Ok lets start this off by saying I have a 1999 F-150 4x4, 5.4 L, and the heavier duty tranny. I just bought a 23ft Sierra sport toy hauler that weighs unloaded about 6400lbs. The thing I need help with is should I upgrade to a diesel, or beef up the 150 a little? Dont really have the funds to get a new truck, but would possibly be able to afford a new motor for truck. I was thinking about getting a crate ligtning motor and tranny, and then beefin' up the suspension.... what do you guys think? all help is appreciated!

 

we used to tow a 25ft toyhauler behind a 99 suburban 1/2 ton. the day we drove it home from vegas to oregon the undercoating of the car was starting to melt, not to mention that we got 4mpg empty. We got home and did a cold air intake.flowmaster exhaust,firstone air bags,throtle body spacer. It got 6-7 towing loaded now but everytime we drove it, we were so stressed. My wife was afraid to pack to much, on any hill we thougt the motor would explode, we did this for 2 years and only blew one rear end. Now we have a Dodge cummins and got a larger trailer, we can load both the the max and not worry about anything. the milage is 12.5 avg with a speed of 70. No stress with the diesel, it was worth every penny!!

Pat

 

Buy a Diesel. I had 21ft Tahoe toy box loaded (with out water) it wieghed in at 9400#. My 94 half ton with 5.8L eng, 3.55 gears, computer chip, and dual exhaust would only pull in 60 mph on flat ground. I got rid of the toy box.

 

well, i kind of solved my own problem, a guy needed to sell his truck. 03 f250, with a v10, 35" tires, 8" suspension lift, with fox shox, pioneer dvd, xm, gps system, 27000 miles... still smells like a new truck, and has never been in the dirt, he wanted to look good, till he figured he couldnt afford it =)

$25k

 

I had that exact same half ton, 99 5.4 4x4 tow package, and pulled a 22' 5th wheel and the atv trailer hooked behind that with 4 quads on it. Around 13,000 gross I suppose, maybe a little more. It needed a little help and I bolted on a 6 lb Powerdyne supercharger. Wow, it pulled really well, I'd go over 7000' Gilmore summit in the high Idaho desert at over 60 mph. Change tranny fluid every season if you do this. For $2500 I had all the power I needed and never broke anything. Got 8 or 9 mpg pulling all the stuff. And empty the 55 to 80 mph blast was awesome!

Hated to sell it but got a crewcab Duramax, chipped it with Edge Juice, now I'm never burnin gas in a truck again.

 

yeah go with a diesel, they have the extra tourqe to pull stuff, thats why all of our tractors are diesel's and so atre semi's