Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

Anybody try towing with a half ton PU ? My trailer weighs 10,400 #, but I will not be towing in Mountains, only flat lands , and only about 5 or 6 times a summer ! I have driven a 12 150 ford, w/ the eco-boost V-6 w/auto and 4 wheel drive, and I seemed to work great ! Just looking for opinions, and this would be my daily driver in the winter ! Give me your thoughts please ! I'm thinking about durability ? It will also have the full trailer tow package ......Thanks,,,, John !

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

What kind of 1/2 ton truck?

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

I like my 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Big Horn with the factory towing package and Hemi engine. It is rated to 11K.

I also purchase the factory extended lifetime warranty with the truck just in case...

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

I use a 2000 F550 conversion (had it to tow my 48' LQ trailer)to tow my 24' featherlite. I was going to sell it and get a smaller pickup to save money on mileage. Looked at what I could get for it as compared to the price of a smaller truck. Decided to keep it. I have since replaced the transmission (went for the money $5000). Now I'll keep the truck till it stops running (should get at least another 200,000 miles towing).
I only get 10 mpg towing and won't go much over 65 mph due to the 4.88 gears. But when I go to stop it stops, when a tractor trailer or bus blows by me on a highway I don't know they are there till I see them. I don't have any sway bars or an equalizer hitch.
It's 10 mpg but the peace of mind is priceless

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

Does that mean your'e back racing again?????

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

I have a 1/2 ton extended cab Chevrolet truck that I pull a open trailer that weights 2500 lbs empty, put the car,pit scooter and load the box on the frt of the trailer and the weight is up around 5900 lbs. The truck is way under powered because it is a 4.3 v6. I had a 5.3 v8 truck before the v6 but the fuel mileage was bad. The v6 will get 13 mpg and the v8 was only about 9 mpg at 60-65 mph. I would not recommend a v6 for pulling, BTW tried to pull a 20 ft enclosed trailer with the v6 and in about 50 miles the transmission failed.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

Does your trailer actually weigh 10,400 lbs or that's what it's rated at with 2 5,200 lb axles?

I always try to put a a package together that is rated a good bit over the overall weight I will actually be towing at. It gives me peace-of-mind to have an extra measure of "insurance" in case of an emergency. Personally I have an '04 dodge diesel dually with a 28' Pace. Combined weight is about 20,600lbs almost evenly split. Trailer is rated for 12k. One year here on the way to a south Florida race, I got brake fade on a flat, 55mph highway when I had to stop for redlights about 4-5 times in a row going through some small, back-to-back towns & intersections. It surprised me that last time, but I stopped in time and was more cautious afterwards.

Personally, I think a 1/2 ton truck would be "borderline" with a bare-bones enclosed trailer. It's not just how well it pulls, but how well it maneuvers and stops also. Brakes and tires on the truck can take as much or more abuse than trailer counterparts. Even when I towed a heavy open trailer with a 1/2 ton, I used the highest rated tires I could. But I just tend to be over-cautious.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

Barnstorm, Yes I'm going to try to do some racing, on a limited basis, just to check myself out, as far as capabilities ! I just turned 74, and the desire is out of control ! I've got to get back out there , I want to play along with you guys ! I also talked to Lynn yesterday, about Brainerd, i was with you guys, even though i was'nt there ! You can't believe how much I miss Racing !........I'll talk to you guys soon !..........John

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

Myron, the truck inquestion is a 2012 Ford 150, with the Eco-Boost V6, thats rated at 365 HP., and 430# tourque, with the HD trailering pkg, 4 wheel drive, 4 Door Cab , with all of the trailering equipment needed ! My trailer is a Pace-American Big Foot, 28' long, it scales out at 6400# without the car ! It has 2 6K Axels, etc ! Also includes, winch , air comp, and tools and cabinets ! The car weighs 3400#!......Thanks for your input !........John.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

John

2012 F150 Crew Cab with 3.5L Eco Boost and MAX trailer tow package is
rated to tow up to 11,300 lb trailer if short wheel base . 11,200 lbs if long wheel
base.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

There is a good reason why you see so many crew cab duallys at the races. It is not just about the towing capacity of the truck but also because of the tire side walls. With two E rated tires on the back of a dually the side walls don't flex as much and keep both the truck and trailer from swaying down the road especially in a strong crosswind and when big trucks pass. Also a small pickup has even smaller and lighter tires making the problem worse. Its not just about the truck being able to pull the load but also about being safe and comfortable driving down the road. I have had two duallys and would not tow a 10,000 lb+ trailer with anything smaller.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

I tow a 24' Pace Rallye GS enclosed trailer with a 2012 F150 Ecoboost. Truck does the job very well with no issues. I have the 4 door crew cab truck with the 6.5' box. I ordered mine with the extra heavy duty 8200 pound package as well as the max trailer tow package. The 8200 pound package truck comes with seven lug wheels, LT truck tires, 9.75 rear end and a bunch of other stuff that makes it a failry stiff ride. I have towed roughly 1300 miles this year with it and am very happy. No issues with cross winds or panic stops. I have a 3500 pound stocker, spare trans, tools, barbeque, etcs in the trailer. I have never weighed the trailer, but estimate it to be 9000 pounds or so when loaded.

I had three GM 1/2 ton trucks before this one and found them marginal for towing the enclosed trailer. Braking and strongs winds were an issue, I never really felt comfortable at the wheel unless it was not windy. The new Ford I have I set the cruise at 70 mph and leave it. My race car is a Pontiac so I am not a biased Ford fan. The truck just works, I was rather impressed. My tow to the tracks I race at vary from 2 to 4 hour trips one way, with some pretty steep grades.

Hope this helps. Gas mileage when not towing is nice as well with the boosted V6.

Scott

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

What does that eco boost get for mileage in the real world not the rated mileage? Towing, city, highway. Doug

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

My truck is a Canadian model, not sure it makes any difference. Mileage is not what Ford claims. Mine has 3.73 rear gears and I get around 22 miles to the american gallon on the highway, 18 around town, and only 11 when towing. I suppose with a regular cab and 3.31 gears you would more on a flat stretch if you drove slow. I know with mine the more it revs the more gas it burns. On the highway I usually set the cruise control at 75 mph empty and 70 mph while towing.

The mileage is a little better than the 2009 5.3L GMC with the V8/V4 mode. I also had a 2006 GMC before the 2009. The Ford revs a lot less when towing than the GMC as well which is nice when on a long trip. The GMC would go up to around 4000 rpm on the hills while the Ford is around 2600. It works/feels like a diesel when your towing with it. It dowshifts a little on the hills then the turbos kick in and away it goes.

The best part is the engine breaking sytem it has. It is somehow linked with the trailer brake controller when in the tow/haul mode, it automatically downshifts to help slow you down.

Scott

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

I have an 05 F350 regular cab single rear wheel 4X4. Had to take some stuff in for recycling and had the truck weighed. Hehe 7580#. With the E rated tires there ain't much on the highway that moves it around, by it self or towing. Those big brakes stops anything just when you need to.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

I tow my 24 foot enclosed with a 2001 F150 Super Crew with a 5.4 and added 4.11's. It pulls fine, the problem is stopping. I do not take a whole lot to the track because of this. There is more I would like to take, but scared too. One thing for sure you are going to need is a load load leveling hitch and/or air bags. All I needed was the hitch. Here is a picture of my truck and trailer ready to go to the races. Those mirror extensions come in handy also.

http://www.f150online.com/forums/mem...ck-trailer.jpg

I am still pulling with it, but am looking for a larger pickup. It has done a fine job for 4 years. Just drive way ahead. I have only once ended up in the middle of an intersection.

Oh yea. I get 9 to 10 miles a gallon driving from the Fort Smith, AR area to Tulsa. Sometimes a little better. I keep it to 60 mph. If I drive 70 it drinks much more gas.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

One more thing. My trailer and car plus equipment weighs about 10,500. (Generator, charger, compressor, tools, chairs, etc.)

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

My 2004 F350 4dr/4x4/long bed diesel weights in a bit more, but loaded
with family still under 8,000 lbs. Gets 18 mpg on hwy empty, with car on
open trailer gets 14/15 mpg and with a 28 ft enclosed trailer mpg drops
down to 10-11 mpg.

But it tows straight, stops when it is supposed to and that is all I can ask for.

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

And as stated in your other post the brakes are an ever present danger...I've towed MANY thousands of miles over the years, often with a 15,000 pound trailer but thankfully with a dually cummings and it essentially made it a pleasant drive even over the Rockies. My 10,000 loaded Pace trailer is absolutely sweet behind the cummings. Seen some pretty scary stuff on Cabbage Hill going down into Pendleton, OR and Donner Pass into Reno, I won't bore anyone but I've seen the value of having "more" truck than you need umpteen times. Don't wait too long to make the switch, you may live to regret it.

(old farts are allowed to preach, right?)

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

Thanks to all, any more added stories are welcome ! My current tow trk is a 3500 Dodge w/cummings, w/328,500 mi and it still runs great , it just is starting to rust, and rattle, and ride like crap as it's a 96 model, w/5speed, and mostly starting to look like crap ! I don't want anymore Diesels, it was great when I was in business, now I'm retired, and also an old FART ! I,m now between a 013 Dodge 1500 w/5.7 Hemi ,and a 013 Ford with /ecoBoost ! As I said earlier, I'm only going to race mabe 5 or 6 times, the rest of the time, (Winter) my daily driver !,,,,,,Thanks again......John

Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton?
 

I tow my 24 Enclosed trailer with a 2012 Dodge 2 Dr Express and make lots of trips with it. I have been very satisfied and use it a lot. The only unusual thing is I had my boy build it with Triple 5200 Axles. Probably overkill but I REALLY like how it tows compared to tandem and initial price was only about $400. more than tandem I had last year (About $7,500 out west and probably cheaper most places back east). We get a LOT of wind out here and I can sure tell the difference ( I always get an extra foot height which does not help )!

No Air Bags or Equalizer Hitch seem to be needed....About 8500LB. Loaded.


BTW: Old Guys Rule!!!!