Question Please help, I really dont want to buy a new truck

[Kevin D Pem]

Yeah, ill stick to my TT for now. All the numbers for my truck seem to be better for those anyways. I just always thought 5th wheels were better on the truck for long distances. Guess there is no general rule.

Good choice! The rules are set in stone. All you have to do is listen. (And you did, first to your inner voice)

 

[Rosy]

Yeah, ill stick to my TT for now. All the numbers for my truck seem to be better for those anyways. I just always thought 5th wheels were better on the truck for long distances. Guess there is no general rule.

A fifth wheel can be more stable when pulling if you have the right truck for it. A halfton is generally not the right truck.

As a hint, every manufacturer will sell you a fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch for their heavy duty trucks. None of them will sell one for their halftons (though there are after market options, obviously).

 

[Nanoman]

Good point thank you! I guess I’m getting a new truck, because my wife really likes that 5th wheel.

 

[Sand-dog]

My wife and I were at the dealership today looking at 5th wheels. We were told by the sales person that the cougar half-ton 5th wheels could be towed with my f150. And since I trust you guys way more than I trust the sales person I was wondering if I could get your guys opinion. I have a 2022 F150 3.5 eco boost with the tow package. Here are my truck specs.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. 6600 lbs
Gross Combined Weight Rating. 12900 lbs
Max Payload. 1671 lbs
I do have helper bags in which add 5000 lbs. but someone told me they dont matter
It’s a 5.5 short bed and Im putting in a slide hitch.

The trailer specs are Keystone Cougar 29rli
Trailer length 32’
weight. 8900 dry
tongue weight 1630
Please let me know your opinion before a drop a ton of money just to find out I need a new truck. Thank you in advance!!!! I know you guys will set me straight

Hey there Nanoman - see attached below chart. this chart was for my 2014 F150 with that 5 L coyote motor pretty beastie motor but the max tow capacity is right around 8000 pounds. The trailer you’re purchasing is awfully big be nice if you had a 3/4 ton or even a 1 ton. Both the eco-boost and the coyote motor are very similar.

 

[Nanoman]

Hey there Nanoman - see attached below chart. this chart was for my 2014 F150 with that 5 L coyote motor pretty beastie motor but the max tow capacity is right around 8000 pounds. The trailer you’re purchasing is awfully big be nice if you had a 3/4 ton or even a 1 ton. Both the eco-boost and the coyote motor are very similar.

Thank you Sand Dog! After all y’alls help. We have decided we are going to get a 1 ton and a little smaller of a trailer. I would much rather be way heavier on the truck side. I’m sticking with gas but I figure if a go with the 6.8L V8 F350 with the 8‘ box Ill be in much better shape going forward.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

The 6.8L is new and that was a deal killer for me, not so much that I don't trust it (I do trust it less than say a Toyota or similar where engineers outnumber lawyers). The 2wd F250, that I'm looking for, was initially offered with the 7.3L gas which is what I require if my money will be paying for it. They introduced the 6.8L and the 7.3L became available only on the 4x4 which I neither need nor want. I sent the salesman a screenshot of "Your Ford, Your Way" and reminded him of what that means to the customer. Needless to say it was out of his hands and it was corporate that made the decision to ensure they won't have my business. I remember way back when (10 years ago) you could order a truck how you wanted it, now they just come packaged with profit margins in mind. It's bad enough I've considered making my own from a new ~$40K E350 van chassis cab in 2wd with the 7.3 gas and a 55 gallon fuel tank with my pick of axle ratios.

 

[Nanoman]

Yeah the package thing drives me crazy. I tried building and ordering the truck to start but it kept kicking me up to the XLT package which changed the price dramatically. So I guess Im just off on a hunt to see what I find, but being in the north east it seems like I’m going to have to dish out the cash to make it work. From what I see so far the super duty’s are still the more affordable option.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

The package thing certainly is killer and depending on what you're used to and what you'd like to spend, is great if you want something all gussied up for ~$100K. Even stripped down they come with so many features now but any little tiny thing you want adds a $4K - $6K "package" so it's really more about their way than your way. For fun I put together a stripped 2wd crew cab 8' bed XL F250 with a diesel since I can't get the engine I require. It was still $65K for basically a work truck.

 

[Rosy]

Thank you Sand Dog! After all y’alls help. We have decided we are going to get a 1 ton and a little smaller of a trailer. I would much rather be way heavier on the truck side. I’m sticking with gas but I figure if a go with the 6.8L V8 F350 with the 8‘ box Ill be in much better shape going forward.

Why not the 7.3L Godzilla V8?

 

[Rosy]

The 6.8L is new and that was a deal killer for me, not so much that I don't trust it (I do trust it less than say a Toyota or similar where engineers outnumber lawyers). The 2wd F250, that I'm looking for, was initially offered with the 7.3L gas which is what I require if my money will be paying for it. They introduced the 6.8L and the 7.3L became available only on the 4x4 which I neither need nor want. I sent the salesman a screenshot of "Your Ford, Your Way" and reminded him of what that means to the customer. Needless to say it was out of his hands and it was corporate that made the decision to ensure they won't have my business. I remember way back when (10 years ago) you could order a truck how you wanted it, now they just come packaged with profit margins in mind. It's bad enough I've considered making my own from a new ~$40K E350 van chassis cab in 2wd with the 7.3 gas and a 55 gallon fuel tank with my pick of axle ratios.

I can't imagine hating a feature like 4x4 that much...