New towing vehicle - options [Archive]

joy22kar

10-13-2011, 12:27 PM

ok folks, so right now we have a Ford Expedition with the 5.4 V8... we upgraded our trailer and we knew that we were pushing our max with our last trailer. Now, we are thinking about upgrading. It will be a Ford Excursion,

but....

should we get the:::::

7.3L diesel or (we will not buy a 6.0L)
Triton V10..

Debate can start now.... lol..

cumminsdad08

10-13-2011, 02:03 PM

we were looking at a ford suv diesel. wanted to get rid of my truck and get one that we can both drive, but i stayed away from them, because i couldn't find any that didn't have a pile of miles on it.

why not look for a newer four door pickup? i have two kids and often take 3 kids and a dog with us.

LeeMedic

10-13-2011, 03:22 PM

ok folks, so right now we have a Ford Expedition with the 5.4 V8... we upgraded our trailer and we knew that we were pushing our max with our last trailer. Now, we are thinking about upgrading. It will be a Ford Excursion,

but....

should we get the:::::

7.3L diesel or (we will not buy a 6.0L)
Triton V10..

Debate can start now.... lol..

7.3L. I tow my 35 foot Sprinter with a 2000 Excursion 7.3L and a Hensley hitch.

hankpage

10-13-2011, 03:45 PM

The V10 is a powerful and proven engine but I'm partial to the diesel. JM2¢, Hank

Ron

10-13-2011, 04:43 PM

7.3 for me, we have 2 of them. Happy Campin........Ron

2011 keystone

10-13-2011, 05:54 PM

Good luck finding a 7.3 that is in good shape and does not have a million miles on it. they are GREAT motors. I looked for 3 years before giving up and whent with a one ton dodge CTD quad cab. Next best thing in my book to the 7.3

jq1031

10-13-2011, 06:07 PM

DIESEL for me, yes, more $$ but it's a truck that with proper care will give you 15 years!!

RCrawler

10-13-2011, 07:09 PM

I'd go for the 7.3. They last forever with proper maintenance, have decent power and get very good mileage. The downfall is trying to find a good used one because of the limited model run, and the fact that everyone keeps them.

They are out there and available. I've been looking around for one for about 6 months. And always a day late to buy.

The V10 is a decent engine, I'm just not a fan of Ford's modular engines.

Jason

Kunkler

10-14-2011, 07:08 AM

I was in the same place you are now. You can fine a good used 7.3 on ebay i have bought and sold around 6-7 cars and truck on ebay and have not had a bad thing happen yet ( key word being yet) i went with the 2009 f-350 V-10 due to me getting a great deal on it. I only go camping aroun 10 times per year so i would utilize the true power of the diesel 20 times per year. If your going to be traveling year round i would go for the 7.3 from all the reserch i have done they are way worth it.....
good luck:thumbsup:

LittleJoe

10-15-2011, 12:25 PM

If you can find a low mileage 7.3 get it. The V10 will kill you in fuel when you are not towing. Do not under any circumstances buy a 6.0 or 6.4 unless it has been emission deleted and not hotrodded.......I would not take one for free......the potential , cost of problems is too high.

Buy a 4door 3/4 ton in a dodge cummins up too 2007 (5.9 dsl) or Chevy DMax in 2005-2007 for least probability of diesel problems in a newer 4door.

The 7.3 are getting worn out and they are not near as powefull as the above and not any better on fuel than above either.

Good luck

RCrawler

10-15-2011, 03:35 PM

If you can find a low mileage 7.3 get it. The V10 will kill you in fuel when you are not towing. Do not under any circumstances buy a 6.0 or 6.4 unless it has been emission deleted and not hotrodded.......I would not take one for free......the potential , cost of problems is too high.

Buy a 4door 3/4 ton in a dodge cummins up too 2007 (5.9 dsl) or Chevy DMax in 2005-2007 for least probability of diesel problems in a newer 4door.

The 7.3 are getting worn out and they are not near as powefull as the above and not any better on fuel than above either.

Good luck

Since they are looking at SUV based tow vehicles, it narrows the availability of what is out there. The 7.3 is in the top 2 of my all time light duty diesel engines ever built. They are not the most powerful (anymore), but they will pull any load you hook to and will last forever if they are taken care of. And the mileage will compare with the same generation Cummins (94-03) with similar gearing, weight and setup.

Jason