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Old 04-27-2016, 01:28 PM   #1
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Tow Truck Question

Hello guys,

Im a new guy here so sorry for bringing this up. I have done a search but Im not finding the answer Im looking for.

We bought a 2016 COACHMEN CATALINA SBX 291 QBS this year. Its not the first but our biggest so far. I am pulling it with a 2007 F-150 5.4L 4x4 (the 4x4 saved me on a wet hill from dead stop two weeks ago). I know I'm asking a lot out of my truck but Im looking at upgrading. Question coming....

Ive only been camping once with it and it towed fine on that trip. I live in knoxville, TN for reference. I can tow 8,700 pounds and the TT weighs around 6,500 dry. My never exceed weight is 1,370.

So on to the question. As stated, in knoxvlle, I am going over some hill in any direction and want to make a good choice in my replacement truck.

I am not loaded with a pocket full of money (as it seems some of you are) so I am weighing several options.

One option is a new 2016 F-150 3.5L ecoboost. It can tow 12,200 pounds but it may break my bank. The wife says its doable though because its new. We dont like used.

Another option is a used F-250. EX: 2005 with 150k miles on it. It would do the job for sure but it is now in the nickel and dime zone.

My disclaimer is comparing a $50k (I need it to be $42K) truck to a $30k truck. I can't afford $50k either so still looking.

But my real question to you guys is, why would the F-150 not be ok? Do I really need the 250 or 350?

I know some of you guys will always say I need a 250 or 350 reguardless of the numbers. So, what am I missing here?

Thanks guys
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Old 04-27-2016, 01:38 PM   #2
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Hello guys,

Another option is a used F-250. EX: 2005 with 150k miles on it. It would do the job for sure but it is now in the nickel and dime zone.

Thanks guys

You will get a LOT of opinions here on TV's but I have the same truck as you quoted. Mine is a 2005 F250 SuperDuty with only 84k on it and it pulls my Stealth (fully loaded with toys, water, etc 13k) with ease. When the wife and I are doing full hook up camping with just bare necessities I sit around 9k and again, my truck does an amazing job.

You will get people telling you to avoid the 6.0 diesels like the plague. However, if you take care of them, keep up maintenance, etc they are a GREAT truck. Especially the later 05's and up.

The newer trucks are nice with all the bells and whistles but I LOVE my truck.
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Old 04-27-2016, 05:31 PM   #3
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Guy,

Thank you the reply. I am looking at all options so who knows how this will turn out.

Interesting video by the way.
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Old 04-27-2016, 05:50 PM   #4
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You should be able to easily find new F250 gasser with 4X4 in that price range. Also keep in mind the "All New" 2017 F250\F350 should be out by mid/late summer. So picking up a 2016 will have some better incentives at that point, if you wait that long. If pricing is a concern, shop the "big 3" make them earn a deal.
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Old 04-27-2016, 06:53 PM   #5
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Keep your current truck as you are happy with it now, you will avoid high mileage other people's problems, save a little more and be patient while comparing either still left over 2015's or even low mileage "certified" types like 4wd f250 or a surprise used low mileage that some one sells/ You have the advantage of not needing it today. Any respectable dealer will allow to to test drive to compare f150 vs f250. I prefer the 4wd 3/4 due to hilly, wet, muddy campsites as well. If you can't find one that fits your budget, you can wash your old one off and give it a wax with some upgrade to cool the need as you like your old ford still.
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Old 04-27-2016, 07:34 PM   #6
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Used

If you find a decent mechanic friend to tag along, or are inclined yourself, there are a lot of really great used gas n diesels out there. Bought a really nice ultra clean 2001 f250 7.3 diesel with 71,000 on it, like new! 13k! They are out there if you look and are patient. Newer trucks can be had with warranties as well.

Just had to add, as $ is an issue here, but the rv bug has bitten.....lol.
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Old 04-27-2016, 07:46 PM   #7
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Thanks for the reply guys. My truck is a king ranch and is fantastic shape. But it has 226k miles on it so I dont know if I want to push it too hard.

I have been looking at F-250's that are a few years old and there are some that are really good. But they have 50k miles, so I give up time but I can get close to what I have in a 250.

Anyway, Im still looking at all of my options out there.
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Old 04-28-2016, 07:49 AM   #8
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You will get a LOT of opinions here on TV's but I have the same truck as you quoted. Mine is a 2005 F250 SuperDuty with only 84k on it and it pulls my Stealth (fully loaded with toys, water, etc 13k) with ease. When the wife and I are doing full hook up camping with just bare necessities I sit around 9k and again, my truck does an amazing job.

You will get people telling you to avoid the 6.0 diesels like the plague. However, if you take care of them, keep up maintenance, etc they are a GREAT truck. Especially the later 05's and up.

The newer trucks are nice with all the bells and whistles but I LOVE my truck.
We bought our camper and towed it home with my Dodge 1500 and it was scary. WDH & Sway control helped but I could tell that if I kept it up, the truck was not going to last. I never had a diesel before but found a 2006 F350 6.0 with a bullet-proof kit (just over 100k miles for $20k). It is night and day difference. I work from home so I don't have to commute in it (otherwise I might have looked at a 250 shortbed) but it was MADE to tow and it does. We plan to do a cross-continent trip soon (NC to CA) and I have no worries because of the truck.

Do tons of research and drive as many as you can. I found a F350 with the new 6.2L gas and I really liked it but the price was more than the diesel and I thought in the long run the diesel would hold up better. But that gasser really ran smooth and have no doubt it would have pulled our TT just fine.
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Old 04-28-2016, 09:36 AM   #9
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Last summer I got a 2011 F250 with 6.7l diesel. It had just over 70,000 miles on it. Had it inspected by Ford dealer and it qualified for another 4 yrs of full Ford factory warranty.
With a purchase price of $35000 + $1,500 for 4 yr warranty, it wasn't at your target $30,000 price, but not that far off and it has the benefits (and detriments) of diesel power plant. Also, it is a King Ranch so I know that added to the cost vs a more basic model, but I had to get what I could find (these types of trucks can be hard to find around here).

As an aside, I LOVE towing with it. Compared to 2013 Ram 1500, well, there just isn't a comparison.
Hope that helps.
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Old 04-28-2016, 09:50 AM   #10
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You have the camper- why not take it to a scale and find out your weights? Then you'll know what you need the new truck to pull + carry.
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Old 04-28-2016, 11:49 AM   #11
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You guys have made some really good points. Im leaning more to the F-250's for the points that were made. Im also only looking at the diesel market again for the points that were made. Im just trying to make a smart choice here.

Im also looking into the future as after retirement, the wife likes the thought of a fifth wheel. So maybe, maybe not. But it would be nice to have that as a choice.

But Ill keep looking and let you guys know how it goes.
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Old 04-28-2016, 11:54 AM   #12
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Another part of the question...
In my looking, I find a few trucks that have really low miles on them that are 10+ years old. Is there anything I need to avoid? It could just be an old man (ha, Im pretty much one of them to) that just didn't drive it much. Or could there be a real reason to not consider something like that.

it may not matter as Ive only seen one or two like that.
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Old 04-28-2016, 12:17 PM   #13
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look at the Ram 2500's, you can get a 2500 gasser for around 37k and a diesel for 42k
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Old 04-28-2016, 07:48 PM   #14
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Toyota Tundra SR5 double cab with towing package has a 10,000lb tow rating and costs about $40k. I have one and my TT weighs in at 7300lbs dry. Works like a champ.


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Old 04-28-2016, 08:27 PM   #15
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If you are willing to leave Ford, you can easily get a 2500 or 3500 in that price range. I got a 2014 duramax diesel 3500 new in April 2014 for $42k... It isn't loaded it is LT package so it is middle of the road but it is 4x4 long bed crew cab. At that time keeping could have had a similar ram with Cummins in short bed 4x4 crew cab for $36k or a similarly equipped Ford f350 PSD for $53k. Point is the deals are there but you have to shop.

I would go 3/4 ton. If you are planning on a lot of mounts in towing, the diesel is an excellent but not necessary choice. Of the big 3 if I were to go gasser then I would get a ram 2500 or 3500 with a hemi in it.

To give you an idea here is a hemi 2500
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Old 04-29-2016, 07:24 AM   #16
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I have looked around on the internet and local dealerships but I am not sure what it is I want to do. Im still stuck in the 80's I guess. I am having a lot of trouble getting past the sticker shock.

Now with that said. I found a 2016 f250 4x4 crew cab for 42k. Not bad, but I want my cake and eat it to. So I am spoiled by my leather seats I have now. So build my own f250, Im up to 62k. Way way way more than I want to spend.
But to get what I want, I have to get one with 150K miles on it and Im still paying too much.

I may have to give in and pay the high dollars but I dont see how so many people can pay that. Remember Im still living in the 80's. lol

Or consider something of than ford, like Ford though) but even then, what is the price with leather seats?

My belief is: buy the best truck made in the newest year you can afford. That just has too many miles on it.

So I may take a break for a while on this. Later this summer Ill try again if I dont lose my mind before.
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Old 04-29-2016, 09:12 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyguy40 View Post
Hello guys,

Im a new guy here so sorry for bringing this up. I have done a search but Im not finding the answer Im looking for.

We bought a 2016 COACHMEN CATALINA SBX 291 QBS this year. Its not the first but our biggest so far. I am pulling it with a 2007 F-150 5.4L 4x4 (the 4x4 saved me on a wet hill from dead stop two weeks ago). I know I'm asking a lot out of my truck but Im looking at upgrading. Question coming....

Ive only been camping once with it and it towed fine on that trip. I live in knoxville, TN for reference. I can tow 8,700 pounds and the TT weighs around 6,500 dry.
Adding the typical 1,000lbs over dry estimate, and you are 1,000-1,200 under your max tow capacity.
Quote:
My never exceed weight is 1,370.

So on to the question. As stated, in knoxvlle, I am going over some hill in any direction and want to make a good choice in my replacement truck.

I am not loaded with a pocket full of money (as it seems some of you are) so I am weighing several options.

One option is a new 2016 F-150 3.5L ecoboost. It can tow 12,200 pounds but it may break my bank. The wife says its doable though because its new. We dont like used.

Another option is a used F-250. EX: 2005 with 150k miles on it. It would do the job for sure but it is now in the nickel and dime zone.

My disclaimer is comparing a $50k (I need it to be $42K) truck to a $30k truck. I can't afford $50k either so still looking.

But my real question to you guys is, why would the F-150 not be ok? Do I really need the 250 or 350?

I know some of you guys will always say I need a 250 or 350 reguardless of the numbers. So, what am I missing here?

Thanks guys
Looking at your initial post, and especially what I have highlighted....
Tell me again why you want to sell a tow vehicle that is working just fine for you?
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Old 04-29-2016, 09:30 AM   #18
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Adding the typical 1,000lbs over dry estimate, and you are 1,000-1,200 under your max tow capacity.

Looking at your initial post, and especially what I have highlighted....
Tell me again why you want to sell a tow vehicle that is working just fine for you?
Well.....maybe a good question.

What I lack maybe is confidence. I tow my bass boat to nearby states and won't think twice about that, but it doesn't weigh that much; Ranger 82R with 175 Mercury. So maybe 2,000 pounds.

My concern I guess is the 226,000 miles I have on it. So if going knoxville to myrtle beach, how will it do climbing over the mountains ( I know they are ills compared to out west)? Do I have enough power to not be at 45mph trying and praying I can make it to the top of the hill? Will the transmission hold up(fluid was just changed this year and has a cooler) ?

I just dont want to be broke down as a result of asking too much from an old truck.

Keep the feedback coming.

So am I worrying about nothing? What do you guys think?
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Old 04-30-2016, 07:01 AM   #19
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Are you worrying about nothing? No. Your truck is fully capable of pulling your camper, but it does have high miles and towing puts a big strain on a truck. I personally wouldn't want to chance it for a long time. I know money's an issue. It was for me also. That's why I bought used.
My suggestion is simply think it through. You don't need more capability than you currently have, just a lot newer and a lot less miles. This also assumes you don't plan on upsizing your camper in the near future.
Any of the big 3 will do the job for you. I prefer Ram for its more comfortable ride and the power of the hemi, but it's a personal preference.
Gas or diesel. ...1500 or 2500....pretty much any combination , properly equipped, will work.
Have fun shopping.
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Old 04-30-2016, 07:20 AM   #20
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If you are looking for the same level of comfort that you experience when pulling your boat, you won't get that with a 1/2 ton truck and your camper.
Also, if you do end up sticking with a 1/2 ton, the coil rear springs on the late model Rams are VERY soft. Great ride, but challenging when towing. Just my 2 cents.
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