I need some opinions: I currently have a 2006 F150 with the 5.4 and 3.73 gears. I pull a 2 horse trailer around 6,000 lbs. I currently have about 125K on it and it works fine. However, my wife is thinking about getting a 3 horse bumber pull trailer which would probably be around 7500 lbs loaded and wants to put our ATV in the bed, around 1000 lbs with gear, etc. I'm thinking that I should look at a new F150 or F250 with better towing capabilities. I like the Ecoboost but would you go with 3.55 or 3.73 gears or would you opt for a 250. We are talking SC in either case. Let me know what you think. We live in MN so no moutains around.
Thanks,

 

It sounds like you will be towing on avarage close to 10,000lbs (trailer weight + 1,000lbs of gear and a 500 or 600lb ATV in the bed)...That is quite a bit...F-150's with the 5.0L, Ecoboost and 6.2L can optioned in such a way that they are rated to tow more than that, But that's alot of weight, and only specifically optioned H.D F-150's are rated to tow/haul that much...I would be looking at F-250's myself.

Just my 2cents.

 

I would lean towards a Super Duty for the weights that you are discussing. The heavier platform will add to towing stability.

The F-150 is rated to conventional (bumper) tow between 5,500 - 11,300lbs with GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) between 10,400 - 17,100lbs. But that is all entirely based on the truck's configuration, and everything plays into that equation: cab & bed size, 4WD vs 2WD, motor option, etc. So, you may not find the truck capable of the towing/hauling that you require in the configuration that you want. (If that makes sense...)

On the Super Duty side, you can conventional tow between 11,800 - 17,500lbs with GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) between 19,000 - 33,000lbs. That will give you a much bigger selection of truck configurations that should all be capable of what you may be requiring of the truck.


And, if you want to start doing some hands-on researching, here is a link to Ford's Towing Guides:
Ford Towing Guides | The Official Site of Ford Vehicles | Ford.com

 

just a couple thoughts.

being in the horse community, i can say you do see a few half tons, but the 3/4 is pretty much the standard, and there is a reason. That being said, these new half tons are amazing.

you might be guessing a little high on the weight of that 3-horse. Our 4 horse is about 3300 empty and closer to 8000 with 4 horses on board. 7500 with 3 would be a heavy trailer, or a lot of tack on board.

if you are talking about hauling a 4wheeler at the same time, you are leaning heavily toward 3/4 ton land. if you figgure your 1000lbs for your 4wheeler, and 500lbs for 4 people, plus their stuff, plus a full tank of gas, plus the tonge weight of the trailer, and 2500 lbs on the truck is well within reach .. ...

without the 4wheeler, you could do it with a halfton ... but with it .. i'd lean toward the 3/4.

and dont count out the possiblity of getting more horses and bigger trailers.... ask me how i know ....

 

It sounds like pulling the trailer weight is doable with an F-150, but add approximately 1k lbs of atv in the bed on top of that, and the payload is going to be pretty high. Sounds to me it may be time for a Super Duty.

 

Thanks for the advice so far. If we stay with the 2 horse, I could probably get by with the 1/2 ton but I don't want to kick myself a year or so down the road if we get a larger traielr,etc. Next question, if I go with a 3/4,go with the 6.7 or the 6.2 gas? Remember, this is my daily driver also. If you lean toward the 6.7, should I go with the 3.31 rear end?

 

OP, don't forget payload. Everyone talks trailer weight. You will run well put of payload before you ever reach max trailer weights. I've been there many times before. Do the 3/4 ton or you will kick yourself. You may get by with a Heavy Duty Payload F150, but you'll still be alot better off with the 3/4 ton.

 

The 6.2 will have the power to pull well and be much cheaper to buy than the 6.7. However, the 6.7 will have all the power most will need and get better overall fuel economy than the 6.2. Oil changes will cost more on the diesel, as well as the 5+ gallons of DEF fluid, but it's probably better to test drive and cost compare the two and take it from there. Go on Ford's web site and compare payload and tow rating, as well as GVWR too, may help with a decision.

 

How often are you going to towing that trailer and hauling the ATV? If it's just a few times a year, the Max Payload/Max Tow F150 with the EcoBoost or even 5.0L will be adequate. If this is going to be a weekly or twice monthly event year round I would go with the SD with the 6.7L diesel. The 6.2L will do the job, but will cost more for fuel. But 4 to 8 times a year it's F150 all the way for me. The properly equipped F150 is up to the task. But with a 4 horse trailer fully loaded you'll be approaching the capacity of an F150.

 

F250 would be ideal for sure if you want to bring all that weigh plus ATV on back of bed. Since it's going to be your daily driver, then that changes a bit. Like Greg said it depends on how often you going to tow the trailer and haul. If it's going to be few times a year, then F150 HD would be financially feasible with disciplined mentality on hauling and towing. If you gonna do it pretty often then the F250 is way to go. 6.2L should be good choice being on low end of max tow capacity of superduty. Diesel is another story, would be ok if you got deep pocket. I'll let Diesel guys answer this.

 

If going with a 250, i'd go with the gas engine for a couple reasons.

the payload capacity of the gas powered 250 is MUCH higher than the diesel powered version, as you dont have to carry that heavy diesel every where you go.

also, it takes a very long time to see any savings on the diesel engine. once you factor in all the extras associated with the diesel, the added fuel economy takes a long time to pay you back. diesels worked when the fuel was cheap and before diesel emissions came into play.

there are some SD owners on board, and they can speak for themselves, but from what i hear the 6.2 is actually doing pretty well on gas milege.

diesel guys like to tell you the mileage they get, but dont like to talk about total cost per mile, especially when you start figguring in oil changes ect. Anymore, IMO, diesels don't really save you much and if they do, it takes a very long time to see that ROI.

JMHO

 

I tow about the same you want to. But my trailer is a camper with a golf cart in the bed. Total with 5 people full fuel as you see it, 18200 lbs, tows great and at one point was doing 80 mph passing semi's with no problem. Also you would want to get the longer bed in the F150 where as the F250 short bed is 6'9" long. Just giving you something to compare and think about.

 

kmonty2,
Thanks for the pics and reply. Your situation is very similiar to mine. My question is with your 6.2 gas, what kind of mileage are you getting (assuming no big headwind) pulling that rig and how about empty? Also, would you change anything in your setup if you could?
Thanks,

 

These are all opinions, and good ones too! That being said, I would much rather have too much truck than not enough! I love the new ecoboost 150's, but a 1/2 ton is a 1/2 ton! You have to consider the safety factor of towing those weights for yourself and other drivers around you. Pulling is one thing and stopping is another! Just because it can does'nt mean you should. I have'nt seen a 1/2 ton yet that can safely out tow my superduty!

 

I get about 9 mpg with that setup on the highway. I don't think I would have ordered anything differently on the truck other then get the F350 (just for the higher payload). I did get the 3.73 and I think it does just fine towing, does good empty too. Get about 10.5 - 11 in the city and 14-15 on the highway. I do a lot of short stop and go trips. My whole family loves the truck and we all love driving in it.