Noz Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 I pull a 5300 pound 28 ft trailer to a few shoots a year. Will a 1/2 ton 5.7 Hemi do what I need?
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Probably not. Have you ever weighed the trailer when it is loaded ready to go on a trip? Bet it weighs more that you think. I tow a trailer similar to yours in length, but it weighs about 7500#, loaded ready to go. I tow with a 2012 F350 6.7 Powerstroke.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 I wouldn't use that little of a truck. 3/4HD w/4WD will handle it with ease and not stress the truck. Make sure you get tow package option. That weight you post-Is the max trailer weight after you put ALL the ammo and stuff in it. OLG
Dantankerous Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 That Hemi will pull it, BUT will the truck safely stop it in hill country or mountains? Manual tranny or auto with a tranny cooler? Going is generally easy. Stopping another story. A fully loaded trailer like that will also start to wear the 1/2 ton truck's suspension as well. I'd go with a 3/4 ton to be safe. Bigger brakes, bigger transmission, bigger engine... oh yeah. Bigger gas bill but bigger smile.
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 And in this part of the world you'll get more trade-in for a 3/4 ton should you ever do that.
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 The answer is probably yes. If you get a Ram 1500 with the towing package (transmission cooler etc.) and you have electric brakes on the trailer, you should be fine. I would also recommend a good quality weight distribution hitch. Blue Ox, Equal-i-zer or Anderson hitch. Will a 3/4 ton truck pull it better? Absolutely but a modern 1/2 ton truck has a lot of capability. I pull a 27' camper with a properly equipped F-150 and it pulls like a dream. Of course, the gas mileage sucks. Modern 1/2 trucks are rated 8,000 - 11,000 towing capacity. You are well within that range but check your weight numbers on the truck you are considering to be sure.
Assassin Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 If you stay on flat roads and low country the 1/2 ton should handle your camper. An engine will lose 3% of it's power for every 1000 feet of elevation, I'm at 6500 feet. Therefore, I'm already down 19.5%, not counting any wind drag. Trucks are tested for towing on dyno's in a controlled environment, I doubt they consider wind, elevation, or grade when testing. I'd think actual trailer capacity would be closer to 50% of factory recommendations if you are planning on towing cross country. If you are just going a couple hundred miles in light traffic one could get closer to maximum capacity. We live near I-80 and I-25 and see many trucks broke down, most are pulling large 5th wheel trailers. A lot of the heat from the automatic transmission goes into the engine radiator and cause overheating on long grades. I'd prefer having too much truck than too much trailer.
Mad Dog Jack, SASS #77862 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 I killed the trany on a Ford F-150 twice pulling my 25' trailer. It lasted about 2 years with many trips over and back on the Grapevine, several trips over Tehachapi to a club in Ridgecrest, lots of trips to 5Dogs in Bakersfield, and my home club, Chorro Valley, is across the coastal range from my place. On a trip to a shoot in Tombstone the Trany died in Yuma, Az. I continued on leaving the truck and trailer at a repair shop in a rental and afterwards returned and went up to Winter Range. On my way back the tranny died again in Mojave and I limped into Bakersfield where I traded up for a diesel GMC. What a difference! It's huuuge! Moral of the story is get a bigger truck....and if you can swing a diesel, go for it. Your truck may make it for awhile, mine did, but I could have been stranded in some mighty remote places.
Noz Posted November 17, 2015 Author Posted November 17, 2015 I am aware of the stopping point and my trailer does have good brakes. Had a salesman yesterday try to sell me a 3.5 V6 Turbo with printed towing capacity of 13500 pounds.
J-BAR #18287 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 You could sell the trailer, stay in hotels, not have to do dishes or listen to generators...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 NOZ ya could get a tent CB
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 I am aware of the stopping point and my trailer does have good brakes. Had a salesman yesterday try to sell me a 3.5 V6 Turbo with printed towing capacity of 13500 pounds. The Ford 3.5 Eco-boost is a towing machine. It also works well at the higher elevations due to the turbo. Take that thing for a test drive and you will be impressed. 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. There are several towing test videos on Youtube about the 3.5 Eco-boost. It's got 380+ hp and over 400 ft/lbs of torque.
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 We have a 2015 Ford Explorer with the 3.5 Eco-boost with the tow package. It tows my 22' pontoon boat with ease. Havn't taken anywhere but local lakes so I can't really give you a report on mileage.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 Had a salesman yesterday try to sell me a 3.5 V6 Turbo with printed towing capacity of 13500 pounds. Yup-That's a 'saleman' for sure! Could you pull with a 1/2 ton-Yeah. Will it hold up over the long run-NOPE. What you pay in fix'n the 1/2 ton will buy you the HD 3/4T...... BTW: If you wonder what I use to haul my 11' Lance Camper(4K lbs loaded) and tow my CJ-7(3800lbs) behind it is. It's a 1Ton Chevy crewcab 4wd dually with all the tow options. Have had it all over the western USA with NO mechanical issues at all. OLG
Cat Brules Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 My opinion is, "don't be fooled by a salesman's claims." The F-150 (1/2 ton) with that 5.7Litre motor simply is too small. The motor MIGHT be okay, but it is only marginally okay. But, the rest of the vehicle is just not up to the task. You need at least a F250 (3/4 ton) truck, preferably 4-WD, beefed up with a tow package, maybe a camper package and a low-rpm performer, turbo-diesel motor to safely and reliably get you and your equipment there and back. A setup like that is good for a long time....300,000+ miles, probably, with regular maintenance. I have an older Ford F-350 (1-ton) with a 7.3L (about 445 cubic inches) motor, capable of pulling a horse trailer of the weight you describe, then filled with horses, show gear and items needed for a trip. These trucks are factory built with transmissions, other running gear, brakes, frame and other heavy duty features that will hold up, rather than give up, in Indian Territory (Mojave, CA). You can't really save by buying a lighter truck, then having it fail a long way out from home.
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 If you are not looking for an everyday driver.......For a few shoots a year, get an old Chevy/Ford/Dodge maybe even a big block. If you are not driving it much the fuel isn't a concern...it's the payments and the insurance you offset by purchasing used. Examples: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30055&endYear=2016&listingType=used&engineCode=8CLDR&listingTypes=used&maxPrice=10000&showcaseListingId=414558645&mmt=[CHEV[CH3500PU[]CHEVC25[]][]]&vehicleStyleCodes=TRUCKS&fuelTypeGroup=GSL&modelCode1=CH3500PU&makeCode2=CHEV&modelCode2=CHEVC25&showcaseOwnerId=96641&startYear=1981&makeCode1=CHEV&engineCodes=8CLDR%2C10CLDR&maxMileage=150000&searchRadius=500&listingId=410402064&Log=0 http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30055&endYear=2016&listingType=used&engineCode=8CLDR&listingTypes=used&maxPrice=10000&showcaseListingId=414558645&mmt=[CHEV[CH3500PU[]CHEVC25[]][]]&vehicleStyleCodes=TRUCKS&driveGroup=AWD4WD&fuelTypeGroup=GSL&modelCode1=CH3500PU&makeCode2=CHEV&modelCode2=CHEVC25&showcaseOwnerId=96641&startYear=1981&makeCode1=CHEV&engineCodes=8CLDR%2C10CLDR&maxMileage=150000&searchRadius=500&listingId=409491459&Log=0 http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30055&endYear=2016&listingType=used&engineCode=8CLDR&listingTypes=used&maxPrice=10000&mmt=[DODGE[RAM25002WD[]][]RAM[RM2500[]][]]&vehicleStyleCodes=TRUCKS&driveGroup=AWD4WD&fuelTypeGroup=GSL&modelCode1=RAM25002WD&makeCode2=RAM&showcaseOwnerId=71953&startYear=1981&makeCode1=DODGE&engineCodes=8CLDR%2C10CLDR&maxMileage=150000&searchRadius=500&listingId=415435538&Log=0
Noz Posted November 17, 2015 Author Posted November 17, 2015 Currently waiting for my F250 4WD Ford V10 to get out of the garage for the 3rd time in 62 days. There is no problem with it towing anything if it will stay together.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 Currently waiting for my F250 4WD Ford V10 to get out of the garage for the 3rd time in 62 days. There is no problem with it towing anything if it will stay together. Bet it's been engine fuel management or sensor issues. Is this truck set up with towing options and such? If NOT-might be the time to dump it for a better equipped truck. OLG
Blackwater 53393 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 NOZ!! You cannot have Ol' Green!! If you need me to, I'll come and get you, but you can't have my truck!!
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted November 17, 2015 Posted November 17, 2015 Blackwater ya need me to fire up the big Black Ford ? friends , DON'T let friends PUSH Chevys CB
Blackwater 53393 Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 Friends who own Fords ain't fast enough to push Chevys!!!
Noz Posted November 18, 2015 Author Posted November 18, 2015 I waited several hours to let my anger cool a bit before I wrote this. Time line. Oklahoma State match. I hauled my camper to this match. Upon arrival I blew a spark plug from my V!0. These engines are known for this to happen. Upset but not terribly so. Had the truck hauled to the major Ford dealer in Tulsa. They call me and confirm the plug had blown and they would put an insert into the head so everything would be good. I agreed. They also informed me that the plugs and coils were original equipment and was deteriorated to the point that a similar thing could happen on other plugs at anytime. I agreed to allow them to change out all plugs and coils to the tune of $1500. Pick up the truck. Leave the shoot Sunday morning and get about 10 miles down the road when a plug blows. I needed to get home so I limped from OK to Missouri on 9. Got to Missouri and took truck to the local Ford dealer. Explained what had happened. They tell me that it is the same plug that had blown twice in OK but they would fix it for me to the tune of $178. Got the truck and it runs fine. 61 days later a plug blows. Same plug. Here's where the fun begins. Oklahoma Ford dealer had lied to me by saying they had placed an insert into the head so the new plug would have something to adhere to. They did not. They cleaned the hole and thought the damaged did not warrant the insert so they threaded a new plug into the old hole. that lasted 10 miles. Aurora Ford dealer said the insert they installed would cure the problem but they also thought the damage was not bad enough so they threaded a new plug into the old hole. When that plug blew after 61 days but this time it was violent enough that the plug, coil and wiring wound up on the highway since they had not done a proper repair, no insert. So this last repair cost $350. Am I thrilled with Ford Dealer Service. Not in the slightest. Since I will have calmed a bit more by morning, I will go back to the Local dealer and discuss this situation with the manager.
Chili Ron Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 Howdy, I say SUE the BASTARDS. You have been put at great personal risk and That's not the least bit funny. I have been sold defective work over the years. I hate to say it but you need to get better equipment. Find someone who has a setup that works and copy that. I bet someone out there is doing just what you want to do and having NO problems. Buy the correct vehicle, set it up right and life can be so much better. Pain is natures way of telling us we are doing something wrong. Best CR
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 Don't be nice about this. You want 'blood'(refund)from Ford. Do you have a work order(s) say'n the insert would be used. If you do-they committed fraud.......... PLEASE keep us updated. OLG
Noz Posted November 18, 2015 Author Posted November 18, 2015 Just returned from a very calm meeting with management at the Ford garage. Am awaiting a call.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 Just returned from a very calm meeting with management at the Ford garage. Am awaiting a call. What documentation did you provide for your claim? I hope you didn't let them keep the original paperwork/work orders you had. GOOD LUCK! OLG
Noz Posted November 18, 2015 Author Posted November 18, 2015 What documentation did you provide for your claim? I hope you didn't let them keep the original paperwork/work orders you had. GOOD LUCK! OLG Sometimes not very smart, but I ain't stupid.
Noz Posted November 18, 2015 Author Posted November 18, 2015 Just got the call. They are reimbursing me for my trouble. Repairs are free.
Blackwater 53393 Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 You SHOULD be reimbursed for all repairs that were not successful. Any and all parts and labor that you were charged for in the previous encounters are under a Ford parts and labor warranty.You would likely be responsible for the other plugs and coils that were installed in the up-sell at the dealership in Tulsa. You should definitely contact the Ford warranty division personally.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 Is this for ALL the 'sparkplug' repairs? Dang well should be! You want to SEE where and what repairs and how they're done. Before you accept the truck back. Did you have any 'out-of-pocket' expenses because of the repeated breakdowns? IF so, you want that money back..... What warranty will you get on this repair? OLG
Jeb Stuart #65654 Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 I wouldn't use that little of a truck. 3/4HD w/4WD will handle it with ease and not stress the truck. Make sure you get tow package option. That weight you post-Is the max trailer weight after you put ALL the ammo and stuff in it. OLG What is the advantage of 4WD when pulling a trailer?
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 18, 2015 Posted November 18, 2015 What is the advantage of 4WD when pulling a trailer? Traction in snow and on a muddy road or field where your camped. Really adds to resale too. OLG
SaukValley Sam, SASS # 66557 Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 We have a 2015 Ford Explorer with the 3.5 Eco-boost with the tow package. It tows my 22' pontoon boat with ease. Havn't taken anywhere but local lakes so I can't really give you a report on mileage. I recently bought a 2015 F150, crew cab 3.5 Ecoboost V6 with trailer package. Also bought a 27 ft Palomino light weight fifth wheel RV. Trailer 6K empty max 9k. Ford with trailer package rated to 17K. Pulled loaded trailer from Iowa through IL, Ind, Branson Mo, and back to San Antonio in September. Got 12 mpg and no problems with handling. I did keep speed at 60 to 65 on interstate to leave more room to stop as well as not having to pass anyone very often. 3.5 Ecoboost V6 has 420 foot pounds torque (90% from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm). 5.0 V8 has 387 ft pounds torque. Truck handled Branson hills easily with 6 speed auto and trans cooler. Electronic dash display displays trans temp if selected.
Mad Dog Jack, SASS #77862 Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Traction in snow and on a muddy road or field where your camped. Really adds to resale too. OLG Helps me when I back up with my trailer on a dirt driveway uphill into a space at my house. And it saved my rear end when I got into a tight place in bayou mud in Louisiana once.
Pulp, SASS#28319 Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Another advantage of 4WD is Low Range. Where we camp for deer season is at the bottom of a very rough and steep hill. All the 2WD drivers have to ride the brakes all the way down the hill. I put mine in low range, low gear and never have to touch the brakes. Going back up the hill is a lot easier also.
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