Towing a 99' 210

[99SAN]

So, as of right now Im towing with a 05 f250 crew cab diesel and was thinking about down sizing to a 05 f150 4x4 crew cab w/ 5.4 engine because I could sell my truck and buy a f150 and not have payments which would help with the new house we want to buy. The towing capacity of the f150 is 8200 or 9200. Obviously the boat weighs much less than that but wanted you guys opinions. I know it won't tow like my f250 and am only concerned with fuel mileage and transmission problems (getting to hot) because ,sometimes we go to a different lake that is 1 hr away.

[Paxdad]

Hey if you can get out from a payment on the F-250 towing with the F-150 will be a breeze. I would not worry about the trans temp at all. You can always buy a gauge for the trans and keep an eye on it but it should not be a problem.

[99SAN]

Yeah I had a 05 f150 when I first got the boat and it seemed to be straining but I could have been wrong. What are u guys towing with?

[seth]

What kind of gas mileage are you getting with the diesel when towing? Will you be towing any hills/grades? You will definitely get worse gas mileage with the f150 (probably 9-10 range), so if that is a big concern you may want to keep the diesel.

[99SAN]

What kind of gas mileage are you getting with the diesel when towing? Will you be towing any hills/grades? You will definitely get worse gas mileage with the f150 (probably 9-10 range), so if that is a big concern you may want to keep the diesel.

I get about 13mpg, 16-17 unloaded around town and 17-18 on the interstate. i figured the cost up, I could sale my f250 for around 20k and would have 14k to work with. I have found a few nice f150s the same year as my truck for 15-17k... I'm torn, a gas burner is cheaper to own due to maintenance but a diesel is nice to have

[SkiTower]

if you get an 05-10 F150 you will be replacing spark plugs every 50K miles at $500 a pop. And don't even think about doing it yourself (they break super easily). The Achilles Heel of a great truck. Food for thought.


2007 SV211 SE

[brock.higdon]

After towing with a diesel, you will HATE a gasser 1/2 ton.

[99SAN]

After towing with a diesel, you will HATE a gasser 1/2 ton.

That's kinda what I thought. I would be limited with a gasser...

[scarbs]

Even my little 6 cylinder diesel pulls FAR better than my 8 cylinder gasser did. But there is something to be said for eliminating a payment. Tough call.

[99SAN]

Even my little 6 cylinder diesel pulls FAR better than my 8 cylinder gasser did. But there is something to be said for eliminating a payment. Tough call.

Well I only owe 5900$, it's almost paid for. I think u guys talked me into keeping it

[Paxdad]

Well I only owe 5900$, it's almost paid for. I think u guys talked me into keeping it

I sure hope you have the 6.0l bullet proofed...... I sold my 04 F-250 6.0 PSD several years ago when I had the chance. I really miss it for towing but I tow my 08 210 all day long with a 02 GMC Yukon XL and it does great. Not to mention the lower cost of operation. Just put a pencil and calculator to it and on paper the cost of a diesel unless you really need it is significant. Once a 6.0L PSD goes south that is a $12,000 repair.

[99SAN]

I sure hope you have the 6.0l bullet proofed...... I sold my 04 F-250 6.0 PSD several years ago when I had the chance. I really miss it for towing but I tow my 08 210 all day long with a 02 GMC Yukon XL and it does great. Not to mention the lower cost of operation. Just put a pencil and calculator to it and on paper the cost of a diesel unless you really need it is significant. Once a 6.0L PSD goes south that is a $12,000 repair.

Yeah it's been bulletproofed[emoji1] , it does have a small oil leak but I'm going to fix that soon, if i keep it. I really only tow my boat, I tow a camper a couple times a year. You are right pax, if something happens it's expensive, that's the other reason I want to get a gas burner. If yours was bullet proofed would u have kept it? do u regret selling it for the Yukon?

[Paxdad]

Yeah it's been bulletproofed[emoji1] , it does have a small oil leak but I'm going to fix that soon, if i keep it. I really only tow my boat, I tow a camper a couple times a year. You are right pax, if something happens it's expensive, that's the other reason I want to get a gas burner. If yours was bullet proofed would u have kept it? do u regret selling it for the Yukon?

I had the ARP headstuds, FICM reworked, 290 Amp Alternator, EGR Delete so it was fairly bullet proofed. But the HPOP was starting to concern me and the bedplate was starting to leak oil. Even with those items upgraded I drove it like I was walking on egg shells. I sold it and used the money to get my son a better suited vehicle for college as he had been driving the truck for the last two years. The Yukon was my wife's prior to her getting a new Suburban so I took it by default and bought my 210 instead. I have no regrets selling it as I just reasoned and concluded that if something major not even catastrophic happened to the motor the expense to repair was more than I would want to pay.

[azeus17]

Research cam phaser issues in 04-06 5.4l Triton engines. I can tell you first hand, when they go out, it is bad news. I ended up with a new engine ($6k) and it still felt doggy, didn't tow worth a darn. I would never recommend that era of F150s to anyone.

[99SAN]

Research cam phaser issues in 04-06 5.4l Triton engines. I can tell you first hand, when they go out, it is bad news. I ended up with a new engine ($6k) and it still felt doggy, didn't tow worth a darn. I would never recommend that era of F150s to anyone.

That sucks, how many miles were on it? The new f150s have lifter problems. I might look at Chevy 1500. Paxdad is right, I feel like I'm on egg shells and borrowed time with the f250.