Tow Vehicles - Part 2

Having decided to replace our F250, we - that is, Max - started to look around for a suitable replacement.  There were 3 changes we wanted:  1) better gas mileage, 2) a gas engine, and 3) a blue truck.  There was one change we didn't want: less towing capacity.  We found 2 local vehicles to fit these criteria:  a Toyota Tundra with a double cab that would tow 11,000 GVWR, and a Ford F150 XLT Short Bed Crew Cab with Eco-Boost that would also tow 11,000 GVWR.  (BTW, both are made in the US, a bonus!)  We chose the Ford, mostly because Max was confident in their engines and because they would take the F250 on a trade-in. 

And here it is.  The color is actually darker than it appears here - a Navy Blue.  The coolest thing is the Eco-Boost.  Here is how Ford explains it:

EcoBoost® Engine

Ford engineers drew from their extensive experience using direct injection technology and turbocharging in diesel engine development and created the innovative EcoBoost® engine option that's unsurpassed in combined power, efficiency and capability. Direct injection produces a cooler, denser charge that generates more power per every drop of fuel, while the two small air-to-air intercooled turbochargers spool up much more quickly than a single large turbo. What you experience is instantaneous low-end torque responsiveness with virtually no turbo lag. EcoBoost generates 90 percent of its amazing 420 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm. And can it tow? F-150 with EcoBoost has best-in-class maximum towing capability at 11,300 lbs.

The power is instantaneous and incredible - just like a sports car.  That's a huge safety factor and fun to boot! 

It also has the Tow Package and built-in Trailer Brake Controls and Electronic Locking Rear Differential and a Tailgate Step.  The digital control panel gives a constant read-out of average mpg plus "miles until empty".  And, the mirrors even when not extended (which they do) give the best rear view of any truck we've had.

So, all in all, we are delighted with the new F150, and hope to use it for many years and many aluminum adventures!

Tow Vehicles - Part 1

Of course with all the attention on the trailer you're pulling, we don't always focus on the tow vehicle.  But they can make your life either a breeze or, if they are malfunctioning, a misery.  We have had 3 different tow vehicles, all Ford trucks. The Airstream 25' Safari is about 6300 GVWR dry weight and 7000 loaded.  Many tow rigs are right on this cusp -- pretty adequate most of the time, but when you get to those long slogs uphill, they are not happy, which means the owners are sweating it too.  That was certainly the case with our first 2 F150s.
We live in Arizona which, although not directly in the Rocky Mountains, has a lot of topography - the hilly kind that is! Just drive through the Salt River Canyon.  It's about 5,000 feet of upward climbing, then an abrupt 5,000 foot descent, then a steep 6,000 feet of up again to reach Showlow and Pinetop.  It's absolutely gorgeous, but your truck is probably not enjoying the view!

Thus, in 2006 we traded the last F-150 for an F-250 diesel turbo with 11,000 GVWR.  It was one of those loss leader types of advertisements to get you to the dealer, and then you are supposed to find something else you wanted.  But we knew what we wanted - a great price on an F-250 and, arriving first thing the morning of the sale, we got it.  Wow!  It was a wonderful truck.  You didn't even know the trailer was behind it.  And, it was a Lariat, with leather seats, etc. etc. etc.!

But, all good things come to an end.  First the truck had a little adventure.  It was stolen from a Lowe's parking lot.  The thieves, a couple young guys, were caught the same afternoon for speeding, and took off through the desert with a Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff right behind.  When they came to a gate, they abandoned the truck, unfortunately leaving it in neutral.  It rolled backward into the Deputy Sheriff's "unit", as she called it.  She soon had them under arrest, and wasn't too pleased about the damage to her vehicle.  Although our truck was returned and did not suffer any major damage, it had some cosmetic scratches (cactus?) and the back bumper was bent.  The thieves are out on probation, and they are supposed to each pay us $50 per month for the damage.  We have received one $50 payment in 6 months. 

We did get a bonus, though.  There were 36 Wendy's hamburgers stuffed in bags (human smuggling?) and a sheet of drywall in the bed (to hide bales of marijuana?).  But, best of all, nothing else in the truck was touched, even some credit cards tucked into the door pocket.  It was a lesson in not living out of your vehicle.

The real negative, however, was that the truck got about 11 mpg while towing, and diesel fuel is about 70 cents more per gallon than gas where we live.  That adds up really fast.  Since the truck is 6 years old, we decided it was time to trade, and that is why I am speaking of this truck is the past tense.  As of today, it is history - a fond memory.