Input, take 2, & leave the politics out!

[Ron E]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Looks like a lot of old thinking here. With all do respect to everyone who thinks the new 1/2 tons are incapable of handling a 10000 lbs trailer safely. You guys are looking at these vehicle from the old school view of 1/2 ton's. If your towing 15000 lbs plus, I can see going with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck, but for a 10000 lbs trailer, its not needed. Has anyone here driven a 2011 1/2 ton, Ford, GM, Dodge that's properly equipped, towing a trailer? They are all rated to tow 10000 lbs trailers.

The truck Bob is looking at has a tow rating of 11,300 lbs. Do you think Ford would overrate there towing capability, or GM and Dodge for that matter.

The chassis is thicker, the trans is better, the brakes are much better. The Ford engine makes peak torque at 2500 rpm. They come with sway control and a trailer brake controller. These trucks are made to tow. You guys need to open your mind to new technology, it blows the old stuff away.

Ken, it's not a case of being closed minded. Personally, for the price of these trucks, I would only buy something with a proven track record. Not just "will it do the job", but will it do it for years to come. Will it still be doing it a 300K? If somebody trades up every year or two, it's a different story.

[Ed Wright]

I can't see buying anything new. Makes no money sense. I'm not poor, but I never buy new vehicles. Unless you pay cash or make a big down payment your upside down in that sucker for a good while. Finding a nice one a couple years old makes a lot more money sense. Let somebody else take that first depreciation hit. Long term supercharged or turbo charged engine have more problems. The more you stress a smaller engine the more likely it is to have problems.

My experience with customers who bought 1/2 ton " towing package" vehicles for towing their travel/camper trailers has been they have not been that happy. They will tow the weight for which they are rated, but not as easily as people like.

[GARY EMMONS]

Bob,

(A) Win another national event
(B) Sell the race car
(C) Problem Solved

Yours Truly,
Gary

[Jeff Teuton]

Unk, you do know that in testing those new trucks for towing they all use a flat bed trailer and add flat pieces of measured weight on the test track. The wind seperates the men from the boys. Why do you think the big rig manufacturers go to such lengths to get the wind around the trucks. You need to drink a few Grey Gooses or try this Absolute Brooklyn Vodka with Red Apple and Ginger. That is what you need to get your wishful thinking over with. Let's see 213 inches with 420 lb/tqe @ 2500 rpm. The only way that can happen is the turbo spools violently. Probably works and gets the truck moving and probably mileages. That violent spooling @ 65 (if it will go that fast with your trailer and heavy *** car and bottles of Vodka) is making enough heat to cook a burger real well. What I have been telling customers succesfully for years that want to pull a camper occasionaly with a 1/2 ton truck. If they are mostly going within 100 or so miles and are willing to put up with weak performance because they just don't use it that often, then it is fine. I always caution them about the truck trying to shift out of overdrive too often, and push the tow button. You gotta help the motor out. Anyway I can't help you no more. Modern technology aint that modern. This crap been around for years. Gary has the real cure, but we are all too stupid to listen.

[Ed Wright]

What Jeff said!!

[X-TECH MAN]

I towed with a 1/2 ton gas 2005 5.3 Chevy with 3.73 gears. It felt maxed out to me with a 4700 lb package but was rated far more. Go with a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton truck. Better brakes and more stable on the road at speed. You wont be sorry if you travel a lot. .
My friend tows with a 3/4 ton (non dually) Dodge 4 door with a 5.7 Hemi gas (nice truck Jeff) and it does good with the same 4700 lb package of open trailer and 1965 Plymouth Satillite. The Dodge has 4.10 gears and an extra lower gear in the auto trans. He carries a ton of extra stuff in the bed when he goes racing. Gas millage was OK at around 13 and 14 on both trucks towing. I got 20 to 22 MPG with the Chevy not towing driving to work and my friend gets around 19 not towing. I wouldnt use a small engine truck with 2 turbos or blowers. Its just over worked.

[Ken Miele]

Wow, what a tough crowd. So all the literature is wrong on the 1/2 tons but its right when it comes to the 3/4 and 1 tons.

I think you need to take bais out of some or your opinions. No one here has ever towed with the new 2011 1/2 tons.

Jeff, with all do respect, new is better, not a little ......... a whole lot ! Just a 5 year old truck is obsolete compared to the new stuff. Would you rather tow with a 1990 1 ton or a 2011?

Bob, I know you posted this topic for expert advice, but in my opinion they are based on bias, not fact.

I think the new trucks are great and would definitely purchase one as a dual purpose vehicle.

[Ed Wright]

What kind of work do you do, Ken?

[Bobby Brannon]

I have a buddy who purchased a new F350 and he is not happy with 8.5 mph towing a 34ft toy box type travel trailer. I get with a couple of mph with my motor home.
Keep in mind that it is new truck with only a few miles. But it is a very nice truck.

Jeff you have way to much time in your hands to come up with the BS, but you are a "USED CAR" salesman.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by ed wright

what kind of work do you do, ken?

lol...................