Truck impressions please

[POINTER94]

I am looking at replacing my tow vehicle and have identified two trucks that I really like. I have always been impressed with the 5.4l ford engine but the stats on the 5.3l chevy have equally impressive stats. The chevy is a far better looking truck IMO, but the ford product has always served me well. Both are extended cabs and both have 43000 miles on them. The ford is a 2002 and the Chevy a 2000. The chevy could be about 3500 bucks cheaper due to a financing program at 1.9% and a slightly lower sale price. Both are 4x4.<br /><br />I am towing a 25ft cabin cruiser with a weight of about 6200lbs. My main concern is towing capability. I would appreciate your feelings on these respective trucks so as to make a decision that will provide me with the best possible rig.<br /><br />Thanks in advance guys!<br /><br />Pointer.....

 

[QC]

Re: Truck impressions please

How far are you going to be towing? Are they 1500/150 or 2500/250? I have run both engines; a 2000 Suburban and a 2003 Expedition. The engines are very comparable. I know these aren't the same trucks as you are looking at, but the engine/tranny combo and many other components are the same or very close. My gut impression has been that the fit and finish quality of the Chevy was better. The Expy rattles a lot. I like the transmission better on the Ford. Shifts very smoothly, stays in lock-up longer and doesn't hunt as much. Both trannys are very managebale if you play with the OD or Tow button on the end of the shifter.<br /><br />I bet your weight is higher than you think and with that said, I would suggest only the 250 or 2500 versions for you. My .02 . . .

 

[JB]

Re: Truck impressions please

To tow over 6,000lb I wouldn't consider anything but a Diesel, and a modern, common rail turboDiesel at that.<br /><br />The Cummins is a great engine, but I don't think the Dodge measures up to the Ford or Chevy trucks and neither Toyota nor Nissan offers a Diesel (yet).<br /><br />Being a Ford man (who happens to drive Mercedes MLs) I would look for a good late model F250 turboDiesel for that task.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Truck impressions please

More specifically, Ford f150 extended cab, fx2 package, and the chevy is a 1500 extended cab and both trucks have a matching cap. The other option is to look for a 3/4 ton. <br /><br />JB I would totally agree with the diesel recommondation and I would be looking at one except for the fact that I would be only putting about 3-5000 miles a year on it. I don't want to put too much $$ into a vehicle that will simply depreciate in the driveway. The stats on the 1/2 ton gas trucks rates them at almost 8000lbs towing capasity. I would like to have a 20% safety margin against maximum. I have weighed the boat and trailer fully loaded (gas, water, food, ice and beverages were on board at the time, real world load and then some) at the local truck scale and it came in at 5980lbs. I added a couple of hundred for misc weight involved with trips.<br /><br />I have to assume the brakes and the hitch and frame are rated to handle the weight. But if the feedback here indicates that the rating is a "SALES" rating and not a real world rating - off we go to the 3/4ton and then probably a diesel. But my travel is less than 200 miles one way and usually less than 45 miles one way on secondary roads.(80%), I don't want to over buy. I am looking to purchase a vehicle that will be safe, yet flexible for the occasional trip to the home depot, dump, etc. The key is safe and that goes for my friends on the road as well as myself. The bronco just isn't even close to safe and it takes alot of concentration and scheduling to avoid trafic to make it possible. My dads 89 suburban keeps the rig rock solid behind her regardless of conditions. Trailer is a tandem axle vangard with excellent surge brakes. The boat has a 8ft beam and looks more like a scarab than a sea ray, low sail area and sits low on the trailer, fits under an 8'6" garage door. (cruisers rogue)<br /><br />Ford diesel is my preference but the dodge seems to be cheaper in the used market. I guess it is a matter of what is available in the next month or so.<br /><br />Thanks for the info so far.

 

[swnoel]

Re: Truck impressions please

It seems like either vehicle will do the job of towing, but I would concentrate on the trailer this boat is on.<br /><br />An undersized trailer is the most dangerous problem I've had.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Truck impressions please

You definitely do not need a diesel. Either of the trucks you mentioned (provided they have suitable axle ratios) will tote that load just fine. If you were putting many more miles on than you indicate, maybe a diesel would be of benefit.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Truck impressions please

My F-150 would do that boat easily. Its a Supercrew with the 5.4. I think you will be happy with either vehicle IMHO. My boat weighs 2400 all up weight and you can't feel it much at all.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Truck impressions please

I'm closer to JB's thought process here....If I were going to tow 6,200 lbs 5,000 miles per year, I'd go bigger myself. Maybe not a diesel (though that would be ideal), but at least a bigger V8 than you're considering. The smaller ones will tow the load, but not without straining pretty hard. Not to mention the bigger motors have better suspensions and transmissions to take the load. And if you have any hills where your'e towing...then definitely you'll want more torque.

 

[KM2]

Re: Truck impressions please

The Ford's FX suspension is pretty stiff. Good when loaded down. Your well within the limits of both of those trucks. Ford PSD would be great but I don't think you need one to be safe or get the job done. Make sure the truck has the lower gearing. 3.73 ratio I think.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Truck impressions please

My boat weighs in at 5700# and I don't have any problems pulling it with a 2000 5.3L Tahoe with a 3:73 rear and autoride. Just drop it into tow haul mode and forget about it. It's 60 miles each way to my usual spot and I regularly make the 300 mile round trip to the beach for the weekend. Mileage varies butI typically get 17-18 mpg on the highway and right around 12 mpg when towing.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Truck impressions please

Thanks all for your insights. I'll let you know what I decide, when I pick er up. Leaning towards the ford with the fx Heavy Half type package."

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Truck impressions please

Update,<br /><br />Purchased a 2004 ford expedition with 20K and a 5.4l engine. Lost my mind but got a really good deal. It is rated at about 8600lbs trailer capasity. That should get me over the top. Thanks all for your interest and advise.