What to get?

[ShutterBugBev]

As posted in my Welcome Mat comment, my Toyota Sequoia is rated at 6k pounds to tow. My trailer weighs in at 7360. I've got to get a new tow vehicle if I can't sell my Forest River or trade it on a smaller trailer. And I really don't want a smaller trailer. So I'm looking at Ford F150's 2011 or newer, or Ford F250's. Don't really want a diesel. I know the gas mileage is better but I hate the noise.

I'd appreciate suggestions as to what would be the best tow vehicle to get.

Thank you very much.

ShutterBugBev

[OldCoot]

Have you tried towing with what you have?

[Ford Idaho]

Noisy?
A new diesel is just about as quiet as a gasser IMO.

I would not let a few dB's sway me.

If you decide to step up to a fifth wheel the 250 would be good but a 350 is better and for the price difference worth it.

[ShutterBugBev]

Yes Old Coot. I towed from Santa Fe to Las Vegas, NM, from Las Vegas, NM to Coyote Creek State Park, back to Las Vegas and then back to ABQ. It doesn't overheat, but the trailer kind of pushes the SUV around. When I'm hooked up even with weight stabilization bars, the back of my SUV sinks way down making the steering unstable. Very little power going up hills. If I get over 50, even with the sway bar, it fish tales. I just do not feel safe AT ALL. And I'm always afraid my transmission is going to blow.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by ShutterBugBev

Yes Old Coot. I towed from Santa Fe to Las Vegas, NM, from Las Vegas, NM to Coyote Creek State Park, back to Las Vegas and then back to ABQ. It doesn't overheat, but the trailer kind of pushes the SUV around. When I'm hooked up even with weight stabilization bars, the back of my SUV sinks way down making the steering unstable. Very little power going up hills. If I get over 50, even with the sway bar, it fish tales. I just do not feel safe AT ALL. And I'm always afraid my transmission is going to blow.

Definitely time to upgrade.

[tmhyer]

F150 ecoboost

[Jjsav]

Do you like your Toyota Sequoia? If so go with a Tundra with a 5.7.....

[HONDAMAN174]

I think a proper question is to ask yourself if you plan on keeping your current TT for a while or changing out for a larger/smaller unit in the next few years. We already agree that your current TT is too much for your sequioa. But try to look ahead a few years to keep from having this dilemma again. If you plan on going bigger, then a 3/4 ton pickup (diesel) would be a good choice. If you are going to keep current trailer or go smaller, then a 1/2 pickup could fill the bill.

Our Tundra did fantastic this weekend pulling our 31' @ 7700lbs to Big Bear lake. Only hiccup was that I took the short way and had 16% grade while turning corners which even in 1st gear struggled.

[RSchleder]

Trading Toyota for a Toyota will probably get you the best deal price wise!

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by ShutterBugBev

As posted in my Welcome Mat comment, my Toyota Sequoia is rated at 6k pounds to tow. My trailer weighs in at 7360. I've got to get a new tow vehicle if I can't sell my Forest River or trade it on a smaller trailer. And I really don't want a smaller trailer. So I'm looking at Ford F150's 2011 or newer, or Ford F250's. Don't really want a diesel. I know the gas mileage is better but I hate the noise.

I'd appreciate suggestions as to what would be the best tow vehicle to get.

Thank you very much.

ShutterBugBev

Get a F150 with the max Trailer Towing Package, Ecoboost and if you can find it without ordering from the factory (as we did) the 3.73 axel. (this is VERY hard to find used or new it is a factory order...sorry )

We can tow 11,800 with this setup and you should have no problem with your "dinkey" rig

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by ShutterBugBev

Yes Old Coot. I towed from Santa Fe to Las Vegas, NM, from Las Vegas, NM to Coyote Creek State Park, back to Las Vegas and then back to ABQ. It doesn't overheat, but the trailer kind of pushes the SUV around. When I'm hooked up even with weight stabilization bars, the back of my SUV sinks way down making the steering unstable. Very little power going up hills. If I get over 50, even with the sway bar, it fish tales. I just do not feel safe AT ALL. And I'm always afraid my transmission is going to blow.

Hear ya. Former NM resident for 10+ years - 8 with a RV. High country towing + mountains sux Just get a F150 (see my other post)

[Terier]

Originally Posted by Jjsav

Do you like your Toyota Sequoia? If so go with a Tundra with a 5.7.....

A thumbs up from me on this too. I tow with a Tundra and love it. But then I'm a Toyota gal. I have a lite weight TT so having the smaller 4.6 V8 engine works fine for me. As much as I wanted to stay with a SUV there wasn't a good combo within my budget.



PS
I just realize that you are asking about possible Ford TVs. I'm sure you will get plenty of good feedback to consider.

[John4th]

My Tundra tows our 5500# trailer like it's not even back there. I have the 5.7 with an SAE tow rating of 9700#.
Typical Toyota. Does what I ask, day in and out, with no fuss. Traded a Dodge for it.

[John4th]

And realize this, (if you don't already know), the Ford and Toyota tow ratings are NOT derived from the same tests. One of the reasons I chose the Tundra over the F150. There were other reasons as well, I can PM them to you if you want.

[ShutterBugBev]

I was looking hard at the Tundra. Then the dealer showed me another truck - one I had previously owned, just a newer model I took into consideration the fact that yes, I may want to get a 5th wheel or a 5th wheel toy hauler at some point. I know my luxury bus days are over but I'd love more space and owning a trike is a dream of mine. I also like to create and a toy hauler gives you space for that. Then I thought about my life and the type of traveling I do. Long, hard and lots of pulls. I also like going way out and camping in the wilds to get great photographs of wild horses and other elusive creatures. I WANT 4WD just for that purpose. I also kayak and have other hobbies that require a lot of gear. SO, with all that in mind, right now a 2008 Ford F350 king cab, Super Duty Power Stroke V8, long bed, with a camper shell is on the table. 84k miles, perfect condition. I think that will do the job. Now - is there such a thing as having too much truck for the trailer??

[markb5900]

NO such thing as having too much truck.
If you can get a factory integrated brake controller, DO IT. You will never be so happy!

[MC9]

Good choice on the 2008. I have the 08 Ford with the V-10 gas. The 08 grill lifts up with the hood and gives great access. Love the Taos, Vegas, Cimmaron, Raton area.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by ShutterBugBev

I was looking hard at the Tundra. Then the dealer showed me another truck - one I had previously owned, just a newer model I took into consideration the fact that yes, I may want to get a 5th wheel or a 5th wheel toy hauler at some point. I know my luxury bus days are over but I'd love more space and owning a trike is a dream of mine. I also like to create and a toy hauler gives you space for that. Then I thought about my life and the type of traveling I do. Long, hard and lots of pulls. I also like going way out and camping in the wilds to get great photographs of wild horses and other elusive creatures. I WANT 4WD just for that purpose. I also kayak and have other hobbies that require a lot of gear. SO, with all that in mind, right now a 2008 Ford F350 king cab, Super Duty Power Stroke V8, long bed, with a camper shell is on the table. 84k miles, perfect condition. I think that will do the job. Now - is there such a thing as having too much truck for the trailer??

Look not at the trailer you have now, but at the one you may have down the road.

Upgrade now and forget it or upgrade a little bit at a time, several times perhaps.

[John4th]

I know well never get much bigger of a trailer than what we have. Partly due to storage (outdoor storage in my city is hard fought for if I need a bigger spot), and partly due to having to give up many of our favorite sites. 26' for the four of us works perfect. Plus a larger trailer requires a larger truck. I'm extremely satisfied with my combination, and having this truck as my daily driver.

Second, I don't want the extra maintenance costs and shop time of a diesel truck. And I have NO desire to do vehicle maintenance myself. Aside from the fact I hate working on cars, my free time is at a premium. My vehicles have to have low costs of ownership and as little shop time as possible. And I just don't like diesel trucks. Noisy (don't try and tell me they're as quiet as a gasser, they aren't!), and they smell. Even a new one parked still emits an odor. Sorry to the diesel crew, but thats how I am. My father in law drops 4 figures everytime he takes his '06 Sierra 2500 in for maintenance.

To the OP, if you want a large trailer, you will need to go diesel. Just do your research on the truck, from specs to price to maintenance. What is it worth to YOU and you only.

[rockfordroo]

I know well never get much bigger of a trailer than what we have.

"Never say never." RVer's and boater's all suffer from the same disease: "Two-foot-itis!"