A little imput needed on a tow rig needed

[unclejtl]

Hello, i have don some searching but still would like some imput. We have a 1958 travel trailer and i want to pull it with an older truck. I now have a 2001 superduty that i use, and it works great, but it rides like crap for everyday usage. The trailer weighs approx 5000-5500 lbs. The box is 23ft, 26ft total. I like both bumpside and slick60 trucks. Now my brain is telling me to stick with a f250, but the rest of me wants a f100 for the ride day to day. We use the trailer 6-8 times a year now, but i could see a bit more use in the future. I would prefer a manual trans, but its not manditory. Im not interested in building a truck from the ground up. Would like to buy a good running truck, do a few suspension up grades and go from there. Yes the truck i have works, but its not vintage.

So im thinking, tell me your thoughts, of two options...

1. F250, 390, 4spd , disc brakes, f100 springs front and rear with firestone air bags and a weight distribution hitch.

2. F100, 390, 4spd, disc brakes, firestone air bags and a weight distribution hitch. And going to someone like curry enterprises to build the 9 inch to handel the strain.

Not sure the frame will be a big issue, as im not loading up the truck.

Thanks in advance for your Input.

[1970FordTK]

I'm going to be just plain blunt and honest on this, your 2001 is going to ride a lot better than any 60's or 70's rig for daily driver use doesn't matter if its the half or three quarter ton model you get. These era trucks are not known for a decent ride, they are purpose built for work and somewhat smooth out with a decent load on them. 

[Bill Ramsey]

i would go with the old F250. forget the f100 stuff. f250 is more than capable just dont dive like an idiot. make sure trailer brakes work.

[farmallmta]

Knowing the size of your trailer and weight would help us analyze the situation with you.

If your trailer is from the '50's you're going to love the look of a '60's truck pulling it, especially if there's a bit of color coordination going on. You're going to make friends everywhere you go because of the eye-appeal of the whole truck-trailer package. I'd encourage you to ditch the late model truck and have a neat older truck pulling your nifty fifties trailer.

My preference for a small single axle travel trailer, 16' in length or less, would be for a nicely redone F100 with good springs and shocks. This assumes you and your wife aren't going to do a Lucy "The Long Long Trailer" stunt like filling it up with rocks as you travel . Extra cushioning in the seats will be nice, too. However, if your travel trailer has tandem axles and exceeds 16' in length, you're going to want to go to an F250 with springs and shocks calibrated to the load and ride you want. Any good suspension shop can help you figure out how to set up the spring/shock to suit your application.

[1972hiboy]

I would go with f250 just for the weight handling and brakes.

[markguiver]

I would go with option 3. F250, 390, manual trans, 3.73 or better still 4.11 gears in the rear end, disks in the front, weight distributing hitch with sway control, trailer brakes/controller, and air bags. F250 with the heavy duty cooling system should be considered too. With all that I would have no qualms about towing a 5,000/5,500 lb. trailer anywhere you wanted to go. Matching paint on the tow rig and trailer would be awesome.
On a side note: In the later mid 70's I towed a Bobcat/w accessories with a 1 ton Chevy/GMC for a demolition company I worked for. The truck had a 350/4 speed and the equipment trailer had a surge brake system and I never had any issues even though the Bobcat weighed much more than your trailer. I think a well set up F250 would be more than adequate for your needs.
Mark.

[unclejtl]

Thanks all!


1970fordtk, thanks. Looking for a vintage truck for the look. I had a 66 f250 when we had our 17` trailer and it rode a little nicer than my current f250.

Farmallmta, i posted the size and weight, its 23 foot box, 26 overall. It weighs between 5000lbs and 5500lbs. It has dual axle and new trailer brakes. I will get ahold of a spring company and speak to them reguarding rates for whai im looking into. As far as color combo, my wife wants to paint the trailer coral and cream.......sorry i cant drive a truck that color


Markgulver, thats what my gut keeps telling me, but i dont want a 3/4 ton for a daily. Guess i have to finish my 50 ihc l110 for a daily and just have two

[cep62]

I've pulled my old mud truck many a mile with a '71 F100 4X4.
two things, Trailer brakes are necessary .and F100 wheel bearings don't handle loads very long.
If you insist on a F100, upgrade to a Bumpside rear end it has heavier axle and bearings ,
and is wider so it helps with stability.

Then I upgraded to a '78 F350 , (old U haul) what a difference.
My knuckles didn't get as white while driving, it was a lot more stable .
and stopped much nicer.

[farmallmta]

I'd say you're definitely into the weight and size category requiring an F250. I'm a Jehovah's Witness for Latter Day Amway Saints when it comes to proselytizing enthusiastically about the FE 410, which is the 360/390 block with a 428 crank. After all the FEs I've had over the years, it strikes the perfect balance of power, smooth running, and economy. If you go with that engine, you can use 3:54 gears in the Dana60 rear end. The 410 can just handle that load, those gears and still get up steep hills and handle headwinds with ease.

LOL on the coral/cream paint scheme for the trailer. If she wants that, go with turquoise for the truck! Great eye-catching 50's-60's look. Might as well look like gypsies if you're going to travel like them!

[unclejtl]

We had a 07 f150 for awhile and a 2013 eclipse 28` travel trailer (what a piece of crap, something broke every time we used it) . That trailer weighed in at almost 7000lbs. Pulled it from west coast to midwest several times no issues. I know it has a better axle than an f100. With trailer brakes and a weight distribution hitch, the 150 was fine suspension wise, even without air bags. I know that newer trucks have evolved, but how can its leaf springs be that much better?

Is there a newer f150 rear axle that will fit under an f100?

If i find a nice truck that justs needs a motor, ill look into the FE410, but im hoping not to get that far into a truck, right now.

Think ill look into a few spring companies when i get home.

Thanks!