VirginiaCamperBill
Yorktown, Va
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I have a 2005 Tahoe which I am towing my 4950 lb dry weight TT. I am considering replacing it with a F150 (2005 5.4V8) CrewCab. Will I gain much in towinc comfort?
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bartlettj
Forest Grove, OR
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You should get more straight-line stability due to the increased wheelbase, and perhaps less porpoising due to the stiffer springs of the F150. I wouldn't expect more acceleration or a braking change unless the F150 is geared lower than the Tahoe. I have a 2003 Tahoe with 3.73 gears, yours may have the 3.43 or something which would decrease the available acceleration or hill holding ability. Maybe you can get a test tow with the F150 to see if it does better before you buy?
I noticeably improved the ride of my Tahoe while towing by replacing the front shocks with adjustable Rancho 9000's. I have the autoleveling Sachs shocks in the rear so I couldn't replace those without also replacing the coil springs, but they are fine. The new front shocks improved both the ride and handling while towing fairly significantly. My trailer weighs about 4900 loaded and is a 25 foot class. The shocks were very easy to replace, just two bolts each. I didn't even need to jack it up, the front shocks aren't under tension.
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VirginiaCamperBill
Yorktown, Va
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Thanks Barteli:
I am happy with the ride of the Tahoe but since I recently moved up from a 19 ft TT to this new 24 ft Catalina, I find myself uncomfortable when towing it especially on a curved road. As you stated perhaps the longer wheelbase would feel more stable. the change in vehicles with the same milage (95K) will cost me about $4500. I really dont need the 9 passenger capacity of the Tahoe and perhaps the cargo capacity of the 150 may be an additional plus. Just trying to convince myself of the possible purchase.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Is this going to be a new or new used truck? Lots of people think the eco boost is the way to go. Lots better economy and still decent towing ability.
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VirginiaCamperBill
Yorktown, Va
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Hello Donn:
It will be used 150. I have read about the EcoBoost 150s, however my budget wont allow it (It is on my "Bucket List" though)Do you know if there are year models of the 150 which are better and/or there years to be aware of?
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Only thing I know about f150's is from a company I once worked for. The salesmen had them and usually drove them 170K miles before turning them over. Injectors and plug/coils were the big thing most had problems with. That and the fact no one liked the seats in them. They all complained that they were like sitting on bricks. And NO these were NOT XL's Most were at least XLT with bucket seats.
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Trail-Mate
Frederick, MD
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Go Tahoe unless you want an expensive repair bill to replace the plugs. Or fine an equivalent gas GM or Dodge or Ford with 2 valve 5.4. Hensley or Propride would cure the wheelbase issue. You may fine one of these used on Craigslist that may be cheaper then replacing what you have.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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As usual you get the anti Ford crowd spouting old info about a problem long solved. Since you asked about the F-150 and the 5.4L I will add this. The 5.4L V-8 was nearly bulletproof. I owned two of them (2v 2003 and 3v 2005 version) and NEVER did one repair to either. It is a solid smallblock motor that made most of it's torque at lower RPM's compared to the competition and would run forever. It was small though for a tow engine and the last version produced 300HP and 365 FtLbs of torque. It will tow fine for the weight class you are considering. I would try to get a 2005 or newer version and the torqueshift 5 sp auto transmission. In fact I had the 5.4L in an F-250 and towed a 9k TT with it with no real problems. I just wanted to go faster sooner so I stepped up. The newer you can afford the better in this situation as Ford has been significantly beefing up the F-150 for the last 5 years or so. Good luck.
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shadows4
Kansas City, Mo
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fla-gypsy wrote:As usual you get the anti Ford crowd spouting old info about a problem long solved. Since you asked about the F-150 and the 5.4L I will add this. The 5.4L V-8 was nearly bulletproof. I owned two of them (2v 2003 and 3v 2005 version) and NEVER did one repair to either. It is a solid smallblock motor that made most of it's torque at lower RPM's compared to the competition and would run forever. It was small though for a tow engine and the last version produced 300HP and 365 FtLbs of torque. It will tow fine for the weight class you are considering. I would try to get a 2005 or newer version and the torqueshift 5 sp auto transmission. In fact I had the 5.4L in an F-250 and towed a 9k TT with it with no real problems. I just wanted to go faster sooner so I stepped up. The newer you can afford the better in this situation as Ford has been significantly beefing up the F-150 for the last 5 years or so. Good luck.
Just a note here. You can't get the Torqueshift 5 sp transmission in an F150 only the F250. In an F150 I believe you have to go to a 2009 or 2010 to get the 6 speed otherwise its just the 4 speed tranny. FYI
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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shadows4 wrote:fla-gypsy wrote:As usual you get the anti Ford crowd spouting old info about a problem long solved. Since you asked about the F-150 and the 5.4L I will add this. The 5.4L V-8 was nearly bulletproof. I owned two of them (2v 2003 and 3v 2005 version) and NEVER did one repair to either. It is a solid smallblock motor that made most of it's torque at lower RPM's compared to the competition and would run forever. It was small though for a tow engine and the last version produced 300HP and 365 FtLbs of torque. It will tow fine for the weight class you are considering. I would try to get a 2005 or newer version and the torqueshift 5 sp auto transmission. In fact I had the 5.4L in an F-250 and towed a 9k TT with it with no real problems. I just wanted to go faster sooner so I stepped up. The newer you can afford the better in this situation as Ford has been significantly beefing up the F-150 for the last 5 years or so. Good luck.
Just a note here. You can't get the Torqueshift 5 sp transmission in an F150 only the F250. In an F150 I believe you have to go to a 2009 or 2010 to get the 6 speed otherwise its just the 4 speed tranny. FYI
Thanks for the tranny info. I knew they started putting it in the F150 but didn't know the year
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