You say you need to tow it once a week for 5 to 6 months a year. The big question is how far and type of terrain. If you are going less than 30 miles on basically flat roads adding some air bags will due. If your are covering greater distances and lots of hills you will be in trouble no matter what you do with the current truck.

I had a similar challange when we bought our Ram. We camp alot but only tow 2 times a year. The trailer loaded is at about 8500 lbs. I looked at the Chevy's and Ford's. I was least impressed with the Ford, as it was stated under powered. I have a friend who has a F150 with the 5.4, tow package, 3.73 gears etc... He has an TT that weighs about 8000 lbs. We camp at the same park and last year we met up, at the time I had a Durango for my TT. It pulled it well just not very stable since my TT is 32 ft long. He came up and smoked the trans losing 2nd gear!! Brand new truck!! He had to take it to a local dealer to be repaired. I have since driven with him in the Ford with the TT on the back and it is a ruff ride, so ruff if you run over a cigarette butt you know what brand it is!!!

When we bought our truck we where thinking of getting something bigger say a 2500 or 250 so we would be within a "comfortable" towing range. But I couldn't justify the lower MPG's, ruff ride and added cost for 2 times a year. I just got back from a trip and with about 9k on the truck it performed flawlessly. I did add the air bags just in case. My friend who was in my truck this time commented on the night and day difference between his Ford and the Dodge. I think he will have a Dodge next year!!

 

I have towed the same 5000+ RV with my 04 that I now tow with my 09 1500. There is no comparision, the 4rth gen is way more stable and capable than my 3rd Gen was - I could never go back. 5.4L, no thanks I would rather walk.........

 

My vote would be to regear and install airbags, with those you truck will most likely pull way better than the ford.

 

This is the kind of stuff I need to hear - good comparisons.

The trip to the boat ramp is typically just over 10 miles. 2 miles are residential with quite a few stops and turns. 3 miles are more or less open & flat road with 45 mph speeds and then 5 miles are pretty much all up and down (with few straight sections) at speeds of 55 mph. When we briefly used the H3 to haul the current boat, on the longest hill, if you hit it at 70 (15 mph over the speed limit) you ended the climb at about 40 mph.

Once a year we take a longer trip (500 – 1500 miles each way). Could be Havasu or Florida or just up to OK.

 

former Ford convert here as well, I jumped ship in 2009 for the new Ram and I would not go back until the 6.2L is available. They are advertising the 2011's will have a new engine lineup - 3.7L, 5.0L, 6.2L and an ecoboost.

 

Ford dealer said for now the 6.2L is only planned to be offered in the Raptor and HD. I guess they haven't announced if it will be offered in any other trims.

 

The ford dealer is full of it... the twin turbo six will be available accross the line except the raptor and the 6.2 will be available in the high end trucks... Ford announced this about 2 months ago.

Honestly you will be fine with your current truck. Ratings are typically 50-100 percent below actual capacities.

 

That may be the SINGLE MOST IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT I HAVE EVER READ ON A FORUM!!!

Are you even remotely aware that almost ALL insurance companies WILL VOID coverage if you are found to be ABOVE MANUFACTURES RATED CAPACITY!!!

How'd you like to lose your house when you have an accident in which there is personally injury and your insurance company denies ALL claims because you over exceeded capacity! Even if the accident had nothing to do with how much you are hauling or towing.

 

Hammer makes a good point. Towing above capacity is a financial risk. If you're just slightly over and you've made some upgrades to help with towing, you can maybe get away with it (telling them you thought the trailer was 100 - 200 lbs less). But if you're 25% or 50% or 100% over - you're going to be in trouble.

 

If you are comparing the fords 6.4 diesel then no, the cummins is better. But if you are looking at a brand new ford with the 6.7 then the ford will walk away from a cummins in terms of both towing capability and fuel economy.