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juel · 01-21-2005, 11:17 AM

I'm thinking about buying a pick-up to pull my 1978 24ft Argosy. I know I need a V8 and am looking at a Ford or a Toyota Tundra. Does anyone have any suggestions on either of these. I thought about the Dodge too. I can get a good deal on a 2004 right now, so I need help in a hurry. HELP Judy

j54mark · 01-21-2005, 04:28 PM

There are several threads in the archives on tow vehicles which would relate directly on your situation.

A 24' Argosy is light enough to be towed by a properly equiped Tundra, in theory. There have been several reports on these forums of success with just the combination you describe. Do be aware, however, that with passengers and "stuff" you can exceed its GVWR and GCVR faster than you might believe. And some have not been satisfied with the pulling power in mountains. Others have.

Ford and Dodge make so many models you will have to be more specific to get any advice there.

Mark

Silvertwinkie · 01-21-2005, 06:26 PM

Ditto Marks comments!

juel · 01-21-2005, 06:36 PM

The Tundra has a 4.7L V8 with a full towing package. It is rated at 282HP, will tow up to 4888. The Ford has a 5.4 Triton V8, 300HP and is rated to tow around 4000 lbs. The dealer said not to tow anything over 21ft, but I don't think he knows Airstreams. We are towing it now with ease with a 5.4 Triton with 168,000 miles on it. It was the reliability that Consumer Reports has questioned in the 2004 model. they say it will be much worse than in previous years. That makes me a little anxious.

rseagle · 01-22-2005, 05:55 AM

The new Ford F-150s with the 5.4L V-8 are more in the 9000# tow range instead of 4000! I have a '97 4.6L V-8 in my 150 and with a 3.73 can tow up to 6600#.

I'm curious where you are getting your information.

These new Ford F-150s are BRUTES. They could easily pull a 24 footer with a 3.73 or 4.10 axle.

juel · 01-22-2005, 07:53 AM

The salesman at the Ford dealership told me the information. I tried to tell him that I thought it was weight and not length he should be considering, but he just looked at me the way car salesman look at women buyers. How do you like your Ford. Consumer Reports says they are not dependable. Would you buy another. Are there any Toyota owners out there?

rseagle · 01-22-2005, 03:25 PM

I've been very satisfied with my F-150. It has about 100K miles, with no major maintenance problems. I'd say it's been very reliable. With the 4.6L, I pull my 22' CCD OK. In the mountains it slows a bit, but not too bad. With the 5.4L, I'm sure I'd be able to maintain speed and even accelarate.
I'll definitely buy another Ford if/when I need a replacement. I will get the 5.4L next time. The new F-150s are also very safe, having passed the 40mph front offset crash test with flying colors. Very little deformation of the passenger compartment. Something, definitely to consider.

ASFlorida25 · 01-22-2005, 04:15 PM

Anybody got any experience pulling with a Cayanne yet? Weve got a 25 to tow accross country....and a cayanne w/trailer package.

cosmotini · 01-22-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASFlorida25

Anybody got any experience pulling with a Cayanne yet? Weve got a 25 to tow accross country....and a cayanne w/trailer package.

Aren't the Cayenne and the Touareg essentially the same vehicle?

There are some people who post here with Touaregs. Xray?

Dennis

overlander63 · 01-22-2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juel

The salesman at the Ford dealership told me the information. I tried to tell him that I thought it was weight and not length he should be considering, but he just looked at me the way car salesman look at women buyers. How do you like your Ford. Consumer Reports says they are not dependable. Would you buy another. Are there any Toyota owners out there?

Bob's F-150 is a 1997, the problems are with the new body style 2004's. There are several issues with them, as far as reliability and premature wear of certain parts.
The first thing that has come to my attention with them, is that several 2004 F-150's have been run through my shop with destroyed front tires. The outer edge that you can see looking at the tire looks fine, but they are worn to the steel cords on the inside edge. Aggravating this problem is there are not many tires out there yet for this truck, as it takes a different size than the 2003's.
There were also several that have come in with operational problems that were returned to Ford for warranty repair.
I can relate these in another post, when I have a little more time to type, if you wish.
Terry

rseagle · 01-23-2005, 06:05 AM

I'll be interested in hearing more about these F-150 problems and what Ford is doing to improve them. How are the new SuperDuty's doing? How is their new trailer brake control system in the 2005s?

juel · 01-23-2005, 06:59 AM

Thank you so much for your information. This is a lot of money to spend and I am so grateful for your help. I'm going to look at the Toyota Tundra with the towing package. Never heard anyone say anything bad about a Toyota. Thank you, Judy

john hd · 01-23-2005, 07:25 AM

hey judy,

ever consider getting a chevy? i see the discussion is limited to ford vs toyota so far.

i've had quite a few chevs over the years and have found them to be very good, well mannered tow vehicles.

i would think a half ton chevy with a 5.3 (327 cid) and 3.73 gears would fit your bill nicely.

you also don't need to be limited to a pick up, there are tahoes, suburbans, and the avalanche built on the same chassis.

just a thought....

john

overlander63 · 01-23-2005, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseagle

I'll be interested in hearing more about these F-150 problems and what Ford is doing to improve them. How are the new SuperDuty's doing? How is their new trailer brake control system in the 2005s?

Okay, first question last. The new integrated brake controller system worked great on the two S-D's I drove with trailers equipped. One had a 12,000#+ construction trailer on it, with a backhoe, the other had a smaller utility trailer. Both trucks stopped very well, if I hadn't felt the backhoe scoot forward a few inches when I hit the brakes, I wouldn't have known the thing was back there. The truck pulling the utility trailer also stopped well, although not as smoothly. The vehcle owner told me the trailer had only single-axle electric brakes, that may have made a difference (tandem-axle trailer).
We are regularly given brake clinincs at the local Ford dealership here, next time we have one, I will see if I can get any info about the actual brake controller unit.
Now, the F150's...
A national rental company has a fleet of these, that have come through for various problems, the most noticeable to me has, of course, been the tires. Almost every one has come in with significant to severe tire wear on the inside edge of the tire. Had this been only one or two, I would have attributed this to individual driver's bad driving habits (they are, after all, rental vehicles). I have made some, umm, "unauthorized adjustments" to the alignment of the worst offenders, with good results. I can hardly wait 'till Ford updates their alignmment specifications to help. Taking a S.W.A.G. on an alignment on a brand-new truck is uncomfortable at best, but something had to be done in the interim.
Brake rotors: The metal Ford is currently using on their brake rotors on these trucks is softer than on previous models, and the brake pads tend to wear out the rotor instead of the pad. I have noticed this on several Ford model cars also, but that is another can 'o worms.
Gaskets: This I saw on two of these trucks, the intake gaskets were leaking coolant at the rear of the manifold, a not-unheard-of problem on autos equipped with similar engines, but not one I have seen before on a truck, and on 10,000 mile or so mileage trucks at that. There were a couple of minor things wrong also, like a broken door handle here, burned-out lights there, nothing big, but enough to make me wonder about initial quality.
Terry

rseagle · 01-23-2005, 08:11 AM

Hi Terry,

Do you know if these problems are being addressed at Ford? Usually when an new vehicle comes out there are lots of bugs. It takes 2-3 years to work most of them out. Since the 2004 F-150s were the first year of the new body style/design, I'd expect the 2006-2007 models will have the tire/rotor problems worked out.
Any thoughts?

Bob

balrgn · 01-23-2005, 09:12 AM

Thought I'd chime in, (being a GM fan) I have a 2003 GMC Sierra Quad Steer. 5.3. Tows my 25 Trade Wind like there is nothing behind me. The quad steer it unbelievable. As soon as you start to back up the trailer starts to turn. 28,000 with out an issue!

ricksre · 01-23-2005, 09:20 AM

Have owned Ford 150s, and one Tundra. Now have a Nissan Titan. You'll regret not checking it out.

krowsea · 01-23-2005, 10:31 AM

Hi Judy,

I bought a 2004 Dodge Ram, and had it set up special just for towing. It has been a wonderful truck. I drive a lot (I mean a lot!!) and it has worked flawlesly. I purchased it last March, so in less than a year it has over 57,000 miles on it with no problems. With a steel camper shell on the back and the bed fully loaded with boxes of parts and such, I get 16-18 mpg. It hauled my '75 sovereign 31' like it wasn't even there.

Here's how I set it up;
2004 Dodge Ram
2500 3/4 ton
Hemi
5spd automatic
2 wheel drive
Regular cab / long bed (that was a special order item in So-cal, people don't usually use trucks as trucks here:-)
Limited slip differential
Trailer towing package (heavy duty battery and electrical, eng/trans coolers, factory install hitch and trailer towing mirrors)
Laramie package (OK, this isn't for towing, but leather, CD and power everything sure helps on long hauls.)

John

overlander63 · 01-23-2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseagle

Hi Terry,

Do you know if these problems are being addressed at Ford? Usually when an new vehicle comes out there are lots of bugs. It takes 2-3 years to work most of them out. Since the 2004 F-150s were the first year of the new body style/design, I'd expect the 2006-2007 models will have the tire/rotor problems worked out.
Any thoughts?

Bob

Ford right now is being closed-mouthed about these issues. Sometimes the hardest thing is admitting their new baby has a problem. Back in the 1960's Ford was accused of "stonewalling" customers with quality/safety issues. That was a long, long time ago, and they are much better now, but old habits do die hard. If I could just kick this eating habit, I would have more money for my trailer repairs.

Terry

rluhr · 01-23-2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseagle

The new F-150s are also very safe, having passed the 40mph front offset crash test with flying colors. Very little deformation of the passenger compartment.

Bob, I'm not saying you are wrong about the 2005 models, but 2004 and earlier had abominable crash test results. I wouldn't want to be in one of them in a front-end accident. There are some amazing pictures available here:

http://www.leasetips.com/f150crashtest.htm

and here:

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/Cra...operVsFordF150

Does anyone have a link to 2005 model year crash test results for the F150?