Community Forums

hikndog · 05-12-2017, 08:53 AM

I'm considering either a Dodge 1500 Laramie or a Ford F150 Lariat as a tow vehicle to replace my Ford Focus. Any suggestions/problems/advice would be appreciated. We usually carry a dog [lab] and Cricket golf cart much of he time but would also like to have 4 seats.

LJowdy · 05-12-2017, 09:08 AM

Years ago I used to haul my 2003 F250 Diesel 4 door truck. Aside from towing 7,200 lbs, it was great having a big vehicle while on the road. I used a DEMCO 9,000 lb tow bar and I also had a Roadmaster Brakemaster to stop that beast. Make sure the base plate matches the tow bar. If you haul a golf cart, I suppose the truck bed will hold the cart but I'd make sure you know the combined weight of the truck plus the golf cart and buy a tow bar rated above those combined weights.
I could tell that vehicle was behind me but for the most part, it worked well until you started up steep hills. I now tow a GMC 2015 Terrain Denali using the same tow bar and Brakemaster braking system.

As far as driving, you'll just have to compensate when making turns, especially right hand turns and also when passing another vehicle.

3xbear · 05-12-2017, 08:12 PM

I've been towing my 2014 F150 for 10k miles without any problems. I have blue Ox baseplates and a Ready Brute Elite tow bar/braking system, as recommended by Chuck. Works flawlessly. No need to disconnect the toad battery either. Love the bed for extra transport.

Matt D · 05-12-2017, 09:04 PM

Dodge, Ford, Chocolate versus Vanilla.

We tow a F-150 4WD, and routinely carry a 4 seat Club Car golf cart. Loading is facilitated with a tilting telescoping ramp bed Extender called an Extend-A-Haul.

Product Details

I'll let you sort out which truck is better, but having a full sized pickup is a fantastic idea.

-Matt

UncleJamie · 05-12-2017, 09:14 PM

Matt, that's a nice looking set up you got there

Ann n Gene · 05-12-2017, 11:02 PM

We tow a 2017 F150 King Ranch and with the aluminum body it is lighter than the Lincoln MKT we towed before that. Our Cricket only adds about 300 lbs and goes right in the bed, of course it went in the MKT but much more room to haul extra stuff the the pickup with the Cricket in it. The Ford will be much lighter but either will pull fine.

brobox · 05-13-2017, 05:11 AM

Of course I have to be the odd ball and tow a Chevy.

Gene makes some good points with the Ford aluminum body. Drive both and see which one you like the best. Either truck will make a nice toad, it's hard to beat a truck for an all around toad. We added 4 WD as we enjoy off road wildlife viewing.

hobart22 · 05-13-2017, 06:50 PM

i tow a 09 dodge 1500 with blue ox bar and base plates with M&G brake. I have towed it about 60,000 miles and love that all you do is hook up, put transfer case in neutral and drive, no fuses to pull, nothing. just remember with 4 down you cant back up or you will bend stuff.

fla tom · 05-13-2017, 07:22 PM

We have a 2015 keep wrangler and had a 2011 GMC 2500(it was a great toad but my son talked me out of it) we recently bought a 2017 GMC 1500 currently setting it up to tow. I don't notice any difference between truck or keep going down the road. If I had to choose one towed it would be a truck

2-Nickels · 05-13-2017, 09:40 PM

We are on our second Dodge 1500. First one was with a Hemi and the second is an ECODiesel. The truck connects quickly and setup for towing takes no time at all. We are using a Demco 10K tow bar and Air Force one brake system. I would have about 20K towing between both trucks and not one problem. I would buy another if I was in the market.