I have a 2004 F-150 with 5.4 and a small enclosed trailer, 6x12x6' high. All loaded up with tools,tires,etc I figured the weight at about 3300 lbs. The trailer is pretty heavy, actually. I get 12 mpg at 80+ mph, and as much as 16 mpg at more leisurely speeds. I have a tonneu cover, no cap. I accelerate slowly at a max of 2200 rpm, and that makes for a pretty normal pace in traffic.
Steven Dodd wrote: > Cory, > The F250/350 or Excursions are great. Howwever, the GAS mileage is a > costly endeavor. Our '06 250 V10 get about 7.5- 9.5 mpg with your old > trailer. They ride great even at speeds over 75 mph. Just take > plenty of gas cards or get the diesel. April hates the diesel sound, > and I am sure A-M would too. Just remember you tow way less than you > drive to the grocery store. > Steven > > > > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: F500 Digest, Vol 45, Issue 27 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 19:21:40 -0700 > >> Send F500 mailing list submissions to >> [email protected] >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://f500.org/mailman/listinfo/f500 >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of F500 digest..." > > >> =============================================== >> You may change your F500 digest format and options or unsubscribe by >> visiting: >> http://f500.org/mailman/listinfo/f500 >> =============================================== >> ________________________________ >> FormulaCar Magazine - A Proud Supporter of Formula 500 >> The Official Publication of Junior Formula Car Racing >> Subscribe Today! www.formulacarmag.com or 519-624-2003 >> _________________________________ >> >> > >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. towing advice, part 2 (Cory McLeod) >> 2. Re: towing advice, part 2 (Chris Reinhardt) >> 3. RE: towing advice, part 2 (Chuck Voboril) >> 4. Re: towing advice, part 2 (Jan Schmidt) >> 5. Re: towing advice, part 2 (Cory McLeod) >> 6. Re: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 (Christopher Eveland) >> 7. RE: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 (Jay Novak) >> 8. RE: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 (Chris Reinhardt) >> 9. Re: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 (Chris Reinhardt) > > > > > > From: Cory McLeod <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: F500 <[email protected]> > Subject: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 13:28:51 -0800 (PST) > >> Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about trailers. I >> settled on an 18x8.5 Pace with a V-nose (total trailer length 22", >> including the V and tongue). >> >> Now I'm looking for a tow vehicle, and would once again like to tap >> the collective knowledge of F500. My previous tow vehicle (2004 Ford >> Expediction) was great, and the 5.4 engine pulled my old 16x7 trailer >> with plenty of power to spare, but I am considering an Excursion this >> time. I know - tree huggers feel free to flame me. >> >> Since my new trailer is larger and a little bit heavier than my old >> one, I think the longer wheelbase and heavy duty frame/suspension of >> the Excursion will serve me well. >> >> My question is - do I need one of the larger engines in the >> Excursion, or will the 5.4 suffice when towing the loaded trailer >> (approx. 5,500-6,000 pounds)? >> >> In order to save some time with the replys, here's some more info: >> >> Why not an F250 or 2500 truck? - compromise with the wife (aka - my >> new crew chief) >> Why not just get the diesel Excursion? - it's amazing how much of a >> premium the diesel adds to the price of low mileage Excursions, which >> puts them out of my budget. >> >> Thanks, Cory >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from >> real people who know. >> > > > > > From: Chris Reinhardt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:00:38 -0800 (PST) > >> Diesel is the way to go if it's in the budget... It's amazing the >> difference between a single axle and tandem axle trailer weight. If >> you had a single axle trailer, a gas motor would be my choice. >> I have a E250 van with the Triton 5.4, I don't pull a trailer, >> just load it to the gills, it pulls great. Ford has a problematic >> issue with head gaskets on 5.4. They leak oil and or antifreeze, >> usually at the rear of the head. Just an FYI if you're looking at >> used, I bought mine used from a dealer, and they swapped the gasket >> for free, it still leaks... >> >> CR >> >> Cory McLeod <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about trailers. I >> settled on an 18x8.5 Pace with a V-nose (total trailer length 22", >> including the V and tongue). >> >> Now I'm looking for a tow vehicle, and would once again like to tap >> the collective knowledge of F500. My previous tow vehicle (2004 Ford >> Expediction) was great, and the 5.4 engine pulled my old 16x7 trailer >> with plenty of power to spare, but I am considering an Excursion this >> time. I know - tree huggers feel free to flame me. >> >> Since my new trailer is larger and a little bit heavier than my old >> one, I think the longer wheelbase and heavy duty frame/suspension of >> the Excursion will serve me well. >> >> My question is - do I need one of the larger engines in the >> Excursion, or will the 5.4 suffice when towing the loaded trailer >> (approx. 5,500-6,000 pounds)? >> >> In order to save some time with the replys, here's some more info: >> >> Why not an F250 or 2500 truck? - compromise with the wife (aka - my >> new crew chief) >> Why not just get the diesel Excursion? - it's amazing how much of a >> premium the diesel adds to the price of low mileage Excursions, which >> puts them out of my budget. >> >> Thanks, Cory >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from >> real people who know. >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from >> real people who know. >> > > > > > From: "Chuck Voboril" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 15:29:58 -0700 > >> As usual the answer is: it depends. >> >> One has to lilke the smell, sound, and apples to apples lower HP of >> diesel to even consider one-along with having to own it for awhile to >> even partially offset the up front motor cost. >> >> If this is the last truck you will own for many years, diesel looks >> better. >> They are quieter and more fuel efficient now than ever before. >> The unregulated particles emitted from even the cleanest are still >> cancer causing. >> >> But as the Brits like to say: "The bloke behind gets that". >> >> If you have lotsa really high mountain roads (6-10,000 ft altitiude) >> that sap HP-it has GOT to be a puffer Diesel-or you shall hate the >> extra vacation time you spend on hills. >> >> A V-nose can have lower drag-but it is an unstable shape and causes >> extra grief to light tow vehicles-especially those with smaller >> profiles than that of the trailer. >> >> I'd do a tall long cap if you get a pickup. >> >> I have a small E350 van-based V-10 powered C motor home and it gets >> slightly better gas mileage with a trailer behind it on the level >> since the trailer helps close in the air behind the big boxy home shape. >> >> I now have a 980# empty Pace enclosed low end cheap Journeyman >> trailer for my FA-like car. The loaded trailer is about 2000#. I >> don't even know it is there most of the time. >> >> Overall average towing (or not) is about 10 mpg at an average of 63 >> mph. Never lower than 8.2 in heavy winds or mountains or higher >> speeds and never more than 11. >> >> I have changed to extremely light synthetic in motor and diff and so >> far no measureable improvement. I have a 10" airdam and no >> measureable help there either. >> >> A chip and an exhaust system may help. Also looking at airvane vortex >> generators like the tractor/ trailers use. They claim 5% or more >> gain. Dunno if any of this is worth it. >> >> >> Chuck >> > > > > > From: "Jan Schmidt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:55:20 -0600 > >> As a person who works on diesel trucks for a living, I can tell you that >> diesel trucks are bad ass. They last forever if taken care of. If you >> are only going to put a few miles on it a year, then get a gas engine, >> but if you want something that will last 300,000 miles or more, get the >> diesel. I have seen Dodges with the Cummins diesel go 750,000 miles >> before a rebuild!!! I want to get a diesel for myself, but will probably >> get a VW diesel. My race car and trailer are only 1200 lbs total. >> Bill Schmidt (I do body work, but do it on diesel mack trucks) >> >> >>> Cory McLeod <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 12/10/06 3:28 PM >>> >> Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about trailers. I >> settled on an 18x8.5 Pace with a V-nose (total trailer length 22", >> including the V and tongue). >> >> Now I'm looking for a tow vehicle, and would once again like to tap >> the collective knowledge of F500. My previous tow vehicle (2004 Ford >> Expediction) was great, and the 5.4 engine pulled my old 16x7 trailer >> with plenty of power to spare, but I am considering an Excursion this >> time. I know - tree huggers feel free to flame me. >> >> Since my new trailer is larger and a little bit heavier than my old >> one, I think the longer wheelbase and heavy duty frame/suspension of the >> Excursion will serve me well. >> >> My question is - do I need one of the larger engines in the Excursion, >> or will the 5.4 suffice when towing the loaded trailer (approx. >> 5,500-6,000 pounds)? >> >> In order to save some time with the replys, here's some more info: >> >> Why not an F250 or 2500 truck? - compromise with the wife (aka - my >> new crew chief) >> Why not just get the diesel Excursion? - it's amazing how much of a >> premium the diesel adds to the price of low mileage Excursions, which >> puts them out of my budget. >> >> Thanks, Cory >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real >> people who know. >> > > > > > From: Cory McLeod <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:08:32 -0800 (PST) > >> Thanks to Chris, Chuck, and Bill. Great info - especially the head >> gasket issue with the 5.4. Unfortunately, the $8k and up premium for >> the Excursion diesel puts a low mileage one out of my budget. >> >> What I am hoping for is some feedback from someone who may have an >> F250 or Excursion with the 5.4 and has either successfully or >> unsuccessfully used it to tow an approx 6k pound trailer. >> >> Chuck - what type of "grief" should I expect from towing a V-nose >> trailer? >> >> Thanks, Cory >> >> Jan Schmidt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> As a person who works on diesel trucks for a living, I can tell you >> that >> diesel trucks are bad ass. They last forever if taken care of. If you >> are only going to put a few miles on it a year, then get a gas engine, >> but if you want something that will last 300,000 miles or more, get the >> diesel. I have seen Dodges with the Cummins diesel go 750,000 miles >> before a rebuild!!! I want to get a diesel for myself, but will probably >> get a VW diesel. My race car and trailer are only 1200 lbs total. >> Bill Schmidt (I do body work, but do it on diesel mack trucks) >> >> >>> Cory McLeod 12/10/06 3:28 PM >>> >> Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about trailers. I >> settled on an 18x8.5 Pace with a V-nose (total trailer length 22", >> including the V and tongue). >> >> Now I'm looking for a tow vehicle, and would once again like to tap >> the collective knowledge of F500. My previous tow vehicle (2004 Ford >> Expediction) was great, and the 5.4 engine pulled my old 16x7 trailer >> with plenty of power to spare, but I am considering an Excursion this >> time. I know - tree huggers feel free to flame me. >> >> Since my new trailer is larger and a little bit heavier than my old >> one, I think the longer wheelbase and heavy duty frame/suspension of the >> Excursion will serve me well. >> >> My question is - do I need one of the larger engines in the Excursion, >> or will the 5.4 suffice when towing the loaded trailer (approx. >> 5,500-6,000 pounds)? >> >> In order to save some time with the replys, here's some more info: >> >> Why not an F250 or 2500 truck? - compromise with the wife (aka - my >> new crew chief) >> Why not just get the diesel Excursion? - it's amazing how much of a >> premium the diesel adds to the price of low mileage Excursions, which >> puts them out of my budget. >> >> Thanks, Cory >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real >> people who know. >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. >> > > > > > From: "Christopher Eveland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:05:52 -0500 > >>> I have a E250 van with the Triton 5.4, I don't pull a trailer, >>> just load it to the gills, it pulls great. Ford has a problematic >>> issue with head gaskets on 5.4. They leak oil and or antifreeze, >>> usually at the rear of the head. Just an FYI if you're looking at >>> used, I bought mine used from a dealer, and they swapped the gasket >>> for free, it still leaks... >> >> >> You're stuffing an F500 into the E250, or is this an unrelated work >> van? I was kinda thinking about a cargo van as an alternative to a >> tow-vehicle/trailer combo. Anyone else doing this? The Dodge >> Sprinters look like a decent package w/ the diesel, etc, altho they >> are a little pricey compared to the "domestic" options. >> >> -Chris >> > > > > > From: "Jay Novak" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: RE: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:26:20 -0500 > >> I have towed with the the 5.4 in a E250 van. It will pull a 6000 lb >> trailer >> no problem. That is the limit though. I now have an F250 with a 7.3 >> diesel >> & will never tow with anything else. At 70 to 75 mph I get 11 - 12 >> mpg with >> the diesel when towing. >> >> Thanks ... Jay Novak >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of >> Christopher Eveland >> Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 8:06 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 >> >> >> > I have a E250 van with the Triton 5.4, I don't pull a trailer, just >> load it to the gills, it pulls great. Ford has a problematic issue with >> head gaskets on 5.4. They leak oil and or antifreeze, usually at the >> rear >> of the head. Just an FYI if you're looking at used, I bought mine >> used from >> a dealer, and they swapped the gasket for free, it still leaks... >> >> You're stuffing an F500 into the E250, or is this an unrelated work >> van? I was kinda thinking about a cargo van as an alternative to a >> tow-vehicle/trailer combo. Anyone else doing this? The Dodge >> Sprinters look like a decent package w/ the diesel, etc, altho they >> are a little pricey compared to the "domestic" options. >> >> -Chris > > > > > > From: Chris Reinhardt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:07:53 -0800 (PST) > >> Jay, has Ford resolved that issue with the head gaskets? I love >> that Van, it rides well and goes like stink! It's the exntended, I >> think I can sneak the F500 chassis in there. Q had sugested putting >> trailer wheels on the car to help it with the width... >> >> CR >> >> Jay Novak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> I have towed with the the 5.4 in a E250 van. It will pull a 6000 lb >> trailer >> no problem. That is the limit though. I now have an F250 with a 7.3 >> diesel >> & will never tow with anything else. At 70 to 75 mph I get 11 - 12 >> mpg with >> the diesel when towing. >> >> Thanks ... Jay Novak >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of >> Christopher Eveland >> Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 8:06 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 >> >> >> > I have a E250 van with the Triton 5.4, I don't pull a trailer, just >> load it to the gills, it pulls great. Ford has a problematic issue with >> head gaskets on 5.4. They leak oil and or antifreeze, usually at the >> rear >> of the head. Just an FYI if you're looking at used, I bought mine >> used from >> a dealer, and they swapped the gasket for free, it still leaks... >> >> You're stuffing an F500 into the E250, or is this an unrelated work >> van? I was kinda thinking about a cargo van as an alternative to a >> tow-vehicle/trailer combo. Anyone else doing this? The Dodge >> Sprinters look like a decent package w/ the diesel, etc, altho they >> are a little pricey compared to the "domestic" options. >> >> -Chris > > >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful >> email and get things done faster. >> > > > > > From: Chris Reinhardt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Re: [F500] towing advice, part 2 > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:09:30 -0800 (PST) > >> Chris, I know Q stuffed a QRE into a Chevy Express van... >> >> CR >> >> Christopher Eveland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> > I have a E250 van with the Triton 5.4, I don't pull a trailer, >> just load it to the gills, it pulls great. Ford has a problematic >> issue with head gaskets on 5.4. They leak oil and or antifreeze, >> usually at the rear of the head. Just an FYI if you're looking at >> used, I bought mine used from a dealer, and they swapped the gasket >> for free, it still leaks... >> >> You're stuffing an F500 into the E250, or is this an unrelated work >> van? I was kinda thinking about a cargo van as an alternative to a >> tow-vehicle/trailer combo. Anyone else doing this? The Dodge >> Sprinters look like a decent package w/ the diesel, etc, altho they >> are a little pricey compared to the "domestic" options. >> >> -Chris >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from >> real people who know. 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