Hi All,

I’ve posted a towing question before but I’m looking for a bit more direction. Before any flames me I have used the search button, but the more I read the more confused I get (maybe I’m just a ‘tard that way)

We currently have a ’98 F150 XLT, 4.6L Auto with the towing package. We go out to the desert quite a lot and I tow 12’ trailer with our quads (3) and all my gear. It tows it well and I have no complaints other than it isn’t 4WD so it limits where I can go.

We are considering buying a toy hauler, somewhere in the 16 to 22’ range. I’m fairly certain that’s going to be at the outer limit of what my current truck can tow, so we’re considering a vehicle switch.

We either going to pick up an Expedition or another F150 but with the 5.4L and 4WD, probably a ’97 to ’01. I know there are certain variables (gears, coolers, etc.) but based on most things being the same, am I going to get better towing out of one as opposed to the other? Naturally my wife wants the Expo, and I want the truck. I’m not opposed to the Expo as long as I can get the towing capacity I need out of it.

Any opinions or advice?

Thanks

P.S.
I know everyone will say get an F250, not an option as I’m working within a budget and they’re unfortunately not within my budget.

 

Hi All,

I’ve posted a towing question before but I’m looking for a bit more direction. Before any flames me I have used the search button, but the more I read the more confused I get (maybe I’m just a ‘tard that way)

We currently have a ’98 F150 XLT, 4.6L Auto with the towing package. We go out to the desert quite a lot and I tow 12’ trailer with our quads (3) and all my gear. It tows it well and I have no complaints other than it isn’t 4WD so it limits where I can go.

We are considering buying a toy hauler, somewhere in the 16 to 22’ range. I’m fairly certain that’s going to be at the outer limit of what my current truck can tow, so we’re considering a vehicle switch.

We either going to pick up an Expedition or another F150 but with the 5.4L and 4WD, probably a ’97 to ’01. I know there are certain variables (gears, coolers, etc.) but based on most things being the same, am I going to get better towing out of one as opposed to the other? Naturally my wife wants the Expo, and I want the truck. I’m not opposed to the Expo as long as I can get the towing capacity I need out of it.

Any opinions or advice?

Thanks

P.S.
I know everyone will say get an F250, not an option as I’m working within a budget and they’re unfortunately not within my budget.

 

Hi All,

I’ve posted a towing question before but I’m looking for a bit more direction. Before any flames me I have used the search button, but the more I read the more confused I get (maybe I’m just a ‘tard that way)

We currently have a ’98 F150 XLT, 4.6L Auto with the towing package. We go out to the desert quite a lot and I tow 12’ trailer with our quads (3) and all my gear. It tows it well and I have no complaints other than it isn’t 4WD so it limits where I can go.

We are considering buying a toy hauler, somewhere in the 16 to 22’ range. I’m fairly certain that’s going to be at the outer limit of what my current truck can tow, so we’re considering a vehicle switch.

We either going to pick up an Expedition or another F150 but with the 5.4L and 4WD, probably a ’97 to ’01. I know there are certain variables (gears, coolers, etc.) but based on most things being the same, am I going to get better towing out of one as opposed to the other? Naturally my wife wants the Expo, and I want the truck. I’m not opposed to the Expo as long as I can get the towing capacity I need out of it.

Any opinions or advice?

Thanks

P.S.
I know everyone will say get an F250, not an option as I’m working within a budget and they’re unfortunately not within my budget.

 

I know in my case with my 01 5.4L Expo 4x4 it out pulls the heel out of my uncles 2008 f150 5.4 but then again I could have bought a new truck with what I sunk into it=( I haven’t tried the whole towing thing against my other uncles 04 2500 ram yet?

When I rented an f150 5.4 2wd 2009 last summer "my tuck was at the tuners" I was very disappointed in the performance of the new engine what a dog it was just like driving a 97 f150 power wise. Well back to your question

My wife has a 99 expo with almost the same lay out.
I have yet to see an f150 in the 97 to 03 range that was stock with a 9 3/4 rear end perfect for towing. I know most in this range came with the crapper transmission and that the 2 of are expos have the 4r100 which is also better for towing.

I think you’ll be happy with 4x4 no matter what you get.

 

Is an Excursion an option?

 

This is a crosspost.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/19...expo-f150.html

 

Could be. I hadn't thought of them actually.

 

an excursion is probably the same price as a f250.

the f150 should have a higher towing capacity due to having leafs and not coil suspension. just make sure you get a 5.4 motor.

 

Sorry toy haulers and half tons do not mix well. I'm not sure I understand why you think an F-250 with the V10 of similar vintage cost so much more.

 

That's why I suggested an Excursion in the other thread. If his wife wants a SUV instead of a pickup, that makes a lot of sense. A V-10 Excursion tows like a locomotive without the higher operating expense of a diesel. I suppose you could jump brands and try to find a Suburban with an 8.1, but that's a pretty crappy engine - burns oil and a LOT of gas.

 

ive never owned a f150 but my 5.4 expedition had no problem towing this down I95 at 65 mph. i kno it looks really loaded down in the back but i have the front lifted 3 more inches than the back so it really didnt weigh it down to bad.

 

APT,

In my neck of the woods (Southern Cal) not only are similar vintage F250's MUCH more expensive than the F150's or the Expy's, they're harder to find. And the ones I have found that are within my price range have incredibly high mileage on the clock (200K+ in a lot of cases).

I have considered jumping bbrands but to Dodge, not Chevy. My wife had an Astro van and I hated that MF'er, set me off Chevy for the rest of my life.

I'm taking glc's advice and keeping my eyes out for an Excursion as well. Seem like I'm either going to end up with the Expy or the Excursion, which has its good and bad points. =)

 

to me it all comes down to weight.

i pull a 26ft jayco with a slide, 6200 empty, then load it with all the stuff and five people. with th eright hitch and stabilizers i have no problem pulling it with my 07 chevy avalanch. however Texas is fairly flat.

i have the 5.3 with 3.73.

last weekend we pulled a 20 ft car in an enclosed trailer , I am guessing 6000 pound from houston to dayton ohio and i can tell you i would not want to make that trip from nashville to dayton with my avalanch. we pulled it with a 1/2 ton dennali with the 403 hp 6.2 motor and the 6 speed, rarely did it drop a gear and when it did it would only be turning 3000 rpm. that motor was a dream for pulling medium weight trailers. i have to think fords new 6.2 will be similar

toy haulers are heavy, it all dependson how far you are going and how much total weight is. i looked at them before i got the jayco and the cost and the weight scared me away.
if you have to have a higher rear end installed or blow a motor or trans, then the savings will not be worth it.

 

That's a lot less to tow than a toyhauler.

 

What does Dodge build that your wife would like? I can't think of any full size SUV's in their line. The Durango isn't even close.

If you find an Excursion, the 5.4 isn't going to be enough and the early 6.0 is unreliable. The V-10 and the 7.3 diesel are both winners.