Truck advice for pulling 3H GN trailer

Slackdaddy · Apr 9, 2013

I am going to have to replace my 2002 F250 extra cab, only because the 5.4 gas engine is way too little for a 3h steel GN trailer (8800 gvw).

I love the ford super duty extra cab, the front fits 3 adults, the rear fits 2 teenagers fine or 3 squeezed in.

A crew cab with 8' bed would be to long. Does the crew cab make that much diff? or is it just visual?

Gas or diesel ? Towing about twice a month (1-2 hours each way), and used as a 2nd vehical (3-4 20 min trips a week).

I will be looking in the 2000- 2008 year range.

1) as far as extra cab size, are Ford, Chevy, dodge the same size?? the chevy cabs allways felt smaller than the ford?

2) do all 3 makers have a large gas engine? like fords V10?

I am not looking for comfort, rubber mats, crank windows. But I want durability!! I am shying away from Dodge because have heard bad things about the trans?? (auto a must)

Thanks,

Nick

deerefan · Apr 9, 2013

Slackdaddy said:
I am going to have to replace my 2002 F250 extra cab, only because the 5.4 gas engine is way too little for a 3h steel GN trailer (8800 gvw).

I love the ford super duty extra cab, the front fits 3 adults, the rear fits 2 teenagers fine or 3 squeezed in.

A crew cab with 8' bed would be to long. Does the crew cab make that much diff? or is it just visual?

Gas or diesel ? Towing about twice a month (1-2 hours each way), and used as a 2nd vehical (3-4 20 min trips a week).

I will be looking in the 2000- 2008 year range.

1) as far as extra cab size, are Ford, Chevy, dodge the same size?? the chevy cabs allways felt smaller than the ford?

2) do all 3 makers have a large gas engine? like fords V10?

I am not looking for comfort, rubber mats, crank windows. But I want durability!! I am shying away from Dodge because have heard bad things about the trans?? (auto a must)

Thanks,

Nick

If you can get a V10 Ford, jump on it. Not real good on gas but great towing motor. The 8.1 GM motor is a close second. If diesel is being considered, in that time frame, Cummins. DMax not a bad choice either. Make sure you get a 3/4 ton with the highest gvwr ( I think that is the right one!!) as there are many combos floating around, some not much better than a 1/2 ton. Good luck.

dodge man · Apr 9, 2013

I'd look for a Dodge 1 ton single rear wheel with either a cummins or the hemi. The cummins is easier to find but will cost more. How much do you want to spend? There is nothing wrong with the transmissions in Dodge trucks. If you get a 2004 or newer truck it will have a 48re transmission which is very good as long as the engine isn't turned way up.

The Ford V10 is a good puller, but there are certain years they are known for blowing spark plugs. Dodge also made a V10 for several years, but it will be an older truck.

GM gassers are O.K. also, and would be much cheaper than a D-max.

RedNeckRacin · Apr 9, 2013

I would suggest a V-10 if your not to worried about fuel mileage and are only towing occasionaly. If your in the mountains, I would strongly reccomend a diesel. You will laugh at towing with a gas motor once you decide to go that route. The downside is the percieved maintenance costs. Yeah its 12 quarts of oil in a cummins not 5-7 but you can extend your oil changes to 10k-12k pretty easily. I had a 2005 dodge ram 3500 1 ton SRW and it pulled my inlaws 4 horse steel trailer with living quarters just fine, The suspension wasn't quite heavy enough but it never needed to downshift pulling snow shoe mountain on I-80 fully loaded. With a 3H I dont think you will have a problem with a 3/4 or one ton.

Diamondpilot · Apr 9, 2013

My choice would be a 05 or later Ford V10. The 05 and later had a coil spring front end and turns much sharper and rides better. They also got the 5 speed Torque Shift Tranny, the same one behind the diesel. Its as tough as it gets and routinle ranks higher then the GM Allison.The V10 with 4.10 or 4.30 will pull about anything.

As far as cab the GM trucks are about 3/4 the size of the Ford and Dodge. The Dodge Mega Cab is a beast but tough to find.

Watch the GVWR. They range from 8800# to 11500# for SRW trucks so there is quite a range. A gas Ford will be around 7000# with a driver alone.

Chris

Slackdaddy · Apr 9, 2013

Thanks for the info guys.
buying used, $15,000 max, prob a 2002-2008 year range
Cab size is very important, The 2002 F250 extra cab was big enough without going to a full crew cab, do to the fact 3 adults could sit up front.
Chevy cabs allways "looked" smaller,, I guess they are?

I am in MD, some Hills, not mountains. I may end up towing into WV once every 3-4 years.
So it sounds like I am best to go gas,, and the Chevy cab would be too small for my likes.

So I am looking for a Ford or Dodge gasser in xtra cab, 8' bed, 4x4 (a must for parking at 50% of the horse events).
Ford in a V10, Was there a Dodge V10 in the 2002-2008 years, or did they have a big V8?

Thanks,
Nick

RedNeckRacin · Apr 9, 2013

I think they only had the 5.7L but I could be wrong about the dodges. That 15k price tag pretty much writes off most diesels except some higher mileage ones. I bought a cummins and never looked at a gas motor again.

dodge man · Apr 9, 2013

Yeah, 15k puts you into a gasser. I don't think GM's have a smaller cab, but thats just my opinion.

RobertN · Apr 9, 2013

As much as I like more power.....

It sounds like your truck will work fine, just a bit under powered?

What about a regear on existing truck? Maybe that, and/or a cold air intake, and muffler, maybe chip it?

Unless you just want to spend money(and us here at TBN are good at idea's for others to spend mony

), I'd keep what you have and do a couple performance tweaks on it.

Slackdaddy · Apr 9, 2013

I have a 2002 F250 4x4 with 5.4 engine and 3.73 gears. It's max 5th wheel tow rating is 7100#,
My 3H GN is 8800 GVW
It pulls my 2h steel GN "ok", as long as the OD is off, and it still drops into 2nd on any little grade at highway speeds (55-60).
Just picked up a 3H GN, the trailer it's self is about 2-300# more, plus an additional 1500# of horse, tack, and 3rd person.
So I am looking at 2000# more than my type load with the old trailer,, it aint going to be pretty. Will it pull it? Maybe.

I would have to regear the front and rear, (then it's tow capacity is 8600#) and still have a truck that is "maxed" out. My 3H GN is 8800 GVW.
Really dont want to spend money, but if I can find a 2002-2008 V10 with no thrills (am radio, rubber mats, crank windows, white), under 75K miles for $10k, I'm on it.

Thanks,
Slack