I'M DISGUSTED! New ford boasts 24,500 lb Tow Capacity!

[EArp]

Well, on second thought, it may not be that far off subject...

 

[rbattelle]

Thanks Harvey. My uncle drives a ford. He was the one who pointed out the 24k tow capacity, and as a result has not let me live it down as of yet.

Ask him why Ford doesn't offer the 7. 3, 6. 0, or 6. 4 in their F-650/750 trucks, but they DO offer the Cummins 6. 7 (and their marketing talks about how great it is). [Ford owners hate this].



I give Ford a lot of credit for what they've done with the F-450. I can't speak intelligently about how suitable they are for loads of 24500 lb, but their marketing materials sure are impressive.



The 33000 GCWR rating requires the "High Capacity Trailer Tow Package", which includes 4. 88 rear and "upgraded rear axle" (assuming that's the Dana 110).



The most important thing here is that Ford is now using the maximum F-450 ratings in all their marketing. That's key, because it means their marketing materials will always indicate much higher capacities than any of the other manufacturers.



Some buyers will take the time to recognize that the ratings are only for specially-equipped F-450s. Most won't. Let's face it - 99. 5% of all vehicle buyers just pick a vehicle based entirely on the marketing with no research whatsoever.



Makes me wonder how many F-250 owners out there are telling people about how their truck is rated to tow 24,500 lb!



Ryan

 

[Yo Hoot]

The Ford camp has alot of pencils that need sharpening for sure.

 

[obert]

Well, I'm impressed with my ford work truck. I rolled 40,000 this week and have'nt had to re-build the front end yet! :-laf



The OEM front tires were junk at 20k, the outer shoulders were almost to cords, but inside was like 50% tread. A friend of mine, a ford truck tech, saw that and says "yeah, you'll have that". What a vote of cofidence . I put good steer tires up front and theyre doing much better, but still scrubbing the outer shoulder.



The engine has no guts, though. 650 TQ, but you shure dont feel it. drivin' the V8 sucks. After a week of 3000+ rpm, 9MPG on a good day, and a slush box that cant decide what gear it wants, it's a real treat to climb into the ol' CTD on the weekends. A nice flat TQ curve i can feel, sips the fuel, and I can row thrugh my gears at my liesure, usually >2100 rpm. That even applies hooked to my camper, which puts my rig heavier than the ford, and punches a way bigger hole in the air.

 

[hammersley]

You Can't GET NORMAL INSURANCE for

trucks rated above the 3500!!! Many guys who by them for rec use AND don't have a shill business to write them off against and or insure them - find that their normal insurance WON't WORK... ... UNLESS you have a Business where you can add the vehicle to it - You NEED COMMERCIAL insurance - Much Bigger $$$$$$:{

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... . The 33000 GCWR rating requires the "High Capacity Trailer Tow Package", which includes 4. 88 rear and "upgraded rear axle" (assuming that's the Dana 110)... ... ..... Ryan

Can you imagine the fuel consumption rate of one of those inefficient V8 dogs with 4. 88 gears! Probably in the range of 5-6 mpg loaded and 8-10 empty . . . provided it's not pushing the wind.



No Fords in my future!



Harvey

 

[ironbutt]

H Barlow hit the nail on the head. Gears,and the 19. 5 tire combo is the only way Ford can do the weight. Dodge has 3:77 / 4:10. and Ferd goes with the 4:30 / 4:56 /4:88. With out the gearing the powerjoke would cough and puke, and die on the side of the road. Its a shame that they stay with the boat anchor.

 

[obert]

Can you imagine the fuel consumption rate of one of those inefficient V8 dogs with 4. 88 gears! Probably in the range of 5-6 mpg loaded and 8-10 empty . . . provided it's not pushing the wind.



No Fords in my future!



Harvey

I've heard the 6. 4 has TERRIBLE mileage, due in part to the Exh. re-gen. cycle burning an incredible amout of fuel. Seems you can have "clean" and "efficient", but not at the same time . My 6. 0 (I dont own it, but I do get paid to drive it! ) has the 4:88, weighs ~15k lbs. and 7. 5 or so is lowest MPG, usually 8. 5-9. Its hard to tell cause its so hard to fill the tank. That's probly the fault of the body company, my fuel fill tube is nearly horizontal. No mater the reason, its kinda odd my ol' ram service truck with 36gal tank went nearly 100mi farther 'tween fuel stops than the F550 with a 40 gallon tank.