THSCC Forums

I'm not sure why the 2 choices need to be "Old failing POS" or "Brand new truck".

I had a 1997 Suburban so I'm quite familiar with the overall chassis. What an ill-handling, loose steering POS. If I was in your shoes I would be looking for a 2005-2006's standard wheelbase (132") F150 pickup with the 5.4 V8. I regularly tow with a 119" wheelbase Durango so this would be even better. Either the standard bed non crewcab or short bed crew cab. FAR more pleasant to drive and would tow well. Looks like towing range for the 4.6 and 5.4 starts at 6500 and goes up to 9500 depending.

Something like these (I know next to nothing about Ford pickups except thatt they were generally well reviewed and winning comparisons in those years):

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1619475138.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1643684521.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1651565922.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1650291808.html

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

That generation F150 is a seriously good truck. I've driven one - loved it.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

I tow the Miata on an open 16ft steel trailer with my 02 Grand Cherokee. Full weight is ~4000lb with all my stuff based on the cat scales on I77.

It isn't ideal but it does work very well. The straight 6 makes great torque and pulls very well. Just add a tranny cooler and service it freqently and everything will be fine. I am fairly relaxed but still tentative. It does take some tinkering to get the tongue weight just right for steady towing.
Pulled my camper through some crazy high winds a few years back and would not want to do that again. Everyone was having trouble keeping cars on the highway let alone towing anything...

If I had more weight or a box trailer, full size pickup!!

Scott

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THSCC Timing & Scoring

Jason, what about this? Under $10K.

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=777036

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

our diesel is roughly 20 mpg empty on the highway. 16-18 towing the toyota.
our trailer is seriously heavy too.Double axle steel everything boat of a deal.
She can take all kinds of abuse though, we busted a few drill bits just drilling in that winch for the car on it. the international harvester 7.3l is a great motor.DI head and turbo v8 diesel.

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hey yall,watch this...

I moved from towning with a Jeep GC and a Miata to the Nissan Armada (Same as the Titan). One of the best moves I remember making. While the GC was a GREAT vehicle even (or perhaps because) with the Straight 6, but at times it struggled, especially trying to tow to Road Atlanta or any place with serious hills. Even though the load was just an open trailer and a Miata, once I started to bring real spares and a tool box I know the GC wasn't going to cut it.

By going to a vehicle that was only using 50% of it's towing capacity it felt more like regular driving than towing. And by getting an SUV vs a truck we also get a nice family vacation vehicle and a work vehicle.

It's not as beefy as a diesel, but it does pretty well.

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Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com