OPINIONS on mid-size haul truck

[secondhandranch]

i'm know a thread like this has already been posted SOMEWHERE, but i would like to hear 'product reviews' on mid size trucks that can get the job done. what i am looking to purchase in the near future is a used truck that can occasionally haul a 2 horse trailer (less than a 50 mile trip on the flats of florida) regularly haul rolls of hay in the bed or pulling a couple rolls on a trailer, and that get DECENT gas milage.

kinds i am currently considering are:
dodge ram 1500 (extended cab not full crew cab)
ford f-150 (same thing in the cab style)

also i'd like to hear any PROBLEMS that people have had w/ these types of vehicles as far as mechanical breakdowns or disadvantages like poor turning radius or hard to back into due to blind spots and things like that.
THANK u ALL in ADVANCE!

[BarnBum]

I have an 2004 ~ F150 ~ 4x4 ~ "Off Road" crew cab. It has the 17-18" tires. Has the big 5.4 (V-8) I use it to pull a 2006 Featherlight 2H straight load w/ DR bumper pull. I do not even feel the trailer behind me. The "off road" pkg is the stiff rear end with heavy duty shocks/springs. It doesn't squat and runs like a charm. On an average I get 370 miles to a tank of gas around town. Avg fill up is $60 of the 87 octance. If I am hauling on the interstate I will put in the medium grade 89 octane. I use the synthetic oil (better oil ) and I do oil changes every 3,000 miles on the dot !! The only "extra" I have had to put into my truck is new brakes all the way around, new tires and genral maintience such as new fuel/air filters/ transmission/coolant flushes along with the oil changes with they better synthetic oil (Castrol) My engine light did come on, but when they put it on the computer, nothing was wrong. They turned it off and it hasn't come on since. Glich I guess. I have owned my truck since 10k miles and it now has 60k miles and runs PERFECT !!! I do take care of it very well. I can get my trailer in/out anywhere.

My husband owns a DODGE 1500 4x4 Super Crew and he has had more issues with his truck (brought it brand new in 06) than I have had with mine and its an 2004. This will be the last DODGE we ever will buy. He doesn't haul the horses with his truck, so I can't tell you anything about it.

I personally would not get a V6 or a 4x2. I would only look at the V8s and 4x4s whatever you decide. If you can get into the "off road" 4x4 packages, thats better for hauling. I had a 4x2 and it squatted really bad even with the extra shocks added (after warket). The 4x4 is the sturdy rear end but the 4x4 "off road" is even the sturdiest. Like I said, I don't even feel my trailer behind me and it pulls like a dream !!!!!!!!!!!

Chevys "off road" is their Z71 (4x4) package
Ford is their FX4 Off Road (what I have)


Hope the above helps

[theoldbear]

I just happen to have had them both, a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab, with the 5.9 liter V-8, and a 2001 Ford F-150 extended cab, with the smaller V-8 (4.7?).

The former was a gas hog and the latter underpowered.

I want to respectfully disagree with the need for four wheel drive. The extra cost, extra maintainence, and decreased gas mileage outweigh the occassional disadvantage of getting stuck. And if you check the factory specs, the towing capacity for 4x2 is more than for 4x4!

If I could "custom order" a used truck for the purposes you've described, I'd get the Dodge with the 5.2 liter engine. I had one of those, too. 1993 D-150

[Horsie Michelle]

I have a 1500 07 Dodge Ram crew cab Thunderoad edition that can also run on the E85. It has the small V8. This is my truck and it's my daily driver as well.

I LOVE IT! I've always been a Chevy girl---had an 01 Silverado (extended cab) and a 04 Tahoe, both of which I used to haul a steal BP 2H trailer here in FL. The chevy did OK but I really like to haul with the Ram. It has no problem pulling the orse trailer and we recently pulled a heavy enclosed catering trailer and I honestly almost forgot it was back there it pulled so well.

I pick up round bales about every 10 days and haul random stuff around in it often. It always, to date, as preformed and I haven't had any mechanical problems yet.

Around town with the AC on I get around 14mpg, highway with no trailer (and ac on) I get about 17-18. Hauling I get 12....allthough there's lots of stop on go in places so when we pulled the catering trailer down I75 we got about 15mpg.

Best of luck. I would recommend this truck.

This is what I found while researching for a truck to haul with...
A 4x2 truck can tow more than a 4x4, mainly because of the added weight of the 4x4 system (transfer case, front axle and driveshaft). The powertrain in the vehicle is usually rated to tow a load, and that powertrain is often shared between 4x4 and 4x2 models; thus the lighter truck can haul a heavier trailer. The tongue load from the trailer actually adds weight to the rear axle, and thus the vehicle will gain traction, an added benefit for going with a 4x2 truck.

I saw the same on many sites I looked at. (pasted this from http://www.cartest.ca/buying_the_right_hauling_veh.htm ) so I went with a 4x2 b/c I didn't need the 4x4 fror anything specific.

Either way it's not that much difference in towing and should do fine pulling a 2H. Being as mine is my daily as well I opted for the 4x2 to avoid carrying excess weight that I didn't need.

Best of luck...truck shopping is fun!

[WickedNag]

I haul horses I used to use my husband's manual transmission Dodge Ram 1500. I pulled it out in the Black Hills and though it didn't have a lot of power, it did get the job done. I purchased a fully loaded 2000 Ford F250 that out performs my best friends 1999 1 ton. Both are 4 door trucks and both have the 7.3 in it. My was customized at the factory with chips, pulling packages and gauges that even measure the temp of my exhaust! I average 16.2 mpg when pulling my 4 Star 4 horse fully loaded. Three of the horses are at 15.3 or over and probably close to 1150 each. The fourth is usually a smaller horse that tags along. When not pulling I average about 20mpg. That is an all the time mileage as I don't just do highway miles.

[secondhandranch]

i really appreciate everyone who has posted so far....keep them coming.....
i used to pull my 2 horse w/ a 94 dodge dakota 5 spd and it got the job done and i also hauled a roll in back n/p. that truck has since been 'down the road' to someone else. i curently am using a 94 ford explorer 5 spd. it can do the job , but i just don't trust it all that much as it is starting to really age at 209k miles. i was also wondering if anyone had an opinion on a jeep like a cj7 or a newer dakota for better milage? and please don't throw horse apples at me for hualing w/ an SUV, i've heard those folks before.

[chery]

we had a f-150 that we pulled a 2 horse with and it hauled great even up hills, it was a great truck untill i had to get more horses which ment bigger truck and bigger trailer! lol

[theoldbear]

No horse apples from here. I pulled a two horse and a sixteen foot stock trailer with a Dodge Ramcharger SUV, and I'll hook up our 16 foot stocker to my Olds Bravada (six cylinder) SUV for a short haul with one horse, or a couple of calves.

Jeep CJ-7's, or even CJ-8's (The Scrambler model) don't get it as tow vehicles for me. We've had several, and the only one I'd haul horses behind was a '62 Willys Jeep one ton, with a big flat-head six engine. They are too light weight, and they are top-heavy (prone to rolling) and the wheelbase is too short to be safe as a tow truck. At least that's my opinion.

I drove a friend's Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 six on a couple of cross-FLorida hauls, with one big walker stallion in back one way, and the same stud plus a good sized gelding on the way back, and that worked fine. But that Jeep had the factory tow/haul package.

I don't see why a Dodge Dakota wouldn't pull a small two horse trailer, but from the figures I've seen on line, the mileage isn't that much better than the Ram, nor is the price!

[Amy]

I can pull my 2-horse BP trailer with my V6 F150, but I only trailer within 20 miles or so to trails. If I was going on a longer trip, I would get or borrow a bigger truck. I can definitely feel my engine working harder going uphill, I wouldn't want to risk damage to the truck from too strenuous of a drive with it.

[sherriawright]

I have a 2005, dodge 1500 with the V8 in it. I get about 12mpg not hauling anything and not sure what it is hauling, but I would guess around 10. I have a 3 horse slant with dressing room, gooseneck. "Bertha" gets the job done and then some. All my horses are at least 15.3 and around the 1100 pound mark. I haul the three horses and I squeeze in two ponies that are around 400 pounds each. I have no problems with the hauling.

The MAJOR problem I have with the dodge is a blindspot. I am short, 5'2. I sit low in the dodge and I have major blindspots where the outside mirrors are. They are right in my line of vision and I really have to watch the side as I've pulled out a lot and haven't seen someone there. I now use a booster seat designed for a child and have no more issues with it. When I borrowed a F150 I didn't have this problem, however I've never pulled anything with one.

[Slim Pikkens]

My 1982 F150 which had a 302, standard on the floor would pull my two horse trailer loaded but really bogged down on the steep hills. It's full size box would easily pack a 6x5' found bale. I'd take a run at the bottom of a steep hill and downshift near the top. I'd make heavy hauls maybe 6 times a year but was glad of many miles of economical driving in the interim. It used 1/3 less gas than my 81, 3/4 t which handled the loads easily.

[fishing_trex]

I haul a 2H bumper pull slant load aluminum with my Chevy Silverado 1500 FWD with extended cab all the time. We also pull a full trailer of hay (200 bales) with no problems.

We had a Ford F150 that we traded in and found the Chevy to be more powerful (but so much depends on the engine and the transmission ratio it's hard to compare realistically). But Chevy gets better gas mileage than comparable Ford and Dodge models.

[jasonsgotfaith]

I have a 2003 ford F-150 with the 5.4L and an extended cab, I pull a 2 horse trailer very frequently & get a round bail in the back once a week, also pull the hay wagon fully loaded, talking bout 360 bales of hay from the fields back to main farm all summer. I haul random stuff all the time & even pulled a cop car out when he got stuck in the median trying to run radar in the rain! I love that truck! I only want a bigger truck because the only downfall of buying the best car seat I could get for my son was that its huge! I plan to keep my truck til his little legs cant fit back there anymore or I get my dream 4 horse w/ LQ but I am def thinking the baby will outgrow the truck befor that happens! Its great, I usually haul over 100 miles to state parks a couple times a month. I also had the same glitch I believe the 1st poster stated! My check engine light came on & since I am my uncles favorite niece I was in the shop with in 10 minutes (I panicked, I cant afford any expensive repairs) he put it on the computer & found nothing wrong, he still looked it over & everything was fine so he cleared it & it has not come back on! Like her I also get all my regular maintenance on the dot! & my old girl is holding up well. I have 111,000 miles on her! My tailgate has seen better days, I was struck by a driver with a suspended license & have been arguing with insurance company ever since! I already rewired my towing wires & all that myself because I have to able to tow!

[Chrystalstar]

We have a F-150 four door crew cab, 2007. We just got back from a trip to Ontario, 4,000 miles pulling a bumper pull trailer with four horses one way. We were very happy with it's performance and it got real good gas milage. We also haul 1600 lb round bales in the back. I've also towed a bale wagon with 6 1600 lb bales on it. A bundle of posts, wood, you name it. We are are looking at a bigger truck though so we can haul a bigger trailer and haul more bales.

[mingiz]

I have a 97 Ram 1500 5.2L and I towed a 20ft steel GN and a 16ft steel stock BP with it. It towed the bp from MD to Tx and back loaded to the gill. It had plenty of pulling power on the flat but the moutains it wasn't as strong. I still have it but retired it from towing It has 208K on it and still runs strong. I now have an LQ so i have the F250 SD ext cab 6.0. I can say that the ram is a tough 1/2 ton truck.

[s-mylie]

We have an '08 F-150 5.4L V8 Supercab 4x4, we haven't hauled horses with it yet (no trailer!) but we pick up 4x4 rounds in it, logs for goat fencing and two loads of top soil to fill the bed (the short bed).

Its a year old and has 99k in KM's on it, it's our only vehicle. My only concern is that our passenger side door is loose and was when we got it. Its leased but we're buying the lease out in 2 years.