Hi guys,
I've been lurking and really learned a lot from many of your posts. However, I'm still not sure which truck (f150 or f250) best fits my needs. Or should I say wants. I'll give you as much information as I can think of right now and look forward to hearing from you.

Currently I drive an 06 Grand Cherokee with about 110k miles on the clock. It runs fine and is paid for. It has the 4.7 and I get 14ish mixed and 19 on the highway.

I need a pickup truck (certainly gas and not deisel) and understand some of the differences between the F150 and Suoer Duty. I want a crew cab, 4x4, 6.5' box and probably XLT trim. Definitely not XL. I also think an E-locker might helpful in the snow we get in PA. My current Jeep is excellent in the snow and I don't want to take a step backwards from that.

What do I tow? Currently a small boat (maybe 1500 pounds) and a landscaping trailer a few times a week in summer season.

Future plans? Boat size may increase a little, but not much. Desire to get a 6x12 dump trailer in a couple of years. And now the kicker- I THINK I might want to dabble in snow plowing in the future. I have a couple lawn accounts that asked about snow plowing and had to tell them no.

What I know: I know the super duty is the better option for plowing, but again, I'm not sure if I will be going that route. I know the f150 will get better MPG than the SD. And ride quality is "better" in the f150.

Do I invest in the truck I need today or suck it up in fuel costs and get the super duty and be done?

I only test drove one super duty and the ride seemed fine.

Any input on real world MPG of 2010 or 2011 gassers? That's around the years I've been looking at.

What do you Ford gurus suggest?

 

I'm going to say, from a practical standpoint, that nothing you posted will require an SD. The F-150 is available now with a snow plow package too. You'll get better MPG and more comfy ride for now and the truck should hold good value as a trade in down the line when you feel you have grown to need the SD capabilities.
That said, F-250's are cool. Love mine. Rides a lot rougher and burns more fuel, but I find myself always grinning when I drive it even when I don't need it.
Not sure if any of that helps.

 

I have a F250 Gasser the best fuel I get from the 6.2 is maybe 13 MAX... your better off going the 1/2 ton F150 or GM1500 or Dodge1500

Hopefully Ford has fixed their trans issues (which I currently still have on my 2013 F250) My friend has a F150 2014 and now his is acting up... maybe they have a better luck in the new 2015 models

 

Kinda makes you wonder why they won't offer a manual when they can't get the auto's right.

 

I would go F150 for your needs. If you look at engine options with the snow plow prep I think you go with 5.0 V8.

 

I agree with the F150- it will do much more than your listed needs.
Snow plows kits are expensive- you will have to push a lot of snow to financially justify it. I'm not saying don't set your truck up to push snow, just that it can be a stretch to justify.

 

I vote 150.

 

As a new 250 owner. I would personally vote that direction. While the 150 would complete most or all of your task. It will not come with a 6'+ bed on any crew cab option.

I, like you wanted a full size bed, and while I pull a 2500 lbs ski boat now. I plan on upgrading to a larger center console. And I don't often buy new cars. This is my first new car personally, but even my useds I drive until they die. So Depreciation was not a concern.

Their are some deals to be had on the truck you are looking for. If you were closer, I would send you tI the dealer I used. I have XLT, FX4, Crew Cab, gas. And love driving it every day. We had a couple of snows right after getting it, and no issues getting around in 4 high. While not the snow you get, it was 7 and 9 inches, and we really don't have road crews equipped for hard fast snowfall.

If MPG is the most important, then 150. If everything else, then 250. The ride is a little rougher than my parents 07 150, I don't mind it, and neither does my wife.

I was planning on getting a 150 until the 250 deal came along and it truly ticked the boxes of what I wanted.

 

Great info, guys. I appreciate it.

Does the F150 Crew really not come with a 6.5' bed? I thought they did. Hmmm. That might be deal breaker for me.

What kind of MPG are you getting in that Super Duty Crew?

 

Look....
2015 Ford F-150 | View All Ford F-150 Specifications | Ford.com

 

I stand corrected. At one point that wasnt available. I guess enough wanted the full size bed back. I would bet you have to order it, to get that configuration, but maybe you can find one.

I was in the 11's when I drove it home. And that was interstate and highway. But it's creeped up. I'm in the low 12's with pretty much all small town driving. I've gotten close to 13. It's been improving ad the motor has broken in. I'm not even at 2k miles yet. It's not our only car, so I wasn't as worried on final mpg. I am putting on a bed cover and maybe do the CAI at some point. Both should help mileage some.

 

I currently have an 07 f150 lariat which i really like and a 11 f350 with the 6.2 gas. Both are great trucks but honestly i feel the 350 stops better and the engine feels more substantial. That being said the ride is better on the 150 most likely due to there not being a solid front axle. The differences in weight between the trucks probably play a big factor though as well. I'd say either one would be a good choice but i honestly prefer the handling of the superduties over the half tons.

 

Having put over 100K on a 2010 F150 crewcab with the less than 6ft bed the short bed was one of my only complaints, it rode great and with the right tires got me just about anywhere that was practical.

That said I did just upgrade to a 2015 F250 crew cab.....that said im with NYCruiser, I grin every time I get in her now. I was getting 17-18mpg (70% highway 20% 45+ backroads remaining in town) and currently the lie o meter is telling me just shy of 14 in the 250. I have put almost 1k on it already and have verified 13+ mpg and am seeing improvement just by gauge estimations.

Really You seem to be looking at the 150 but its all up to you and what you want to look at and ride in.

For me I went 250 as I did not want to be a test pilot for the aluminum body, and also did not like the look of the new 150, Yeah could be shallow reasons but they were mine. The ride is definitely rougher than the almost car like ride of my 150. I did enjoy that soft ride and it was nice, but I am enjoying the FEEL of the truck under me now, with that said I have also learned where to avoid parts of my commute now....yup one spilled cup of coffee later I know there is a manhole there lol.

 

f-150 sounds like is what you need. also check into registration requirements for your state. in NY, the f-250, unless you can get an exception, gets registered as a commercial vehicle. that restricts where you can drive and park it as well as higher registration costs.

 

Had pretty much the same mileage with my 2014 F250 Supercab 4x4. Now that I've reached 10k miles, switched to synthetic at last oil change - the mileage (local driving in Daytona Beach area while on vacation) has been a steady 14 - 14.5. Towing a 7x18 enclosed trailer with 2 Harleys & luggage for 4 to our vacation the mileage was 8 - 9. No transmission issues to date.
Previous truck was a 2013 F150 Supercab 4x4 with 5.0. The gas mileage was basically the same as this 250 (lower end of spectrum). It spent most of its time in 4th gear on same trip, towing a trailer that's 4 feet shorter than this year's trailer. I was not happy. I figured if I was going to get 3/4 ton mileage, I was going to drive a 3/4 ton truck. Traded the 150 soon after getting home from last year's vacation.