I currently have the Dodge with the 5.9L 1500 SLT Laramie with the tow package (Class IV) Quad Cab, it's a 2001.

I've towed the last 3 boats with it to include my Wellcraft. I did tow the Wellcraft from NC to SW Fla to the panhandle and then back.

The Dodge did it, but she's just gettin old.
Agreed on the tranny... Dodge tranny's aint worth a spit.

I have 98,000 miles on her,,, I mean, she did get'r dun....

Now, what I'm lookin at, is the crew (4 full door) Ford F150 with the 5.4L. Thing is... you can get the truck set up to tow a 9,000 lb load if you have the "right" equipment installed. I.e. the 3.73 rearend, class IV hitch, and I'm gonna assume suspension/brakes/tranny cooler and larger radiator with the tow package.

See that's what get's my curiosity.

My current rig is:

boat dry 4,100 lbs
Yama 250 560 lbs
Fuel 150 gallons - 1,200 lbs
8 gallons water - 60 lbs -/+
4 batteries - 200 lbs
then factor in the trailer at probably 1,200 lbs estimate
as it's an aluminum dual axle.

That puts me at 7,320 lbs GVWR for the whole kit and caboodle.

Ford's standard Class III is rated at 7,030 for the F150 rig'd that way in the class III set up. I realize that I'd be over the limit without that 15% safety margin.

But.... if I got'r set up with all the proper equipment for that class IV tow rating (i.e. load level to meet that 9,800 lb GVWR)... ya think it'd do it???

I've heard mixed things, but usually when it gets down to nuts and bolts, I hear the 3.73 gearin in the class IV set up can do it over the standard 3.55 gear. I already know a 4.10 would be a dog

Sad to say..... Yes I have looked at diesel.... sorry to say,, just do not have the funds to stretch that far for a $40,000 truck (I have to buy new to stay on my gameplan). Indeed, I've drooled all over the F250 with the 6.0L :P

Opinions on my thinkin??

I know the Ford is stronger than the Dodge mechanically. So I managed to get the Dodge to 100K miles, then I guess I did good or just got lucky.
I know the Dodge 5.9L is a strong motor at 345 hp
Just wonderin if that Ford 5.4L with the 3 valves per is actually an advantage....

I'll admit, when I'm pullin the boat,,, I'm in no hurry to get anywhere if'n ya know what I mean,, so I dont stop/jerk/clink my way at high speed to get to the pond. We take her slow and easy and usually get it up 5 mph past the posted limit and keep it there.

I'm just curious on that 9,000 lb properly rig'd thing for that F150.... ya know a dealer will pitch the sales advertisin stuff... It's hard to get "facts" from them as I'm willin to bet they dont tow like the boat/RV crowd does on a monthly basis......

All thoughts welcome....

Oh, my trailer does have disk brakes, and that F150 has 4 wheel disk ABS. I'm thinkin if anything, it will stop the load better than the Dodge as it's got front disk with rear drum ABS on the rear drum only and it hasnt pushed me thru an intersection yet......