Recent Towing Trip
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by bobbyg123
Thanks for the info Chris. Your timing is perfect. The Cherokee 28A+, Pilgrim 29PBHSE, and the TravelStar (Starcraft) 28SSO all have similar floorplans and that's what we'll eventually settle on. Right now our twin boys are only 2 years old, so we're looking to purchase a trailer at the end of the season and have it ready to go next Spring.
It's encouraging to hear that the 5.4L F150 can tow these rigs OK. I don't expect to break any records going up steep grades, nor do I intend on racing down the freeway at 70+ MPH towing a 7000 trailer with my kids and wife in the truck. I just want to make sure that my truck isn't maxed out to the point of damage if the total tow weight hits 7000lbs. I'd also like to be able to do 45MPH up a grade with the overdrive switched off. Other than that, I'm conservative with my expectations. We'll only be weekend warriors and will rarely travel over 300 miles away from our home for the foreseeable future.
Thanks again for the feedback on the Cherokee.
It's encouraging to hear that the 5.4L F150 can tow these rigs OK. I don't expect to break any records going up steep grades, nor do I intend on racing down the freeway at 70+ MPH towing a 7000 trailer with my kids and wife in the truck. I just want to make sure that my truck isn't maxed out to the point of damage if the total tow weight hits 7000lbs. I'd also like to be able to do 45MPH up a grade with the overdrive switched off. Other than that, I'm conservative with my expectations. We'll only be weekend warriors and will rarely travel over 300 miles away from our home for the foreseeable future.
Thanks again for the feedback on the Cherokee.
BTW, we have a web site that details our trips and experiences in case you are interested.
http://texasrvexperience.googlepages.com/
Regards,
Chris
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From: Illinois
I am still not sold on purchasing another F-250 this spring in light of the terrible fuel economy all new diesels are getting - especially when I use it as a daily driver. For fun, I looked at a new GMC 2500 Duramax tonight, a new F-250 6.4L, and then browsed at the F-150's... again. I really like the F-150 ride, but have been having a hard time accepting an F-150 will pull my 28 foot Jayco 26L (5,700# dry) with ease. These posts above are helping, though.... I'd like to wait on the 2010 F-150 with the smoker, so I wonder if I could live with a 2008 5.4L Supercrew for a year and wait? I'm thinking if I do, I'll get stiffed by Ford when the hold back on the diesel until 2011 and the value of a 2008 F-150 will tank when the 2009's hit the lots, too. If, I continue to drive my 2007 F-250 I have now until the 2010's come out, it will be worth squat with over 150,000 miles if the bosses accountant wants him to trade sooner.
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From: Joplin MO
If the fuel economy and the cost of diesel is going to kill you, what about a new F-250 with a V10 gas engine? Yes, the mileage sucks, but the much cheaper gasoline will make up for a lot of it and the V10 tows very well. If you are possibly thinking about a GM with an 8.1, forget it - the mileage on those things is VERY bad (try 10 mpg unloaded mixed driving) and they burn oil.
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From: DFW
you should be able to leave OD on unless your transmission is doing alot of gear hunting.
I left my OD on when i towed roughly 6000 pounds with my lowered, 4.6, supercrew, 3.55 gears, and stock 16" tires
I drove through a few hills from waco to dallas with the trailer loaded
I left my OD on when i towed roughly 6000 pounds with my lowered, 4.6, supercrew, 3.55 gears, and stock 16" tires
I drove through a few hills from waco to dallas with the trailer loaded
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Duvall, WA
I'm in the same boat regarding my F150 and future TT. I use my truck as a daily driver, and given everything that's going on with fuel prices and the overall state of the economy, it's not practical to even consider upgrading to a bigger truck. I have spent a lot of time on RV.net and other camping websites and I've come to the conclusion that our 5.4L 1/2 tons can do an adequate job of towing up to 7000lbs.
You first have to determine how you're going to use your tow vehicle. If you're the type who tows all the time over long distances, the decision to get a bigger truck makes more sense. If you're like me and you'll use your truck as a daily driver AND as a part time tow vehicle for a handful of weekend get-away's each year, you can tow with a 1/2 ton. The disclaimer here is that YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE TOWING WITHIN YOUR WEIGHT LIMITS. An easy way to do this is to subtract 25% from your rated tow limit. In my case, I subtract 25% from my rated 9200lbs. That gives me an adjusted rating of 6900lbs. You have to also pay attention to your hitch weight and how many passengers and cargo you carry in your truck. My 5.4L has a payload rating of only 1600lbs. Do the math. 200lb Dad, 150lb wife, and 2 kids weighing 75lbs each is a total passenger weight of 500lbs. The hitch weight (fully loaded) for a light weight TT can easily get up to 800-1000lbs, and if that's the case you're maxed out on payload. Still, that's not the end of the world. Just load most of your gear in your camper behind the axles. Better yet, research your TT and find one with as low of a hitch weight as you can live with. At the very least, I want to be able to carry passengers (duh), a small generator, and maybe our bikes in the bed of my truck and still be under the payload weight.
As far as towing goes, you have to check your ego at the door and be prepared to go 50-55MPH. There's no shame in that. You'll get better gas mileage and be much safer. Going up steep grades will be a slow go, but truckers deal with it all the time and so can you. Make sure you purchase a top rated WD hitch and brake controller, and consider adding a transmission gauge as well. If you keep your truck well serviced and tow conservatively, you'll have no problem getting from point a to point b.
You first have to determine how you're going to use your tow vehicle. If you're the type who tows all the time over long distances, the decision to get a bigger truck makes more sense. If you're like me and you'll use your truck as a daily driver AND as a part time tow vehicle for a handful of weekend get-away's each year, you can tow with a 1/2 ton. The disclaimer here is that YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE TOWING WITHIN YOUR WEIGHT LIMITS. An easy way to do this is to subtract 25% from your rated tow limit. In my case, I subtract 25% from my rated 9200lbs. That gives me an adjusted rating of 6900lbs. You have to also pay attention to your hitch weight and how many passengers and cargo you carry in your truck. My 5.4L has a payload rating of only 1600lbs. Do the math. 200lb Dad, 150lb wife, and 2 kids weighing 75lbs each is a total passenger weight of 500lbs. The hitch weight (fully loaded) for a light weight TT can easily get up to 800-1000lbs, and if that's the case you're maxed out on payload. Still, that's not the end of the world. Just load most of your gear in your camper behind the axles. Better yet, research your TT and find one with as low of a hitch weight as you can live with. At the very least, I want to be able to carry passengers (duh), a small generator, and maybe our bikes in the bed of my truck and still be under the payload weight.
As far as towing goes, you have to check your ego at the door and be prepared to go 50-55MPH. There's no shame in that. You'll get better gas mileage and be much safer. Going up steep grades will be a slow go, but truckers deal with it all the time and so can you. Make sure you purchase a top rated WD hitch and brake controller, and consider adding a transmission gauge as well. If you keep your truck well serviced and tow conservatively, you'll have no problem getting from point a to point b.