Tow Rig Recommendation

cyoung

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2005
Location
Gibsonville, NC
Looking for a tow rig that is more DD friendly and less miles than what I have. All I will tow is a 6k +/- pound camper 2-3 times a year but need to pull through the mountains (Black Mountain, Fancy Gap, etc.) without worrying if I'm gonna make it. What ever I get, I will drive more often than I do now so looking for something a little nicer and better MPG than what I have now which is a lower trim level 2500 2013 Yukon XL. It is great but is pretty bad on gas and has around 200k miles which makes me a bit uneasy on a long road trip. I have a $25k +/- budget. Suggestions?

Thanks!
 
I bet most here will be shouting Diesel. You don't say what engine you have, but I'm thinking the 5.3. I have a 2016 1500 4x4 with the 6.2. When I tom my heavy CJ, on a ton trailer, I'm looking at 6-7K lb. Even though my truck is a half ton, the 4x4 aides it. Haven't made Black mtn. but have pulled Fancy Gap [I-77] several times. It would be hard to ask for more, running an easy 60 mph up Fancy Gap, on cruise control. Mileage depends on the area traveled, but it gets Great mileage on the highway! Around town, average 15 mpg. Great brakes too, but per towing, I Do have brakes on both trailer axles. I have some concerns about the valve train, I did the Delete on the cylinder control. Hoping to spare any failures! And concerns about the 8 speed automatic. But it seems good now, with a new harness & a couple fluid changes/ up grades, that was under warranty.
If you have the 6.0 engine, yes it loves gas. But probably more reliable than the Duramax. Your 2500, outweighs my 1500, so that's a mileage difference right there. Seems it get's down to How often do you tow, & how fast you want to pull the hills, verses you day to day travels. And Budget!
 
Do you need the room like you have in the suburban (as in the number of seats)?
 
rodney eppes said:
I bet most here will be shouting Diesel.
Click to expand...
Nah, not for...
cyoung said:
All I will tow is a 6k +/- pound camper 2-3 times a year
Click to expand...
Both Clay and I have the same tow rig you do. But we also have 3/4ton trucks that get WORSE fuel mileage that we prefer to "tow" with :laughing: Neither of which we drive daily.
We're both towing +/-6,000# with the jeeps on trailers and coolers, and crap.

To be honest, Alan has had 2 F150's with the bigger ecoboost and could run circles around Clay and I in our suburbans running up black mountain pulling the same load. For what it sounds like your usage is, I would look into a used ecoboost F150
 
CasterTroy said:
Nah, not for...

Both Clay and I have the same tow rig you do. But we also have 3/4ton trucks that get WORSE fuel mileage that we prefer to "tow" with :laughing: Neither of which we drive daily.
We're both towing +/-6,000# with the jeeps on trailers and coolers, and crap.

To be honest, Alan has had 2 F150's with the bigger ecoboost and could run circles around Clay and I in our suburbans running up black mountain pulling the same load. For what it sounds like your usage is, I would look into a used ecoboost F150
Click to expand...
Any particular years to look for? Does the trans on the 150 hold up over time? Is there more than 1 ecoboost engine to consider? Is there an SUV version that would be the same drivetrain?

Thanks!
 
cyoung said:
Any particular years to look for? Does the trans on the 150 hold up over time? Is there more than 1 ecoboost engine to consider? Is there an SUV version that would be the same drivetrain?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
SUV version won’t offer the rear suspension the truck will. But definitely 3.5 or 3.7
 
@cyoung A buddy of mine has an '04 CCSB Duramax and a '14 CCSB Powerstroke F250 King Ranch for sale.
 
Noel said:
SUV version won’t offer the rear suspension the truck will. But definitely 3.5 or 3.7
Click to expand...
Make no mistake - the pickup suspension is crap too. But it's less crappy than the Expedition and more easily fixed if you need more spring.
 
Get one of these, all your problems solved :laughing:

1728396008953.jpeg
 
BigClay said:
Get one of these, all your problems solved :laughing:
Click to expand...

It'll get there....eventually! It will get there though :D It may even have enough power to go uphill when it's unloaded. If you downshift. Twice.
 
BIL replaced their 2010(?) 5.0L Coyote powered F-150 (6spd) and with a 2017(?) 2.7L EcoBoast... empty, it will rip and he thinks it's better (than the 5.0L) towing their 7K TT (highly suspect the 10spd makes all the difference).
My main "concerns" are what happens when that little mill (not much more displacement than the avg. car) goes tits up? suspect you could wholesale replace a couple of Coyotes for what a budget rebuild runs?
 
I'd agree. How many pounds of boost pressure does it take to make that 2.7 make the same horsepower and torque as a naturally aspirated 5.0 does? All that boost means higher exhaust temps, more backpressure, it's harder on main/crank bearings, and (most importantly) the engine oil. I know it's made to handle it, but for how long? We're definitely back to 3000 to 5000 mile oil changes with as much as they're asking of motor oil and as thin as it is these days.

If it's a 10 speed, it's at least a 2018.

Just for giggles...

2018 2.7 EcoBoost makes 325hp at 5000 rpm and 400tq at 2750 rpm out of 164 cubic inches.
2018 5.0 makes 395hp at 5750 rpm and 400tq at 4500 rpm from 307 cubic inches.

Those two little turbos must light pretty quick to make that much torque under 3000 rpm! The one real killer for me on the 2.7 EcoBoost is their oil pump drive belt. Yes...belt. Noooo thanks! AC compressors and alternators use belts. Not engine oil pumps!
 
Croatan_Kid said:
I'd agree. How many pounds of boost pressure does it take to make that 2.7 make the same horsepower and torque as a naturally aspirated 5.0 does? All that boost means higher exhaust temps, more backpressure, it's harder on main/crank bearings, and (most importantly) the engine oil. I know it's made to handle it, but for how long? We're definitely back to 3000 to 5000 mile oil changes with as much as they're asking of motor oil and as thin as it is these days.

If it's a 10 speed, it's at least a 2018.

Just for giggles...

2018 2.7 EcoBoost makes 325hp at 5000 rpm and 400tq at 2750 rpm out of 164 cubic inches.
2018 5.0 makes 395hp at 5750 rpm and 400tq at 4500 rpm from 307 cubic inches.

Those two little turbos must light pretty quick to make that much torque under 3000 rpm! The one real killer for me on the 2.7 EcoBoost is their oil pump drive belt. Yes...belt. Noooo thanks! AC compressors and alternators use belts. Not engine oil pumps!
Click to expand...
I’ve heard rumors that the new f150 5.0L has belt driven oil pumps as well
 
RoosterRash said:
I’ve heard rumors that the new f150 5.0L has belt driven oil pumps as well
Click to expand...

That's gross :poop: I swear auto makers are purposely building absolute trash on purpose.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
That's gross :poop: I swear auto makers are purposely building absolute trash on purpose.
Click to expand...
Duh...appliance makers learned years ago that if you make something that lasts forever you don't get a return customer
 
Back
Top