Considering a 3/4 Ton Diesel Tow Upgrade

[onewhippedpuppy]

Another semi-related question, does anyone have experience towing with an F150 Ecoboost? I know it's not a diesel, I'm just curious if that would give me an adequate bump over the 5.0 in tow performance?

[EarlyPorsche]

Love my 1991.5 Dodge Ram intercooled Cummins diesel. A lot of the stability when towing with the diesels comes from the towing vehicle being so heavy. My truck has so many miles on the original engine and automatic - neither opened up. Piecing together the mileage from receipts and estimates (odometer was changed before I bought it) means I should be over half a million miles. Now tires...I have replaced those puppies.

[VincentVega]

Silly question, can you just slow down a bit when towing? I'd hate to shuttle around a 3/4t just so you can tow your boat a little faster 6-8 times/year. I'm all for upgrading but the rig you have does seem like a great compromise for some mid level towing and family hauling.

[911boost]

The only problem with the Dodge Mega cab is that you can't get an eight foot bed with that cab configuration. I looked at them and it ended up being a deal breaker for me.

I have a 2012 F350 crew cab, full size bed with the Powerstroke, XLT FX4 package. Pretty much the same as a King Ranch minus the baseball glove leather. My previous tow rig was an Excursion, and the suspension just wasn't up to the task of my camper which is about 12,000 pounds fully loaded (bumper pull toy hauler with a Razr and motorcycles, gear, water fuel, etc), coupled with the problematic 6.0 Powerstroke, I sold it at the right time.

I love it, and have 38,xxx miles on it without any issues. I have towed about 5,000 miles total, most in the mountains of Colorado, including a few trips to eastern KS to hunt. If the weather is bad I drive it to work or the airport, and while parking is sometimes a pain it doesn't bother me, just have to plan ahead. Lately I don't drive it as much. If the tank is close to empty is does bounce on the highway some if the road is rough, if its smooth it is a very comfortable vehicle to ride in.

Mileage has varied from as low as about 11 going up into the mountains getting on it (to stay at 70 mph while towing) to over 20 when its empty and just cruising down the interstate. I'd say 17-18 is a good average. I lost a few mpg when I got rid of the stock tires for some better M+S ones.

By no means is it a good 4wd vehicle though, with the weight and length..... ask me how i know

In KS I would guess you will barely feel it back there, except for in the cross winds etc.

I do apologize as well Matt, my boss retired out of the blue after 32 great years with our company a few weeks ago, so i decided it wasn't a good idea to buy a new fun car until things settled down. I am glad to see you sold the TT and am leaning that way instead of the Mustang, just want to get back into another turbo but I will let you know.

Bill

[aigel]

Originally Posted by red-beard

For the Super-Duty Diesel, go for a 2011 or later. It does require DEF, but it also has improved mileage by about 20% over the 2010.

I've had both the F250 and F350. When not towing, the F350 rides higher and has a stiffer ride. I can only speak of the Lariats. The in cab engine noise is almost non-existent.

So, those are good engines now? I got really scared after those 6.0 horror stories ...

I still like the noise the Fords make and their looks. Used to have an 01 Excursion Diesel. Loaded. Sigh ...

G

[diverdan]

My 1996 Silverado 1 ton dually 4x4 rides like a dream. I love the 8 foot bed and at 280,000 miles she still purrs like a kitten. The newer diesels are much more expensive to repair or maintain. My research indicates that the Cummins engines are still the best package. My truck tows 10,000 lbs. at about 13 -14 mpg, and 20,000 + lbs. at down to 8 mpg. Unloaded she does about 20 mpg. Its real old tech. Talk to the Dodge drivers. One of my friend's son has now purchased over 50 of the Dodges for his transport bus. and drives them all over 500,000 miles. Torque, torque, torque is what a hauler needs.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Bill, no worries about the TT, it sold last week. I'll still make you a good deal on the GT500.

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Silly question, can you just slow down a bit when towing? I'd hate to shuttle around a 3/4t just so you can tow your boat a little faster 6-8 times/year. I'm all for upgrading but the rig you have does seem like a great compromise for some mid level towing and family hauling.

Actually the F150 can still maintain highway speed limits with our boat, it just requires quite a bit of downshifting due to the engine's higher torque peak. But a boat upgrade will require a truck upgrade as well, I don't like pushing my luck with tow limits. There's an element of want here as well, I've always loved diesels in a truck.

Originally Posted by aigel

So, those are good engines now? I got really scared after those 6.0 horror stories ...

I still like the noise the Fords make and their looks. Used to have an 01 Excursion Diesel. Loaded. Sigh ...

G

2011+ is a 6.7 that is a Ford design. I haven't heard any horror stories about them like the old Navistar 6.0. 400 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque.

[VincentVega]

There's an element of want here as well, I've always loved diesels in a truck.

There it is, get the diesel. The big 3 are all good trucks now, if spendy.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by aigel

So, those are good engines now? I got really scared after those 6.0 horror stories ...

I still like the noise the Fords make and their looks. Used to have an 01 Excursion Diesel. Loaded. Sigh ...

G

The International engine was a good engine, but the "systems" Ford put in around it to make emissions were not so good. The all Ford engine seems to be better. More HP, more torque and better mileage.

[vash]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Bill

Bill. so you're a fan of KUIU?

[johnsjmc]

Unless I was towing really heavy most of the time I wouldn,t get a diesel again.
Much higher cost for oil changes,tires brakes etc and fuel is more expensive wiping out any better mpg advantage,.
How many miles do you expect to tow anyway?
I have a 2012 F150 5.0 ,shortbox reg cab and understand the lack of low rpm torque BUT in regular day to day use it,s fine. I have towed my boat (about 3500 lb) across country I think with the tow pkg mine is rated at about 6500lb (down because of the short wheelbase, same engine is rated up to about 9000 with a long wheelbase.). I would still feel comfortable up to max, but towing at max is always a drag. You should be able to at least test drive an ecoboost F150 and feel the torque difference.

[porsche4life]

What about the new half ton dodge diesel Matt? Would that have enough Grunt?


Of course if you get a bigger boat, the bigger truck will handle the weight and stopping the big beast better....

[creaturecat]

I would go for the Duramax.
Buddy has one, it has performed flawlessly, for 6 years and counting.

[911boost]

I am Vash, have a bunch of it and it has held up nicely.

You?

[vash]

Originally Posted by BSiple

I am Vash, have a bunch of it and it has held up nicely.

You?

Love the stuff!! the ATTACK pant is the best thing ever. they are located near me, so i have the luxury of going in and buying things. the pants are not holding up in AZ with the thorns, but not much does.

great store. i ALWAYS ask the cashier, "so..are there any coupon codes floating around?"..i am 100% in getting 20% off. hahaha.

[911boost]

Nice!!!!

The new Sitka Grinder pants are great too. I wear the solid color ones while traveling.

I agree on the attack pant...

Bill

[vash]

My wife parental locked Sitkas website.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[bleucamaro]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Another semi-related question, does anyone have experience towing with an F150 Ecoboost? I know it's not a diesel, I'm just curious if that would give me an adequate bump over the 5.0 in tow performance?

Have towed enclosed car trailer (Jimglo w/ 3000lb car. Maybe 5500-6000lb total) with the ecoboost F150. In comparison to a 5.4L Expedition, its better. Power is decent, highway performance is decent. The trans doesn’t hunt. Gas mileage is decent. I like the built in brake controller. Its nice. I’ve never had the opportunity to tow anything with a ¾ ton, so can’t compare there.

What percentage of time will you be towing? Consider the time you aren’t towing, and the extra girth of the vehicle when maneuvering parking lots, and harsher ride.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by bleucamaro

Have towed enclosed car trailer (Jimglo w/ 3000lb car. Maybe 5500-6000lb total) with the ecoboost F150. In comparison to a 5.4L Expedition, its better. Power is decent, highway performance is decent. The trans doesn’t hunt. Gas mileage is decent. I like the built in brake controller. Its nice. I’ve never had the opportunity to tow anything with a ¾ ton, so can’t compare there.

What percentage of time will you be towing? Consider the time you aren’t towing, and the extra girth of the vehicle when maneuvering parking lots, and harsher ride.

My F250&F350 we're _LESS_ wide when parked than a F150! I'm talking about the mirrors. On the F250/350, they fold flat against the door. Not so on the F150. I can park my F350 in my carport. The mirrors on the F150 will make it not fit.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

What about the new half ton dodge diesel Matt? Would that have enough Grunt?


Of course if you get a bigger boat, the bigger truck will handle the weight and stopping the big beast better....

From the reading the feedback on this forum, it sounds like the Ecoboost has much more towing power than the Ram Ecodiesel. I think it's tuned for MPG, not towing.

Originally Posted by creaturecat

I would go for the Duramax.
Buddy has one, it has performed flawlessly, for 6 years and counting.

Unfortunately the back seats are tiny compared to the other options.

Originally Posted by bleucamaro

Have towed enclosed car trailer (Jimglo w/ 3000lb car. Maybe 5500-6000lb total) with the ecoboost F150. In comparison to a 5.4L Expedition, its better. Power is decent, highway performance is decent. The trans doesn’t hunt. Gas mileage is decent. I like the built in brake controller. Its nice. I’ve never had the opportunity to tow anything with a ¾ ton, so can’t compare there.

What percentage of time will you be towing? Consider the time you aren’t towing, and the extra girth of the vehicle when maneuvering parking lots, and harsher ride.

Moving forward the truck will be almost entirely a tow vehicle, or used for hauling home improvement stuff.