Hauling Machines

rchmielewski · Nov 7, 2000

I have a 97 F-350 4x4 diesel crew cab. I haul the tractor and 4 horse gooseneck trailer. More than enough power for the jobs. I recommend a 4x4 if you are going to be pulling anything on grass or dirt. Pickups are notoriously light in the back end and will lose traction quite easily. The 4x4 feature has enabled me to pull the horse trailer out of fields after a rain where 2WD's have gotten stuck.

The diesel will run all day long without complaining. They do need their oil changed regularly and they hold 14 qts. So oil changes are not cheap. The power is there - with an L-3710 with loader and ballast on a heavy trailer I can run 70 mph in cruise control and not even notice the load.

The Crew cab inside space is bigger than my wife's car. Holds 6 very comfortably and in a pinch can hold 8.

A half ton may pull a tractor and trailer but the strain you put on the engine and transmission will shorten the life.

Good luck in getting a pickup.

Bob C.

bpence · Nov 8, 2000

I have a 99 F-150 regular cab with a payload package for extra beef in the back. It has the standard V-6 motor with an automatic. For a good all around pickup, it's as good as it gets. It can do some trailer towing, but not the big flat beds or horse trailers. I pull a 24' travel trailer and occasionally a 2 position horse trailer with no difficulty. Fuel economy drops from around 20 mpg to 15-16 mpg when towing. Mostly I drive it back and forth to work and use it as a utility vehicle for hauling fire wood, lumber, and just stuff. I did put a vinyl tonneau cover on the bed that does help a bit with fuel economy when I'm not hauling stuff. If I were going to do some serious towing, I'd look at the F-series Super Duty 250 with the 7.3 PowerStroke diesel.

Bob Pence

Kubota-monkey · Nov 8, 2000

Thanks for all of the input. I think I have decided to go with the Toyota Tundra V8 or V6 im not sure.

The Ben from MA /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

RobertN · Nov 8, 2000

I've been curious about those Tundra's. I personally won't have anything less than a 3/4 ton, like my '89 F250, so it's out of the uestion for me.

It'll be interesting to see how the Tundra does. It's a Toyota, and thier trucks are always pretty decent. But, it is entering the last real bastion of Real Americana, the full size pickup bastion of American pride. They've never really entered that arena.

A friend has a T100. It's nice, but under powered. And, the hood is soooo thin it flexes like crazy over 40mph.

I wouldn't buy one simply because of the business practices of the Japanese. After almost loosing my job twice because of Japanese dumping on US markets, I'm kind of jaded. Heck, I even park my Kubota, out of respect, on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.

It's tough these days though, in an international market. Heck, even my Harley has Brazilian bearings, and Japanese forks/shocks/ignition/carb.

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

Corm · Nov 9, 2000

I loooked at the Tundras out of curiosity before I bought my Ford Super Duty F250 with a V10. The Ford was a better price, and from what I could see, a lot more truck. I get about 16 mpg going back and forth to work, and about 10 pulling my 28' fifth wheel travel trailer. I know a lot of guys are big on the diesels, and they definitely have more power, but for the miles I generally put on my rigs, the extra $$ for a diesel wasn't worth it to me. Good luck with whatever you decide to do, but please look hard at one of the big 3 before you send your $$ over seas... We will all be better off...

bsauter · Nov 9, 2000

Before you commit to something you need to see what the most conceivable weight is that you are going to tow. Many, MANY people buy a truck and then worry about towing later and find out that they are overloading their truck or just keep driving until they wreck. Unsafe for you and everyone around you. Don't go into a dealership and think that "this truck will tow 7,500 lbs" and you get a flatbed rated at 7,000 lbs and think you are OK.

Take for instance my 12,000lb trailer. It by itself weighs around 3,000lbs. That leaves 9,000lbs for my load. My one ton diesel truck is rated for conventional towing at 10,000lbs. So if I ever put a 9,000 lb load on my trailer I would be exceeding the weight limits for the truck. Would it tow it? Sure! But it would not be the safe thing to do. Don't forget you have to stop too.

You can get very technical with all this. GVWR and such on the trucks. Many (most) dealers cannot tell you what it all means. RV dealers are notorious for this. Find a GOOD trailer sales company that handles horse trailers and such and they can tell you what good combos are.

You WILL tell a difference between a 1/2, 3/4 and one ton with your Kubota behind it. The more you pull, the more you will appreciate the heavier trucks.

The Tundra is a nice truck and especially since they have a V8 but the engines torque comes on too high in the power band for effective towing and the frame is just too light. I don't mean to preach but it is best to overbuy and stay safe when on the road.

Brad, Kubota L3010HST, loader, R4 tires
Pictures at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=179207&a=9183978

Kubota-monkey · Nov 9, 2000

Thanks for the input. Im not sure if Im going to use my truck for towing my tractor around. I would like a fairly desecnt truck but not a gigantic one. What do you think wouild be the best choice say in the 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton range?

The Ben from MA /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Anonymous Poster · Nov 9, 2000

I have 25K on my Tundra, pulls to 7200 lbs. Very quiet, rides well and is completly built in Princeton, Indiana. No money overseas here. I find that I can get more bottom end power than the small block domestics.
Don't be afraid of the Tundra.
Jim

Kubota-monkey · Nov 9, 2000

Do you think the Tundra can pull an L35 weight of 6800 lbs?

The Ben from MA /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

gordon · Nov 9, 2000

Bill I like your taste in trucks to a point---remember this you need a football field to turn that ford crewcab around a real pain with a fifth wheel unless you go for the pull through sites. The Dodges pull better and aren't as noisy. I want to drive one of the new Chevys once they are out for a while and see what they will do pulling time will tell.
Gordon