I currently have a 2019 F150 with max trailer tow package and the 3.7L (or whatever) ecoboost.

Next on the list of toys is a skid steer. I've researched JD, Kubota, JCD, and CAT and weights of these machines range from 9200lbs to 12,000lbs. The dealers have all advised to transport the machine via trailer than driving.

Do you think its necessary to increase truck size for the occasional transport or stick a gooseneck ball in the F150 and go slow?

Would I hate the ride in the F250 on a daily basis?

Any personal experiences with the 7.3l gas versus the 6.7?

How often are you going to need to transport it?

Current truck market aside. A 3/4 ton with gas motor will be more than plenty to tow with. I would suggest a 14k trailer that is bumper pull. That way if someone needs to pull with a half ton unloaded they can.

Occasionally - through the ranch bi weekly and 25 miles into town quarterly at most I would hope.

I would not recommend pulling a skid steer with a half ton. I've done it once and braking isn't really a thing. You can do it short distances as long as you go slow and leave a lot of room in front of you for other vehicles. Even with bigger trucks, putting it on the trailer right is key. You want the center of mass to be offset to the truck side of the axles just a bit to ensure constant tongue weight but not too much as to significantly sag the suspension. The worst thing you can do is allow the center of mass to be behind the axles. Your trailer will sway at highway speeds and that is a very dangerous situation. Keep in mind that if the weight isn't far enough forward, even though you have tongue weight on flat ground that can change as your inclination changes going up a hill.

As someone that used to own a skid steer, I'd recommend not owning a skid steer unless it's something you're going to use on a very regular basis. The maintenance and repair is very expensive and they break a lot. We sold ours and exclusively rent from the Bobcat dealership and are much happier with that arrangement.

Yea if you are going to haul it every other week to the ranch you definitely need to upgrade. I was going to suggest just renting a 3/4 or 1 ton from Herc if all you needed to do was get it home from the dealer and to haul it in for service once a year.

The concern with towing that much weight is having the ability to stop. Most rental places won't let you rent a skid steer with anything less than a 3/4 ton truck.

You'll have the power to pull it but likely won't have the ass to stop it safely.

3/4 ton ride quality has improved a bunch. They won't rattle your fillings loose like 20 years ago. Still not a Cadillac, but much improved.

To clarify - I'll keep it at the ranch. I've got corners ranging from 3-6 miles from the barn that'd I'd access through the ranch or via fm roads. Not sure if that changes your opinion.

I'd think about buying a beater/farm truck of the 250/350 variety

I think DeWrecking Crew may have the best idea. I know its just short distances but I think it would tear up your f150 pretty quick. Shocks, struts, leaf springs, brake pads and rotors and tires will all have a toll taken on them if you are routinely overloading your truck.

I switched from an F-150 to an F-250 a week ago for similar reasons. My previous F-150 was an outstanding truck but I was tired of the white knuckle experience when moving heavy equipment/objects. The 3.5L Ecoboost was fine, it was mainly the suspension and a little bit the brakes that were the problem for me.

There is no doubt the F-150 was easier to drive, live with, and is more useful off road. However, the new F-250 is much more livable than the 2002 F-250 I owned may years ago.

Kurt Gowdy said:

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Occasionally - through the ranch bi weekly and 25 miles into town quarterly at most I would hope.

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I used a Toyota Tundra to occasionally haul the weight mentioned. Put over 200,000 miles on it before upgrading to a 3/4 ton. IMO if you have the right trailer with good trailer brakes and position the load correctly over the axles of the trailer, you will be fine. My trailer is a 20 foot bumper pull Pj with 7k axles and I would not get above 55 on the road. Never had a problem but I would drive carefully when towing.

Think of it this way, everyday smooth conditions are what you hope for.

Think about that one time you need to stop immediately and the 3/4 or 1 ton could have done it and the 1/2 ton you know cant do it. Say someone gets injured or worse. Could you live with yourself knowing you could have prevented this?


Super dark but when making towing recomendations I use the above ideology

ForeverAg said:

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Think of it this way, everyday smooth conditions are what you hope for.

Think about that one time you need to stop immediately and the 3/4 or 1 ton could have done it and the 1/2 ton you know cant do it. Say someone gets injured or worse. Could you live with yourself knowing you could have prevented this?


Super dark but when making towing recomendations I use the above ideology

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Safer to just stay off the road completely

One time I tried loading it I flew my truck in the air. Make sure to put wood or something under back end of trailer if doing it with a half ton.

Wheel chocks as well, even a 3/4 ton will get the rear lifted sometimes and make the trucks start walking. Park and parking breaks don't do anything for the front wheels unless you're in 4x4.

Once I started looking into this stuff 2-3 years ago, I realized I was going to need an F-350. So, I'll probably do that next year but with prices and inventory the way they are right now, I might have to wait a while.

It's not that you can't tow it. I always wonder what my insurance company would say when I exceed capacity.

Now that I am older I am always trying to limit liability.

Ogre09 said:

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ForeverAg said:

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Think of it this way, everyday smooth conditions are what you hope for.

Think about that one time you need to stop immediately and the 3/4 or 1 ton could have done it and the 1/2 ton you know cant do it. Say someone gets injured or worse. Could you live with yourself knowing you could have prevented this?


Super dark but when making towing recommendations I use the above ideology

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Safer to just stay off the road completely

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Well hopefully the takeaway is always have the right tool for the job.

People are not hunting hogs with BB guns for a reason...successfully anyways

I would not give up my f150 for a 250, unless I pulled heavy for the majority of my driving. Owned an 18 250 and it drove like a school bus, hated having to go so much slower bc of the handling. The few times I towed heavy it was a dream, but the other 95% of the time it sucked. With some airbags on your 150 you can pull that all over your ranch and farm roads with no problem. I would borrow a buddies truck for the 25 mile drive, rent one, or buy a gas powered 350 beater. With good trailer brakes and the modern trans brakes, stopping has never been a problem for me in a 150. The real problem is driving at highway speeds and being able to maneuver safely in one.

Rent a skid steer and have it delivered.

You'll come out way ahead in the long run.