Towing question that will decide if i swap my taco for a ranger

[MovingMetal]

Hello Everyone. I am considering selling my 6mt 25 taco trd off road for a ranger xlt w/towing package and 2.7L. I own a small car business and occasionally (once per week to twice per week in summer, once or twice per month in winter spring fall) find myself needing a trailer. I bought a taco in december, but after realizing how much i don't like the truck and that the tow rating isn't as good for what I want i am considering trading for a 2.7 xlt. Here is my scenario

Looking at Futura SHIFTR (2200 ibs) or Futura super sport trailer (1100 ibs) and would be towing 1 vehicle less than 4k pounds (often in 2500-3500 range) on it. Most trips will be 100 miles or less round trip, occasionally 3-400 miles if picking up / delivering out of state

Will the Ranger work for this for the next 5 years - As in reliability, easy to drive/tow with and also daily as a work truck

Would you just buy a 150 or f250 reg cab powertroke instead? Which, by the way, is near 60k for a 150 with the 5.0 or 3 liter ecoboost . I can get a new xlt 250 powerstroke for 58k from a local dealer i work with.


Interested in hearing everyones opinion. The Tacoma is fine, but after a few weeks and driving it all over for work the engine is really just not fitting to the truck. i funny enough never had an issue w.the old v6 and somehow this 4cyl the magazines say is better than the old engine feels worse. Quicker yes, but like a cheaply made lawn mower engine. Anyways, thanks and look forward to the responses.

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[gtistiffler]

If it was me I would get the 250 if towing that much weekly. The 6.7 is a beast, but first thing I would do is add a cp4 pump disaster kit.

 

[MovingMetal]

If it was me I would get the 250 if towing that much weekly. The 6.7 is a beast, but first thing I would do is add a cp4 pump disaster kit.

I wish they weren't so expensive as i have to buy new through my biz. 59k for a 70k truck discounted is best i could find through my dealer connections

 

[gtistiffler]

Yeah they are but that should last you a long time.

 

[OxygenMask]

The twin turbo v6 makes excellent torque. The ranger should really have no problem with that load. If you were towing that every day I think you would be happier with the larger truck.
When not towing you'll get better mileage with the ranger but not much.

The other consideration is what else would you use the truck for when not towing?
Owning and operating a diesel super duty is vastly different from a Ranger...
I have both, they aren't particularly interchangeable, and I love both for entirely different reasons. But I have cautioned many folks that that if you don't actually need a big diesel, you might not want one.

 

[MovingMetal]

The twin turbo v6 makes excellent torque. The ranger should really have no problem with that load. If you were towing that every day I think you would be happier with the larger truck.
When not towing you'll get better mileage with the ranger but not much.

The other consideration is what else would you use the truck for when not towing?
Owning and operating a diesel super duty is vastly different from a Ranger...
I have both, they aren't particularly interchangeable, and I love both for entirely different reasons. But I have cautioned many folks that that if you don't actually need a big diesel, you might not want one.

Mostly driving to and from customers, picking up car parts , and picking up cars. It would be a DD since i work 7 days a week for my business, and don't have a day off. I have cars to drive when not working

 

[MovingMetal]

Also f250 would be a regular cab 4x4 to save w the powerstroke. From my understanding it isn't a very comfortable truck to drive everyday without a load

 

[OxygenMask]

I would add, I had a 2014 F150 Supercab short bed with the 5.0 /6 speed auto. I LOVED that truck. Comfy, handled like a dream, powerful, and as a DD got 17 mpg, on road trips 20 to 22! I miss that truck. I traded it because I needed a diesel. The F350 Lariat is awesome but not as nice to simply drive.

 

[OxygenMask]

Also f250 would be a regular cab 4x4 to save w the powerstroke. From my understanding it isn't a very comfortable truck to drive everyday without a load

The F250 rides pretty nice. Put bilsteins on it. The 350 is pretty firm when empty, the factory shocks were terrible, bilsteins made a Huge difference.

 

[MovingMetal]

The twin turbo v6 makes excellent torque. The ranger should really have no problem with that load. If you were towing that every day I think you would be happier with the larger truck.
When not towing you'll get better mileage with the ranger but not much.

The other consideration is what else would you use the truck for when not towing?
Owning and operating a diesel super duty is vastly different from a Ranger...
I have both, they aren't particularly interchangeable, and I love both for entirely different reasons. But I have cautioned many folks that that if you don't actually need a big diesel, you might not want one.

Most likely towing that 2x per month max until summer busy months May June July once per week. Lightweight single car Futura trailer. What do you think? Btw I’d love a Ranger raptor but need to tow. IMO best truck on the market in years

 

[John E Davies]

I think you should be using a HD truck for what you describe, you need to be very worried about emergency braking, to avoid a collision or if you suffer trailer brake failure.… I assume the car hauler has regular electric drum brakes? A F250 will have vast amounts of reserve braking, the Ranger brakes will not have any reserve braking whatsoever, and you most likely will be replacing its pads and rotors much more often.

If you do decide on a Ranger, consider upgrading the trailer to electric over hydraulic disks, they will be more powerful, easier to maintain and will also be reliable. They run cool and you can inspect the pads visually in a just a couple of minutes. Trailer drum brakes are crap, especially on a rig that will be used regularly and do a lot of miles..

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[OxygenMask]

I wouldn't have a problem towing that with a 2.7 Ranger.

 

[Sharpix]

A regular F150 would do well because the trucks weight, better than the ranger that might be less safe with that weight.

The 2.7 V6 has the torque to haul stuff with decent force while being reasonably economical in the long run. Just buy the best trailer package with the brakes and you are set with the F150.
Another option would be the reliable 5.0 Less stuff to break and great pulling power.

 

[MovingMetal]

A regular F150 would do well because the trucks weight, better than the ranger that might be less safe with that weight.

The 2.7 V6 has the torque to haul stuff with decent force while being reasonably economical in the long run. Just buy the best trailer package with the brakes and you are set with the F150.
Another option would be the reliable 5.0 Less stuff to break and great pulling power.

I think I’m gonna try to find a xlt or stx 150 with 3.73 gears and the 50. 12k towing capacity is more than enough . Better safe than sorry if I have to go cross country

 

[superj]

I would do the half ton also because you are not towing that much weight, or that often.


I towed 5 days a week with an 85 f150, back in 93/94. Pulling an 18 foot tandem axle trailer with 2-3 tons of dirt on it. All over town and the surrounding towns. Only issue i ever had was stopping so make you get the tow package and the best brakes you can.


A bunch of friends have f250s and f350s. They all say the 350 rides better then the 250s do

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