hf1

+1 for a gas 3/4 ton truck. Bought a 2003 2500 heavy duty, 4wd, ext cab, gas V8 Silverado with 70k miles couple of years ago for $8.5k. Now at 100k miles, towing trailex open + wife's alum horse trailer. 12k lbs tow capacity. Great dd for around town, country dirt roads, or deep snow. A true work-horse. Not a single problem so far (knock wood). Cheap parts/maintenance. Love that truck.

Sure can't accelerate like a diesel while towing uphill but that only makes you practice momentum driving and planning ahead better which helps your track skills as well.

When/if this one gets driven into the ground, will get another one like that: 10yr old, <100k miles for under $10k. Rinse, repeat.

Mikelly

When the time comes, shop for one with shorter gears and a 6 or 8 speed transmission. Mine came with 4:11 gears and a 6 speed with upgraded transmission cooler, and coming out of a diesel, I can honestly say I don't miss the "lack of power" at all. This thing ROLLS!!!

hf1

Will do, thx. Though mine now doesn't lack power either, considering how light its tow loads are.

Matt Romanowski

I use Suburbans/Yukon XL as the tow vehicle/kid hauler, parts mover. I just went from a 2005 with the 5.3 liter with the 3.73 rear end to a 2011 Denali with the 6.2 liter and 3.48 rear end. The 6.2 also has the 6 speed transmission. The engine is hands down better than the 5.3 and the 6 speeds trans is awesome. Gives much better selection of gears, no huge 2 gear downshifts, and it engine brakes very well.

When you are ready for a new truck, go 2010+ to get the 6 speed.

bubba928

I've had F150s since 2004. Great tow vehicles. Current one is 2012 special order 4X2, FX2 model, with the 5 liter V8. The dealer was pushing the Ecoboost V6, but I plan on keeping this truck for 10 or so years and believe that the normally aspirated "Coyote" engine will be cheaper to maintain. So far so good.

I know, why a 4X2? I don't drive off road. And, I don't have any issues here, in Michigan, in the winter, as I put extra weight in the bed. Lastly, it rides better and I get 1-2 more mpg when towing.

RickyBobby

and vice versa.

nine45s

Chillindrdude,

How was towing an aluminum open with a Tacoma ???
I'm thinking about getting a Taco to pull my aluminum open as I want to use it as a DD also.