Ecoboost vs 6.7 diesel choice

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09-28-2012, 02:08 PM

brown78

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Ecoboost vs 6.7 diesel choice

What should I do? In the market for a new truck. I currently have a very small travel trailer that an ecoboost would handle easily, but I will probably move up to a fifth wheel in the next couple years.

should I....

A).get the f-150 and taking the hit on the trade in later, or.....

B).get the f-250 and deal with overkill now.....

having both is not an option

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09-28-2012, 02:13 PM

2000silverbullet

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If you have plans on going to a 5th wheel, I'd say diesel (or even the 6.2 in the SD). You're gonna need that higher GVWR w/ a 5er. How often are you towing vs empty? How many miles per year? There's a great thread in the 6.7 forum on true diesel costs, very informative.

Regardless of the weight you'd be pulling with it, you'll get great mileage in the 6.7 and will drag anything you put behind it with ease. I've seen great reviews regarding the EB, but with a 5th wheel, I think you need a larger platform. The 6.2 w/ 4.30's in the SD is a monster as well, but don't expect diesel-like mpg's in it.

No sense in buying twice, unless money's no object. heh.

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09-28-2012, 02:44 PM

brown78

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Thanks. I'll check out that thread.

Towing probably 4 weeks a year for trips. Definitely will need the 250 for a 5er, but the chances of actually doing that are about 50%. I still have some decisions to make.

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09-28-2012, 04:36 PM

Jimbits78

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For 4 weeks a year the SD is pretty much a waste in my opinion. The ecoboost will do fine with a 5er assuming your not buying a 38'+

I'm all for the right truck for the job and buying more truck than you need but from what you say you need a f150 48 weeks and a SD for 4.

To me that's a no brainer.

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09-28-2012, 04:51 PM

tseekins

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In my mind you can't compare a 6.7L and a 3.5L or the platforms in which they are employed.

IMO, if you pull you can never have too much truck. The 3.5L is limited more the F-150 chassis than anything else.

If Ford ever decides to boost a gas engine for the superduty, then that would be a great question to ask.

Go for the diesel.

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09-28-2012, 05:51 PM

truckerdude

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F150 with HD payload package is all that you need if you stick with one of the lighter weight 5th wheels. For only 4 weeks of use per year buying the 6.7 is wasted money (which you could apply toward a more luxurious travel trailer)

If money is no object then go with the diesel but expect a rougher ride, and higher maintenance costs as well as the higher up front cost

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09-28-2012, 06:30 PM

Adventure Rider

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I've always been a proponent of overkill!!

Since i got the truck, about a month ago, I have not stopped being amazed with everything it does at the size it is, and the potential it has.

That way you can never look back and say, "I should've....."

My very biased vote would be the 6.7

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09-28-2012, 10:20 PM

meborder

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no way am I going to put up with driving a 3/4 ton truck every day just to tow something a few times a year (that a 1/2 ton could easily handle) with a %50 chance of actually needing the extra capacity at some unknown point in the future. double that for having to put up with the extra cost of owning a diesel.

that's just me.

i'm not trying to be harsh, but i always get a chuckle out of guys that have a big diesel pickup just to tow their 3000lbs boat to the lake a few times a year.

3/4 ton's are great when you need them, but are somewhat of a curse to drive everyday unless there is a need. We've got one too, but unless there is something 5k lbs or more that needs to be moved, it just sits.... everything else gets hooked up to the exploder.

as i said, that's just me.

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09-29-2012, 03:57 AM

shortride

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I've always thought that a 5th wheel setup belong more in a F250 trucks. The suspension and drive-trains were designed for heavy towing. An F150 will generally lose a little resale value with a 5th wheel modification.

Having said all of that, it's a bit difficult to justify the expense of a new F250 if it would only be used a limited number of times. So in this case there are several factors involve making the right choice.
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#10

09-29-2012, 05:06 AM

tseekins

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My question to the OP is:

Was this same question asked in the superduty forum? If not then do so and compare answers.

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#11

10-01-2012, 09:45 AM

juneau76

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Lots of valid points here. I would be torn on what to do myself. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

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#12

03-24-2013, 08:25 PM

shaidarol

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I have a 5er with an ecoboost. Works great. If you are looking at a huge 5er it's not, but if it's a light pin unit in the 8-9000 pound range empty it's definitely doable. Pin weight needs to be 1200 or less dry. Mine is 1007 pounds dry and 9000 pounds at max capacity and it handles it well. I wouldn't want to tow it 10,000 miiles a year but for the weekend camping trips it works well and I love my truck the rest of the time.

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03-24-2013, 09:50 PM

dave91gt

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My parents have an 03 F150 4X4 SC with the 5.4 2V and 3.55's. They bought it new and within 6 months bought a Jayco 5th wheel with 1 slide that had a dry weight of 6900 lbs. Truck now has 89,000 miles and has pulled that camper to Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee etc. Average pulls of 3 or 4 times a year. The truck is all stock with the exception of BFG AT LT tires he put on at 55K after the factory Goodyear 4 ply's finally wore down to the wear bars. The only detriment so far has been brake rotor warpage. We put on a set of drilled and slotted rotors awhile back with performance pads. Is this the smartest thing to do? Maybe not. But, they have always pulled within the weight ratings of the truck and he has had a smaller cheaper to maintain truck for those times he hasn't towed. They just Saturday traded the Jayco on a new Open Range travel trailer that has a dry weight of 7400 lbs. They have plans on retiring to Florida for the winter months and quit camping. So they upgraded as it will stay parked from here on out. So, the truck will only need 1 pull to Florida from WV. Anyway, they picked up the camper Saturday after dropping the Jayco off and they set up his weight distribution hitch. They store their camper in KY (about 20 miles from the RV dealership) and they towed it there. I asked how the truck did and he said "amazing" for what it is (1/2 ton). No sway, no real sag, and the 5.4 soldiers on. Said he was maintaining 70 mph just fine. My point in all this is that it can be done in a 1/2 ton. My example is of a dinosaur compared to the newer half tons. He said he would have loved to have towed with my 12 5.0 (he drove it once) as it is so much more powerful, better brakes, select-shift tranny, etc. An EcoBoost would suit him even better. Good luck with your decision OP. I hope my example helps with a different perspective. I have had several Super Duties and half tons and have towed an open wheel car trailer with all of them with my Mustang on it (5,000 lbs or so). While the 3/4 tons felt more effortless, my 1/2 tons towed it just fine.

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#14

03-24-2013, 11:07 PM

howellt39

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Tackled a similar issue myself just a couple weeks ago. After we bought the 150 was hoping it'd be able to do all the towing that our 350 was taking care of, so I might be able to downsize our fleet. What I found was the EB engine can haul the weight, but the 150 platform (to piggy back off of Tim's excellent points above) will be a little more squirrelly. I posted about it here:

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

Skip to post 15, but the short version is that if I were in your shoes and had the benefit of hindsight, get the diesel 250. It's not even a close one.

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#15

03-25-2013, 11:56 AM

gilby959798

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I just picked up a 13 5.0 fx4 and got rid of my Super Duty with the 7.3L in it. I miss the old truck, but this truck pulls well enough for what I usually tow. My wife and I are tossing around the idea of a TT or 5th wheel and I told her, I would definitely would want to step back up to the bigger truck, but then again, I like the bigger is better mentality. The 5.0 pulls my car trailer with our heaviest car on it (08 Taurus) with ease so I know it will pull the Cobra great when taking it back and forth to the track. I can tell you that the guys are right, the 6spd is awesome compared to the old truck and the ride on the F-150 is great compared to my old super duty, so it is a tough call on what to do with it. I also bought my truck with full intentions to replace her taurus with it and step back into a super duty, the camper will just be the icing on the cake as reason for getting it.

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