Any small trucks, need 2 cents!

[proenterprises]

I know a couple of you guys run small trucks. ie; s10, 150, tacoma.....

I am not sure what to get, I want to be sensible but not undershoot. I am thinking about starting with maybe a 6x12 open trailer. I will need to carry a z and a wb. Trimmers on the rack, blowers in the trucks bed along with tools. Is a 150, (v8) enough to do this. I think I have seen some with a setup similar.

Please advise, I dont want to look like the dumbass in that earlier post with the enclosed and the front tires in the air!

Thanks fellas, :D

[Dan1944]

I have been running a 96 S10 /w 4.3 liter V6 auto for 2 years now with the same set up you are describing. I change oil at 3000 Miles and have trans serviced every year. When I am pulling a load I use Drive instead of Overdrive. No problems with motor or trans. Just my experience.

[Tvov]

Figure out the weight you want to tow, and check the "official" weight ratings of the vehicles. You shouldn't have any problem at all with an F-150, might be getting close to weight capacity of a small truck, but I still wouldn't think you'd have any problems.

I have towed a 16' trailer with three wbs on it using a '93 Ranger V6, but I wouldn't recommend that on a regular basis.

[Dan1944]

I forgot to mention that I have an Aux Transmission oil cooler, that has been on the truck since new.

[fox]

assuming your not removing snow. small trucks are a good option, buy Toyota if you can. dependability is the most important thing.

[proenterprises]

i will be plowing snow, not removing it

[mike9497]

heres one of my f250 LD 4.6 hauls fine plows good.i tow a skid steer with it

[FrankenScagMachines]

Originally posted by mike9497
heres one of my f250 LD 4.6 hauls fine plows good.i tow a skid steer with it

Thats really a F200, a cross breed between a 150 and a 250. It had a short, 2 year production I beleive if I'm not mistaken and really it is just a F150 with the axles from an F250 to make it look beefier, but same frame and body and transmission etc. as an F150 truck. Not putting it down but it's not really an F250, they just called it that (stupid marketing technique). I'm sure it's a great truck, because it's "Built Ford Tough!"

[Lawn Specialties]

Although I would suggest staying away from mini trucks if you can a full size half ton would be plenty for what your pulling. I've always had half tons and have never had any problems. Don't forget a full size truck has a way bigger bed.

[thartz]

I'm glad you asked this.I have a 1 ton dually that is killing me on gas! I saw one of our big boys in town is switching to 1/2 tons to tow the type of setup you are talking about.He told me they are doing good so I may get a 1/2 ton to use as a"chase vehicle" running a 1 ton with just 2 wb's is overkill.May get a 3/4 if price is close.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by BushHogBoy
Thats really a F200, a cross breed between a 150 and a 250. It had a short, 2 year production I beleive if I'm not mistaken and really it is just a F150 with the axles from an F250 to make it look beefier, but same frame and body and transmission etc. as an F150 truck. Not putting it down but it's not really an F250, they just called it that (stupid marketing technique). I'm sure it's a great truck, because it's "Built Ford Tough!"

F250 says so on the side of the fender.. Being that you are an avid licensed driver (NOT) you got some things mixed up.

It has a 3/4 ton 8 lug rear end, but has a indapendint from suspention, it does not have the same weight carring capasity as the superduty F250, but yet it is an F250. There is no cross mixing.

That would be like a cross between an 1500 and an 2500.

They did change the tranny and brakes, they did not just toss heavier axels under it.

And I use an S10 to pull 2 52" Wbs on a 10' trailer.

[cturner]

i have a 2000 s-10 ext cab 4x4 with the 4.3 and i love it, it pulls my 5x8 trailer just fine and from what i understand it has the same cargo weight rating as a 1/2 ton due to the 4x4 suspension i guess. have not tried plowing with it yet.

[ksland]

I count 7 lugs, Weird I know its just a centercap but 7 lugs on it?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Sure does.

Odd. My older 1500 showed 5 on the hup cover had 6 under it.

Mike how many lug nuts you got uner that cap?

[thartz]

Isn't that just a decorative cap?

[mike9497]

11 inch rear with locker and 7 lugs guys same as the front.no such thing as a 200 its a 250 LD they make a 250HD and a SD now.i worked for ford so i know all about this truck.the frame is beefer than a 150 but not near a 250 SD frame.front is just like a 150 only theres no springs.just torsion bars and shocks.the rear has 5 leaf springs on each side with struts.big drum brakes in the rear with ABS to the rear only which works well when plowing.f150 has a 6500 gvwr mine has a 7800.i think thats right but i think im off by alittle.
i tow a bobcat and a 16 ft open landscape trailer with three mowers on it.hauls just fine.i can't see a diff between my f350 and this truck when towing a heavy load.but i can get 5 yards of stone in my f350 and only 2 yards in the f250LD and thats with it siting on the ground almost.i snap some closer pics of it so you can see the diff

[Tharrell]

Actually, an f150 with an inline 6 will pull better than a small v8 but it'll suck the gas. I drive one at work delivering mowers. I've also had some experience with the s10 and rangers. Get the v6 if you go with them. The chevy vortec is an excellent engine.

[bad_chad48]

I have an 1989 s10 w/4.3 automatic and used it to pull my 16" trailer and scag Turf tiger last year. It now has 180,000 miles on it with all original eguipment. The transmission is starting to slip a little but it did fine for then. I now use an f150 with the in line 6. man does it like the gas. I am lucky to get 13 miles to the gal, where my s10 would get somewhere around 23 pulling the trailer. MY OPENION:If you go with an smaller truck though, you need to wire it for electric brakes because the brakes on the truck will not stop it and a trailer. And DO NOT use overdrive because it will burn them out.

[GrassworksNEB]

I pull with a 1999 Chevy Astro with the Vortec 4.3.

I have a 14' single axle open trailer that hauls a 48" wb, 60" Z turn, and all supporting equipment.

The Astro's sit on a half ton truck frame is what I have been told.

I can pull this and not even know that it is back there.

[Tharrell]

Here's what I use and what I pull. A Dodge Ram 50 pulling a 6 1/2 x 12.

[Nozzleman]

You can still get a truck like Mike9497. It's called the F-150 with the 7700 GVW package. I bet that's the GVW of Mike9497 truck. I think Ford was stretching it a bit calling that a F-250 but GM did the same thing with their 6 lug 2500's. In my book to be a real 3/4 ton truck you need a full floating axle out back.

[mike9497]

mine is in the 8000 gvw class.but yeah you can get a 150 with the SD package.mine is a full float rear.thats why i pay 3/4 ton truck insurance 2600 for the year which covers the plow

[Nozzleman]

I stand corrected.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Full floating rear end?

Would this be 2 sets of leaf springs and maybe a tracking rod?

[Nozzleman]

LGF, a full floater axle is the kind of axle you see on 3/4 ton and up trucks that have the large hub protruding in the center of the wheel. The benefit is all the weight of the truck is carried on the axle tube as opossed to the axle shaft in a semi floating axle. On a full floater style axle you can literaly remove the axleshaft and the wheel will stay on the truck. With a semi floater axle if the c-clip in the differential failed the axle shaft and wheel/tire assembly will most likely exit stage left.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Exit stage left hehe LMAO.

Ok I got ya.

I replaced a ring and pinion on my 2.5 ton, what fun, next time I will let a mechanic do it. That pumpkin is HEAVY.

My light light light duty truck have the c clip, the rest have the "full floaters".

[ProMo]

my truck started bleeding profusely yesterday tranmission fluid everywere a 95 f150 not sure if im going to rebuild it or get a 3/4 ton this trucks been going down hill since getting enclosed trailer

[mike9497]

well i have been towing a trailer with a skid steer on mine going 3 years now and i plowed with it this season for the first time.my truck has a big trans cooler and i have a b&m auto trans shifter kit.it shifts smoother while towing heavy loads and kicks the trans down a few gears when your braking to come to a stop quicker.but i have a 150 same year as yours and after a 120,000 towing a 4200 JD tractor.that trans and rear end blew sky high.it did not have a big trans cooler,but i don't think that would of helped the case.remember alot of the new 150 have the same trans as a 250 and some 350.just change your trans fluid alot and take brakes with it so the trans can cool.i rotate between 2 trucks now which has cut down costs in repairs 3 days on 3 days off.

[mike9497]

heres the baby towing

[2tall]

Just make sure you get at least a V6. Nissan 3.0 and Toyota 3.4 are very dependable engines. I only have 2 wb which do weigh a little less than your setup. Still average about 18 mpg with either.

[ProMo]

my 150 finnally died trans shot, rear end shot, suspension shot, and rear wheel bearings shot. it lasted me 9 yrs 65k miles so I guess it paid for itself traded it in for an 01 ram/cummins quad cab havnt towed with it yet but im impressed so far except for the mcdonalds thing I was screaming at the little box to place my order and all the guy could hear was the truck so he had to come outside to take my order

[qualitylandscaping]

I pull this (a little over 3200lbs)...

[qualitylandscaping]

with this.. 95' ranger 3.0ltr v-6 w/ 5 speed manual

[LeConte]

A VW could pull a 6x12 trailer but you must remember that its not going to be able to stop the trailer as easily. the full size truck hase better stopping ability than any small or mid size truck. plus a full size truck has a larger bed for hualing mulch or other various items. Money depends on everything.

a-1 lawncare

[qualitylandscaping]

Ever heard of electric trailer brakes?!:cool2:

[DRM Ventures]

96 Toyota 4runner here........also plow residential drives with it....

Derek

[dgram8]

The heck with a little pick-up . I run two GMC crew cabs 3/4 tons a 2003 gas and 2004 diesel both trailers are 8 by 20 ft.