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.
Three years ago I bought a 2002 E-150 conversion van (5.4L/3.55) with 79,000 miles. I've put 40,000 miles on it, of which about 20,000 were towing my 25'TT on 2 cross-country trips. It still runs fine and uses little or no oil. I expect many more towing miles and years. I think the 211,000 truck is pushing your luck, though. Take the '03 to a mechanic you trust and have it checked out thoroughly.
star 2008 wrote: 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.
Have it checked out thoroughly. If it checks out, go for it.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
211,000 miles is a lot of miles -- especially since it's been used for "local" deliveries. To me that means a lot of in-town, stop & go driving -- not really what a diesel was designed for. Plus, 211k on an engine might be OK, but remember that EVERYTHING on that truck has 211k worth of wear on it. Plenty of lower mileage trucks available to settle for a 211K in-town mile truck.
Offline
