What do YOU use to tow your track car?
#1102
I currently tow with a 2008 Expedition EL Limited 5.4 L 2WD. My only gripe is that it is 2WD an not a 4WD... and the Ford spark plug issues with this year. I'm looking to trade it in for a 4WD model maybe a 2012-13 version but I also love the 2006 4Runner V8 4WD. What's your guy's opinion on trading it in for an older Toyota or a slightly newer Ford with 4WD?
Edit: I have been leaning toward the Ford because there isn't really any difference in MPG between the two but the Ford has a significantly better towing capacity and passenger compartment capacity when you fold all the seats down for things like wheels, tools and trailer ramps.
Edit: I have been leaning toward the Ford because there isn't really any difference in MPG between the two but the Ford has a significantly better towing capacity and passenger compartment capacity when you fold all the seats down for things like wheels, tools and trailer ramps.
#1105
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,687
Total Cats: 807
From: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Oh and cam phaser issues.
#1106
I just picked up this 2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD. It has the 6.0/4l80e with 175k on the clock. One owner truck and it has Quadrasteer! Drives like my wife's '05 4Runner. Plus it is as clean on the inside as it is on the outside. Very happy with this purchase. Plus it has 3/4 ton running gear on a half ton chassis. Can't wait to pull the trailer to Daytona for the race at the end of September!
#1107
I just picked up this 2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD. It has the 6.0/4l80e with 175k on the clock. One owner truck and it has Quadrasteer! Drives like my wife's '05 4Runner. Plus it is as clean on the inside as it is on the outside. Very happy with this purchase. Plus it has 3/4 ton running gear on a half ton chassis. Can't wait to pull the trailer to Daytona for the race at the end of September!
#1109
Just some data after towing with several Toyota's and Fords over the last 10 years. The Toyota/Lexus 2UZFE is a great motor but gets **** gas mileage. The main complaint with the 2000's 4runner, Tundra, LX470, GX470 is the trans programming. Say your towing on the freeway at 70mph with the cruise control on and you come to a slight hill, the damned car will drop 3mph, drop out of overdrive then 1 second later slam into 3rd at like 5500 rpm. Its some crappy trans program, where the Ford will just causally shift out of OD only if its dropped like 5mph or so. Moral of the story is that if you like to use cruise on long hauls the Toyota products are not for you. I still like them and own a GX470 that I just towed a big load of vintage motorcycles over a thousand miles this weekend. I didn't use the cruise and manually shifted out of OD when climbing hills. The F250 gasser and F150 Ecoboost both are way better at towing. the Ecoboost killed both in gas mileage.
#1110
Just some data after towing with several Toyota's and Fords over the last 10 years. The Toyota/Lexus 2UZFE is a great motor but gets **** gas mileage. The main complaint with the 2000's 4runner, Tundra, LX470, GX470 is the trans programming. Say your towing on the freeway at 70mph with the cruise control on and you come to a slight hill, the damned car will drop 3mph, drop out of overdrive then 1 second later slam into 3rd at like 5500 rpm. Its some crappy trans program, where the Ford will just causally shift out of OD only if its dropped like 5mph or so. Moral of the story is that if you like to use cruise on long hauls the Toyota products are not for you. I still like them and own a GX470 that I just towed a big load of vintage motorcycles over a thousand miles this weekend. I didn't use the cruise and manually shifted out of OD when climbing hills. The F250 gasser and F150 Ecoboost both are way better at towing. the Ecoboost killed both in gas mileage.
#1111
Regarding the Toyota transmission, I can pull the Miata at 80 miles an hour in overdrive with only occasional downshifting while in cruise. When towing heavier loads I prefer to leave the overdrive off and only run 60 or 65 miles per hour. But this is with the 4 speed automatic. I recently drove a 2012 Tundra with the 6-speed automatic and the top gears are much closer together in ratio and the engine has variable valve timing broadening the torque curve and increasing the horsepower. That should make a huge difference.
#1112
Just some data after towing with several Toyota's and Fords over the last 10 years. The Toyota/Lexus 2UZFE is a great motor but gets **** gas mileage. The main complaint with the 2000's 4runner, Tundra, LX470, GX470 is the trans programming. Say your towing on the freeway at 70mph with the cruise control on and you come to a slight hill, the damned car will drop 3mph, drop out of overdrive then 1 second later slam into 3rd at like 5500 rpm. Its some crappy trans program, where the Ford will just causally shift out of OD only if its dropped like 5mph or so. Moral of the story is that if you like to use cruise on long hauls the Toyota products are not for you. I still like them and own a GX470 that I just towed a big load of vintage motorcycles over a thousand miles this weekend. I didn't use the cruise and manually shifted out of OD when climbing hills. The F250 gasser and F150 Ecoboost both are way better at towing. the Ecoboost killed both in gas mileage.
#1113
Edit: Data point on offroad shenanigans, This thing has a Dobinson 2.5 coil lift and rear conversion, 285/70/17 AT3's, and 17x9-19 wheels, and can do Jeep **** offroad now.
Last edited by jacob300zx; 01-14-2019 at 12:44 AM.
#1116
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,687
Total Cats: 807
From: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Traded in the 09 for a 16. Nothing wrong with the old truck, just the 4 speed killed my soul.
This truck is a million times nicer though. Z71, bucket front seats instead of bench. More creature comforts. Same 5.3l but with the 6 speed. 355hp should be plenty enough. I race next weekend so we'll see how much better it is. It's just a quick trip though Ohio. Got a new cap coming too, but won't be here for a few weeks, so they are giving me a rental cap for the trip which is cool.
This truck is a million times nicer though. Z71, bucket front seats instead of bench. More creature comforts. Same 5.3l but with the 6 speed. 355hp should be plenty enough. I race next weekend so we'll see how much better it is. It's just a quick trip though Ohio. Got a new cap coming too, but won't be here for a few weeks, so they are giving me a rental cap for the trip which is cool.
#1117
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,687
Total Cats: 807
From: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Totally sold on the new truck. Made it clear across Ohio today with ease. Averaged 18-20 mpg at 70-72 mph. All flat Ohio but when I did climb it was really trying hard to hold 6th gear and when it did downshift it was smooth and unnoticeable. Squat seems to be just about the same. Comfort level is way higher, I am happy. XM radio is nice, I wonder if I have to pay for it twice since I have it in the SS too. I wouldn't hesitate to tow across the country now.
This is just the loaner cap, I have a color matched one coming. This time with internal lights since I always seem to find myself loading or unloading at 3am.
This is just the loaner cap, I have a color matched one coming. This time with internal lights since I always seem to find myself loading or unloading at 3am.
#1118
2018 F-150 STX 2.7L EcoBoost Supercab
Trailer is a 16x7 enclosed, roughly ~5,000lbs loaded
Did almost 800 miles round trip from Southern California to Miatas @ Weathertech Raceway this year, including going up and over the grapevine both ways. This truck with the 10-speed automatic was incredible. Made my first time towing very easy. Never a hint of brake fade, transmission/water overheating, or stability problems the whole time. I was worried about my truck not having the max trailer package with the trans cooler, but it never got above 210F. The 10 speed in tow/haul mode is really slick. Shifted pretty much exactly how I'd shift it manually if I had to. I used a Tekonsha P3 trailer brake controller.
I dd this truck since I figured putting up the $$ for a good truck with a good warranty and whatnot would be less of a hassle and cheaper in the long run than owning an old diesel for towing and a separate car for dd duties. I'm very, very happy with my purchase of this truck.