BoomerD
Well-known member
I'm considering changing from the Class A motorhome to a truck and travel trailer. I have an 05 F-150 (2wd) that has the 4.2l V6...and a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. In the "old days," I'd probably have just put on a good class IV hitch, added the biggest transmission cooler I could get...and MAYBE put in a larger radiator (if I could get one) but as I've gotten older...I've gotten a teensy-bit smarter...(I hope)
It irritates me to possibly spend $20,000, $30,000...or more on a new truck that will only tow 2000 lbs more than the one I have. (I looked at a gorgeous F150 Platinum yesterday for $65,000...with a tow rating of 7,000 lbs.
sure, sure...I know...with the small engine, this thing ain't ever gonna tow a 40 footer up and down the mountains at 65...but...it SHOULD handle 7000-8000 lbs if properly equipped. (and of course..."properly equipped" might mean a larger engine, beefier transmission and suspension, and much larger cooling system...which is why I've been looking at newer trucks anyway.)
I DO NOT want to get into legal problems for exceeding the truck's GCWR or even the GVWR...
I'd LOVE to "upgrade" to a 3/4 ton truck...but the reality of it is that this would also become our daily driver...and fuel economy when not towing is also somewhat important. I don't want to go back to the days of 10-12 mpg whether towing or not...(like my old Dodge D350 SRW)
It irritates me to possibly spend $20,000, $30,000...or more on a new truck that will only tow 2000 lbs more than the one I have. (I looked at a gorgeous F150 Platinum yesterday for $65,000...with a tow rating of 7,000 lbs.
sure, sure...I know...with the small engine, this thing ain't ever gonna tow a 40 footer up and down the mountains at 65...but...it SHOULD handle 7000-8000 lbs if properly equipped. (and of course..."properly equipped" might mean a larger engine, beefier transmission and suspension, and much larger cooling system...which is why I've been looking at newer trucks anyway.)
I DO NOT want to get into legal problems for exceeding the truck's GCWR or even the GVWR...
I'd LOVE to "upgrade" to a 3/4 ton truck...but the reality of it is that this would also become our daily driver...and fuel economy when not towing is also somewhat important. I don't want to go back to the days of 10-12 mpg whether towing or not...(like my old Dodge D350 SRW)