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Member
Posts: 32
Location: indiana | I am looking to upgrade to a bigger truck. I have a 3,000 lb. aluminum over steel two horse trailer and two horse's with the combined weight of approx. 2,500 lbs. I am looking at either a Ford F150 crew cab 4X4 with a 5.4 litter engine or a F-250 with a 6.8 litter v10. I will also be using this truck for my ride back and forth to work (200 miles per week) so something alittle easier on gas would be good. The thing is I don't want to be under trucked. would the f-150 be enough for what I need ? |
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Expert
Posts: 2689
  
| Originally written by albert on 2006-10-02 5:52 PM
I am looking to upgrade to a bigger truck. I have a 3,000 lb. aluminum over steel two horse trailer and two horse's with the combined weight of approx. 2,500 lbs. I am looking at either a Ford F150 crew cab 4X4 with a 5.4 litter engine or a F-250 with a 6.8 litter v10. I will also be using this truck for my ride back and forth to work (200 miles per week) so something alittle easier on gas would be good. The thing is I don't want to be under trucked. would the f-150 be enough for what I need ?
Yes.
Anyone who can get a Ford to run on litter would be well satisfied with the fuel economy.
The questions you didn't ask are;
1) How sluggish would it be ?
2) Would I be happy JUST knowing how much money is being saved every day/week/month vs the V10 ?
...and the answers to those questions depend to a large extent on what sort of "performance" (however defined) you want in the truck - for daily driving and week-end hauling. Whether or not you think the horses appreciate the smell of rubber and the breathtaking accelleration when the lights turn to green, how much you feel a need to impress local 14 year olds, etc.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR | You might be happier with a bigger truck.
-Betty
Edited by bjhouten 2006-10-02 8:17 PM
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Regular
Posts: 57
Location: Casa Grande Arizona | I'm a bigger fan of diesels but that is probably a bit spendy. If I had to choose I would go with the 250 over the 150. I really don't think the price difference is very big. Then if it was me I would get the 4 X 4 instead of the big engine. You WILL go slower with the smaller engine but you will still get there. Your fuel economy probably won't be the savings you think it will be with the smaller engine. Normally, a smaller engine will use a bunch more fuel when you have it maxed out. So my vote would be (2500 HD diesel/allison) F250 with the smaller engine and the 4 X 4. If you are going to spend the extra money on an engine get the diesel. They are worth the money and then some if you ask me. Good luck, Chad |
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Regular
Posts: 67
Location: Romulus, Michigan |  I'm just a girl who doesn't know much about trucks, engines, etc. but when I went to buy my Dodge Dakota, I was surprised to learn that the bigger engine actually got better gas mileage (honest!) I guess technology at its best - or something like that. I love my truck (V-8, 5.7) and I think it actually gets better gas mileage, in truth, than the Jeep Liberty I just traded in! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
Location: Tipton, IN | If you never plan on getting a larger trailer, the F150 will suffice. It has plenty of towing capacity for the weight your going to pull. Also, the 4x4 is something that should be decided by useage. If your taking them from the barn to a show grounds and normally during fair weather, no big deal, get the 4x2. If your going to trail heads, live rural and want to get around in the mud go for the 4x4. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 671
Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY) | I would compare price and if possable go with a 3/4 ton.I had a F250 with the 5.4 and 3.73 rear end that pulled My two torses and all my STUFF all over.It got good mileage and I was able to do more with it than a 1/2 ton.Price was about the same and I was happy with it's performance. |
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Veteran
Posts: 192
Location: Kentucky | I would never be happy with anything but a 4X4. I had a 2 wheel drive truck and I couldn't get it to pull off of wet grass. Everytime I went somewhere I worried whether the truck would pull the trailer out of the place where we were. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | if your needs change then you'll be glad you got the 250. Lets face it, with horses we are always buyng something newer,something bigger. Go with the 250. |
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New User
Posts: 3
Location: Sanger, TX | Great point - I had an F250 with a small V-8. Worked fine with my 2 horse. Then I found a heck of deal on a GN with small living quarters. I can't stand going 35 mph on long hauls. Got fed up and bought a "stinker" - Powerstroke. Love it. Had it for 10 years now and never once regret the extra money. Think long term. I know that is not popular now - everyone has to have the newest truck in town. Divide the extra money over 10 years, turns out to be not much. |
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which truck would fit my needs better
