Getting new 5th wheel camper and new truck....funds are limited....camper is 9600# dry and has a 2075# hitch rating. I wanted the F150 Ecoboost as the non-towing milage is great and that is the way it will be driven the most. I do take 5-10 trips a year towing the trailer camping and about 60% of those are 4-6 hour trips. I planned on putting air bags under the truck as well. Does anyone have any opinions???? The F150 has about 1900# payload rating (super crew with 6.5' box with Max tow package = 11200# tow capacity)

The F250 is alot more $$$$ and not that good of gas milage for non towing times.

Thanks.

 

How often are you going to be towing that camper? If on a regular basis, I'd go with the F-250. It's all well and good to say what a trucks rated towing capacity is, but I think it's safe to say that a 250 is going to be more comfortable to drive than a 150 if you're going to be towing 10,000 lbs on a regular basis. Just my $.02.

Why not get a 2-3 year old diesel F-250 if you're going to be worried about fuel economy when you aren't towing?

 

Once that camper is loaded, you will be way over the limits for just about everything on the F150. This is coming from someone who tows a 5fth wheel with an F150. My 5ver however is only #7700 dry, and I only tow it 3 or 4 times a year. The pin weight is what will get you on your trailer. At most you may have capacity for 1200# of pin weight. Air bags might help level it out, but they do not take weight off the axles.
Personally, I would either go with a lighter camper, or get an F250. Many of the RV makers are coming out with lighter weight half-ton towables. Check out Open Range and Jayco.

 

This is a lighter trailer......I have 4 kids so I needed a quad bunk.....we ended up with the montana high country. 2500 pounds lighter than other equivilants...

I did think of the used trucks.......but new to ford....am not aware of their seating arangements and the like......will look into that more.

 

My current trailer (ball and hitch) is 8700# 1/2 loaded with a tounge weight of 1200# I pull with a 2004 chevy silverado half ton with bags. The truck does OK but it is alot for it. I test drove the f150 ecoboost with my trailer and could hardly tell it was there! I did not think the 1000# dry weight increase plus the loading would be that bad..........11200 is a long way from 8700.....but last night I realized the pin weight on the trailer was more than I was thinking...I may end up with a 250 in the end but wanted some imput.

 

Four kids...have you considered an Excursion or a 3/4 ton Suburban?

Edit: Though looking around, an F-250 will supposedly seat six.

 

One thing you may consider. For 2012, the F150 Supercrew will get an extended payload package with the Ecoboost engine. Payload will increase from 2000 to #2590. That might be enough to handle your RV. That will be for you to decide. I am not one of those people that will tell you only tow with a 3/4 ton.

 

Wow! where did you get that info.....I have been waiting on the 2012 models to come out so that i can place an order! 2011's could not be ordered with the navigation system.....so I have been waiting. this may have been a blessing in disguise.

 

yes, 4 kids.....& a 5th wheel. Kinda hard to hookup to with an excursion or suburban.

both the f150 and the f250 have 6 person seating!

 

Lol.

 

Where did you get that info on the 2012 f150?

 

Go with the F250/350. The EB will be around 8 MPG at best pulling that load and the engine will be taxed big time. With a 6.7 in the SD you will be around 12 MPG.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-payload.html

 

The F-150 would be nice, but after picking up my F-250, there is no way I'd ever recommend using a F-150 to tow something that large again.

Will the F-150 do it? Yep. happily, NOPE. Will the truck be angry at your and will you be white-knuckling at times....oh yeah.

BTW, I have 4 kids. Myself, wife and 4 kids (3 of which are in carseats) easily fit into my CrewCab. realistically, your best option IMO would be a 3-4 yr old Superduty with a PSD. Avoid the depreciation hit and have a truck fully capable for the trailer




edit: sorry I just crapped in your thread and said to buy a Superduty. I used to hate it when those guys did it to me...but now I understand why.

 

While that is true and accurate as of late, Ford also notes that the MPG figures for those trucks may be affected by the heavier service application.

I've driven the 157" wheel base F-150 with ecoboost and max tow and it's one hell of a machine no doubt. Never towed with it but she was rated for 11,200 lbs and I'm convinced that she'll handle it.

But, the other side of me says to err on the side of caution and opt for the F-250 or heavier.

The Superduties are most definitely very spendy, especially the diesels. BUT, if I were towing 5-10 times per year at nearly 10K each time, I'd get the heavier truck just for the sake of safety.

I own a brand new F-150 Ecoboost and I say that a man has to be able to acknowledge the limitations of his truck. There's nothing to prove here. Ford builds a vehicle for all purposes.