New Tractor Tugger

[PHPaul]

The 2013 Tundra was experiencing increasingly frequent (mostly minor) mechanical issues and the Rust Moths were gathering. My car was close enough to pay off in a lump and it would be plumb un-American not to have a vehicle payment, so I've been truck shopping for several weeks.

Toyota no longer offers a V8 and you'll never convince me that a turbo V6 will last under that kind of abuse so they're out. GM and Dodge are also out because reasons, so that left Ford as the major player. I've tried to buy a Ford off and on since 1974 and could never get any of the reasonably near-by dealers to talk sense.

I finally spotted a couple of 2024 F250's at what passes for "reasonable" prices these days and after the usual "watch my eyes, don't watch my hands" BS, came to an agreement on this one.

Gonna take some adjustment. The Toyota was basically an SUV, very comfy and rode much like a car tho plenty capable of towing with the 5.7 V8. This one is most definitely a TRUCK with stiff suspension, big tires, vinyl seats and rubber floormats. The ride is...ummmm..."firm" and the steering requires noticeable effort but it has a few features I really like. 360° camera, cruise, remote start, bluetooth and the multifunction display that will take me a month to figure out how to use. With the 10 speed auto and 6.8 V8 it'll be pretty thirsty but should be a towing beast!

 

[skeets]

Wish you all the best with it

 

[GreensvilleJay]

well it IS a 'real' truck... has TWO doors ! Congrats !!!

 

[McMXi]

View attachment 150521

"New Tractor Tugger" ...... what better or more noble purpose could there be than pulling a tractor and trailer? Congratulations on the new truck.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Mmmmm 6.8…

 

[OntheRidge]

I have a 2022 250 with the 7.3 and 10 speed, love it! The 10 speed takes a little getting used to, it shifts a lot! but that's what it's supposed to do. Best of luck with it!

 

[jimh406]

Why do you need to tug your tractor?

Nice looking truck.

 

[Botamon]

Mmmmm 6.8…

View attachment 150533

NOT the old V10 6.8. That one hasn't been offered in pickups for a while. This one is a V8 and has a pretty good reputation...a downsized version of the 7.3 gas engine.

 

[PHPaul]

Why do you need to tug your tractor?

Nice looking truck.

Hey, a little reach-around is only fair!

I do a little custom tilling and also maintain my daughter's access road. She lives 20 miles away so it would take a while to drive. Hard on the tires too...

 

[McMXi]

NOT the old V10 6.8. That one hasn't been offered in pickups for a while. This one is a V8 and has a pretty good reputation...a downsized version of the 7.3 gas engine.

The performance numbers for the 2024 Super Duty are as follows: (thanks to @biketopia for sending spec sheets to me)

My '02 F-250 with the 7.3L diesel engine in stock format has 250hp @ 2,600 rpm and 505 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm but the DP-Tuner chip and programmer (with 17 programs installed) bumps those numbers up to around 330 hp and 600 lb-ft running the "80 hp daily driver" program. The problem with the '02 of course when it comes to towing is the four-speed automatic transmission.

The '02 F20 with the 7.3L is rated for a GVWR trailer weight of 12,500 lb. Based on towing my boat and a bunch of trailers loaded to different weights, even with the chip and programmer in +80hp tow/haul mode, the truck is ok at the max, but not great. It certainly isn't ok at 25% to 35% over max GVWR. When I pulled the M6060 back from Sheridan, WY on the MidSota 22ft equipment trailer, the GCW of the truck, tractor, trailer with a full tank of fuel was 19,090 lb. The tractor and trailer weighed 10,720 lb and I was able to pull the load over at least four mountain passes, but none of them with ease. It was the long, steep climb out of Missoula that got me thinking about the need/want for "more" truck. Pulling the M6060 and RC3712 around last year convinced me that something had to change.

@PHPaul's new F-250 is rated for conventional towing at 14,400 lb (3.73) or 16,900lb (4.30) and 100lb less for both rear ends pulling a gooseneck. With that 10-speed transmission I bet he'll have a lot better experience towing compared to me with the '02.

I don't know what the difference is between the TorqShift-G 10-speed and the TorqShift 10-speed. Given that the H.O. 6.7L has 1,200 lb-ft I would think that the transmission in the 7.3L gas engine is basically bullet proof.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Hey, a little reach-around is only fair!

One of the best movies ever......

Good luck with the truck!

 

[PHPaul]

I wondered how many would get that reference.

 

[biketopia]

You will love the truck. We run the 6.8 V-8 in all but our F-550 SD's and they have been a well-running engine. A far better experience than the 6.8 V-10 that likes to eat cam followers and needs a top-end.

 

[BAP]

Nice looking truck, even if it is a Ford.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm, same Oxford white as my Mustang was.

 

[dirtydeed]

View attachment 150521

I finally spotted a couple of 2024 F250's at what passes for "reasonable" prices these days and after the usual "watch my eyes, don't watch my hands" BS, came to an agreement on this one.

Congrats on the new wheels, just be careful that you don't end up like this.

 

[McMXi]

@PHPaul, are you planning on adding storage in the bed such as tool boxes? Perhaps you're moving storage over from the Tundra.

I've had a Decked drawer system in the F-250 for quite a few years now, long enough that the system I have is called a "legacy" system. I would highly recommend their drawer system unless you do/plan to pull a gooseneck trailer.

I recently bought a crew cab Super Duty but don't like the idea of filling up the cab with tools, shackles, straps etc. Since a gooseneck is in my future, I decided to go with a bed mounted toolbox. The side mounted boxes are out because of the 7-pin trailer outlet and dual 110V (2kW) outlets on either side of the bed near the tailgate, so my only option is a cross bed box.

I've been so impressed by Decked over the years that I decided to order a Decked toolbox so that I'll have space to connect and use a gooseneck trailer, but also have a waterproof and lockable storage box for all of the stuff I typically haul around. My truck came with the optional side steps (which I see you have) with a fold down additional step so access to the box will be easy. Another aspect that appealed to me is that the "legacy" storage totes that I have in the drawer system are compatible with the tool box. The Decked lid doesn't use gas struts which is a plus. They use a torsion bar spring which is cool.

Truck Tool Box

The truck tool box that changed the game. 100% made in the USA, built with heavy-duty materials, and backed by a lifetime warranty.

decked.com

D-Box for Legacy Drawer System

The D-Box maximizes drawer storage efficiency and organization. It utilizes an interlocking, nested design with strategically placed handle locations for ultimate access. It is gasket sealed for extreme water resistance.

decked.com

It would be great if there was a truck, trailer, accessories section on this forum. Many of us use trucks and trailers to haul our tractors and implements around.

 

[biketopia]

@McMXi , do you hang out in my head , or at least at my work?! I've had a few demos of the various decked systems over the years and we just implemented it in at least one truck last year. Have a buddy who has their cross box on his F250 and loves it. No gas struts and it's deep. The only issue with deep is it can cut down on the 8ft material you can load in the bed before having the tailgate open or stuff propped on it, but with enough trailer options that's not typically an issue. I also like that they are a composite material, they don't dent, rust, oxidize, etc., and are truly waterproof. The cross box even has a ladder option that comes out & over the side of it to help with those vertically challenged.

Decked and Weatherguard are my go too's, both are expensive, but you get what you pay for with them.

 

[PHPaul]

Most definitely going with a toolbox and a short folding cover. Need to determine which box first and then order the cover that goes with it.

The Tundra had enough storage under the back seat and on the floor that it wasn't necessary, but the Ford being a single cab that's not going to work.

The Decked and Weatherguard boxes are VERY nice but with the beating my budget took scraping up the down payment on the truck probably not an option, at least not right away.

Minimum load out is a set of 0 gauge jumper cables, four motor cycle type tiedown straps, recovery strap and Reese inserts for 2-5/15 and 1-7/8 hitches. Load chains and ratchet binders usually live on the wall of the barn, not sure if I'll start carrying them in the truck or not. Same goes for the milk crate full of 3" ratchet straps that currently live under the bench in the shop.

 

[biketopia]

I've found decent deals on the decked systems on Facebook Marketplace if you're a member.