Input, take 2, & leave the politics out!

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Okay Ron, you have made it clear how you feel along with most. I am in the minority, but my opinion is the new truck Bob is looking at will work fine.

DL, Bob was looking for an alternative to a diesel. I think is pretty clear that a 3/4 ton diesel makes a great tow rig, he was just asking about other options.

Ed, I don't know Ken very well, maybe you can ask X-TECH MAN (Terry bell) what he does. He seems to know it all.

LOL.....Ken....I dont do much these days. Its called being old and retired (retarded?) I read a lot and put my time at working and had my fill. Did you tell Bob you use a really nice large diesel pusher ( or was it gas?) class A motor home to pull your trailer? Wished I had one like it for my bucket list. Its all about opinions and preferance. I just gave my opinion and experience.

[Ken Miele]

Hey man, I did not mean to ask you about what you do, its none of my business. I was just making a joke about me. I meant you could tell Ed Wright what I do. Sorry about the misunderstand, at least he now knows I am not a comedian.

My mh is not a pusher, it is a diesel though on a FRED chassis. It pulls nicest and gets a little better mileage then my old gas mh. If I had to go back to a pick up truck, I would definitely consider the twin turbo v6. I have driven everything from a station wagon with a open trailer all the way up to a conversion. They all have there place, its what works best for your needs.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Hey man, I did not mean to ask you about what you do, its none of my business. I was just making a joke about me. I meant you could tell Ed Wright what I do. Sorry about the misunderstand, at least he now knows I am not a comedian.

My mh is not a pusher, it is a diesel though on a FRED chassis. It pulls nicest and gets a little better mileage then my old gas mh. If I had to go back to a pick up truck, I would definitely consider the twin turbo v6. I have driven everything from a station wagon with a open trailer all the way up to a conversion. They all have there place, its what works best for your needs.

Ken ole friend....I know that. I dont mind. Everyone who knows about me knows Im retarded.....I mean retired. I DO like your motor home. What kind of milage do you get? Im looking around for one myself but dont know if I want a gas model or the diesel pusher???? There are a lot of nice used ones out there for the price of a new truck you are talking about and having your "Home" with you in the pits is the way to go. Im just worried about the price of fuel going up again these days. See ya later this summer.

[Larry Hill]

Unk

I think you should test two important things on what ever truck you think you want.

1. How well the loaded rig stops without the trailer brakes working.

2. How well it handles on a windy day on a two lane road in a curve at speed.

[Ken Miele]

I get between 9 and 10, depending on where I go. Heading out to indy its about 9 because of the hills, heading down to Florida I get about 10. My gas mh was good for 7 to 8.

Its hard to say which way to go, the big diesel pushers usually require you go to a shop for maintenance. A gas mh is something anybody could do maintenance on. Many gas mh from 2005 and on come with 22.5 tires, better frames and engines, it might be something to look at. I was looking for a gas mh with 22.5 tires and a v10 ford chassis when I stumbled on the diesel FRED chassis. The price was right so I went for it, so far two years later and its been a good mh.

I guess the best advice would be what the best deal you can get, there are some great buys out there. The time is right if you can afford it.

[Jeff Teuton]

Unk, see what you started. I quit. This ain't worth the effort.

[Ed Wright]

My cheap-azzed 34' gasoline mh has a GM 8.1L engine and Work Horse chassis. 75 mph, no head winds (that kills me) and fairly flat it gets 8 to 9. Big winds and it drops to 6 or so. Long hills and head winds, diesels drive by me like I'm tied up. Leaving here for div races, always going south. Prevailing winds around here? South of course. (maybe i should run div 5?) Coming home or driving at night after the winds normally die down is easier. I have tweaked the computer (surprise) and it runs 80/85 MPH (no wind) with ease. My 24' ATC trailer is light.

[BobUnkefer]

Aw cmon Jeff, it's cold and rainy in Louisiana, what else you gotta do? Fix another apple martini and pull up the keyboard. I've never known you to throw in the towel so darn easy.

I must say it's been an interesting thread :-)

Why it even got ol' Gary Emmons to comment, and he's like a ghost on here most of the time.
I knew the "old guard" wouldn't think highly of the idea, heck I've got some serious reservations. At 9-10 mpg my diesel pulls it just fine.....
BUT,
If diesel skies to 5.00 gallon, probably won't be pulling too much, but then I (we all?) will own an albatross's that'll make lovely driveway ornaments.
Would the gas V6 Turbo'd F150 be a viable alternative? That was and still is my question.
Research shows that the 2011 F150 doesn't compare to a 1/2T from 2-3-5 years ago, hell I hated pulling my flatbed trailer with my 2000 1500 GMC, and it had the "tow"package with all the stuff needed to tow a trailer. Brake and sway control come from the FACTORY, computers, for the most part, monitor all the stuff we used to have to worry about when towing
Like Ken pointed out, frames are tougher, brakes are bigger (the brakes on the 2011 F150 are 1" in diameter smaller than whats on my F250 right now), ABS brakes stop way-mo betta than their predecessor. IS IT a truck that I want to tow from KC to Dallas with? I don't know. that's why I'm studying and asking questions.
Fords videos are impressive, but they are Fords. Like Jeff said, they do tow tests with weighted flat bed trailers..... most of the time. This time they actually pulled a 10,000lb BOX trailer up a 3 mile grade, with impressive results.
Ford's got limited production of EcoBoost trucks this year, and my nephew could literally walk one down the production line for me here in Kansas City.
If gas & diesel skyrocket it could be a move that saves some serious money in the long run. If it doesn't, it could still be a good move.
Unfortunately there aren't any around that I can "borrow" and hook the trailer to for a real world road test. Production begins this month.

It's an interesting conumdrum...... anyone else got their .02 to throw in? Besides, what else ya got to do right now...... too cold to be in the shop and 8" of fresh snow isn't helping matters here in KC either.

Unk

[Dgal]

Whatever you choose to tow with, you should seriously consider putting a MaxBrake controller in it. I think you will be surprised at how much smoother and more safely it will bring your trailer to a stop. Text your buddy (partner in crime) because he is going to buy another and you can save money buying two at a time.

[Dustin Ward]

Request an extended test drive, and ask if they care if you hook up to your trailer to see how it handles it. I've done it, sales manager was fine with it, I got an accurate feel for how traveling to and from races might be.

Its worth a shot.