Henry:
We have been towing with a 97 E350 window van with a V10 for four seasons and
it is great! At least in Iowa and surrounding states without BIG hills. Put
it in drive, set the cruise, and relax. I have mileage records since it was
new (currently 62K) and we seem to average about 9 mpg towing with the air
on.
Variance in mileage is caused by speed (65-75) and wind.
Van is about 6500 lbs. and we tow an enclosed 24 ft. Haulmark with tools,
Stuff, and an RT5 that weighs about 1080 lbs.
Have never owned any tow vehicles except Fords so I can't comment on any
others.
BTW In 62K miles, the only costs have been tires, oil and gas. Been very
happy.
Just one opinion.
Greg Scharnberg
Des Moines, IA
Ralt RT5
Brabham BT35 (for sale)
At 05:53 PM 1/15/01 -0500, Henry Frye wrote:
>Oh no, not the dreaded semi annual tow vehicle thread! What's worse, I
>can't believe it is me starting it!
>
>I'm seriously considering replacing my barely adequate tow vehicle with
>something with some real pulling and carrying power. Feeling
>disenfranchised (new buzzword thanks to Floridian voters) with Dodge due to
>my local dealer being a bunch of boneheads, I took a look at the Fords. I
>am ready to buy a 2000 leftover F-350 Super Duty with the V-10. I'm going
>with the F-350 because I am playing with the idea of putting a slide-in
>truck camper in the bed, and towing my race car and gear in the trailer.
>According to my calculations I'll be about 1000 lbs. under GVW with the
>camper, and about 2500 lbs. shy of GCVW with the loaded enclosed trailer.
>
>I test drove the Power Stroke diesel, and I am amazed anyone has any
>hearing left after a 15 minute trip. The noise was unacceptable, as I need
>to drive this vehicle all winter, and on lousy days in the non-salt months.
>
>So today I am talking to a guy from the flat part of the country and about
>my pending purchase, and he warns me that I am going to be disappointed
>with the towing capability of the Ford V-10. No torque. He claims to know a
>few disappointed Ford V-10 owners. Whats up with that??? The engine is
>rated at 310 HP and 425 ft lbs of torque. I'm thinking these folks thought
>their V-10 should get them up every mountain without breaking a sweat. We
>all know that is never going to happen. I'm thinking exceeded expectations.
>
>Any Ford V-10 owners pulling/carrying some serious weight with this engine
>have any comments one way or another? For the record I've chosen the short
>bed Supercab 4X4 with an 4 speed automatic and the 3.73 limited slip rear.
>
>Thanks.
>Henry Frye - thefryes@iconn.net - TR4 #05
><http://members.iconn.net/~thefryes/race/raceintro.html>http://members.ico
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