Getting a "new" TV tomorrow

[archham]

Looks like I am getting a new TV tomorrow - 2009 F150 SuperCrew with the 6.5' bed; 4x4 XLT with tow package - 3.31 gears I believe. It has 28k miles and is Certified by Ford so I have a warranty to 100k and another 5 years. Tow capacity is 8,600#, should do very well vs. my 3,500# SV210! Part of the longer range plan to get a bigger camper someday. Sure hate to see my Ridgeline go , but it had all it wanted with the SV210 fully loaded.

[chevy02]

You will be a lot happier with a bigger truck. Congrats, lets see some pics of it when you get it

[dirtengineer]

Hope you get a good deal. I am thinking of a similar TV, so make sure you let us know if you like it.

[MtnGuy]

archam, double check that the truck has the factory heavy duty towing package, including an axillary transmission cooler and 7 pin wiring harness. I don't think Ford put that package on the 3.31 final drive ratios.

[archham]

It has the trans cooler and the 7 pin. I don't know that it is the HD towing package, maybe there are 2 towing packages. I know with the 3.73 it goes up to 11k towing I think, but according to the F150 forum info, it will tow 8100 which is plenty for me...

[MtnGuy]

Check out the axle code on the drivers side door jamb. You can then check with a Ford dealer to see what ratio is on your truck.

I found this on the net, but it doesn't include the 3.31 ratio.

F-150:

19 – 3.55 Non-LS
18 – 3.08 Non-LS
H9 – 3.55 LS
B6 – 3.73 LS

[bikendan]

congrats on the new TV. you'll be much happier with the v-8.

that's why we didn't buy the Ridgeline when we were shopping. the DW loved the Ridgeline but when she also decided she loved the Roo 23SS, i told her to forget the Ridgeline.
found that the newer Avalanches get nearly the same mpg as the Ridgeline and had more than a ton more towing capacity and way more interior room.
now, after many trips, she's very glad we got the Avy.

[acadianbob]

Yeah, if you've ever seen a Ridgeline with any kind of load in the back, the rear tires look like this from behind because of the independent rear axle and relatively light load rating.

/------\

I don't believe they are rated for a WD hitch; probably because their isn't any frame. I'm not flaming anyone's Honda. They are nice and have their place but not necessarily good for heavy use.

If I remember correctly, Honda is planning to withdraw the Ridgeline from the marketplace in another 12 months or so due to low demand.

So, enjoy your new truck!!

[archham]

I sure miss my Ridgeline for most everyday driving, but I hooked up the F150 to the TT today, got the Equalizer set just right and hit the road for a while - back roads, hills, interstate.

WOW

This thing will certainly jerk my camper down the road

Of course it is less than 1/2 the 150's tow capacity but still it would chug up the hills with barely a dowshift.

I am really trying to be easy on the gas pedal and praying it will do as good as the RL did on gas, which really was not all that great (17MPG or so).

Just got to get used to parking that long bed...docking it is more accurate.

[acadianbob]

I hear you man. We just retired and it didn't make sense for the 2 of us to have 3 vehicles. The F150 wasn't going anywhere so my VW Jetta was sold. Man do I miss it. The F150 is a bit of a pig for everyday driving in the city. I bet the Ridgeline was MUCH better at that. Fuel consumption isn't bad on the road but the city is awful. It takes a lot of fuel to get 5,500 pounds moving from every stoplight. And the handling is, shall we say, truck-ish. I guess that's why there are so many different types of vehicles. There is no one right answer. We all have to pick the vehicle that is most appropriate for its primary intended use. And that is different for all of us.