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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton

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Willy

07-18-2003 03:51:43

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I am looking at new trucks and was wondering how many are towing with 1/2 ton trucks? And how you get along? I have a 3/4 ton 1990 chevy now but around here 3/4 tons seem to be kinda rare and don't stay on the lots long enough to go look at them.

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jd5

07-20-2003 17:40:15

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

i would stick with a 3/4 ton i have seen to many 1/2 tons blow tranies tring to do what a 3/4 - 1 ton was made for. 3/4 have bigger axles and better tanies to handel the extra load

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lgf

07-19-2003 12:00:08

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I pull with a Dodge 1500 V-8 ,magnum. Tranny has 3 coolers and I use a reese hitch. Haul a 14000 # rated dual axle made by Load Trail. Truck has 84K and the engine is still holding together. A 3/4 ton with a larger motor would work better in the hills and mountains.

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tortmort

07-19-2003 08:42:32

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I bought 76 GMC K25 (3/4 ton) 4 X 4 for $ 2,900.00 with 4 speed granny low manual transmission. Just ordered new 383 stroker for it. New engine cost $ 5,000.00. With AFR heads it will smoke.Rebuild transfer case and trans $ 600.00. Some additional costs and I will have $ 10,000.00 in truck with bullet proof gear drive transfer case and transmission. But powerwise, it will blow the doors off any new truck. Should dyno at well over 400 horsepower and be near 500 foot pounds. With low low granny first it will tow and then some. Yes you can "fix up" your diesel truck to reach these same power levels but it will cost big time. Run the numbers and any fuel savings will take years to pay back for the extra thousands of dollars you must spend for the diesel unless you drive a whole lot. I look forward to blowing the doors off the $ 40,000.00 diesel trucks. See ya!

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Shane

07-19-2003 10:14:23

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Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to tortmort, 07-19-2003 08:42:32

I would guess with an engine like that you will really make those arabs happy, sounds like you are one power hungry fella, I like that. However, a diesel can easily put out 400 horse by turning up the pump, a minimal cost around here. And with the power juiced up you will still get close to 15 mpg loaded or empty. No way can a gasser puttin out that kind of power get that kinda mileage. Oh, been a long time since I have seen a 383, the last one I saw was in a 99 one ton 4wd Chevy. Had the emblem on the hood scoop to prove it was a 383 and it just flat out moved.

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Charlie V aka F20II

07-18-2003 23:18:15

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

Why pay big price for a new truck, you can find a good truck straight truck or even a Semi tractor an buy a flat bed in good condition for what you will pay for a new 3/4 ton or 1 ton dually I bought a 1980 KW for 3k an found lots of trailers under 8k so let see, 11k vice 18/20 for 3/4 ton or 40k for 1 ton. Of course you have to have the room to park a bigger truck an trailer an know how to drive it as well. For the small jobs I have a 1 ton dually with 8k trailer that works just fine. A lot of place's wont even put a bigger hitch on a 1/2 ton pickup, they will say it's unsafe. I have read alots of these posts an what they say about pulling with a 1/2 ton pickup, think about it, say an Farmall H an a 7k trailer behind a 1/2 pickup weighting in at abou 6500pds going down the road at 55mph. The load an trailer weight more than the truck, add some rain or even wind, not safe. All it takes is one time an you may pay for the rest of your life. My advice look at 3/4 ton an up to be safe not sorry :o)

1980 KW

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stan

07-19-2003 01:03:33

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Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Charlie V aka F20II , 07-18-2003 23:18:15

Do you need a special license to operate a truck with air brakes in your state? Here in Calif you do

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Charlie V aka F20II

07-19-2003 10:10:06

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Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to stan, 07-19-2003 01:03:33

You must have a combination CDL (Tractor/Trailer)lic, have insurance ( that a given with any vehicle )an only haul you own equipment period. You can not haul anything that you are going to put up for sale or haul anyone else equipment or haul for hire, if you do then you need DOT permits for each state that you haul an an ICC permit number an cargo insurance (not cheap). There has been in the past a number of post reguarding this subject of permits an hauling equipment with larger vehicles. It boils down to this, if you put up for sale on bolt or nut that you take to a show then you are commerical an need all the permits. SOme states even you as far as to say if you win at a tractor pull an get money for it you then are commerical, I beleive thats a little much. One last thing you don't have to but putting not for hire on the side of the truck is not a must but is a very very good idea, also some state do not require you cross weight stations if you are not for hire (my advice) cross them, make less of a hassle when they come after you for going by. If you follopw the guide lines of the commercial guys, keep a log book, cross weight station, have good insurance an get a safety inspection every so often you should not have a prob lem so it is said. This only my 3 cents, you nay get alot of comments after I post this, there always is, BTW I driver a commercial truck long haul 48 states to make a living, my KW is only a toy to haul my tractors around :o)

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Shane

07-19-2003 10:08:00

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Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to stan, 07-19-2003 01:03:33

I can tell ya here in IN you can drive any tractor trailer, straight truck, or anything else without a CDL as long as it is farm plated and does not cross state lines. I have been driving a tandem axle straight truck since I was 16 and been pulled over by DOT several times and never asked for a CDL, just asked to prove all the lights worked and my fuel was green.

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TAB

07-18-2003 21:42:34

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

Get you something you can haul with..... skip the 1/2 and 3/4 and go straight to the one ton! Get you a big honkin' F350 w/the Powerstroke diesel and skip the little girlie trucks! Aaarrrrgh, aaaarrrrrgh, aaaarrrrgh!!!

:-)

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Gene Davis

07-18-2003 20:19:26

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I started out with a 1/2 ton and no brakes on the trailer, had the misfortune of trying to stop and make a turn at a stop sign, and the weight of the load and slightly damp pavement pushed me right through the right turn intersection, fortunately no one else was coming, and the only injury was that the stop sign post on the other road tore all the emblems off the left front fender as I cleaned out the ditch,thought for a minute it was going to roll over,but finally came to a rest jacknifed in the ditch! The out come of this episode was that I began to look for a trailer with brakes and a 3/4 ton to pull it with. I have been much better satisfied with the heavy suspension and extra margin of safety afforded with a larger truck. 1/2 ton was a 92- 350 non vortec yielding 15 mpg, and 3/4 ton is a 97 vortec 350 and it yields 12-14 mpg,but I am willing to give up that little bit for the safety factor, speaking from my own hair raising experience. The old adage of "been there, done that" Gene Davis

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07-18-2003 20:00:02

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

Got a Dodge 1/2 ton that does anything that I want to do. I don't have a gooseneck trailer so right now I don't need the 3/4 ton. I have hauled many bed loads of maze for barn yard feed with out a problem. And with 2wheel drive I can go anywhere on my place (steep hills, ravines, and creeks).

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John A

07-18-2003 19:53:39

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

Willy, I have a 97 F-150 4x4 4.6 v8 auto/w 3.55s . Has 200,000 + mi on her for light to med loads any half ton set up right will do!!!
BUT on large or very heavy loads 3/4 or 1ts are the best way to go. Short of a 2 or 2.5 ton truck.
Here in central Texas it is a toss up between the Ford P.S. and the Dodge Cummins they are EVERYWHERE . In my circle of friends there isn't a Duramax to be had. They won't hold up!! Still too many problems with engine and trans.If you are looking for a used Stroke or Cummins take a road trip to Texas. Yes they are nowwhere a plentiful as used chevys but a little computer time and phone work you can be in one in a week. I have seen loads in excess of 20,000 lbs on Fords and Dodges. Pull into your local Rodeo,see what the Boys are pulling thoes big goosenecks with, it will be dominated by the big Dsls. Passed preformanc still dictates your next truck purchase though. My nest Ford will make #6 in a row. It will be a tonner 4x4 dsl.
Hope this helps.
John A.

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kyhayman

07-18-2003 17:48:34

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I used a 1/2 ton Ford with a 300 I-6 and 4 speed. It did ok and when it was all I had an eery $.01 counted it got the job done. At 68,000 the engine was toast. Put a 302 in it and got another 100,000 out of it. I was pulling big loads, 15,000# on a regular basis. Bought a new (91) Dakota and a 75' Ford 1 ton flatbed with a 390 (for goosenecks). I put a 190,000 on the Dakota with no problems, pulling up to 10,000 (fertilizer buggies). Great truck but light for the load. As soon as I could afford it (saved my money for 10 years) I got a 3/4 Dodge with a cummins. Handles a 15,000# load on a gooseneck great. Get up in the 20's and it gets hard to handle. Going to get a straight truck with a 30,000 gvwr for the big loads. I've got a B CDL and DOT is getting tough out of state so I need to get away from truck/trailer combos.

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Dave Olson

07-18-2003 16:38:28

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

Hello Willy,

Here is a picture of my trailer and truck. Since I don't have a pick-up I use a 6500 Series GMC that I own and use in my business.

I could put 3 of my tractors on and be well within spec's of the trailer and truck.

Figure out what you are going to haul and then get a truck that will do the job safely for you.

Dave Olson

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Shane

07-18-2003 15:06:06

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I have a 95 ext cab Chevy 1/2 ton 4wd with the 350 and auto tranny, also has a set of headers and dual exhaust to help with mileage and heat build up. I can put our skidsteer on the trailer and pull just fine. Has enough power and with the trailer brakes stops just fine. The skidsteer weighs in at just over 6000 lbs. Of course a 3/4 ton would be more stable but I don't pull that much. Have been looking for a Diesel but talk about hard to come by!

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jal-SD

07-18-2003 12:18:30

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I've never owned a 3/4 T, I used to tow w/81 Chev 4X4 w/4 speed-305. It had a 2:73 gear ratio, so you found 3rd a lot on the hills. Now I have a 94 Ford w/auto-302, less power than the Chev, tows OK, but the 4 speed worked better for towing. Pull an 18' bumper hitch FB trailer w/brakes. My SC Case is the max load I will tow with Henry the Ford. We've loaded 2 tractors on FB (SC & DC Cases) & pulled it w/BIL's 3/4T Dodge w/Cummings-5 speed-now there is a puller! (My $0.02 worth. jal-SD)

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07-18-2003 12:03:04

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

If you are going to be pulling with it, settle for nothing less a 3/4 ton, and make sure it has the floating axles. There were a few years there that GM put out 3/4 tons with the regular axle, and with that the axle it self is carrying, and pulling the load. I pull with a F-250 4X4, 460 engine, 5 speed transmission, and 4/10 rearend. Very good pulling rig, but if you want gas mileage, it ain't there!

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ShepFL

07-18-2003 09:08:38

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

Last 1/2 ton I owned was '65 Chevy 3 on the tree and I was a teen. Since then I have always owned 3/4 ton rigs. I like the extra safety margin it affords me.

My current rig is a 1990 Chevy 1 ton, single axle 4x4, 454 cu. in., auto trans. with towing pkg. This truck is a BRUTE and I will keep it until the wheels fall off. One day would like to put a Dsl in it and swap for standard tranny. For now it will stay a gasser with auto trans.

My only complaint is the weak paint job as the clear coat peeled and rig now needs a paint job.

My trailer has axle brakes.

PS - shirt in pic is lil' Calvin doing his thing on a Ford emblem! None the less all rigs are good, some are just better than others :)

Grins from FL!!

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07-18-2003 12:08:08

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Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to ShepFL, 07-18-2003 09:08:38

Shep,
I had a Chevy K3500 4x4 with the 7.4 Vortec, auto, single rear wheel and it was miserable. it couldn't handle a 32 foot trailer with a good sized tractor very well. It was basically embarrasing to me. I have since went to a 3500 Dodge dually with the Cummins, auto trans, there is no comparison. I know you have big tractors and I believe if you ever tried one, you'd be hooked. Man it handles so much better and you have so much more stability when loaded. I bet even if you tried a dual 350 Ford with the PS, you'd be hunting a razor blade to scrape those "kid whizzing" stickers off that chevy and be looking for a sale sign to replace it. I know I ain't going back. Besides, Dodge won Sunday, right? Keith
Texas

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ShepFL

07-18-2003 12:42:49

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Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to KX, 07-18-2003 12:08:08

Hey Keith!
You got me mixed up with ShepVA! He is the BIG Ollie guy. I am still saving money for a big Ollie to haul to VA for a Cummins repower. As to ShepVA not sure what his tractor hauler is.

I have looked hard at those Dodges and have to agree they are one mean truck. I am concerned about the tranny though as "word on the street" is they give out after 50k miles. Sorry to hear of your bad luck with the Chevy. I have had some poor Chevy's in the past (78 Scottsdale 3/4 2WD) that really sucked.

On trucks I generally keep them till the wheels fall off and then go and buy another "newer" used one. I bought this 1990 rig late 1991 just as the 1992 models were coming out. I must have been lucky as this rig is good and solid.

I hear ya on the sticker and yes Ryan N. and that Dodge did take the flag!

Regards,
small ollie driver aka ShepFL

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Shane

07-18-2003 15:00:00

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to ShepFL, 07-18-2003 12:42:49

I know of half a dozen people with the Dodge autos the replaced the tranny at least once if not several times and all started at about 60000. ps, Newman is from my area. Went to High School at a rival school of each other.

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BLT

07-18-2003 07:36:51

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I pull a goosneck with a gross weight of 12,000 lb with a GMC 1500 HD that has the 6.0 engine and love it. The only thing I would consider doing different is to get the Duramax, but I can not justify the extra $$$.

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Farmall300u

07-18-2003 06:44:46

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I went from 1/2 ton to Ford F250SD Diesel to pull my IH 300, 300U and 450. I also pull a 8 1/2 X 20 US Cargo 7700 lb trailer. On flat roads, the 1/2 ton did ok, but on the hills and curves, nothing but the 3/4 ton with lots of tongue weight. That way, you can't have the trailer push you down hills on curves.

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Neil Powell

07-18-2003 06:43:56

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

For a little extra money you get so much more truck with a 3/4.

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larry

07-18-2003 06:35:34

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I pull with a 78 f150 4x4 with a warmed up 460. It pulls just find plus my trailer has one brake axle, that is a must.

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Terry Nelson

07-18-2003 06:22:05

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I've towed horse trailers (4 horse) and a 30 foot Airstream with both half-ton and three quarter-ton trucks. I wouldn't consider towing either with a half-ton again. Period.

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Ludwig

07-18-2003 06:19:49

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I think alot depends on what tractor you have and how far you haul it how often too.
I hauled my Farmall Regular 300 miles with my '96 Dodge Dakota. No issues on the whole trip, just kept the speed down and spent alot of time getting the brake controller adjusted right so I was comfortable with it. The nice thing about that drive was the 300 miles up to get really used to having the trailer behind me.

If I were hauling anything bigger than my Regular I'd for sure want a bigger truck, anything smaller and my Dakota could walk away with it.

Its of course critical to make sure you have good brakes on the trailer, plus keep an eye on the tires and general trailer condition. Also make sure the truck is in real good shape, and keep the speed down.
Going up to a 3/4 ton will let you get away with more, the Dakota has a narrow margin of safety so you have to be much more careful. I'd still be pretty careful no matter what though. Theres always going to be some guy who wants to see how good your brakes are...

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Bill V

07-18-2003 03:59:58

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Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Willy, 07-18-2003 03:51:43

I have towed with both and have always felt better when using a 3/4. The added suspension and and braking abilities are a big plus. 3/4 ton trucks are kind of hard to find, a lot of people are getting them for family use. Chevy also has a new HD 1/2 out that is supposed to be pretty good but I have not seen one up close yet. One warning if you are considering a Ford be careful of the new Powerstroke, thay are having a lot of problems with them.

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Shane

07-18-2003 06:09:35

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Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Bill V, 07-18-2003 03:59:58

Also be aware of the 5.4L Ford engines, they had a recall on the engines. Something about not getting enough oil to some part of the engine... bad news. As I am a Chevy man myself I have also heard that the new Duramax has problems if you don't let it idle and cool itself (like most folks don't do, us tractor guys know that you have to let a hard worked engine cool) it can crack the heads, I think they are aluminum heads on a cast block... different cooling rates, get my point.

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dhermesc

07-18-2003 06:53:06

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Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to Shane, 07-18-2003 06:09:35

I have owned Fords my entire life and I agree with the stay away from the 5.4 in a 3/4 ton. I have not heard about the oil problem but I do know they have been having a lot of problems with blown head gaskets. That and it just isn't enough engine for a Super Duty.

Ford didn't gain anything when they dropped their push rod engines (302, 351, 400, 460) for the new Triton V8s (4.6, 5.4 & v10). For a completely reengineered product they gained no real increases in HP or gas mileage.

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RossMN

07-19-2003 09:57:51

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to dhermesc, 07-18-2003 06:53:06

the 5.4 is a good motor they are very popular in my area and alot of people have had good results with them. My boss has a 2001 Super Crew and it has 90,000 mi on it and it always has a 14' cargo trailer behind it full of tools and all he has done is change the oil in the motor and tranny.

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Glenn-WV

07-18-2003 10:26:09

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 ton in reply to dhermesc, 07-18-2003 06:53:06

One reason for the changeover to the new engines was to meet future EPA emissions rules. The old engines just couldn't do it, and the tooling was also getting old.

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T_Bone

07-19-2003 10:34:12

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Do you tow with a 1/2 or 3/4 t in reply to Glenn-WV, 07-18-2003 10:26:09

Hi willy,

Well I have to agree as I'm not a mfg test pig for no mfg. If the drivetrain hasn't been time proved for 4 yrs, I don't buy.

With that in mind I bought a new 2002 F350, 7.3 PSD, 4wd, DRW, CC, 6spd, lwb, in Sept 2001 and been very pleased with the truck. I consistantly get 19.2mpg pulling empty or 28kGCW (short haul loads) and it just don't run out of power. Towing only is 15.5mpg with a 16kGCW load.

From a regular cab F250 to the above spec'd truck was 7% cost difference. When your spending $31k another $3k is not that much.

The CC and DRW option is well worth the cost!

T_Bone

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