minivan, SUV or 1/2 ton for TV

[ResQfrog]

Myredracer
Which V-6 do you have? Must not be the 3.5 EcoBoost. Our trailer is in the 6000 lb range and had no problem going up hills and up shifting doing it. These are same hills they have posted for no trucks allowed on the down hill side. Mileage is in the 10-11 range with out head winds and 8.5-10 with headwinds.
The work Chevy with the 6.0 and a 3500 lb trailer averages 6-8 MPG. The work F150 with 5.4 with the same 3500 lb trailer just averaged 8-11 MPG from Buffalo, NY to Denver, CO and back.

[whj77372]

And a combined of 23,500 lbs for the 2011. The truck with pin weight of 2,500 lbs
fully loaded will be just about 10,000 lbs. 23,500 minus 10,000, You can pull a fer
that is about 13,500 lbs, more or less. That is at 100%

[Terier]

I like SUVs but not the price tag for what is needed for towing. But not for the fact I had a trailer I would had even consider buying a truck.

Now that I had my truck for a year I do like it a lot. I just wasn't a truck gal to start with especially with having space issues. It will be interesting to see what another year of owning the truck will bring.

[myredracer]

rgmiller,

We have a 4.2L V6, non-boosted engine. It's a 2000 and old technology I suppose. The engine sure was working hard in headwinds and even on the smallest of inclines.

I *could* live with the power being somewhat on the low side but I have to wonder how long the engine would last under that kind of strain. Biggest problem I still have is with the truck/trailer not being stable from wind buffeting.

A few days ago I noticed that I cannot shut the A/C off, no matter what setting the dash knob is at. I am wondering if it was like that when we were on our long trip.... I have never used the A/C in the past because it uses too much fuel. That would partly explain the poor mileage. Back to a Ford dealer for more work - again.....

[rce]

Originally Posted by Terier

I like SUVs but not the price tag for what is needed for towing. But not for the fact I had a trailer I would had even consider buying a truck.

Now that I had my truck for a year I do like it a lot. I just wasn't a truck gal to start with especially with having space issues. It will be interesting to see what another year of owning the truck will bring.

Same for me, never a truck guy in my life. 4 cylinder SUV was all I ever wanted!

I am truly enjoying the truck, even though I have hardly towed the trailer with it yet. Trucks have greatly improved over the last few decades! Feel a little guilty taking up 4 parking spots when I go to the mall though

[rce]

Originally Posted by myredracer

rgmiller,

We have a 4.2L V6, non-boosted engine. It's a 2000 and old technology I suppose. The engine sure was working hard in headwinds and even on the smallest of inclines.

I *could* live with the power being somewhat on the low side but I have to wonder how long the engine would last under that kind of strain. Biggest problem I still have is with the truck/trailer not being stable from wind buffeting.

A few days ago I noticed that I cannot shut the A/C off, no matter what setting the dash knob is at. I am wondering if it was like that when we were on our long trip.... I have never used the A/C in the past because it uses too much fuel. That would partly explain the poor mileage. Back to a Ford dealer for more work - again.....

Come to the prairies where it is flat (mostly)! If I wasn't planning on some trips to the west and east coasts through the mountains I might have settled for a less powerful truck.

[handbuilder]

Previously from Southern California, we always had a truck and a car....but since relocating to Eastern Washington - we now have 4 trucks, an SUV, the sport car and a few classic cars....BUT nothing will take the place of my beloved Titan - I love my truck! I live up a curvy winding pine tree lined river road that leads up a steep hill (15% grade) that in the wintertime, they close when the snow falls fast & heavy and if the sander & plow cant get to it fast enough...they will open it only to 4WD vehicles, until they can clear the snow and make it safe for other vehicles. Winter often finds this hill with vehicles strewn on both sides from sliding or occasionally flipped over from the dummies who drive too fast on the icey roads. A truck with proper weight in the bed feels alot more secure than a weeny little economy car...and 4wd is also a nice thing to have when the road condition warrants it...Even in the summer with dry roads, One would need a truck with good pulling capability to bring their boat, RV or trailer into my town or be prepared to go 10-15 miles up the hill sweating it out while chanting "I can do it, I can do it, I can, I can". Been there done that with the SUV....LOL

[rce]

Originally Posted by handbuilder

Previously from Southern California, we always had a truck and a car....but since relocating to Eastern Washington - we now have 4 trucks, an SUV, the sport car and a few classic cars....BUT nothing will take the place of my beloved Titan - I love my truck! I live up a curvy winding pine tree lined river road that leads up a steep hill (15% grade) that in the wintertime, they close when the snow falls fast & heavy and if the sander & plow cant get to it fast enough...they will open it only to 4WD vehicles, until they can clear the snow and make it safe for other vehicles. Winter often finds this hill with vehicles strewn on both sides from sliding or occasionally flipped over from the dummies who drive too fast on the icey roads. A truck with proper weight in the bed feels alot more secure than a weeny little economy car...and 4wd is also a nice thing to have when the road condition warrants it...Even in the summer with dry roads, One would need a truck with good pulling capability to bring their boat, RV or trailer into my town or be prepared to go 10-15 miles up the hill sweating it out while chanting "I can do it, I can do it, I can, I can". Been there done that with the SUV....LOL

Looking forward to having our F150 4X4 for winter driving. No big hills here like you have but blizzards, icy roads and heavy snowfalls will be easier to take with our truck instead of our subcompact. Only advantage to it was if you got stuck a couple of strong guys can just pick it up and put it back on the road