RE: Am I the only happy F-150 tower
I used to tow with a 92 Dodge Dakota Magnum 5.9 4x4 short bed.. A 19 foot, 21 foot and a 24 lite... It did GREAT...Should have seen the looks on people's faces when they saw that 24 footer being pulled by a Dakota!! Put the 24 foot up for sale and a guy with a Ford Ranger V-6 bought it... I said, 'are you planning on pulling this with that Ranger?", he said," you pulled it with a Dakota!"... Ummmm ok...
I pulled my 30 foot ultralight with a 2004 Dakota quad cab for a couple years. My parents pull a very similar TT with it now. 4x4 quadcab v8 4.7L. It does just fine in the rolling hills of southern Missouri, as does my current 1/2 ton Ram.
I am not at all surprised that there are many satisfied F150 owners out there. The 5.4 Triton does a fine job from everything I've read, and the F150 is a strong pickup.
RE: Powerstroke
I would like to add my two cents to this post- I worked at a Ford Dealer and the other problems we also found was chips and Rotella oil. The 6.0 is already hyped so much it could not handle the chips, also if Ford finds a chip they will not cover the repair. The Rotella oil misses up the injectors.
When I first posted this 2 years ago I got all kinds of well lets say "feedback".
Anyway, the ford dealer I talked to said that the Rotella detergents would foam in the HPOP, and cavitate in the injectors, thus destoying them.
I tried to get the ford dealer to give some documentation on this matter, and he couldn't provide it. So I had to take egg on my face all by myself.
scott-vicki-
Do you have proof to back this up. I need redemption. :W
I mentioned the same thing in a thread a few years back. I have a buddy at the local autoparts store and he said not to use Rotella with the Ford diesels. He also mentioned the foaming issues. I too, was criticized as spreading rumors without proof. And, I had no proof, but I trust my buddy whom I can speak to in person more than some yahoo on an rv forum. :)
By the way, my buddy isn't just some kid behind the counter. He is 1/2 owner of the place, and wrenches cars when he isn't behind the counter. He knows his stuff!
So, Engineer, you were not alone! :W
RE: Survey: New Rear Coil Spring 1/2 T Ram Owners: Towing
Here is the fellow I was hoping would catch this thread.
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/memberprofile/mid/18382074
I'll see if I can't send him this way.
RE: "What can I tow" question you probably have never seen.
If the Ford won't pull it just use the Superbird. I understand that most of them came with gears more appropriate for drag racing (or towing) than for speedway racing. It certainly has the engine, transmission and brakes needed. My father used to pull a 6000 pound boat with his Chrysler Newport that was mechanically very similar, just a weaker engine. One of those teardrop trailers or a classic Airstream would look great behind the 'Bird.
The only potential issue I see towing with a Superbird is the fact that those cars had issues with the cooling systems due to airflow issues with the unique nose cone. They stayed cool at high speeds, but low speeds and traffic situations were an issue I believe. I would think towing would also be a challenge for the cooling system, unless tweaked somehow.
This is all based on what I've heard and read though. I have never been fortunate enough to sit behind the wheel of one of those iconic automobiles, much less drive one. :(
RE: New Gasser HD trucks-Horsepower Wars are On! (soon)
It is interesting, but I would be more excited if they could focus their attention on improving gasser mpgs. 300 to 350 hp is enough for me, lets get pickup gasser mpgs up to 25 mpg highway. Now THAT would be something!
RE: "What can I tow" question you probably have never seen.
Ok, but this is getting away from my question regarding the WAGON. LOL
http://my.voyager.net/A4/2B/gwta/images/rice/ARpics/110-1075_IMG.JPG
OMG!! :E Would you adopt me?? :B
I know, I know, off topic. Sorry about that, but that Superbird of yours is a car I have fantasized about since my teen years!! Still to this day those make me drool!
And, the Ford wagon is nice as well! :W
Swap in some towing gears, upgrade the brakes, and the cooling if necessary, and I wouldn't be afraid to tow a 5,000 lb aero-friendly lightweight TT locally with the Ford. Good luck and keep us posted!
RE: Survey: New Rear Coil Spring 1/2 T Ram Owners: Towing
I`m a Ford and A Dodge Guy, but that "info-mercial" is very mis-leading and doesn`t help anyone out!
Who here thinks that the Ford with it`s 2 leafs and 1 overload leaf is going to support any sizeable load?
I wasn't going to say anything, but it was painfully obvious he was really talking up the Ford's 2 leaf 1 overload setup as if it were the marvel of the ages, and talking down the Dodge's more sophisticated setup as fit for only "taxicabs". Very misleading, but it was a Ford commercial and he was only trying to do the job he was paid to do. I guess he figured he would try to talk up the F150 since his stint at promoting the Ford minivans a few years back didn't turn out so well. :W
RE: Survey: New Rear Coil Spring 1/2 T Ram Owners: Towing
Coil Springs are for cars.....not the rear suspension of a truck. IMHO
Really?....The front end of many 3/4 - 1 ton trucks use coil springs...even with the heavy weight of diesel engines...
I haven't kept up with what Dodge is actually doing with their new 1/2 model, but I know in the pre-release info it would be only tow rated for about 6500 lbs, they even stated there would be no real tow package(HD cooling, tow mirrors, etc...)Dodge's thinking at that time was if you needed to tow more then get the next size up truck...
Dodge, by their own admission, was VERY conservative on the 09 Ram 1500 models in regards to towing capacity. The 2010 1500 models have increased the towing capacity to over 10,000 lbs when properly equipped, without any actual modifications or changes made between 09 and 2010.
RE: Problems with an oversized tow vehicle
You could tow a TT with an MDT or HDT and no damage should occur, same as towing with a 1 ton or equal. I'e towed my 6x12 single 3500 lb axel trailer with my MDT, no damage in 20 yrs of owning the trailer, and the navistar, and towed the same trailer day in and out with my one ton flatbed I used to have!
Have to disagree with you on this one. I have read about it in the past, and there are some situations where a MDT/HDT with a very stiff suspension can literally shake a lightweight (and perhaps poorly made) TT apart, especially on rough roads. Just think about it like this, most lightweight TTs are built with an emphasis on weight savings nowadays. As a result, the tongues on the trailers are engineered sometimes to the hairy edge of capacity. Now think about it like a loaded wheelbarrow. If you stand there and shake the wheelbarrow violently by the handles, the handles may break if loaded near capacity. Same with a loaded TT tongue.
If I can find a link, I will post it.
But a 1 ton pickup truck damage a TT? No way.
RE: Survey: New Rear Coil Spring 1/2 T Ram Owners: Towing
Coil Springs are for cars.....not the rear suspension of a truck. IMHO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxGlJ1mjIAw
That's a nice Ford commercial you got there. Not exactly what the OP was asking for though. He wants real world experience, not some paid for by Ford fellow trying to discount Dodge's approach with his scripted blather and opinionated nonsense. Most all unbiased sources are give the Dodge 1/2 ton suspension very high praise for its stability and ride comfort when empty, and when carrying some weight.
RE: Problems with an oversized tow vehicle
No, I don't believe a 1 ton truck will damage a properly built TT, even a small one.
The only way damage could happen is using an MDT or HDT truck (much larger than a 1 ton pickup) to tow a small, lightweight TT. Then yes, damage could be possible under the right (or wrong) conditions.
RE: high mileage tow vehicles 200k
I am looking to buy a vehicle for work which I would also use as a tow vehicle for a travel trailer. It has 211,ooo miles. It has been well maintained, used as company vehicle for local deliveries. It is a 2001 Ford F150 XLT with tow package. I am also looking at a 2003 Ford F150 XL with 111,000 miles. I would like your advice if any of these would be good for a tow vehicle due to the fact funds are limited.
Well maintained or not, 211,000 miles is nearing the end of the life of most any gas burning 1/2 ton. Sure it may last a few more miles, but towing will stress it even more. Not worth the risk to me, unless the purchase price is super cheap.
Of your two options mentioned, I would go for the 03 with less miles. JMHO.
RE: Survey: New Rear Coil Spring 1/2 T Ram Owners: Towing
Just got my curiosity; there's got to be some 09 1/2 ton Ram owners out there that are towing.
What are your opinions about the rear coil springs versus the previous leaf sprung rear ends on the earlier 1/2 ton Rams?
How the the quality of the ride when unloaded?
I'm curious as well. I've gotta think about the future (like 5 years from now) when I replace this old Ram. A 1/2 ton is all I need, but towing with those coil springs has me curious. I really like a stiff rear suspension when towing, that's why I installed Timbrens on this truck. I might have to go to a 3/4 ton, or go with an 08 or older Ram 1500. But man, that new sheetmetal is so much nicer!!
Their is a fellow on here with a black 09 Hemi Ram 1500 crew cab with a sleek new TT. I'm hoping he catches this thread.
RE: Not so green cars/trucks/SUV's
Yes, a very interesting piece of fiction. The fuel mileages listed for the vehicles were made up apparently because they aren't at all the official EPA ratings. When I read this article written by this not so bright young lady, I wondered if any rv.net folks would post it. Most of the folks in the comment section are brighter than the author and it shows.
Fiction? Please explain.
"To determine the dirtiest cars on America's roads, we used air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."
Are you saying that the EPA is just all made up?
Take a look at the mpg numbers. Absolutely false. You want me to cut and paste the actual numbers, I will be happy to. I don't think there is ANY version of a 2009 Ram 1500 that only gets 12 mpg highway. Hell, my old 95 beats that silly number.
Sure. But question, where are they getting their numbers from? The EPA or somewhere else?
Dunno...but seems that if the article is saying their data is from the EPA and the EPA sets the numbers for each car/truck etc, is the data skewed somewhere?
I think it is. And yes I do question where she has gotten her data, and what her motives are behind this article. Does she really have no clue? Or is this false data intentional for a more malicious reason? I have no idea, but again her article reeks of dishonesty and/or stupidity. Is she an environmental wackjob with a bone to pick with Chrysler? Did she predict Chrysler would be bought out by the chinese last year and wants to get back at them for making her look bad? Is she just incompetent? I don't know, you tell me. :h
I copy and paste the following from her article,
"We did not evaluate models that will end production after this year"
If that's the case, why are the Durango and Aspen on her list? They have ALREADY stopped production! WTF????
And these blatantly low mpg numbers on the Dodge,Jeep,Chrysler vehicles just blows all credibility out of the water. 12mpg highway on a 09 Ram 1500? Where did that number come from, because the EPA's official rating is much higher. I've personally seen 19 mpg highway ratings on the window stickers on 4x4 crew cab 5.7L Hemi models at the dealership. I have NEVER seen ANY model with 12mpg highway listed. I have no idea about the mpg figures on the other vehicles on the list, but I suspect they could be wrong as well.
RE: Not so green cars/trucks/SUV's
Yes, a very interesting piece of fiction. The fuel mileages listed for the vehicles were made up apparently because they aren't at all the official EPA ratings. When I read this article written by this not so bright young lady, I wondered if any rv.net folks would post it. Most of the folks in the comment section are brighter than the author and it shows.
Fiction? Please explain.
"To determine the dirtiest cars on America's roads, we used air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."
Are you saying that the EPA is just all made up?
Take a look at the mpg numbers. Absolutely false. You want me to cut and paste the actual numbers, I will be happy to. I don't think there is ANY version of a 2009 Ram 1500 that only gets 12 mpg highway. Hell, my old 95 beats that silly number.
RE: Not so green cars/trucks/SUV's
Yes, a very interesting piece of fiction. The fuel mileages listed for the vehicles were made up apparently because they aren't at all the official EPA ratings. When I read this article written by this not so bright young lady, I wondered if any rv.net folks would post it. Most of the folks in the comment section are brighter than the author and it shows.
And, she didn't even follow her own strange set of rules. She mentions in the article that she didn't include vehicles that were ending production, but the Durango and Aspen have already stopped production.
There are 5 Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles in this list, and I can show that each one of those vehicles have higher mpg numbers than listed in this article. If she can't get the mpg numbers right, then how are we to assume any of her data is correct?
Again, very interesting piece of fiction.
RE: new tires
Here is a link to a cool tire size calculator which will give you some important info about speedometer readings and other info when changing tire sizes.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
RE: what the heck is that??
Boy the self righteous bunch you are! Good grief this all starts from a post about a mess at the WM lot. Heck it could be one of their employees for all anyone knows.
If I was the OP I "might" ask the store about the situation because it is a blight even for WM.
For all those judgmental types that posted here, get real it is time for the mod to step in and put you to bed! This site is about camping not your personal beliefs about the world.
If the mods start deleting the "judgmental" posts in this thread, the whole thing would have to disappear. The OP is judgmental from the very start.
I may have been just as guilty, but looking down on others without knowing their true circumstances really burns my a$$! :M Too much of that goes on in this world IMO. If the OP will go to the trouble to find out what the deal is and let us know, it would make me feel better.
RE: what the heck is that??
any one who would like to donate please send me $20, you are so fast in suggesting I spend my hard earned money to buy them turkey dinner, I already pay enough taxes to give them free medical and free school lunches etc. any one, put YOUR money where your mouth is.
I wouldn't send YOU one thin dime, but if you get off your duff and find out the circumstances from the store manager, I bet lots of folks would be willing to help if indeed this situation was folks who simply are doing the best they can.
You are making assumptions without finding out the whole story. I've seen you do that alot on these forums. Here's your chance to prove me wrong, go talk to the store manager and tell us the scoop. Otherwise, you are simply looking down your nose at folks you have no idea about.
Come on oldguy, prove me wrong. I DARE YOU!!
