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Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS
 Hi, once again, I will have to disagree. I have maintained speeds of 55 to 60 MPH up hills with my Navigator versus 60 to 70 MPH for your 460 V-8 F-250 towing a much lighter 17' trailer. I haven't had that getting passed by everyone experience. And yes my Navigator is based on a F-150, but so are all of the earlier Ford F-250's and F-350's built before Ford came out with the "Super Duties" Possibly including your F-250. |
Hi, In rebuttal, IF I had a larger trailer I wouldn't fly up hill at 50 or above. The harder you push your vehicle the shorter lifespan it will have. The E4OD that is bolted to my 460 is a good trans. if you keep it maintained and treat it well, it'll last a long time. If you abuse it, it will fail, its the nature of the beast. They are only good for about 100K after that you are on borrowed time.
I didn't say everyone, I said "a lot", that means by all vehicles.
Sure you can tow anything you want behind a Navigator or any other vehicle you want for that matter. The more you ask it to do the shorter its lifespan gets. It ain't rocket science.
You haven't looked under an F 150 vs a F 250 or 350 recently have you. You'll notice that they have distinctly different running gear. Even though they have the same frame rails. Even in the 90's the running gear was vastly different from the 150's to the 250's and above. I had the recent experience to compare side by side my F 250 to my uncle's F 350. Same body style, same engine, but, entirely different running gear. Rear axle was the same but the front axle was different as where the suspension components. It even rides completley different.
The Nav. has a softer suspension, and that means that you'll need a good hitch system. Whatever that may be, Hensley, EZ lift or Reese.
I wasn't bashing the Navigator. It is a nice comfy tow-vehicle. Hell, if I still had my Lincoln Continental, I would tow with it, just like Bill Kerfoot.
Just keep in mind what you ask it to do. That will determine how long it will last which is dependant on how good your maintenance is.
It is a numbers game.
When will you be ready to get a new TV ?
Do you want to upgrade your original TV to be able to withstand what you ask it to do ?
Are you going to be pulling 12 mile long 6% or 7% grades with it in the heat of summer ?
These are all valid questions.
For example : the grade to Frenchglen, OR from the south is 14%.
It all depends on what YOU want to do with your towvehicle.
And what you are comfortible with.
To back all this up, I am a truck driver and have been pulling doubles and triples all over the NW. I will cross the million mile mark this year at my job. I have seen what is on the side of the road over heating, etc. It is pretty rare to see any ford product pulled to the side.
I have never seen a Navigator pulled to the side with any problems. It is usually an older chev or dodge. But then, most people don't pull with Navigators. That is just what I have seen on the road.
So before you start bashing me on my comments, take a moment to think.
What do these folks want to do with their TV and 25 Ft. Trailer ?
Do they want to tow on primarily flat ground ? or do they want to pull these super steep grades into Yellowstone or Glacier Park for example ?
And how much stuff are they going to put in it ? how much extra weight does it add ?
The bottom line is, think about where you want to go, how many times you want to go there, how many passes you have to cross, and how much weight you want to pull with the towvehicle you have. Is it up to the task ? Have you upgraded it ? Have you maintained it well ? Be honest with yourself. If you have been lax in maintenance, well get on it, then tow away.
All I wish is for everyone to have a good towing experience with what they choose to drive as a towvehicle. Most all the current SUV's and light trucks can do the job if outfitted correctly.
That is my $10.25
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