Posted 2013-04-27 3:09 AM (#151573) Subject: what truck to buy?
Member
Posts: 5
I need a truck to pull my horse trailer. I have a 2500lb Calico 12' stock trailer. I haul a 300lb minihorse with a pony cart. I don't have to travel far except maybe once a year to the Kentucky Horse Park. Most driving is relatively flat with some small hills and grades.
Also I am only 5' tall and so I need a truck that will fit me too. I'm looking for used so something that was made between 2003 and 2006. What makes and models should I consider?
Posted 2013-04-28 7:41 AM (#151597 - in reply to #151573) Subject: RE: what truck to buy?
Veteran
Posts: 218 Location: Ohio
Just putting out an engine liter size does not tell you all you need to know to answer that question. For instance an 8.1L gas engine does not come close to the horse power and torque of a 6.7L diesel.
Your original post has you pulling a 2500lb trailer and a 300lb mini horse. Combined weight around 3k. That is not a huge amount. I don't know of a half ton pickup that won't pull that with a standard towing package.
To answer your questions more accurately, let us know the truck you are thinking about and we can better help you.
Posted 2013-04-28 8:53 AM (#151603 - in reply to #151597) Subject: RE: what truck to buy?
Member
Posts: 5
I've been looking at F150s since they seem to sit me higher in the cab and I can see better. But some have a 4.6L engine and some have a 5.4L engine. I'm finding that most salesmen know nothing about towing.
Posted 2013-04-28 10:26 AM (#151608 - in reply to #151573) Subject: RE: what truck to buy?
Veteran
Posts: 218 Location: Ohio
Not knowing the year I pulled 2010 specs. You are looking at about 5300 minimum towing for the 4.6L engine and over 8k with the 5.4. You can see the specs here: http://www.ford.com/assets/pdf/towing/10FLMrvF150sep09.pdf
You will never go wrong with more truck. If your budget will accommodate it, I would go with the bigger engine. It gives you more room to pull and will put less stress on the engine. If money is tight, you can do it with the 4.6L. The only thing is you won't really be able to get more trailer than you are planning on now.
Posted 2013-04-28 11:56 AM (#151610 - in reply to #151573) Subject: RE: what truck to buy?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Whenever you are pulling a trailer, the larger engine you have, the easier your trip will be. In addition, in many instances, a larger engine will consume less fuel than a smaller one working harder. Because the larger motor labours less, its reliability will usually exceed a smaller stressed unit. I have never been disappointed by having too much power, whether it be vehicles, tools, boats etc..
I have friends that have towed with small V-6 motors. It can be done, but not without problems. We pulled a 3H BP steel trailer with a 5.4 for a couple of years. It did the job pretty well, and we live in western PA with many hills.
The difference in pricing a used truck with the two different V-8 engines will be minimal, based solely upon their displacement differences. Look for the truck in the best mechanical condition first and then factor the engine size. If you can't find a truck with a towing package, the necessary items can be later added piecemeal. Unfortunately their total combined costs will exceed that of a used, factory installed package.
Posted 2013-04-29 10:35 AM (#151655 - in reply to #151573) Subject: RE: what truck to buy?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322 Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
If you know of any mechanics, talk to some of them. Before I bought my last truck I started talking to all the mechanics I knew. I let them know what I was pulling, what I thought I wanted and asked what they recommended and what they would recommend to stay away from.
It was helpful to me because they mentioned a lot of similar things. They mentioned what problems they've seen in certain engines sizes and what years to stay away from so I was able to narrow down my search. They didn't steer me wrong either, I've owned my truck for nine years with no major problems.
what truck to buy?
