Help me choose a new truck (towing)

specracer

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Before getting a power stroke F350 (currently on our 2nd) and a 44' trailer, I towed a 24' enclosed steel trailer (not a fancy aluminum), with a 2014 Raptor w the 6.2. I towed almost 10k miles with it. Was just fine (has load bars and sway control). Only down side was that it was thirsty, 8-9 mpg. Point it, as mentioned F150's have 10-12k towing capacity (Raptor is 10k)
 

blk02edge

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Any first hand experience here towing an enclosed trailer with an ecoboost?
Yes, they tow great. My dad had a 2014 Lariat, I’ve towed his 27’ twin engine boat and my 20x8.5 enclosed with a car inside with that truck. I personally have a 2015 3500 Cummins and obviously there’s no comparison but I’m towing a trailer at least 5 days/month.

For you I’d probably get a 1/2 ton
 

lilcoop03

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Yes, they tow great. My dad had a 2014 Lariat, I’ve towed his 27’ twin engine boat and my 20x8.5 enclosed with a car inside with that truck. I personally have a 2015 3500 Cummins and obviously there’s no comparison but I’m towing a trailer at least 5 days/month.

For you I’d probably get a 1/2 ton
1/2 ton what? Is the ecoboost you pulled with a 2.7 or 3.5? What trans?
 

andymarkv

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If you're only towing a few times a year (how far away are the events?) could you go old school and get something retro cool?
I saw this today and thought of this thread... (Sign says $15K, I don't know the details)
truck dual.jpg
truck dual 1.jpg
 

gimmie11s

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Not that crazy if he’s talking tailwind on the highway which slightly slopes downhill:D

Seriously... I literally lol'd sitting in my office at 14.5 mpg with a 40 ft 5th wheel.

Next question is why are you towing a 40' 5er with a 3/4 ton? Meh.

Some ppl crack me up
 

RickyBobby51

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in my view, the number of tow events is not the issue. The issue is towing safely, minimizing the white knuckle moments.

I race cars like you. I used to tow my 2006 Mustang track only car in an enclosed Haulmark trailer with a 2016 Suburban. So I know where you are starting and the thought processes. Those days trying to “make it work” are over.

I wonder if you may be making errors with the estimate of the weights. What about the added weights of a tool box, etc that a racer brings to the track?

My 2004.5 Duramax Chevy 3/4 ton tow truck was stolen at a race event in Southern California. It however opened my eyes to the safety and power of a diesel truck to pull my trailers.

Now I have a 1 ton 2020 GMC Duramax with a a gooseneck trailer for road racing a Super Late Stock Car. I have never been happier.

One thing to consider re gas v diesel power. The GMC Duramax uses the engine to slow the trailer/truck down on a steep downhill grade. Gas trucks don’t have that capacity. Most anyone who has over-heated brakes towing on a downhill grade knows the benefit of that feature.

The heavier suspension works to make a safe towing experience.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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in my view, the number of tow events is not the issue. The issue is towing safely, minimizing the white knuckle moments.

I race cars like you. I used to tow my 2006 Mustang track only car in an enclosed Haulmark trailer with a 2016 Suburban. So I know where you are starting and the thought processes. Those days trying to “make it work” are over.

I wonder if you may be making errors with the estimate of the weights. What about the added weights of a tool box, etc that a racer brings to the track?

My 2004.5 Duramax Chevy 3/4 ton tow truck was stolen at a race event in Southern California. It however opened my eyes to the safety and power of a diesel truck to pull my trailers.

Now I have a 1 ton 2020 GMC Duramax with a a gooseneck trailer for road racing a Super Late Stock Car. I have never been happier.

One thing to consider re gas v diesel power. The GMC Duramax uses the engine to slow the trailer/truck down on a steep downhill grade. Gas trucks don’t have that capacity. Most anyone who has over-heated brakes towing on a downhill grade knows the benefit of that feature.

The heavier suspension works to make a safe towing experience.

My 2012 f150 you can hold it in a gear to use engine breaking. There’s a long mild grade down the mountain in nc, I just lock out 4-6 so it costs down in 3dd. It basically holds a perfect 35mph the whole way down

Probably some reasons it’s not as ideal as a Jake brake but still
 

lilcoop03

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After doing some research, it appears that the 24ft trailer I got should weigh 3200lbs, which is less than I thought. The car weighs around 2800 so I'm at 6000lbs. This is less than I thought, but I agree with others that aero is the biggest problem to overcome. Most of my trips wont involve traversing mountains and the trips are about 2hrs each way. Lots of 60-85mph traveling and I think I will feel that parachute at those speeds.

I am in upstate SC and would like to make it up to VIR and NCM one of these days though.
 

plumbcrazy

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Can you get the air ride with those?
I loved that option on my last 2 Ram 1500s
-J
I could be wrong, but I think the F150 only comes with air ride if you order the “ get-tow” package which also includes 26” rims and low profile tires.

On a serious note for OP I periodically pull between 5000 and 6000 pounds through the Pocono Mountains in PA with my 2016 F150 super cab with 3.5 eco-boost. Truck has 200k miles on it. I can tell you there’s plenty left in the tow department for it. I have the heavy duty payload and trailer tow package.
Been thinking about replacing it several times over the past couple of years, but I really like the 6R80, the truck looks fantastic, and still runs strong as hell.
I get about 15 MPG when I tow but I drive like grandpa so there’s that. No cam phaser issues yet.
Sounds like this might come down to “what do I need “ vs “ what do I want “ issue.
 

Tractorman

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in my view, the number of tow events is not the issue. The issue is towing safely, minimizing the white knuckle moments.

I race cars like you. I used to tow my 2006 Mustang track only car in an enclosed Haulmark trailer with a 2016 Suburban. So I know where you are starting and the thought processes. Those days trying to “make it work” are over.

I wonder if you may be making errors with the estimate of the weights. What about the added weights of a tool box, etc that a racer brings to the track?

My 2004.5 Duramax Chevy 3/4 ton tow truck was stolen at a race event in Southern California. It however opened my eyes to the safety and power of a diesel truck to pull my trailers.

Now I have a 1 ton 2020 GMC Duramax with a a gooseneck trailer for road racing a Super Late Stock Car. I have never been happier.

One thing to consider re gas v diesel power. The GMC Duramax uses the engine to slow the trailer/truck down on a steep downhill grade. Gas trucks don’t have that capacity. Most anyone who has over-heated brakes towing on a downhill grade knows the benefit of that feature.

The heavier suspension works to make a safe towing experience.
Gas engines naturally have engine braking due to the throttle body. Diesels don't have one, so the air just easily pumps thru. The engine braking on a diesel is thru pinching the VGT turbo down.
 

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