OK, the Cougar connection here is that the Cougar will be in the trailer this vehicle is intended to tow!
I’ve decided to replace my 2005 F-350 diesel truck and got to wondering what most of you use as a tow rig. I’m interested in new vehicles for the purpose of this thread, even though I enjoy the classic trucks still being used as tow vehicles. Since I only tow a few times a year and the truck doesn’t get a lot of miles, I’ve decided to go with a gas truck and am leaning toward the F-250 XLT 4x4 with the 6.2L engine and 3.73 locking rear end. What are the rest of you using?
Bill I work for a city government and Chevrolet’s have been having engine problems (2500 series). Three coworkers have had engine replacements. GM dealer has had to replace one truck after two engine failures. City fleet has been buying 2011 & 2012 models from Ford. The Ford’s are gas F250’s and diesel models. If I was buying I would go with Ford. Hope this helps.
Steven
Neighbor is a Fleet manager for John Zink here in Tulsa, and all they buy are the F250’s…some diesel, some gas, but they seem to like them both. He’s been “pleased” with the 6.2’s power, so far.
Don’t know about the 2010-2012 models; but I can tell you the 5.4L Super Duty’s from 2008 have a bit of trouble from a stoplight. My company truck weughs about 7800lbs with a half-tank of gas and all “shh…hhh…htuf” inside and me out of the truck operating the scales. Serious slug from a standing start; seems like it doesn’t ‘wake up’ until 3000-3500 RPM. Hopefully, the 6.2L V-10 has a solution.
What really spooks me is that this 4-yr-old SUPER DUTY uses the same brake calipers and pads all-the-way-around as my '02 F150 4x4. I can stop the F150 no problem, unless I’m pulling a very heavy load on a trailer without its own brakes; but the SD’s brakes (new pads 3 months ago) have some “fade” that can be a little worrisome. I tend to stay 5-10 MPH below any given speed limit in the SD; but it still takes a long time to pull that sucker down.
No experience with recent “Heavy Duty” light trucks from other mfg’s; but I know that my wife’s '02 Ram1500 has almost as good a braking system as my F150; and it’s a lot nicer not hearing/feeling the Ford ABS ‘groan’ and pedal feedback that is common to both my “company” SD and said F150.
If you were going diesel then I would look towards a Ram. The ecoboost Fords seem like a good idea getting 22 MPG but I haven’t seen any torque numbers to be able to tell if it would make a good tow rig.
The twin turbo Eco Boost F150 has way better torque and hp than the previous 5.4 and the new 5.0. The numbers are even getting close the new 6.2 liter v8. The Eco Boost has 420 lb.-ft. of torque, 11,300 lbs. towing capability, 3,060 lbs. payload capacity while the 6.2 has 434 lb.-ft. of torque. Not much difference at all.
I have the F150 Harley Davidson with the 5.4 and have no issues from pulling away at a light or braking with a load or while pulling my boat and this is my third F150 since 2001.
I haven’t been considering the 1/2-ton models. My last truck was a 2003 F-150 with the 5.4 and it struggled to pull this trailer with Cougar inside up the grades in PA. I also had the nasty experience of being blown into the next lane while pulling the trailer empty with the F-150. I think the SD is better able to control the load, but I also haven’t paid any attention to how the capabilities of the F-150 have changed since 03.
so far, wverything I’ve read over at ford-trucks.com praises the 6.2 as a tow vehicle, even for some very large 5th-wheel trailers.
I have an 06 F250 XLT with the 5.4. Other than being a slug off the line it’s been pretty good.
There is the death wobble, experienced that one time, not sure if it’s been corrected on newer models.
Haven’t attempted to change the spark plugs yet, I hear that can be headache.
Use it for hauling 2000-2500# of parts for my business, some snow plowing and pulling a 2500# trailer.
I wanted the V10 but could not find a used one at the time.
My combined Cougar + trailer weight is around 6400 lbs. The trailer is an enclosed aluminum-frame V-nose that’s 26 feet overall length.
Regarding the 5.4 engines, there are many reports of the spark plugs breaking off during changes. Ford even had to come up with a special kit to get the broken ones out of the head. Supposedly, that problem is fixed on the 6.2.
FWIW. Friend here bought an '11 Dodge Ram. It has less than 6K on it and has been in the dealership shop 3 times, going back for #4. Some snaffu with the torque converter. Seems this is a pretty common problem with them.
I just traded off my '03 F150 with the 5.4…140k on the ticker, NEVER changed the plugs for fear of THAT fiasco. The 5.4 was(don’t know if they’ve fixed it) prone to a head gasket leak, as well. I did have THAT issue. 30 dollar gasket…3500.00 to put it in. Why? Cuz they have to yank the motor to get to the dang thing now. Didn’t bother with that fix, it was time for it to go.
I’m a Ford guy through and through, but I have to admit I’m really enjoying the new (to me) Dodge Ram 1500 that I picked up a couple weeks ago.
Its a 2005 SRT-10 Quad Cab. With an 8.3 liter V10, (500 HP, 525 lbs/ft of torque) and 4.56:1 gears, its pretty peppy for a truck. I haven’t had an opportunity to tow anything yet, but the 7800 lb. tow rating should be more than sufficient for my needs. I’ve been impressed with the build quality, and handling is almost as good as my '93 Lightning. (Which is saying something, considering the additional weight and bulk of the Quad Cab.) Fuel efficiency isn’t its strong suit though.
Its a shame Ford doesn’t make a truck like this.
Yeah, I think there’s a reason why Dodge dropped the V10 option in half-tons after the '06 model year, when gas prices were really starting to go up. Still, I was looking for something that would be fun to drive, could haul 4+ people, and still work like a truck. This fills the bill better than anything else I could find, and for that I’m willing to take the hit at the pump.
Not up on the new trucks but my 97 F350 with the 7.3 liter diesel has pulled dozers and backhoes with no problem or any change in fuel economy, Only get 12 anyway you look at it. I have heard the new ford diesels are not worth their weight. Honestly I got better mileage in my 79 with the 460 engine and I believe in my next truck it will be a gas engine. Diesel used to be cheaper now it is a lot more than gas. A lot less weight on the front end with a gas engine also which means less wear on the suspension parts and front tires. Personally I don’t like the current body style of the ford trucks but mine will last till they change that. I have had great luck with Ford trucks. Course I am only on my second one. 368 thousand miles on my 79 with a 460 and drove it in a traded it in on the 97!
Yup, I smell what you’re stepping in. I hardly ever tow anything over half a ton, so, I could never really justify my full size. Time came to replace it, I went back to a Tonka version…LOL. Tacoma double cab…does what I need it to do!
