I am looking at buying a pickup in the near future, it will be either a F-150 or a F250. I will have to have an automatic since have had a couple strokes which effect my use of my right hand and arm. But my question is which engine should I get ? A 5.0 V-8 or the 4.9 inline 6 ? I will tow a 28 ft boat on weekends, about 3 miles to the launch ramp, and maybe tow a camper every now and then.. It will be mostly used to carry my A** around !! I would like to find one that is loaded with options such as power windows , door locks, cruise, tilt wheel.
So I am asking those who have trucks,, which engine I should look for... Let me hear the pro's and con's.. I welcome your imput on this guys.. Ohhh also,, I will be buying this truck used,, so what should I watch for with each ?

Thanks in advance guys

Dondo

 

I hope that 28 foot boat is made of balsa wood.

Most 1/2 ton pickups would be overmatched against a boat that size, six or eight cylinder.

 

Get a Triton V-10.

 

If you are really only towing it 3 miles than you can get by with a 1/2 ton easily but how far do you plan on towing the camper? and how heavy is it? For that short distance any one of the engines will do but if you ever plan on towing farther dont skimp, get the 5.8 (351) and preferably in a f-250 chassis. With either of the other engines it will be a struggle alone just to get the boat up to highway speeds. I have a 5.0 in mine and hate it when I need to tow the boat or our little camper (20ft) even only 30 miles.

 

This is for Raoul
You don't speak well of Ford, I tow that boat now with a class III hitch and a weight equilizing system,,,, just fine with my 1987 Ford Crown Vic !! From what everyone is saying here, I might just want to stay with a Crown Vic with a towing package. As far as the camper it is a 24 ft. And being in Florida most of the towing is flat running.....

Thanks guys,,, I wanted to hear your input,,, and respect what you are saying....

Dondo

 

I have the 5.0, and it tows our 6000# boat with no problem. It isnt a struggle to get on the interstate, and the power is there. If you add a superchip, the towing really is much easier. The 4.9 makes more torque at really low rpms, but it lacks alot up top, especially if you are going to be going over 65. it only makes like 140hp or something. You might also have to look hard ot find a fully loaded truck wit ha 4.9 and auto. Most we manuals. the 5.0 and 5.8s are easier to find with alot of options. Good luck!

 

I'm gonna vote with the majority on this one. Any of the engines will do it, especially on a 3 mile trip. The biggest problem you will have is lugging that beast back up the boat ramp at the end of the day. The 4.9L has the same torque as the 302. Since it lacks the HP as pointed out, the 4.9 is only good up to 55mph under a load. Having had the 4.9 in my truck and swapping to a 351, the 351 has more torque and a ton more HP. It would pull the boat up out of the ramp much better, and down the HWY great. Like beastie said, finding a 4.9L with an automatic will be a little more difficult, Ford just pumped out a ton of these with the 5spd manual. All of this has basically been said, but I am basing my thoughts on the 4.9L and 351 I've had in the same truck. Its just completely different. If you have a good brake setup, the 150 will be OK if your not primarily pulling. The 250 will of course stop better and handle better under a load.

 

Dondo how much does your 28 foot boat weigh?

I have a 19 foor boat and I know how much it weighs.
I have a 5.4L 260HP 3.55LS Automatic and I can't tow no 28 foot boat.

I can't tow a 28 foot boat 3 miles or 3 feet.
I don't think it's legal to tow a 28 foot boat on the road here without special permission because of the beam.

So, you say you tow it with your Crown Vic?
Up this way, we don't hang 8 foot rod off the bow and a 8 foot rod off the stern, and call it a 28 foot boat!

 

Dondo, unless the truck you are considering is pre '97, you will be unable to get either of your engine choices. So I guess you must be considering a used truck, right?

Either way, unless that is a very light weight 28' pontoon boat with a small outboard you would need to get a F250 at a minimum.

 

Yea, you might coul get by with the 150 for a 3 mile hope but even that's a little dicey. My 2wd F150 weighs in at under 4500lb. I bet that yacht is every bit of 4500lb. I think you'd be better off with the F250 Super Duty with the 5.4 V* and 4.1 axel. If you look carefully at the prices I think you'll find the 250 isn't that much more $$ than the 150. Prolly no more than a $3500 premium over a 150. Matter of fact, you could get a 3year old lease return 250 for less than a new 150 and be safer.

Good Luck, and remember to keep the cotter pin in the prop!

 

He is refering to the older truck engines, so I assume he is looking for a pre 97, so I dont think he wants to pay for a brand new 250. If you search, some guy that hasa new and pre 97 F-150. 5.0 vs 5.4, was forced to tow like an 8500# horse and trailer.. he said that the old truck handled it, but he wouldnt recommend doing it alot (understandable), but he said that his new truck would nto be able to handle it. Dont go screaming about the new trucks are better than the old ones, this is just what I read a long time ago. I was under the impression that the chassis were pretty much the same. Who knows

 

Sorry if my screams hurt anyone's ears. Particularly that part about the newer trucks being better than the old ones.

 

Yes,,,, I am considing a 92 to 95 model truck,, I have noticed pretty much everyone ( But not all ) are from hilly areas of the country, thats is not true in my area, its 3 miles to the Gulf, and I live 17 feet above sea level, so,, there isn't much of a grade between here and there ! The boat is a 28 ft bayliner, not the heaviest boat made, but will sleep 6, and weighs right around 6500lbs. I use to tow a 23 Ft the a Jeep CJ-5 !! That boats weight was 131lbs heavier !! I would be wanting 4 wheel drive for the pull up the ramp in 4 low .. But it wouldn't be an everyday thing to pull and launch the boat. I will take your advice and look for a 3/4 ton,, but I still would want it with a 5.0 liter,,, and I'm not really sure that is made in a F-250.. Maybe some of you could advise me if that is made or not....
I want to thank all who have responded to my question ,,, and the info and knowledge I have gained by your replys....
Thank you all and I hope the question on whether a F-250 is made with a 5.0 liter 302,, or only with the 5.4 liter 351 or larger...

Thanks again guys

Dondo

 

Ok,
According to the 1989 Ford Factory Service manual, the engine applications are as follows:

4.9L is standard in all vehicles (F & E 150, 250, 350, and bronco)

5.0L was an option in the bronco and 150/250 models (not 350)

5.8L was an option in all models

7.5L was an option in 250 & 350 and Super Duty models

So that is what was available when somebody went to purchase a truck from Ford and I think the listings should be similar for the later models. You could find a truck according to the engine option above, such as the 302 in a 250. I have seen 250's & 350's with the 4.9L, so not everybody opted for the v-8. It has been my experience to see the following:

A ton of 150's with a 4.9L
Quite a few 94-96 150 ext. cab loaded 4x4 with a 5.8
An even scattering of 5.0's in the 150 models
250's with generally 5.8/7.5L, many fewer with the 5.0

I agree with you that a 4x4 model would be an excelent choice so you could pull the boat out in 4 lo. My vote would still be with the 5.8, are you just conserned with the fuel economy of it? You can probably expect 12-16 average without a trailer. With a trailer I wouldn't consider fuel economy as a concern with any engine, as the smaller ones will have to work harder and still suck a lot of gas, and the difference will be nominal.

Hope this helps.

 

Yes,,, gas mileage does concern me,, I now have a 5.0 in my Crown vic,, and my usual is 12 to 15 mpg in the city with the A/C on,, and 19 to 21 highway with A/C on. Not sure what I am getting with the A/C off !! Thats why I have asked in here if someone could tell me the mileages of both the 302 and the 351. hauling or not,,, and if its just a mile or 2 off what I am getting now,,, I would love to go with the 5.4 liter 351... But I still think I would like the F-150 tho for the little smoother ride while being empty and not towing anything...