Tundra or F250 for towing toy hauler

Question

Yo Scotty

We've been a Toyota family since 1988 switching from Ford (too much wrenching) because of fit, finish and reliability. I only changed oil and basic maintenance and drove the wheels off these vehicles before selling with 275K miles with great resale value. We've been a camping/bowhunting family for 45 years. I'm retired and want a toy trailer to haul the Polaris General around (to the close states from AZ) to play outdoors. On the longer runs (Canada) It'll weigh about 8K and pushing 9500lbs when loaded with toys. My plan would be to install air bags and a good WD hitch on a new 4x4 Tundra Crew Cab.

My other alternative would be to buy F250/F350 7.3l 4x4 gasser. I don't care for diesels and their expenses.

I've read all these problems on SD forums about death wobble and all kinds of things breaking early on their front ends in the Fords?! My neighbor says the big three only want to get their trucks through warranty and then break so you have to spend big bucks in their service bay. Heck these suckers are breaking every 25-30K!? I've wrenched a lot over the years but not sure I want to tackle the heavy wrenching at my older age..

I'm hoping this is my last truck I need to buy. From your perspective, am I crazy to tow with the Tundra or get the Ford 7.3l. Is the Ford worth the $10k more price. I know the Ford has the power to pull but I don't need to fly up hills with towing a lead sled! 60-65mph is fine.

Thx For any feedback. I enjoy your videos.

Gene Carmickle a.k.a. meangene!

Whatchamacallit · Accepted Answer

I would avoid the new F-250/F-350 with the pushrod 7.3L engine as it’s too new and we don’t know how long it will hold up. Why be a guinea pig for Ford? (They are not even paying you to beta test for them :-)) Also, the 10-speed automatic transmission it is mated to already has issues in the other Ford trucks and subject to class-action lawsuit. To be honest, the jury is still out on the longevity of the 10-speeds from any manufacturer so I would personally avoid them if you intend to keep the vehicle for as long as possible (which you stated it is).

Whatchamacallit · Answer

That is a lot of weight to tow for the poor Tundra - that’s my concern even though it is rated for that but you still don’t want to max it out. What about an older generation Silverado 2500 or GMC 2500 that Scotty reviewed below: They were built much better than the 1500’s, but I would trust the older 2500s better over the newer ones.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-tc7aG4WifI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xaUuMqCcMkQ

USAFdozerpilot · Answer

I would go F250 personally, the Japanese have shown no interest in building up their full size truck line. Ford super duty trucks , in my opinion, are still decent. The 10 speed transmission is still a little finicky but the 6.2, 7.3 gas and the 6.7 diesel should be great motors.