Getting ready for the first "hen of the woods" search and pick mission. Post pics and report later this afternoon. They are starting to show up here finally.
Registered Member #130 Joined: Mon Nov 21 2005, 05:22PM Location: Davenport Posts: 300
I plan to pull a 16 1/2 foot boat.. I've had ford trucks for the past 30 years. I really wanted a mid-sized truck, with my disabilities, this is easier to get in an out of. It appears to be way better on fuel than the full sized trucks. Ron Lamar
Registered Member #552 Joined: Sat Jan 31 2009, 09:30PM Posts: 930
As long as the truck is used reasonably should be fine. Mid sized trucks get better mileage unloaded than full size trucks. But put a load on them and the mileage evens out quickly due to the mid-size needing to work harder and use more fuel to make the power. Most lack the torque of a full size and have to make up the difference with gearing, having a taller final drive. Many mid sizes will have a 4.10 , 4.56 or even a 5.0 series rear gears in them to get a loaded truck off the line with a weaker engine.
A full size truck will normally have a 3.42 or 3.55 final drive due to the engine having much more torque, no need for the taller gears.
Taller gears even with an overdrive has the engine turning at a higher rpm. higher the rpm lower the fuel mileage when loaded. So in reality as far as mileage goes they even out when towing. Plus in many owners manuals they say when towing, not to tow in overdrive. Thats why they sometimes have the "tow/haul" button on the shifter to lock out overdrive. While some the button powers a solenoid to up the pressure in the transmission slightly. Lets go cross some eyes
New Truck
