Need to tow 10K

Bob_Young · Jan 3, 2011

Looking at new trucks. Primarily F150s and F250s. Need to tow a Big Tex 10PI and want 4WD. Can spend up to around 36K. About a third of the towing will be the 10K trailer. The rest will be a 3K boat. I've got an econo-box for commuting and grocery getting, so don't need a 20mpg truck (it'd be nice, tho).

Can the 2011 F150s be spec'd out to tow 10K? If so, where do I look to find out how it should be equipped (axle ratio, tranny options, etc.)? Spending 36K on an F150 will give me a nicer truck than going Super Duty for that money, so I'm leaning that way.

Does anyone have experience towing 10K with the 6.2L gasser/6-spd auto combo in the F250? I'd like to hear how that setup is working for people.

I've got an old 2WD Cummins Dodge to do the heavy pulling now. Only complaint is that it gets stuck easily.
Thanks.
Bob

slowzuki · Jan 3, 2011

The heavy F150 with tow that no trouble, it comes with a 10.25 Sterling rear end like what used to be in the F250/350's. You don't get much for tranny options now 6 speed only, you can pick the eco tec V6 or the 6.2 I would guess in the high GCVW model.

You'd need the 3.73 gears and the max tow package. I don't think you can option the shortest wheelbase with the max tow.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/

WH401 · Jan 3, 2011

How often will you be towing 10k? 10k is really at the upper limit of the F150's capabilities. Not saying it can't be done, but I think it would be smarter and safer in at least a 250. With the 6.2/6 speed combo in the 250, you'd have no problem with what your intentions are. Not to mention, since you have a price limit, and fuel mileage really isn't an issue, the gasser would be the better way to go.

Bob_Young · Jan 3, 2011

Thanks for the link, slowzuki. That helped a great deal. With the help of that site, I found a nearly ideal F150 just 8 miles away. The axle ratio is 3.73, it's got the tow pkg and its rated to tow about 9400#, but it has the 5.0L V8. In my experience, 5L seems a bit small for moving what needs moved. The only F150s that have the 6.2L around here are the Raptors and they're not rated to tow as much as this truck.

I hear what you're saying WH. The question has boiled down to whether I want a pretty truck that struggles to tow or an ugly truck which handles the load easily. I expect to tow a dozen or so times a year over distances of about 25 miles on state roads, usually at around 8500-9000#. There are some hills here, but none on the routes I normally travel.

Before I get flamed, I'd better say I don't really think the Super Duty is ugly. It's just that the one I found in Rochester that best fits my needs/budget has that black work-truck grille...jarring to say the least. Sticker's about $500 over the F150.

Guess the decision will turn on the available incentives....or wait for that 3.5L eco-tech V6 to appear.
Bob

Diamondpilot · Jan 3, 2011

I would wait on the 3.5L Its going to be a game changer. If you can wait a year to let some get on the road you will be better off.

Chris

Dmace · Jan 4, 2011

If your stuck on Ford then go with the F-250. One thing I find consistent with Ford is that they over-rate the tow capacities of their trucks. At about 75% of the rated tow capacity, the truck already feels over-worked and under-powered. I've had comparable Dodge and GM trucks to max tow capacity and you know it's there but still feel safe unlike the fleet of F-150/F-250's we had. I would make sure the truck you get is rated for at least a couple thousand pounds more than you need.

I'm sure others on here (DP...) swear they've towed 20k lbs with an F-150 up hill both ways with no problems but that's just my experience up here where nothing is flat, most the roads are dirt, and it's not cold until the mercury freezes. :thumbsup:

Diamondpilot · Jan 4, 2011

Dmace said:
If your stuck on Ford then go with the F-250. One thing I find consistent with Ford is that they over-rate the tow capacities of their trucks. At about 75% of the rated tow capacity, the truck already feels over-worked and under-powered. I've had comparable Dodge and GM trucks to max tow capacity and you know it's there but still feel safe unlike the fleet of F-150/F-250's we had. I would make sure the truck you get is rated for at least a couple thousand pounds more than you need.

I'm sure others on here (DP...) swear they've towed 20k lbs with an F-150 up hill both ways with no problems but that's just my experience up here where nothing is flat, most the roads are dirt, and it's not cold until the mercury freezes. :thumbsup:

Too funny. I have never had more than 10,000# behind any of my 6 F-150's I have owned and they handled the load just as good as my Dodge gasser. Drank the gas though, about 5.5 mpg with that load. Never owned a GM 1/2 ton so no comparison.

Chris

Lt CHEG · Jan 4, 2011

Dmace said:
If your stuck on Ford then go with the F-250. One thing I find consistent with Ford is that they over-rate the tow capacities of their trucks. At about 75% of the rated tow capacity, the truck already feels over-worked and under-powered. I've had comparable Dodge and GM trucks to max tow capacity and you know it's there but still feel safe unlike the fleet of F-150/F-250's we had. I would make sure the truck you get is rated for at least a couple thousand pounds more than you need.

Maybe it's a gas engine phenomenon. I was never impressed with the 5.4 liter V8 in any of the vehicles that I drove that had them, particularly the Expedition that I was assigned for a while. I don't have any experience with the V10, but I can tell you that my new F250 with the 6.4 liter Power Stroke has been awesome the couple of times I've towed with it since buying it. It's handled roughly 13,000 pounds of TLB and equipment trailer without any problems whatsoever. I won't say that you couldn't tell that it was back there, as I am always very suspect of anyone who says that they can't feel a heavy load behind their vehicle. However I would say that I'd feel plenty comfortable pulling a much heavier load if I had the need.

I never felt any lack of power with my 5.3 Liter V8 GM's. I can also say that my take home car's Hemi seems pretty lively, although I've never towed anything with it. I do feel like Ford's 5.4 Liter V8 has always been my least favorite engine in its class. I have always heard good things about Ford's V10 and the diesels though as far as towing. I would also like to see Dodge and GM offer bigger gas engines as I don't believe that GM's 6.0 or Dodge's 5.7 liter Hemi are really up to the task of the heaviest towing, and for that matter I think Ford should bring back the V10 too.

Diamondpilot · Jan 4, 2011

Good luck seeing a big engine in a truck. The gubment did that in. Its tough to get a big displacement big stroke engine to make emissions. That's why all these new engines are highly wound short stroke RPM motors. Its the way it is and has to be to meet all the new MPG ratings. Stinks.

Chris

Lt CHEG · Jan 4, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
Good luck seeing a big engine in a truck. The gubment did that in. Its tough to get a big displacement big stroke engine to make emissions. That's why all these new engines are highly wound short stroke RPM motors. Its the way it is and has to be to meet all the new MPG ratings. Stinks.

Chris

Agreed. Although I am quite happy with the developments that they manufacturers have made with respect to engines that develop enough power to accomplish all but the heaviest tasks while still delivering good fuel economy when unloaded. After all, most of the trucks in the US spend most of their time unloaded and if they can deliver good fuel economy unloaded then I am very much in favor of that, as long as they can still get some work done too, and it looks like the new breed of engines are headed in that direction. I just wish that there were some non diesel options for some of the larger loads.