I am debating on downgrading to a F-150 from a F-250. I tow a trailer weighing 8000 lbs and I often have to pull some hills.

The main reason for the switch is to get the driveablility from the F150 when not towing. Does anyone have any experience towing this much weight? how does it perform on hills? Any overheating? what is the mileage you usually get towing?

Thank you all for your time!

 

I've pulled that much weight on rare occasions with a 05 5.4 4x4 SCAB 3.73 gears and you know it's back there for sure. MPG at steady 55 to 60 was just under 9, not many heavy grades. I think if you pull that weight often keep the oil burner or at least get the HD F-150 with 4.10 gears. My truck never heated up and I live in San Diego but I would not push it either. No overdrive and sometime's I would have to shift to 2nd on steep grades and I would turn off AC as common sense would dictate.

 

I've got an '06 F150 S.crew 5.4 4x4 with the tow package. The past two weekends I've towed a 9000 lbs. boat and trailer. It had no problem towing it, no overheating problems, and was able to handle the hills alright. Obviously with this weight I kept overdrive off but I was able to keep speed at 60 most of the time even with most of the hills. I haven't actually calculated the mileage but as a rough estimate I would guess between 9-11 mpg.

I think that you will be just fine in the towing department if you switch from the 250 to a 150.

 

My TH approaches the limits of the truck when loaded. Airbags and Edge on level 2 help tremendously. I steered clear of the F-250 because I wanted the around-town abilities of the F-150.

 

I wouldn't down grade. You have the perfect pulling machine.

Tim

 

I really don't want to downgrade, but it is tough to drive the big f250 around town. I tow about 25% of the time..

Are you guys able to use the overdrive while towing on flats?

 

I use OD as long as it does not hunt for gears. I pulled the grapevine with a bobcat t190 on a 3 axle 25' trailer using my 06. The trailer was about 8,500 and the total combined was 14,880 it did fine as usual. The truck towed fine and OD was used about 90% of the time. I got about 10 MPG on the flats and 7.5-8 on the grapevine.

 

hello there, Well i work for camping world here in florida and we get the F150's in all the time, towing with what u are wanting to get is ok but what i would subjuest is a weight disterbuation and a sway bar set up , another thing i would get is a super spring , it is a simpal bolt on that go's onto the factory leaf springs that gives u a extra 5000lbs of lifting copasity . only tools need to install it is a 9/16th wrench and a 3/4in scoket on a impact gun and a 3/4 in wrench, take ya a hole 30 mins to install and dose not effect the factory ride


AND YES I AM A NON SPELLING ****

 

Well, you didnt say much about the truck you have or what it gets mpg wise... most of the 250 guys say around town its only ~2mpg difference with a 150 and loaded hauling it can get better mpg. For such a little difference IMO wouldnt be worth all the fees and interest for buying a new truck. Towing 8,000# 25% of the time is pretty significant to me, thats 1 trip out of 4 that your loaded. If your that concerned about driving around town I'd just spend a couple grand on a 30mpg beater, a 150 sint exactly a huge improvement around town IMO, and you give up many things as compared to a 250.

 

couldn't have said it better myself. same reason I'm looking to go to an F250 soon...

 

I tow a 7k lb camper every now and then(about twice a month), and it pulls it fine, and on a flat road I can use OD, but get near a slight incline and it down shift right away.
Never had a problem over heating either.


I completly agree on getting a cheap car or truck that gets good gas mileage to drive around town.
The new F150s are close to the same size as the superdutys, so you really aren't downgrading much.

 

I'd like to clarify that I am not saying the F150 wouldnt be a great truck for you and handle the load just fine. I just think if you already have a SD it would probably be better to keep it. I'm looking for a new truck possibly and for as little a difference there is between them I am leaning toward the SD where I can get more what I want for really not much more cost.