Yet another tow vehicle thread...

[berniefiedler]

Just a thought. My service manager says that the biggest problems he has with the Ford 6.7 diesel is with customers that really don't need a diesel. Working without a load and driving around town are a recipe for problems with drivability with this engine.

 

[Levitation]

For an R31 I would really like to see a F450 size truck out front if you plan on towing through hilly country..
Even an F350 is going to get pushed around on downhill curves - it will do the job on flat ground.
Don't believe Ranger's published weights and add 50% to that number ready to cruise. And a trailer will be 2500 pounds or more
Also let me strongly recommend a 5th wheel trailer setup for that size of load - 18,500 pounds by my best guess.

 

[bill j]

We just returned from a 5500 mile trip driving from Texas to the San Juan Islands pulling a 26 ft Cutwater using a Ford 250 diesel 4X4. We averaged 12.7 miles per gallon keeping our speed around 60 mph. Used 463 gallons of fuel driving 125 hours total. great trip!! we have electric over hydraulic brakes which I highly recommend. was tempted initially to get a ford 150 ecoboost but i am really glad i moved up to the 250 diesel series. it can pull the boat safely and stop it as well - both important issues. Bill

 

[berniefiedler]

The blue tec Ford Diesel is not designed to be a commuter. It is a truck engine and does not do well idling or working under a light load. My service tech has complained multiple times about owners that use it as an around the town vehicle. The engine needs to be working most of the time or you will have various parts clog up.

 

[kapandkaren]

I wanted to thank all the 'nuts' that responded to my most recent question. We wound up buying the Ram 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel (roughly 380 hp, 800 ft-lbs torque). We test drove (many, many) several 2500 and 3500's and found that while 'empty', the dually (3500) was much too stiff and painful for me for the 90% time we would not have a boat attached (half my spine is bolted/fused and caged (cervical and lumbar)) and realistically we don't need 30,000 lbs towing. The 2500 with the Cummin's TD will pull 17,000+lbs and drives much more like our old Denali (as far as my spine is concerned ;-)
Thank you all for your input - this is a great site and I'm sure you'll hear from me again ;-)
Only 1 more week of sailing until we Rocky Mountain sailors have to pull and wait for winter to run it's course. Our Ranger 31 will be available in early spring so we can find water while waiting for home to un-freeze.
Safe winter to all,
Karen