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mysecondjoy · 02-07-2011, 07:20 PM

We are very much newbies. Newbies to a point where we bought a 2008 28' Airstream and we own a Prius. Thankfully we understand we need a tow vehicle. The vehicle we are considering is an F-150 Super Crew with the Ecoboost engine set up with the max payload and 11,300 Lb. towing capacity. The GVWR of the Airstream is 7,300 Lb. Our travel plans are to take the country in stages over the next 4-5 years. This will take us through the Rockies and up to Alaska. We would appreciate your opinions on: (1) Do we need 4X4? We understand it is a maintence expense, reduced mileage with little use and a fair expense up front. What is your thought? (2) We are of the mind a 6 1/2' box can be important with reguard to the towing experence and payload. Your opinion? Any other advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,

John and Joy Dibble
Punta Gorda, FL

**moosetags** · 02-07-2011, 07:32 PM

First off, Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

As to your question, A ford 1/2 ton may work for you, but it may be a little light for a 28' Airstream. We have a 2005 Safari 25FB which we use extensively (800 nights/70,000 miles). It weighs out at 7400# ready to camp. A 28 footer will probably go 8000+#. That's a bunch for a half ton anything, especially in the braking department. Four wheel drive is not a necessity, but is a good thing to have.

I'm not saying that this combination won't work for you, but do your research.

Brian

Aage · 02-07-2011, 07:37 PM

msj,

Welcome to airforums.com! It might be of use to update your profile, since it now says you have a Ford F250 and no trailer. It seems you got the trailer, and didn't get the truck!

In my own opinion, unless you are intending to do a lot with your trailer off-road, I'm not sure you would gain anything by having a 4x4.

And I can't help but feel that a tow vehicle that can pull over 11,000 lbs would not be very challenged by anything that Airstream makes. In other words, it should be plenty of TV for your 28-footer!

However, I am not a truck expert, but I'm sure there will be plenty of them along very soon. Trucks are a popular subject here!

4RXLA · 02-07-2011, 07:44 PM

Sounds like the F-150 can do the job for you. I was in a similar situation a year ago debating on the F-150 vs the F-250. My trailer weighs 7500lb on the scale. No doubt the F-150 has the smoother ride and better fuel economy for every day driving. I went with the F-250 mainly for the extra 1000lbs cargo capacity that the 3/4 ton chassis can carry vs a 1/2 ton chassis. My F-250 can carry 2500lbs (passengers and cargo). In researching these forums I learned that despite the 11,000lb tow rating for F-150, its passenger and cargocapacity can be fairly low. So, it all depends on how much "stuff" you plan to throw in the 6 1/2 foot bed on top of the tongue weight of the Airstream and your passengers.

I'm not saying to get a F-250. Just be mindful of the maximum load rating of the F-150. If you are not a pack rat you should be ok. Also, in terms of the wheelbase of the truck, you would not want to go less than a super/extended cab and 6.5 foot bed. I wanted a truck that would fit in my garage and the supercab short bed does fit. I'm probably about 6 inches short of the recommended wheelbase for a 31' trailer but the weight of my truck is equal to the trailer and I do not have sway control issues. Plus my wheelbase is longer than the Excursion and Suburban and I know those particular vehicles can handle an Airstream. I think a standard cab short bed would be too short of a wheelbase. A crew cab shortbed would probably be ideal.

I did not want 4x4 but the only truck available that met my needs had it so I bit the bullet. I have never had occassion to use it towing but it does add piece of mind to know I can get out of the mud, sand, soft grass if I need to.

Good luck with your purchase!

BigAl · 02-07-2011, 08:12 PM

Hi John,
I have a 2011 f150 supercab 4x2 with an 8 foot box on order. Ecoboost engine max tow HD load package. My cargo capacity is 2640 lb.
My current tow vehicle is a e150 wagon with 5.4 litre engine. It did a good job towing my 31 foot excella which weighs 8300lbs loaded.
Only a little slow on big grades in the mountains.
This new truck will have 110 more horsepower and almost 100pound feet more torque.
I know I will be very happy with it. Oh yeah; it will also cruise right by all those gas stations I have to stop for now.
Al

4RXLA · 02-07-2011, 08:50 PM

Sounds like the HD load package on the F-150 negates any concern about payload capacity. Ford really has a winner with the F-150. Sounds like you are good to go! and yes, I do have to stop at those gas stations to feed my v10. I'm getting 7mpg in the mountains and 9 on the flat. Does the 2011 F-150 have the new 6.2l engine same as the 250 and 350?

BigAl · 02-07-2011, 09:12 PM

Yes they do. 3.7 litre 6, 5.0 litre v8(360 hp) 6.2 litre v8(411hp) and the 3.5 turbo.
With my old 5.4 I got 12mpg towing on highway. Hope to do better towing with the ecoboost but if not will make up for it driving without towing.
Al

BigAl · 02-07-2011, 09:14 PM

Also a f150 these days is not a half ton vehicle. That is real old, out of date terminology.
Al

4RXLA · 02-07-2011, 09:31 PM

I stand corrected! I know Ford did beef up the suspension and brakes on the F-150. I would imagine their new anti-sway system would also be a positive. The F-150 is practically a F-250.

TouringDan · 02-07-2011, 11:10 PM

I wish Toyota offered a HD load package for the Tundra. It is a great TV, but I would like to have a higher rear axle load rating. How long has this been available in the F150? What changes have been made to boost the load capacity? How is this vehicle differant from an F250?

Dan

Aviator · 02-07-2011, 11:21 PM

We pull our 34' with a 2009 F150 and it works very well for us. If we decided to do the Rockies, I would look at a supercharger or an F250. With a family of 4 we do need to keep a close eye on the payload of the truck when towing.

Norwestguy · 02-08-2011, 12:11 AM

I'm wondering if such a small displacement engine putting out so much power is set on "kill" especially for long term towing purposes. Some say that was what was wrong with the 6 liter power stroke. Too much power in an under designed package. Time will tell I guess!

JFScheck · 02-08-2011, 03:51 AM

Diesel technology with a gas engine (turbo, fuel delivery, spark ignition cycle, etc.) - makes for more efficient use, if you ask me, they should have gone all the way and used diesel vice gas but they must feel the general US public are still not educated in how superior a fuel diesel is to gas nor how clean burning the new diesels are (cleaner emissions than a gasser).

The US needs a small diesel for the F-150's & 1500 sized vehicles... The Eco-Boost engines are as close as the US has come since the monster diesel failure of the '80's.

This new engine should be as reliable as any other engine out there...

TinLoaf · 02-08-2011, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFScheck

The US needs a small diesel for the F-150's & 1500 sized vehicles...

Ford, Chevy & Dodge all planned to bring out half-ton diesels and shelved them when the economy tanked. I had grand plans to trade up to one of them but was crushed when nothing happened.

This snapshot is from the March 2011 issue of Motor Trend magazine and it's the first I've heard that perhaps the engines are still a possibility. There is hope!

A few years ago Ford's half ton diesel was to be a larger version of Range Rover's 3.6 liter diesel, with an output of 4.4 liters, a little over 300 hp and 500 ft lbs of torque. Well, Range Rover put that EXACT engine into their 2011 models this year. The engine is out there. All Ford has to do is pull the trigger.

JFScheck · 02-08-2011, 05:30 AM

Fingers crossed that they do - my little 3.0 diesel was putting out 407lbs torque, great engine with clean exhaust...

I think they would sell like crazy in the F-150/1500 & SUV markets!

knunut · 02-08-2011, 06:35 AM

Would not get a truck w/o 4X4. Ours has been in auto 4X for week's now,due to our local weather.(Chicago)
Have also had to tow thru mountains in May with Snow .Southern Ill.in Nov. in Snow/Ice.Etc.
Even wet Grass/Mud in campgrounds can cause traction problems.

JFScheck · 02-08-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knunut

Even wet Grass/Mud in campgrounds can cause traction problems.

Agreed - go 4x4 if you can!!!

mutcth · 02-08-2011, 08:32 AM

I've towed my Argosy Minuet (obviously much lighter than a modern 28' AS) with both a Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT (well, not at the same time) with the Ecoboost V6, essentially the same engine that is going in the trucks. This is the most impressive gas powertrain I've towed with, better even than a HEMI Jeep Grand Cherokee I've also used recently. Power is readily available and builds very smoothly. At least with my light trailer, under heavy throttle it pulled along like most vehicles behave unladen.

One thing though - I haven't really seen a fuel economy benefit to towing with this engine compared to a V8.

I've only ever needed four-wheel-drive once - and that was parking on wet grass on a hilly field. I managed with what I had. It was never a problem in state or federal campgrounds, even during a very rainy cross-country trip in 2009.

Aage · 02-08-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutcth

I've towed my Argosy Minuet (obviously much lighter than a modern 28' AS) with both a Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT (well, not at the same time) with the Ecoboost V6, essentially the same engine that is going in the trucks. This is the most impressive gas powertrain I've towed with, better even than a HEMI Jeep Grand Cherokee I've also used recently. Power is readily available and builds very smoothly. At least with my light trailer, under heavy throttle it pulled along like most vehicles behave unladen.

I would love to have a Flex, it is a fabulous car IMHO. Acres of space, fit and finish like a high-end Japanese car, and personally I love the looks. Sadly, my wife doesn't agree on the last point. At all.

I would imagine that it will see a lot of use as a limo, stretch or otherwise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutcth

One thing though - I haven't really seen a fuel economy benefit to towing with this engine compared to a V8.

Well, the Flex doesn't get great mileage to begin with (17 city, 24 highway, 19 combined as per the EPA), but when not towing, it's got to be better than a pick-up or large SUV, no? Certainly beats them hands down in terms of comfort and passenger capacity.

Plus, what are your driving habits? Do you do tow your TT most of the time, or drive without it? I suspect that for many, 95% (or better) of the time, they drive without a TT behind them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutcth

I've only ever needed four-wheel-drive once - and that was parking on wet grass on a hilly field. I managed with what I had. It was never a problem in state or federal campgrounds, even during a very rainy cross-country trip in 2009.

This is an issue that has to do with the buyer's projected use. No vehicle is best for every use.

The Flex is FWD, so might beat out a 2WD pick-up in many slippery situations, but it must be noted that if one drives in snowy mountains or wet, hilly fields frequently, a 4WD vehicle would be a definite asset.

I wonder how long it will be before Ford decides to put a small V-8 into a Flex model...?

**DKB_SATX** · 02-08-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

The Flex is FWD, so might beat out a 2WD pick-up in many slippery situations, but it must be noted that if one drives in snowy mountains or wet, hilly fields frequently, a 4WD vehicle would be a definite asset.

I wonder how long it will be before Ford decides to put a small V-8 into a Flex model...?

Actually the Flex with EcoBoost is AWD. Only the lower-power engine is available with FWD. If something happens to my '05 Legacy GT Wagon while the Flex is still available, it will be the first car I test-drive.