5.0 vs Diesel as Daily Driver
#1
MEMBER
Thread Starter
Long time since I've posted, and I have really been putting a lot of thought into this situation. Would like to get someone else's opinion if you have been in the same situation.
Okay so, I recently purchased a new enclosed snowmobile trailer that weighs about 3300 lbs (steel frame) dry and probably close to 5500-6000 fully loaded. Trailer has a very large profile so it creates quite the drag. Towing it back from buying it I came over the continental divide into Denver. Heading up I felt like I was really having to work the truck. Running real close to red line to pull 55 mph, and this is with the trailer empty. Just felt like I wanted more power. So here is my options: I am planning on getting air bags and a performance tow tune (recommendations?) that will also allow me to correct for my larger (34.6") tire size. Now I am wondering if anyone has experience with tow performance with this weight in the mountains before and after a tune???
My other option is to sell my F150 with 3.73 gears and look for a used diesel (probably a Chevy/gmc LBZ). This is assuming eventually I will purchase a larger trailer and I would also like to be able to fly up the mountain passes towing my current 3 place trailer. I do like the idea of driving a diesel for a change also. Has anyone made the change from half ton to 3/4 ton diesel and regretted it?
Thanks
Okay so, I recently purchased a new enclosed snowmobile trailer that weighs about 3300 lbs (steel frame) dry and probably close to 5500-6000 fully loaded. Trailer has a very large profile so it creates quite the drag. Towing it back from buying it I came over the continental divide into Denver. Heading up I felt like I was really having to work the truck. Running real close to red line to pull 55 mph, and this is with the trailer empty. Just felt like I wanted more power. So here is my options: I am planning on getting air bags and a performance tow tune (recommendations?) that will also allow me to correct for my larger (34.6") tire size. Now I am wondering if anyone has experience with tow performance with this weight in the mountains before and after a tune???
My other option is to sell my F150 with 3.73 gears and look for a used diesel (probably a Chevy/gmc LBZ). This is assuming eventually I will purchase a larger trailer and I would also like to be able to fly up the mountain passes towing my current 3 place trailer. I do like the idea of driving a diesel for a change also. Has anyone made the change from half ton to 3/4 ton diesel and regretted it?
Thanks
Last edited by rkaminky; 09-09-2013 at 11:58 PM.
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rkaminky (09-10-2013)
#4
Beer Gut Extraordinaire
Ecoboost.
#6
Retired and loving it!
If you can arrange to do so, hook up your trailer with the sleds in it to an EcoBoost, and make the same trip up that mountain as a test drive.
You will not believe how the EB tows....I'd be willing to bet you are in 4th gear at 2,900 rpm up that same pass. Skip those big mudders if you are planning on towing regularly. They ruin your effective axle ratio by a lot.
You will not believe how the EB tows....I'd be willing to bet you are in 4th gear at 2,900 rpm up that same pass. Skip those big mudders if you are planning on towing regularly. They ruin your effective axle ratio by a lot.
Last edited by Adobe2X; 09-10-2013 at 01:22 AM.
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rkaminky (09-10-2013)
#10
MEMBER
Thread Starter
Well I can say the diesel option has been ruled out. Im gonna look for some stock 20'' wheels and see how the truck does with those. Then if I want more power, Ill look into trading for a 13 eco, looks like there are some good deals to be had on the 13s as they prep for the 14s.
Thanks for the replies.