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frscott · 01-13-2015, 12:06 PM

I have a Sovereign 26' (1986) I have towed it for the last 7 years blissfully with my 2001 power stroke F250. The bliss came to an end when the injectors fouled, its a $3000.00 fix. As I debate spending the money (I can't afford anything newer) I am thinking of going back to a '88-92 Bronco. Reasons are mainly concerned with daily driving (easier to park etc..) and cheaper to fix.

Big Question---How will it tow?? I know the shorter the wheelbase the worse the tow. Anybody have any thoughts?

Thanks

Scott

handn · 01-13-2015, 12:47 PM

My first rv was a 22 foot Hi Low and an 89 full size Bronco. It towed o.k. and should do O.k. with your light weight vintage Airstream. The Bronco is a F-150 with a car body.
The Bronco was not a reliable car. Its 351 engine was problematic. I had problems with fluid leaks, power windows, water pumps, the list goes on.
I was glad to see it go at 80k miles in 2004. It is hard to see how reliability will have improved with 11 years of use under its belt. It is probably in the great auto parts yard in the sky along with most of its kin.
I would fix your power stroke, it will be cheaper in the long run.

PaulnGina · 01-13-2015, 01:06 PM

I sent you a PM.....

Would be glad to talk "PowerStroke" with you. Who knows? Might be able to get the truck running better for a lot less money.

I also have a 1981 Bronco with a 302 in it. Slowly fixing it up, but I really like it. No "power" anything!!!! (Other than steering and brakes)

Road Ruler · 01-13-2015, 01:52 PM

By today's standards I believe the stability issues of the historic Bronco is a biggy. It may need some mods/upgrades to meet your expectation.

**Stefrobrts** · 01-13-2015, 01:54 PM

I'd fix the F250. I wouldn't be comfortable towing with a Bronco. Mine was not the most reliable vehicle I ever owned. I liked it, but it had it's issues. I never even tried to tow with it, we upgraded to the full-size van as soon as we bought our trailer, and sent the Bronco on down the road.

noreen&sal · 01-13-2015, 02:17 PM

Fix the 250. I towed with a short wheelbase Excella. You're a lucky man if you have a 7.3. That's what I have and love towing with it. Sal

frscott · 01-13-2015, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the responses! I owned an 87 Bronco and had no issues with it--other than blowing the engine after 16 years! (of course "minor" repair) I towed a 23' Coachman, but it was a struggle,(my F250 will pull my AS at 75mph flat, up, down it does not matter and it does not struggle!) the Bronco had a 302 in it. I thought maybe with the windsor it might have more power. My truck is the best TV I have ever had, and my Sovereign is the best trailer I have owned, hate to break up the pair---probably leaning to the fix!

**Stefrobrts** · 01-13-2015, 03:13 PM

Yeah, it's frustrating when you get hit by a big repair bill, but if you like the vehicle otherwise, it's almost always the best thing to do. Financially, anything you buy will cost you more than the repair (especially since used vehicle always come with their own repairs you won't know about until after you bring it home), and your F250 won't sell unless it's working, so you probably want to do the repair anyway just to sell it. But if you aren't 'in hate' with it (the opposite of 'in love'

) then just consider it part of the cost of ownership, fix it, and keep on truckin'!

SteveH · 01-13-2015, 03:22 PM

Not a Bronco, but a similar sized vehicle, I used to tow a 24' Argosy with a Dodge Ram Charger with just a Easilift hitch, and no sway control. It did a good job with no issues.

cwf · 01-13-2015, 03:39 PM

FRS... I bet you can get some injectors from a Bone Yard!!! Then I bet you can get the injectors reworked.. done all the time if they are not shorted...

ROBERT CROSS · 01-13-2015, 03:43 PM

Sorry I don't see the 3k repair

Bob

r carl · 01-13-2015, 04:14 PM

With the price of diesel now, I wouldn't fix it.

SteveH · 01-13-2015, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Sorry I don't see the 3k repair

Bob

One of the reasons I traded my '08 Duramax was because I was told that they typically need a set of injectors at 100,000 miles to the tune of $6, and I had 115,000 on it.

**jcanavera** · 01-13-2015, 04:32 PM

Sometimes it's just the mass of the trailer vs that of the tow vehicle. I remember towing with Chevy Safari EXT van. It was a wonderful tow vehicle for my 21' Hi-Lo. It had a premium gas liter engine with a 4.10 rear end. It was rated to pull 6,000 lbs with factory hitch.

I decided to replace the Hi-Lo with a 30' SOB lightweight trailer. Dry weight was about 3,300 lbs. Got a nice Reese weight distribution hitch with dual-cam sway control. It was a good towing vehicle until the wind blew. The trailer presented such a large footprint that wind would play havoc with the short wheel base Safari. The sway control did a good job keeping the trailer behind the Safari, it was just that there was so much pressure that the Safari would tend to drift as the wind hit me from the sides. It required a lot of steering correction in cross winds and after 300 miles of driving, I was just pure tired. It kept me on my toes. I traded the Safari after the first year to a full sized Chevy van.

Interesting in that the towing capacity of the full sized van was only 500 lbs. more than the Safari. I kept the Reese hitch and dual-cam sway control. Towing difference was like night and day. The big difference was the weight and mass of the full size van vs. that of the Chevy Safari.

Jack

PaulnGina · 01-13-2015, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Sorry I don't see the 3k repair

Bob

I think the $3K price tag is not out of the question if a real diesel shop does the work. Labor prices are crazy. I pointed Scott to POWERSTROKEHELP.COM - The Information Source for Ford Power Stroke Diesel Owners. They can guide him well.

Being a fellow 7.3L PowerStroke owner, I'd recommend HIGHLY that you (Scott) fix it. Doesn't have to be today, and I fully understand the non-moneybags situation.

PaulnGina · 01-13-2015, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r carl

With the price of diesel now, I wouldn't fix it.

Wouldn't?????

PaulnGina · 01-13-2015, 05:56 PM

I have a feeling that with some guidance and a little mechanical ability, that fuel-in-the-res problem could be fixed with injector cups. Injector cups are not expensive (maybe $10-$25?), but there's labor involved to get to them and replace them. Unless the engine oil has been totally neglected, those injectors should not be worn out. Even if you need injectors, they CAN be replaced. Good luck, Scott!

r carl · 01-13-2015, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulnGina

Wouldn't?????

Yes.

PaulnGina · 01-13-2015, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r carl

Yes.

I'd say, "Don't fix it.... sell it to me!!!"

paulken · 01-13-2015, 08:30 PM

Scott I have not used these guys yet but have heard that they are good. Specializing in F250 and F350. Burk Light Truck & Auto (940)569-9344 wwwBurkLightTruck.com