OK Just looking,
But thinking 2 wd or 4 wd
5 1/2 or 6 1/2 ft box
V-8 4.6LTR eng. or V-8 5.4LTR eng.
Thinking of going down from two vehicles to one , Thus 2wd or 4wd !! ? .Plus is the 4wd really an asset when pulling boat outa the water realising ocean ramps can sometimes be an issue !!
Would like to hear from guy's who have or do still own one , Have heard the 5.4Ltr is a gas guzzer !!? & their is only about 30 HP diff but torq specs are more
well after watching a guys truck slide into the drink while his rear tires spun out on wet algea and then pulling him out with my 4wd (and two docklines because I didn't have a strap), I would never launch without 4wd. I back in till the rear tires hit water and sometimes until the tailpipes hit water so I would say 4wd is a must.
as for engine, I've got a 3.2L diesel that I'm thrilled about. pulls like an ox and gets 21MPH while pulling the Mac. 24MPG unloaded and I've seen it hit 27 on trips. I totally recommend diesels for tow vehicles if its an option.
I have a 2007 Ford F-150 Supercab, 2WD, with a 4.6L V-8, (248 H.P.). It is equipped with a heavy-duty tow package, (7200 lbs. tow capacity). The truck also has an 8 foot bed and a camper shell over the back.
I'm quite happy with the truck and must say that it pulls our Mac very easily. The only downside is that because of the long wheelbase, it is sometimes tough to find a good parking space whenever I'm in the city.
Another drawback is that with the high cost of fuel these days, it gets a bit expensive at the pump as it has a 36 gallon tank. I can count on about 15 - 18 mpg. in general usage. I don't drive the truck all that much, so I don't spend a fortune on gas.
The way Gas prices are going I plan on tradeing in my 1999 F150 extended Cab with 4.2liter 6cylinder standard trans. to the new 3.7 litter V6 with 302 hp and high tork and getting 19 around town and 23 highway. My 202 hp has been pulling my Mac.X for 2-1/2 years and like the new numbers comeing out.
I tow twice a Month to a ramp 4 miles away but do a 400 mile round trip to the keys once a year,mabe twice.
With my Aluminum tandem Trailer with a longer toung than the Mac. trailer can launch and never get the tires wet.
I will wait a year for the bugs to be solved and buy a single cab with 6.5 bed.(maybe less if price goes up)
Dave
Not sure if it works on 2wds but on a 4wd you can hold the brakes and press the gas, you use the brakes to release power and it puts power to both wheels, test it I may be wrong but it works on my grand Cherokee and bronco while in 4wd kinda like lockers. Never tried it in 2wds. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
DaveB wrote:The way Gas prices are going I plan on tradeing in my 1999 F150 extended Cab with 4.2liter 6cylinder standard trans. to the new 3.7 litter V6 with 302 hp and high tork and getting 19 around town and 23 highway. My 202 hp has been pulling my Mac.X for 2-1/2 years and like the new numbers comeing out.
I tow twice a Month to a ramp 4 miles away but do a 400 mile round trip to the keys once a year,mabe twice.
With my Aluminum tandem Trailer with a longer toung than the Mac. trailer can launch and never get the tires wet.
I will wait a year for the bugs to be solved and buy a single cab with 6.5 bed.(maybe less if price goes up)
Dave
Dave
The new Eco-boost 3.5l twin turbo v-6 365HP & even more torq has been out in the taurus & edge for about a 1 1/2 yrs it just came out in the new late ford F-150 2011 models I looked at one yesterday 23 mpg city & 30 mpg hiway but I could not justify blowing 40,000# on a new tow truck still looking at a couple of 07 & 08 for less than half that price
Thats the other engine, the stock 3.7 puts out 302 hp and Ford been advertiseing here for a single cab 6.5 bed for $19,995 This engine city 19 mpg, highway 23.
Dave
Highlander wrote:Dave
The new Eco-boost 3.5l twin turbo v-6 365HP & even more torq has been out in the taurus & edge for about a 1 1/2 yrs it just came out in the new late ford F-150 2011 models I looked at one yesterday 23 mpg city & 30 mpg hiway but I could not justify blowing 40,000# on a new tow truck still looking at a couple of 07 & 08 for less than half that price
My Ford F150 has the slip to actvate dual wheels. I never slip at the ramp or spin tires.
It's the clutch that wasn't designed for more than 2000 lb tow and that's what burns me up about a salesperson who has no idea about their products but sells them. I will ask the Sales Manager next time for the most experanced Salesperson for that truck.
Bumbers that say 5000 lbs means only the bumper and not the truck.
Dave
Jamie79 wrote:Not sure if it works on 2wds but on a 4wd you can hold the brakes and press the gas, you use the brakes to release power and it puts power to both wheels, test it I may be wrong but it works on my grand Cherokee and bronco while in 4wd kinda like lockers. Never tried it in 2wds. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
DaveB wrote:My Ford F150 has the slip to actvate dual wheels. I never slip at the ramp or spin tires.
It's the clutch that wasn't designed for more than 2000 lb tow and that's what burns me up about a salesperson who has no idea about their products but sells them. I will ask the Sales Manager next time for the most experanced Salesperson for that truck.
Bumbers that say 5000 lbs means only the bumper and not the truck.
Dave
Jamie79 wrote:Not sure if it works on 2wds but on a 4wd you can hold the brakes and press the gas, you use the brakes to release power and it puts power to both wheels, test it I may be wrong but it works on my grand Cherokee and bronco while in 4wd kinda like lockers. Never tried it in 2wds. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
Dave
Have you checked into what clutch is actualy in the trk their maybe a heavy duty one avail . that would let you go a heavier pay load
Can't help with the motor, but for the 2x4 vs 4x4 how are your general driving conditions in Canada during the winter? I lived on lake ontario for a few years and found 4x4 made winter driving much more pleasant.
Nice advantage of it for towing I have found is low range for tight manuvering. I have to back turning uphill over a curb to park and low range walks the boat right back. Also when I have my girlfriend at a steep ramp it lets her walk it up slowly without thinking about it.
Whats next,a 200 hp outboard? You plan on doing some Mountain climbing with you Mac.?
I did ck on the clutch but no machanic will warrenty it. I also cked in useing higher rear end gears but I need a new truck anyways and looking at the 3.7 liter 302hp Ford towing 6100 lbs. It has great gas mileage. If I have any second thoughts I will go with the 5 liter 380 hp.
I only tow twice a Month and thats usually 8miles round trip but have towed the boat to the Keys (400 round trip) and in 1-1/2 years I will retire and probably take the boat around the Country.
My current truck pulls the boat ok but backing it up over grass and a 3 ft. swall (thats 3 ft. ground swall) is were I burn the clutch.
Dave
Highlander wrote:Well took the plunge will post pic's soon towing cap. 9200# 4x4
This sucker will tow my boat in over drive , thats a big saving on gas !
J
i have the same truck, super crew cab f-150,06. 5.4 litre. about 14mpg (best) barely notice the mac back there. and yes!, i have needed 4low on a few occasions. a common problem with these is a vacumm release valve seems to go out occasionally. mine 2 times in 75k miles. there is a constant vacumm on the front hubs. if this ever goes out it wont release the vacumm to let the front spindles engage. quick fix in a pickle?, pop the rubber hoses off the hubs right behind the calipers and it will allow the spindles to engage. both times i didnt know my valve went bad until i needed it, obviously.
My Ford Ranger with 4l v-6 5 speed auto trans was giving me about 10 to 11 miles to the gallon at best ! & that average is with the trans being in overdrive on the flats 50% of the time without O/D that would drop to easily 8mpg or less in a head wind !
was OK when I was slipping the boat & only launching & retreiving the boat twice a year but now I plan on doing something esle ! ? so require some thing a little bigger !
23 mpg city & 30 mpg hiway 
