3,500lb light duty gooseneck?
I'd buy a F-350. Doesn't have to be a diesel, the V-10 gasser has plenty of guts.
I know it doesn't have to be a diesel. But I am not sure if I want a 12mpg gas guzzler as my daily driver, or do they get better than that? Not that my F-150 is a prius or anything, but I can get 17mpg.
Another thing that makes me sweat the diesel, is that my father in law has three F-350's PSD for his concrete business. He very rarely has any problems, but when he does, can you say EXPENSIVE? For what some of these rather small problems are, I could buy another 5.4L engine.
How much would a tuner, like the gryphon help me power to tow wise?
It's not the engine power that's limiting you - it's the gross weight capabilities of the 1/2 ton chassis.
If you must tow 10k every week like that, buy the right tool for the job and get yourself a beater economy car for a daily driver.
EDIT: Let's see just how far over limits you are. Next time you hook up the rig, swing by the truck stop and spend the 10 bucks to run it over the CAT scales. Post the numbers from the weight slip for all 3 axles, then look on the door jamb sticker for the GVWR, front GAWR, and rear GAWR.
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2003 F150XL 4.2 short cab/bed 4x2 5 speed manual 3.55 LS
Hope you are at least using a WD hitch setup... (you are probably still exceeding the weight limits of your hitch too..)
Power wise, it's those tires and 3.73 gears that are hurting the most IMO...
You can increase 50hp and it still won't feel like you just added 50hp to it with that tire/gear combo towing 10K..
But, your trans will know you added 50hp and probably s#$t the bed not long after doing it..
A butter knife works pretty good as a screwdriver a couple of times.... Over the long haul, you know what happens to the butter knife... It ain't too good at buttering bread anymore...
I'd stick with the bumper pull trailer if you are going to continue with the F150.. Mostly, because the GN will put even more weight on your truck axles and you are probably maxed on that as it is...
You might not have broken anything yet, but it's only a matter of time before something in the drive train says "I've had enough"...
If you must tow 10k every week like that, buy the right tool for the job and get yourself a beater economy car for a daily driver.
I'd go the other way, keep the F150, buy a beater towing truck.
You can find a 92'ish F250-350 with a 460 or diesel for about $2-3000. It will have a 100-150,000 miles, but didicate it to towing only and you'll only be putting 2-3,000 miles on it a year. You'll never wear it out!
In last last year we have purchased 3 lot trucks to move trailers around.
1992 F250 extended cab 4x4, 460, 5 spd w/ flatbed $2000 (128k miles)
1999 F350SD extended cab 4x4 7.3 auto $2500 (275k miles)
1993 F250 standard cab 4x4, diesel auto $1500 (114k Miles)
They are out there.. you might have to search a little. If you don't need 4x4 they are even cheaper. If you use it strickly for towing and are not worried about body cosmetics you can get body damaged lower milage trucks CHEAP!
My personal beater is a '92 F150 4x4 4.9 auto. Paid $1200 for it 2 years ago. Put tires, a muffler and a water pump in it when I bought it. I have since put 65k miles on it. I can still easily sell it for what I paid for it.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have finally talked myself into a 3/4 ton. i figured I wouldn't really be happy until I just went ahead and got the better suited truck. And I have found several that would fit the bill nicely. The only problem is that the dealers are quoting me insultingly low trade-in for my truck, and it is like new. I put an add in craigslist a couple of days ago (just put one here to) for almost 5k under KBB value, and haven't got the first bite. It just seems like in this economy, everyone expects you to give something away. At least I finally sold my Harley, and took a beating on it of course. Oh well, I guess I just see how it goes.
I put an add in craigslist a couple of days ago (just put one here to) for almost 5k under KBB value, and haven't got the first bite. It just seems like in this economy, everyone expects you to give something away. At least I finally sold my Harley, and took a beating on it of course. Oh well, I guess I just see how it goes.
i tried selling my truck last year with 25K less miles on it and got one offer in 2 months for 2500 bucks... i told the guy thats insulting, im in no hurry to sell.
as far as towing, if you cant get a 3/4-1ton truck for a decent price, i'd swap in 4.56's. i prefer towing with a GN anytime the weight is over 9500 lbs... if you balance the weight right on your bumper pull you should be fine. too much or too little tongue weight has huge affects on vehicle control... we tow our 27ft boat (in sig) that weights around 10,500 almost every weekend with my dads 1/2 ton. once we get going we hardly even know its back there. even when stopping (12" drum brakes on both axles). in the long run your trans will suffer.
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'95 F150 XLT reg cab long bed, swapped in 5.8L, 147k miles, built 4R70W, 3 inch P.A. body lift, 6 inch Rough Country susp. lift, 35X12.50 MTZ's, 15X10 DC-1's, Pacesetter shorty headers Magnaflow pipes and high-flow cat, Flowmaster Super 44, K&N intake, Optima red-top, clear lenses, white faced "glow" gauges... may the 302 R.I.P. gear swap is next!
The other option is I know its not legal but the pickup will do it all day long is add some riderite airbags to hold the load and still give you a good ride without the load then upgrade to a loadrange C tire. I used my 07 F150 cc lariat 5.4 and my 08F150xl 4.6L to pull a 10.5k loader and trailer combo short distances. Electric brakes are obviously a must. On the other hand I now own a 08 F250cc 6.4L instead of the 07F150 and would never go back to a half ton for pulling larger loads if I can help it but if you can't your pickup will work.
Last edited by ndmtnsledder; 11-17-2009 at 09:19 PM.
Short distances should be okay, but this is not something you would want to haul a long distance or make a habit out of. Heck, I know someone who used a 4 banger S-10 to get a 20k trailer a couple miles across town - and it survived.
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2003 F150XL 4.2 short cab/bed 4x2 5 speed manual 3.55 LS
I see farmers around my area all the time pulling 20+ foot combine headers with rangers and crap..i dont think i would, but it can be done, just not a good recommendation... V10! do it do it
I see farmers around my area all the time pulling 20+ foot combine headers with rangers and crap..i dont think i would, but it can be done, just not a good recommendation... V10! do it do it
The 20ft headers are only going to be around 6k unless they are corn heads then a bit more. Our 40ft flex drapers are under 10k and you gotta remember your flat pulling that with no weight on the tounge and going lower speeds on good roads. I pull 20k anhydrous tank sets with a 08 F150xl 4.6L a couple hundred miles every fall and spring with no issues. My biggest reason for upgrading my other 1/2ton to a 3/4ton is I pull a 27ft enclosed trailer out west in the winter snowmobiling it only weighs about 5500#s loaded but on icy mountain roads with wind it feels a lot better to have some pickup weight so your not getting pushed around.
The big problem with going with a goose neck to is they pull nicer but when your already above your weight limit the extra weight of that style of trailer isn't going to help. The V10s are nice and will pull lots of weight but don't expect to get over 12. We have a 06 F350 longbox crew cab V10 for a service pickup and before we loaded it up with all our tools 12mpg was a struggle now we are down around 9. So just know that ahead of time.
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and took a beating on it of course. Oh well, I guess I just see how it goes.
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