Ok, so here's the deal... I need about 10,100 lbs of towing capacity for the boat I’d like to get. My truck doesn’t have it. From my understanding of the stated towing capacities and the revised numbers for the 2010s, which should apply to the 2009s as well, a 1500 2wd with 3.73 gears and lsd can get up to like 9,850? Is that right?

If so, I’m thinking a gear swap and a locker (for extra traction) could get me close enough to make it work? That would be about $2,000 installed? Maybe some air bags as well to help with sag? Another $750 installed? Would I need a transmission cooler or anything else? Or am I putting too much stress on the truck at 10,100?

I originally started thinking about getting a 2010 F250 since I’ve seen them selling for 14,000 – 15,000 off, but I couldn’t find any I really liked around here. Then I thought about a used one (’08 or ’09), but they weren’t much less than the new ones and I just couldn’t justify it mostly b/c I’d take a mpg hit all year just to tow once a week for 5 – 6 months of the year. So, I looked at used Ram 2500s, but I just can’t go back to the previous gen interior. And with the sticker price as high as it is on the 2010 2500s paired with the lack of current incentives, that price increase makes a larger boat much more expensive and the wife will never approve it.

So, I was left with the option of a 2010 F150. Max towing capacity with their max tow package is 11,200. It includes an extra leaf spring, transmission cooler, larger radiator and some other stuff and it’s only like $350. Plus they have sweet towing mirrors, trailer sway and the built-in controllers. The problem is the 5.4L the truck would come with. The 6 speed is nice, but the 5.4 isn’t my favorite motor. When it comes to everything else (style, options, etc.) a F150 and 1500 are a wash in my book. I can get a Lariat for about the same payment as I have now or a Platinum for a few dollars more. I got a solid trade-in offer on my truck, so the deal would be cheaper to me than spending 2,500 – 4,000 on parts to make my truck close to capable of towing the boat.

Any thoughts? Opinions? Ideas?

 

Ya I saw that revised towing chart to...far as Im concerned 09's are the same and thats how Im treating mine.

Ive got a compressor with airlift 1000 bags and yes it sure helps. But with the coil setup I was even thinking about just getting bigger coils or pulling them completely and running pure air ones with a big compressor (I think it would be cool)

Ive already got the 3.90 gear setup and honestly Ive towed up to 9000 lbs. The truck powers it FINE But the back end just squats to much for me and thats why Im thinking about a different system

 

Yeah, I'm not so worried about the power - feels like there is plenty of power. And I'm not worried about the frame. Mostly the rear suspension setup and transmission. Trying to figure out what it would take to get my 1500 up to snuff vs. just getting a F150.

 

The unloaded ride will suffer on any truck designed to carry/haul that much weight. The best option is rear helper bags and regear the Ram, that is if you still want the good ride when not towing.

 

Test drive the Ford first, I think you'll be back to wondering what you'll have to do to make your truck work. They are nice trucks, but you are in the wrong place to get convinced... Here is my only reason I'd say get one. I bought Ford stock when it was down to less than $3 a share... I'd like to see it get back up to what it was back in the day.

 

Didn't know about the 7 lug wheels. Not sure if I noticed that? Sure looked like all of the other wheels... And I don't really care about aftermarket wheels - the wheels on the Platinum look fine to me.

I did actually go and drive one yesterday. I think the cooled seats work better, the backup camera with the lines was nice and Sync + the customizable home display is way better than the MyGig/Nav option in the Ram. Also, on a Platinum or King Ranch, the interior outdoes the Laramie. The 6 speed was super smooth. My real complaints were that it has the 5.4L and that I'm worried about it becoming a rattlebox as all Fords I've ever owned or known well have become....

I'm here b/c I have a Ram that I like and i've had 2 Rams previously. I haven't had a Ford truck personally since my '98 Ranger. The option of the same payment and more towing capacity is appealing - so I'm guessing I'm trying to see if I can make my Ram capable enough and what it will cost me?

 

I returned my leased 2007 F150 and purchased a 2009 Dodge Ram. If you want a capable truck buy the Ford, it will ride like a truck and is underpowered in my opinion. You want the nice ride and more power stay with the Ram. My two cents.

 

I want both. A Hemi in a F150 or a Cummins in a F250 would be a sweet truck....

 

I dunno what the hell it is, frame or what, but I pull good weight quite often and these are my honest observations:

The coil over rears in the 4th Gens DO NOT handle heavy (6000 lbs +) towing nearly as well as the 3rd (or 2nd) Gens. They seem to wander a lot more and actually have me feeling worn out after moving a load from point A to point B.

An F150 with a PUNY, UNDERPOWERED 5.4 tows better than my 3rd Gen with Hemi AT 100 HP MORE!!!

I dunno if it's all frame related or what, but I can control a heavy load better on the highway with a Furd than I can with my own truck, AND I HAVE A GOOD 75 HP/TORQUE OVER STOCK, 4.56 GEARS AND AIR BAGS.

I hate to admit it, cause I've owned two Furds AND HATE THEM, had nothing but bad experiences with a '97 F150 4x4 I bought new, so bad that I'll never own another, but across the board, from small V8 to the diesel, they flat out tow better...

 

Coming from Hammer, that's a statement. It did seem like the 6 speed would really help when towing and of course added stiffness helps you feel in control with a load.

Off topic, but you even think a PowerStroke 250 tows better than a Cummins 2500?