As I scour craigslist for a work truck, I see some good deals on the older Ford 300 inline six cylinder trucks and the work truck trimmed out newer 4.2L V-6 F150's. I am going to run a 10 foot enclosed trailer as a solo outfit with one Zturn, a push and trimmer/blower and tools etc. I WANT a diesel truck even thought I KNOW I don't NEED one at this stage in the game. I know I will probably upgrade in the future, so I keep going back and forth on this... $1500-$3K gets a nice used 6 banger F150, or spend $5k-$9k on a higher mileage 7.3L Powerstroke or a Cummins. Either way, I need a long bed and 2WD for the area I am in.
So how many folks are happy campers running 6 cylinder trucks for the towing rig? Any regrets? Did you install bigger transmission coolers to help out with longevity? Thanks for any input. I apologize if this has been covered, I didn't see much when I searched.
Get the 6 cylinder and save some cash. I'm running an 85 dodge d150 with a 318 (V6 Power level) and it pulls my 16' trailer easily as long as I keep it under 7K. To many big ego guys out there getting a 1ton to do a 1/2 tons job just to get a big truck.
I have an 89'hour f150 with the i6, and i absolutely love it. Has great torque and is a tuff truck.
I added some 250trades leaf springs and i pull a 14' enclosed or a 16' utility daily with 2 scag ztrs.
With a 10' you will love it.
Get a trailer with brakes if possible. Posted via Mobile Device
I have an 89'hour f150 with the i6, and i absolutely love it. Has great torque and is a tuff truck.
I added some 250trades leaf springs and i pull a 14' enclosed or a 16' utility daily with 2 scag ztrs.
With a 10' you will love it.
Get a trailer with brakes if possible. Posted via Mobile Device
I started with '94 F-150 300 inline 6 short bed with almost 200,000 miles. I put 2X10" side boards on it & 1500LB helper springs & hauled 3 yards of mulch all the time with no problem! Great truck, still have as backup! Posted via Mobile Device
Welcome to lawn care. I started part time last year and I have a 2000 ford ranger extended cab with a cap and a 5x10 trailer. I have a zero turn on it, push mower. Blower,trimmer in the back and gas. The ford had no problem pulling it. I traded that in for a 2004 Ford F150 and it was a dream pulling then I upgraded my trailer to a 14 open trailer no problem pulling it. I have a 31' camping trailer and it pulls it just fine. I purchased a V6 Dodge Dekota 2003 and lets just say pulling a 14' trailer up any hill the pedal was to the floor and only did 35mph. I am looking at an enclosed trailer and just using my F 150
Our "usual" mowing truck is a 05 Silverado with a 4.3L v6 and auto trans. It pulls a 10x6 open trailer that weighs 1,050 lbs. On the trailer is a JD 647A that weighs 1,014 lbs, a Honda commercial push, two Stihl Kombi's, a Stihl blower, 5 gallon gas can, 2.5 gallon gas can, and racks for everything. We haven't had any problems. I wouldn't go 80 mph with this combination, but it gets us around town and to the next town over which is 5 miles of highway.
Our leaf cleanup truck is a 67 Chevy C30 with a 292 inline 6 and a 4-speed, but that isn't even in the same realm. That truck could pull a barn over.
I've been running a 2001 with the 4.2 the last ten years. Bought it with 15K miles on it, it's now at 188K. It's been a VERY reliable truck. I did replace the transmission at 150K which I don't think is too bad for a work truck and that's pretty much the only repair it's ever had. I pull a semi-open 5X10 which loaded up weighs about 2500#. It wouldn't be able to hang too well in the mountains but its pretty flat out here. It feels a little under powered here and there but really, it gets the job done just fine. It is an auto trans. I've also heard those older Ford inline 6s are tough as nails. Starting out I don't think you'll go wrong with a 6 banger. Posted via Mobile Device
I have an 89'hour f150 with the i6, and i absolutely love it. Has great torque and is a tuff truck.
I added some 250trades leaf springs and i pull a 14' enclosed or a 16' utility daily with 2 scag ztrs.
With a 10' you will love it.
Get a trailer with brakes if possible. Posted via Mobile Device
91-94 chevy s-10s....4.3 v-6....tow rating is just under that of the f150 v8...we have been pulling 14 ft trailers with 2 ztrs for many many years with the 6 cyl...no issures except better fuel mileage...we do also have a ford f 350...250..150...for the larger trailers. the problem with the small trucks is stopping...make sure the trailer has brakes if you use a light truck.
Comparing a 6 cylinder 8.3 litre diesel to a 6 cylinder gasser is like comparing apples and oranges. 450 hp and 900 ft lbs of torque compared to maybe 150 hp/tq.
My first truck had a 14.7 liter with 525 hp and 1650 lbs of torque. The second one had a 15.2 liter 475 hp and 1800 lbs of torque. But talking about that inline 300, it will pull similar to a diesel and will not like being reved high.
My first truck had a 14.7 liter with 525 hp and 1650 lbs of torque. The second one had a 15.2 liter 475 hp and 1800 lbs of torque. But talking about that inline 300, it will pull similar to a diesel and will not like being reved high.
My back up truck (which I used for 2 years pulling a trailer) is a 2005 Silverado with 4.3L manual and it'll pull a 6x10 trailer with 2 walk behinds without much trouble. Sure it feels it going up hill but it does the trick when I need it to.
14.7 was a DD series 60 the other was a C15 cat, I like the series 60 better for the big hills out west, it had a wider power band but the cat is better on the east coast driving.
the 300 six has been around for a long time. it could be one of the best engines they built.
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