Tow Vehicle Recommedations

[RPittenger]

Hello Group,
My wife and I have recently upgraded travel trailers. The 'new' one is a Rockwood Signature Ultra-Lite Model 8313SS. It is 33 ft. long, and has a dry weight of 7100# as determined at a CAT scale on the way home with it in tow. I believe that our loaded weight will not be more than 8000#. As it turns out this trailer is a real load for our 2000 Ford Expedition having a 5.4 L gas engine and 3.55 axle ratio. Thus we are researching a more suitable vehicle to tow this coach as well as serve as our second family vehicle. I need some recommendations to help assure a much better towing experience.

Here's my criteria: It must be a Ford product, probably one from the late 1990's to about 2010 in order to stay within our budget. I'm leaning toward a Supercab version as I don't think a crew cab will fit in my two-car garage. I would like from the group any recommendations as to engine size (gas only), transmission, axle ratio, etc. that I should look for. The new TV will probably be the 5.8 L gas engine, if the truck is from the mid 1990's, or the 5.4 L gas engine if newer. Any cautions about reliability of any of these features would also be very welcome. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see any real advantage to four wheel drive as we don't plan to use this rig off paved surfaces and only in the warmer months of the year. From the published tow ratings I've seen, a properly equipped F150 can do the job, and even some F250's aren't rated high enough.

Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations.

Good day,
Richard Pittenger
Troy, Ohio

[thebrakeman]

Yeah, they give the Expy a 8700-9200lbs rating with the HD towing package, regardless of what axle ratio you get. Does not make sense.

Given your requirements, this is a difficult task:
-Fitting in the garage, pretty much eliminates a Crew Cab pickup or Excursion.
-However, IMO, you will not be happy with growing kids in a SuperCab.
-Therefore, a pickup really will not work for you.
Needing to be a Ford product, that leaves only the Expedition/Navigator 5.4L V8.

As far as getting the right drivetrain:
a. 3.73 axle ratio. You won't see an improvement on paper, but you will obviously feel it.
b. Get a 2007 or newer, which will include the 6-speed auto (versus the old 5-speed). 1st gear is super-low, which has the effect of an additional bump in axle ratio. This is exactly why my Mounty gets 7000 lbs rating with only the 4.6 V8 and 3.55 axles. They didn't even offer the V8 with 3.73 axles.
c. Skipping the EL version gets it into your garage (?), and gives you 9000-9200 lbs rating.
d. Sticking to the 4x2 will give you the full 9200lbs (4x4 is 9000).

9200 - 8000 means you have 1200 lbs capacity for people and cargo in the tow vehicle. You could also look at things from the 15,000 lbs GCVWR, subtract the 8000 lbs loaded trailer, and you have 7000 lbs capacity for the loaded tow vehicle.

I would not take this combination into any serious hills, but you'll do OK.

[Loraura]

33 foot 8K wet and loaded?

You're looking at ~960 lb tongue weight.

You don't mention how many pounds of people will also be in the vehicle.

with 960lb tongue, 100lb hitch, 300lb adults and ??? pounds kids/dogs/stuff you are going to run out of payload fast on a 1/2 ton.

In addition to that, a 3/4 ton or greater will have much better control of a 33 foot wind sail.

[thebrakeman]

Yes. I should add that I would not recommend the Expedition, even thought you can probably barely keep it within specs. I only went thru what I did, because you ruled out everything else.

Plan on keeping the tow vehicle out of the garage, and the plan should definitely be an F250 SuperCrew (or F350 if you want to protect for a future 5th wheel).

[RugbyRef]

^^^^Ditto^^^^...on what the guys above said. Are you sure you wouldn't consider a diesel F-250 or F-350?

[BamaBob]

X2 don't make the mistake a lot of us made - just figure that your "final" RV is going to be a 18K 5er and get the 350 dually now and avoid truck buyers regret

[SuicideSaints]

I wont comment on what you "should get" but there are many other factors than just "tow rating" You need to consider handling, safety, comfortable tow experience and payload capacity.

You are looking at 1000# TW at least once loaded. For instance the expedition has a 1500# payload capacity, the TW alone eats 2/3rds of that before you even add anything else to it the vehicle.

You just have to look at all the factors not just "ma tow rating". It helps to go look at the vehicle you want and look at the door jam load sticker and it will tell you in black and white.

[uhduh camping]

Just a quick add, longer wheelbase trucks do better at controlling longer TT. i.e. 4 door 8' box.

[ENE]

uhduh camping, you mention a longer wheel base truck does better towing a TT.
I have to buy a truck in a couple weeks becoming I'm buying anew trailer next week also.
My new trailer's GVW will be around 10,400# so you are saying I should get a long beed over the short bed version for a safer tow?
I just bought a SUV a few months ago anticipation of getting a TT. It turns out the TT grew from a 15 footer to a 30 footer. I had to sell the SUV because it could not handle the weight.
So I don't want to b=make the same mistake twice. I want to get the right truck. I don't think I will ever go bigger because of my budget. So long bed is better than short bed?

[deebarjay]

mid 90's ford gasser...you'll be lucky to find one not beat up...20yrs reconditioned motor....besides the aged look,well warn seats...rust if it comes out of snow country...and.. not much payload.
if I were you,i'd look at a 7.3 diesel.. not the IDI .. 99- 03. I've had ford diesels since 1987...and a big bonus right now is price of diesel...here in south west up to 50c cheaper than 87 reg... I believe its going to stay that way.
anyway good luck with your choice...older decent shape trucks are hard to find.. and be sure to lift floor covering...lots of trucks been buried in water.

[SuicideSaints]

Originally Posted by earlbalentine

uhduh camping, you mention a longer wheel base truck does better towing a TT.
I have to buy a truck in a couple weeks becoming I'm buying anew trailer next week also.
My new trailer's GVW will be around 10,400# so you are saying I should get a long beed over the short bed version for a safer tow?
I just bought a SUV a few months ago anticipation of getting a TT. It turns out the TT grew from a 15 footer to a 30 footer. I had to sell the SUV because it could not handle the weight.
So I don't want to b=make the same mistake twice. I want to get the right truck. I don't think I will ever go bigger because of my budget. So long bed is better than short bed?

Just my opinion here..... You dont "need" a long bed. Yes a long bed will be overall "better" due to a wheelbase. I have a 30ft EVO (7700#) and a short bed 2500 and it is more than adequate. Even people with 5th wheels have shortbeds......

[ENE]

I'll probably stick with the short bed so it fits in the garage. A long bed might fit in my garage now but if decide to move I might be stuck with a standard size garage then I would have to leave the truck outside.

[RPittenger]

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm considering a 2010 4X4 SuperCab F150 with the 5.4 L engine, 3.73 axle ratio and tow package with built-in brake controller. This truck, as I understand is rated to tow 11,300#. I believe that it is the short bed version, but I haven't actually seen it yet.

As we don't plan to travel more than 150 miles or so from home, in relatively flat country (western Ohio) at speeds of no more than 55 mph, I believe that this would be a significant improvement over the Expedition. Am I correct? I should also mention that I have an Equalizer brand hitch to use with this set-up.

Should I have any other concerns about reliability of this truck or any other issues that I should consider? As I can't afford to make a mistake in this purchase, I value any and all comments.

Thanks,
R. Pittenger
Troy, OH

[KenHwy61]

I would not tow 11,300 pounds with that truck no matter what Ford says. Even the 8 thousand# 33ft trailer you have is a big load. Tow ratings go right out the window when you're white-knuckling down the highway. If it were me I would would get the F250. You probably can get it in nearly same configuration as the F150 you are considering.

[Happy Vibe]

For the 11300 lbs you need the max trailer tow package not just the regular tow package.

[updhaul]

Test drive a used crew cab f250 with v10 and see if it fits in garage, build a bigger garage, No really, don't disregard 4wd if found they are especially nice in hills and winter and muddy campgrounds when weather changes. Watch the campgrounds when you are there, all the heavy ones have diesels but yours can be pulled by right gas rig. I test drove an 05 f150 lariat extended cab that seemed nice enough for family before going to other side for GMC 2500hd gas.

[SuicideSaints]

Originally Posted by RPittenger

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm considering a 2010 4X4 SuperCab F150 with the 5.4 L engine, 3.73 axle ratio and tow package with built-in brake controller. This truck, as I understand is rated to tow 11,300#. I believe that it is the short bed version, but I haven't actually seen it yet.

As we don't plan to travel more than 150 miles or so from home, in relatively flat country (western Ohio) at speeds of no more than 55 mph, I believe that this would be a significant improvement over the Expedition. Am I correct? I should also mention that I have an Equalizer brand hitch to use with this set-up.

Should I have any other concerns about reliability of this truck or any other issues that I should consider? As I can't afford to make a mistake in this purchase, I value any and all comments.

Thanks,
R. Pittenger
Troy, OH

As stated previously you need to look at more than just what the truck can "pull". Look inside the drivers door jam for the payload capacity. With that weight of a trailer plus a WDH your looking at 1050 pounds at least and 1300 pounds depending on loading. I think the payload is right at 1400-1500 according to the towing guide online. So already you will be within a couple hundred pounds before you put any people, gear, toys, and bikes in the truck.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by RPittenger

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm considering a 2010 4X4 SuperCab F150 with the 5.4 L engine, 3.73 axle ratio and tow package with built-in brake controller. This truck, as I understand is rated to tow 11,300#. I believe that it is the short bed version, but I haven't actually seen it yet.

As we don't plan to travel more than 150 miles or so from home, in relatively flat country (western Ohio) at speeds of no more than 55 mph, I believe that this would be a significant improvement over the Expedition. Am I correct? I should also mention that I have an Equalizer brand hitch to use with this set-up.

Should I have any other concerns about reliability of this truck or any other issues that I should consider? As I can't afford to make a mistake in this purchase, I value any and all comments.

Thanks,
R. Pittenger
Troy, OH

Hello Richard,

I had this truck you are looking at first to tow with. The 5.4 screams to make torque. I did have EcoBoost Screw with 3.73 much better suited for towing. I see Bama mentioned for big or go home. To certain extent I agree. I did have the 5.4 as a truck only prior to buying a TT. I upgraded truck then bought a fifth wheel. I was offered top dollar on trade on my 2013 King Ranch F150 and took it for a discounted F 250.

You have valid budget reasons for the selection, but I would look at a 2012 Ecoboost as well. It tows much better.

Also 2009. 10. had issues eating control arm joints, make sure your mechanic looks at this, the emergency brake seizes as well in the rear drum

[Alberta8311ss]

A lot of good recommendations above. I recommend looking up owners manuals of the trucks on line. Ford has pdf copies on line you can check out and look up towing specs / weight ratings. The f250/350 models should all work. I would recommend the six speed, the 3valve motors in either the 5.4 or 6.8 are a plus too. We have a '12 expedition el and we are maxed out. Family is growing and we will be looking for a v10 or 6.2 gas f250/350 next year.


2014 Rockwood 8311SS