I am in the market for a new truck. Looking at 2011 or 2012. I pull a 31' camper weighing around 7000lbs. I had a new F150 with a 5.0 for a rental and will not buy that engine. I am very interested in the Ecoboost. Will it do the job or will the 6.2 be better. Should I just bite the bullet and get a 3/4 ton diesel. I currently drive a 2000 yukon xl 2500 and am liking the new fords. Looking for some opinions please.
Thanks
Cory

 

Welcome to FTE.
Couple of questions to help us get you some answers:
- What didn't you like about the 5.0L?
- How often do you tow?
- Are you more concerned with stability or fuel mileage, and does initial cost matter as well as potential maintenace costs? (this is a F250 diesel related question)
- What cab configuration peaks your interest?

 

The 5.0 didn't tow my camper very well at all. Not sure what gearing it had maybe that was the problem. I need a six passenger crew cab. I usually make at least one long camping trip a year 2500km round trip to the mountains and a few 400-500km trips in the summer. Will pull a 4 place sled trailer a bit in the winter. Fuel millage is somewhat important but I think anything will be better than my yukon 6.0l. Would love a diesel to pull effortlessly but not sure if it's worth the extra money plus the extra maintainence.
Thanks for any input
Cory

 

Need to know what cab configuration and if you need 4WD or 2WD.
The major issue that you will run into with a 31' camper @ 7,000 lbs will be payload, not towing capacity. You could easily be looking at a 1,000 lbs tongue weight which counts towards the payload.
So the questions are:
- 4WD or 2WD?
- which cab configuration?
- how many people in the truck while towing that camper (total weight estimate)?
- how much additional gear will be in the truck bed?

Based on that information, people will be able to give you a good recommendation. With a 31' TT, chances are you'd want the HD payload package if you go the F150 route, at a bare minimum max tow.
I have looked into the same issue very extensively over the last few months, I'll give you my take once you answer the questions above.

 

4X4 is a must, crew cab short box, when we go camping it's my wife,me and our 4 kids. In the box of the truck will be kids bikes a generator and maybe a small tool box.
Thanks

 

Ok, thanks, that helps. In terms of payload, here is what you will need:
- 1,000 lbs tongue weight of the trailer (+/- a couple hundred lbs)
- 650 lbs for 6 people including personal items like purse, phone, game console, etc ... (2 adults, 4 kids, I am obviously guessing)
- 100 lbs + for 4 kids bikes
- 100 lbs for the generator incl. gas.
- say an extra 100 lbs for misc stuff: tool box, firewood, a camping chair, whatever ...

That means you are looking at a total payload needed of about 2,000 lbs.
For a 4x4, that certainly would require the HD payload package if you want to stay within the limits of the truck (which would be a good idea). The problem is that for 2011, the HD payload package is not available for the screw cab, but will be in 2012.
So that would limit you to a 2012 model. Now one more thing: the 2012 HD payload package will be offered for the screw cab, but only 6.5' box, not short box.

After extras, I would expect the real payload of the 2012 screw 4x4 HD 6.5' bed to be somewhere between 2,000 - 2,200 lbs, so you'd not have much margin. Also, the kids will get bigger year over year. The other solution then would be the F-250.

Good luck!

 

Welcome to FTE

IMO, you need a Super Duty. The F150 Super Crew 2WD weighs almost 3 tons, pulling a 3 1/2 ton camper (not to mention all the gear you'll be carrying) is too much for it too handle, even with the max tow package.

The 6.2L is an expensive option in the F150, is only available on the "high buck" models and only with the max tow package.

Everyone praises the Eco-Boost...now, but I have to wonder how long a 216 cid V6 will hold up in long run.

I went with the 5.0L as it runs circles around the anemic 5.4L my 2004 F150 Lariat Super Crew had, and knowing the history of Ford V6 engines was another deciding factor.

 

I will have to agree with Bill here. I think that payload is going to be your main concern. 2 adults and 4 kids, with gear, and the pin or tongue weight of your trailer is going to likely exceed the available limit of a SCrew shortbox. Sadly the biggest truck (SCrew) also has the lowest available capacities due to its extra weight.
Additionally, since you need seating for 6, you're mostly limited to the XLT trim unless you can somehow find a Lariat with a front bench.

Looks like a F250 will fit the bill nicely, and don't rule out the 6.2L gasser either. It's a beast of an engine. There was a recent Ohio truck meet where the guys pulled a 13k lbs trailer with a number of trucks. Their outcome was interesting:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nd-videos.html
There was one 6.2L in the group and it performed nicely.
The nice thing about the F250 is that you can get upper trim levels with a bench row in the front, if you feel that leather is your thing.

Happy hunting!

 

I would suggest you review the F150 brochure that lists all of the models with the towing and hauling capacities and talk to a knowledgeable salesman. Some of those guys are pretty sharp.

 

LOL, that salesman may exist somewhere, but will be hard (nearly impossible) to find. They will read the tow rating to you, that's it. Almost all of them will have no idea whatsoever that the payload is the real limiter with TT towing, not tow rating.

How do I know? Talking to maybe a dozen sales people in the last month. It was sometimes borderline funny, like when one guy told me max tongue weight is usually 5% of tow rating. Another one told me that tongue / pin weight does not count towards payload. I am not kidding you. I could go on ....
There was not a single one (repeat: not one) who was what I'd consider knowledgeable about towing.

 

Forget salespeeps, most know next to nothing and many are hired for just that reason...I kid you not.

The fleet managers usually know more than the average salespeeps, because they deal with customers with all sorts of demands.

The best thing to do...is to read thru the salespeeps data books, something most of them do not.

Every new Ford truck I've bought (8)...was from fleet managers, and I read thru the data books...first before I ordered them, with one exception.

The 1965 F100 I bought new was loaded with all the jazz I wanted and had been sitting on the lot for over 2 months.

 

How do I know? 3 of the 5 salesmen at my local dealer has been there in access of 20 years and are conscientious and knowledgeable sales representatives. I guess that's what I get for being a loyal customer for so long. Your experience in your area may be valid but may not be representative as a whole.

I would be a little hesitant to buy anything from people that doesn't know anything.

 

Well, at least where I live, I could not buy ANY car or truck then from a dealer. I prefer educating myself, it works much better IMO.
A forum like this here helps a lot.

 

I was by no mean suggesting people not communicate on this forum. I was only recommending they read the brochure. It's has a lot of information in it. I’m sorry you have had bad luck with salesmen confidence.

As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I've got to say about that."

 

Looking at the numbers on the spec's sheets (links below) here's a comparison
2011 F150 SuperCrew shortbed 4x4 Ecoboost:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/20...d-f-150-1.html
Payload capacity = 1,960lbs base payload (you cannot according to the list obtain max payload in a SCrew)
Towing capacity = 8,200lbs(3.31) to 11,300lbs(3.73) depending on gear ratio and max tow

2011 F250 CrewCab shortbed 4x4 6.2L:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/20...er-duty-1.html
Payload capacity = 2,690lbs or 2,430lbs depending on GWVR
Towing capacity = 12,000lbs conventional or 15,000lbs fifth wheel


Hope that helps the OP a little.