Towing Truck Opinions
#1
Towing Truck Opinions
We started a small hauling company awhile back and haul around a 10 ft dump trailer. That trailer fully loaded is rated at 10,000 pounds. I dont think I have ever put more than 7,000 pounds when fully loaded. I do a lot of towing so im not new to it, but since business is really doing well we are thinking of getting a new truck and trailer. My current truck is obviously an F150 with the 5.4 Max Tow. It does the job great! We are considering getting a bigger trailer with the same 10,000 gross rating, but have weighed the options of stepping up to a 250 Diesel. Perhaps it will be more truck than what we actually need. Do yall think the new F150's are ok to be towing on a daily basis from 3 to 10 thousands pounds at a time or should we step up to a 250? Do you guys think the F150 will hold up to daily towing abuse? One more thing, it will be the 5L not EB, and it still has to tow our 6,000 pound travel trailer on occasion. Opinions?
#2
Let me start by saying that I tow a ~7,200# travel trailer with a 2012 F150 Ecoboost. I would not change this for me.
If I had a business and would be towing as much as 10,000# at any given time, this would not be a question for me. I would have a 3/4 ton by dark tonight.
If I had a business and would be towing as much as 10,000# at any given time, this would not be a question for me. I would have a 3/4 ton by dark tonight.
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sunset (05-31-2015)
#3
I think an f150 isn't the job for this unless you got the hd payload package and then if it's pretty dedicated to being a work truck you tow with, i'd want the diesel.
with a dump trailer, i'm guessing you'd haul stone or soil a bit? i'd doubt you're weighing it every time and you'd be going by yards... on a wet day, you are likely over payload (and maybe over gross?) with an f150 without the HD payload package pretty easily.
over all. very few f150's are actually rated to tow 10k pds, generally the EB's have higher towing capacities, and i bet you still run out of payload without the hd payload package.
with a dump trailer, i'm guessing you'd haul stone or soil a bit? i'd doubt you're weighing it every time and you'd be going by yards... on a wet day, you are likely over payload (and maybe over gross?) with an f150 without the HD payload package pretty easily.
over all. very few f150's are actually rated to tow 10k pds, generally the EB's have higher towing capacities, and i bet you still run out of payload without the hd payload package.
#4
Senior Member
Without question a 250 (even 350, but might be overkill) would be the way to go. Gas or diesel is your choice but as you said you'll be towing daily and the diesel would do it better.
Also you state that you just started a company. Would be better to have the option of towing a bit more when you start to grow rather then truck shopping and selling a worn out 150 for nothing.
Also you state that you just started a company. Would be better to have the option of towing a bit more when you start to grow rather then truck shopping and selling a worn out 150 for nothing.
Last edited by EventHorizon; 05-27-2015 at 05:08 PM.
#5
Senior Member
We started a small hauling company awhile back and haul around a 10 ft dump trailer. That trailer fully loaded is rated at 10,000 pounds. I dont think I have ever put more than 7,000 pounds when fully loaded. I do a lot of towing so im not new to it, but since business is really doing well we are thinking of getting a new truck and trailer. My current truck is obviously an F150 with the 5.4 Max Tow. It does the job great! We are considering getting a bigger trailer with the same 10,000 gross rating, but have weighed the options of stepping up to a 250 Diesel. Perhaps it will be more truck than what we actually need. Do yall think the new F150's are ok to be towing on a daily basis from 3 to 10 thousands pounds at a time or should we step up to a 250? Do you guys think the F150 will hold up to daily towing abuse? One more thing, it will be the 5L not EB, and it still has to tow our 6,000 pound travel trailer on occasion. Opinions?
As far as long term, I'm not sure yet. Keep up on maintenance and do not neglect your rear diff or transmission when you do. Buy high quality heavy duty shocks when you replace ETC.
I doubt the F150 won't be fine. This is an extreme example which is why I took a pic, and once again you have more motor than I do.
#6
Senior Member
Without question a 250 (even 350, but might be overkill) would be the way to go. Gas or diesel is your choice but as you said you'll be towing daily and the diesel would do it better.
Also you state that you just started a company. Would be better to have the option of towing a bit more when you start to grow rather then truck shopping and selling a worn out 150 for nothing.
Also you state that you just started a company. Would be better to have the option of towing a bit more when you start to grow rather then truck shopping and selling a worn out 150 for nothing.
When you're a contractor who uses their personal vehicle to get the job done like I am, you tend to rack on a lot of miles anyway. Little over 88K miles now. I had 60K back in October. When I'm done, I expect to be over 200K,. I averaged over the last few years doing this line of work about 50K a year. Had a slow first quarter this year though. At that point resale just is what it is from what I've seen and experienced. Be it in an F150 or F250 both will be high mileage hard worked trucks when you're done with them.
Last edited by 06redlongbed; 05-27-2015 at 05:38 PM.
#7
I have towed 10,000 pounds on occasion but very short distances. Also, I run the same WDH on the dump trailer as I do on my TT and it works great. I just don't want to be overloaded all the time and put myself and others at risk. I really like my F150 and the new ones even more, but maybe a Super Duty is in order. Thanks guys.
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Ricktwuhk (05-27-2015)
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#9
Agreed! We went looking at SD trucks yesterday found an XLT Diesel for around 55k. I was almost convinced this was my next truck until my business manager (the wife lol) found a 350 drw dump truck sitting in the back. Took a look at it and it hit me, why am I pulling around a dump trailer when I can just have a dump truck. Naturally the one at the dealership was almost 60k so im going to try to find a used one. Which means I can get my tundra again. Hahaha got you guys there.... always an F Series in our driveway! Have a great sunday.
#10
Senior Member
Agreed! We went looking at SD trucks yesterday found an XLT Diesel for around 55k. I was almost convinced this was my next truck until my business manager (the wife lol) found a 350 drw dump truck sitting in the back. Took a look at it and it hit me, why am I pulling around a dump trailer when I can just have a dump truck. Naturally the one at the dealership was almost 60k so im going to try to find a used one. Which means I can get my tundra again. Hahaha got you guys there.... always an F Series in our driveway! Have a great sunday.
Good luck in your search. Unfortunately, since these are work trucks, they often get beat to death before they are available used. We once bought a F600 dump once that had been purchased new by a landscape company. They loaded up the trees for the next day's job and soaked them with a hose to set overnight before going out to the morning jobsite. The wood floor of the bed could be replaced, but even the steel was rusting away. I might like to replace my '93 F150 with a one-ton dump for work around the farm and rental property. I'm watching the farm estate sales.