Which truck and what options for 5.0TA ?

[rmitch]

I just upgraded. Very similar to your situation. I had a 2006 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 Vortec V-8. It towed the 5.0 TA very well. But like you it “strained” in some situations.
I went with the 2022 Silverado 1500 Z71 4X4 LTZ with the 3.0 Duramax Diesel and 10 speed transmission. This combo is incredibly powerful, smooth, and efficient. Highway mileage on a long trip was 27 MPG towing mileage was 19 MPG. This package developes 270 HP and 470 Foot Pounds of torque at 1500 rpm, it is more powerful than any of the gas V-8s I have driven. The 2023 is upgraded to 305 HP and 495 foot pounds of torque. Do yourself a favor and test drive one. I don't think you will be disappointed.

[LSmith]

I initially towed our 15 FG trailer with a 2010 Chev Colorado with the 5.3 v8. It made about 300 HP and 300 ft-lbs torque. It had lots of power and was a great tow vehicle over all. The only issue was despite all that power it still had to downshift and rev quite high on steep grades. It had a 4 speed transmission. I bought a 2022 Colorado this year with a V6 in it (about 300 HP and 275 FT-Lbs). It has an 8 speed transmission and a tow/haul mode. It is an even better tow vehicle for our purposes. I think that the biggest improvement is the result of having more gears. It tows better and I get noticeably better milage loaded and empty.
Considering the low number of annual miles you put on it, I would say the extra expense for the diesel would not be worth it.

[cpaharley2008]

I love my "tow/haul" gas mode but stay way from diesels due to higher initial and operating costs....

[john o]

I love my 2016 Canyon Duramax 2.8 towing my 5.0! Yes, fuel is expensive currently but my highway mileage is 24 mpg at 62 mph. I have not met the hill that my truck won’t take with the cruise control on. Normally it runs between 1500 and 2000 RPM.
1777 lb payload and 7000 lb towing. And love the jake brake feature on WVA and PA hills.

[JumpinJoe]

Originally Posted by Suregrip391

I do like the truck, it’s rust free and never had any issues, it’s just getting older and who knows what can happen.

Many people here tow with newer trucks.
I tow my 5.0 approximately 9 k miles per year with my 2006 Tundra with a 4.7 V8 with 160,000 miles on it with never an issue.
I'm a fan of if it isn't broke, don't fix it.
You may want to just consider changing the rear end ratio option mentioned.
Good luck

[marsman]

I agree that pretty much any full size half ton pickup truck will do and some of the midsize work as well. My observations with my tow vehicle are:

1. I'm glad I have the 6.5 vs 5.5' box and recommend this size; I find that I still have plenty of room in the box for all sorts of gear even when hitched.

2. Secondly, I have the tow package on my truck which I believe gives you beefier suspension, the OEM trailer brake controller and the better ratio rear end. I find negligible sag in the vehicle when hitch and it tows very well.

My two cents...

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by marsman

..............
1. I'm glad I have the 6.5 vs 5.5' box and recommend this size; I find that I still have plenty of room in the box for all sorts of gear even when hitched.

2. Secondly, I have the tow package on my truck which I believe gives you beefier suspension, the OEM trailer brake controller and the better ratio rear end. I find negligible sag in the vehicle when hitch and it tows very well. .............

Our 5.0 went bye-bye yesterday. He picked it up with a 5 1/2' box. I hadn't realized how small that box is. Too small for us.

He purchaed a new truck and I recommended the 6 1/2' box.
You can lead a horse to water. . . . . . .

We purchased our 2019 F150 in December 2019. The 2020's were already out so you don't have much of a choice, but we got $17,000 off of list (remember those days?).

Since we rarely use our truck for long hauls without a camper/trailer I wish we could have gotten a higher numerically ratio rear end (3.73) than the 3.55 in our 2019 F150. We only drive 62 mph and at that speed pulling the camper lock out 10th gear to avoid excessive lugging. So in essence we have a nine speed transmission. Our 2015 was even worse with the 3.31 rear end and six speed transmission.

Tow haul works best with the 4.11 rear end, but that's not offered anymore. The manufacturers seem to think everyone wants to travel at 80 mph or greater (and some do though). We find ECO best for hauling though.

If you have the 3.73 rear end consider yourself lucky,

Perry

[Carmel Clown]

Okay, don't laugh at me, What exactly does tow/haul do?



I want to downsize from my F250 and I don't want 4x4 - rarely use it on my current truck and it makes the truck taller and harder to get into. Someone on the Facebook group said not getting the 4x4 increases the amount of payload by about 300 pounds.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

Okay, don't laugh at me, What exactly does tow/haul do?



I want to downsize from my F250 and I don't want 4x4 - rarely use it on my current truck and it makes the truck taller and harder to get into. Someone on the Facebook group said not getting the 4x4 increases the amount of payload by about 300 pounds.

Just pay attention to fuel tank capacity in 2x4 trucks. I appreciate having the larger tank in my 4x4 F-150. Don't expect I'll ever use the 4 wheel drive feature though.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

Okay, don't laugh at me, What exactly does tow/haul do?

In order to get high MPG and fuel efficiency, most new vehicles, trucks included, will shift into the highest gear as quickly as possible. Tow/Haul mode will delay that shifting to higher gears to prevent the engine from "lugging" which puts more strain in the drive train. Some vehicles will also change their ignition profile. In the newer F150s, it will also prevent the engine from shifting into the highest gears in order to prevent the transmission from overheating. Although last weekend, on our return trip from camping we had a 30+mph sustained tail wind and we saw our F150 shift in to 10th gear regularly even in tow/haul mode.

Basically, it keeps your engine and transmission from straining when towing a trailer or hauling a heavy load, thus extending the engine/transmission's life.

Hope that helps.

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by SageRpod

In order to get high MPG and fuel efficiency, most new vehicles, trucks included, will shift into the highest gear as quickly as possible. Tow/Haul mode will delay that shifting to higher gears to prevent the engine from "lugging" which puts more strain in the drive train. Some vehicles will also change their ignition profile. In the newer F150s, it will also prevent the engine from shifting into the highest gears in order to prevent the transmission from overheating. Although last weekend, on our return trip from camping we had a 30+mph sustained tail wind and we saw our F150 shift in to 10th gear regularly even in tow/haul mode.

Basically, it keeps your engine and transmission from straining when towing a trailer or hauling a heavy load, thus extending the engine/transmission's life.

Hope that helps.

Yes it does. Thanks.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Just pay attention to fuel tank capacity in 2x4 trucks. I appreciate having the larger tank in my 4x4 F-150. Don't expect I'll ever use the 4 wheel drive feature though.

Just FYI, on current generation (2021-2023) Ford F150's the large 36-gallon gas tank is available as a stand-alone option (code 655) on both 2x4 and 4x4 drivetrains, all trims from XL through Platinum. It's also bundled with the Max Tow Package on qualifying configurations, both 2x4 and 4x4.

The limiting restrictions are wheelbase (must be a cab+box combination yielding at least 145" WB) and engine (can't get the large tank on the hybrid Powerboost of any wheelbase).

Any F150 SuperCab with a 6.5' or longer box, and any SuperCrew with the 5.5' or longer box meets the wheelbase criteria for the 36-gallon tank.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Centex

Just FYI, on current generation (2021-2023) Ford F150's the large 36-gallon gas tank is available as a stand-alone option (code 655) on both 2x4 and 4x4 drivetrains, all trims from XL through Platinum. It's also bundled with the Max Tow Package on qualifying configurations, both 2x4 and 4x4.

The limiting restrictions are wheelbase (must be a cab+bed combination yielding at least 145" WB) and engine (can't get the large tank on the hybrid Powerboost of any wheelbase).

Any F150 SuperCab with a 6.5' or longer bed, and any SuperCrew with the 5.5' or longer bed meets the wheelbase criteria for the 36-gallon tank.

Okay, so it's an option? That means ya better check on any truck you're buying off the lot unless the truck has the Max Tow Package

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Okay, so it's an option? That means ya better check on any truck you're buying off the lot unless the truck has the Max Tow Package

Yes, the 36-gallon tank is an option, it'll be clearly listed on the window sticker whether stand-alone or as part of the Max Tow Package.

More FYI, on current generation F150s the standard tank is 23 gallons on Regular Cab and SuperCab; 26 gallons on SuperCrew. All without regard to 4x2 / 4x4 or engine.

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by Centex

Yes, the 36-gallon tank is an option, it'll be clearly listed on the window sticker whether stand-alone or as part of the Max Tow Package.

More FYI, on current generation F150s the standard tank is 23 gallons on Regular Cab and SuperCab; 26 gallons on SuperCrew. All without regard to 4x2 / 4x4 or engine.

Just to add…… the F-150 Powerboost hybrid has a 30 gallon tank (30.6 gallons to be exact). As Centex mentioned previously, there is no 36 gallon tank option for the Powerboost (not enough real estate for the largest gas tank with the hybrid battery).

Edit: Also, the Powerboost is only available with the SuperCrew cab

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Just pay attention to fuel tank capacity in 2x4 trucks. I appreciate having the larger tank in my 4x4 F-150. Don't expect I'll ever use the 4 wheel drive feature though.

I believe it is recommended to use occasionally to keep seals and other parts lubricated......