Here's the dilemma. Wife is getting a gooseneck trailer. 8000 lbs fully loaded / 2000 lbs on the tongue. She will tow 2 days a week and will be my daily driver when she isn't horsing around.

Fully equipped an ecoboost has around 2000 payload. Am I correct in not wanting to max out the payload that often even on short 15 mile journeys?

So it's looking like the f250 or a2500 which has 3000lbs + payload.

Now the only question is to pay $8000 to get an extra 5mpgs with a diesel.

 

I should mention I'm looking at crew cabs.

 

I wouldn't suggest an ecoboost or diesel. A 6.2 gas truck with 4.30s would probably be your best option

 

I would vote for the F250. Guys talk about power, torque, hp all the time, but having the grunt to pull the trailer is only half the battle. The brakes, suspension and tire ratings come in to play just as much. You will have a much more stable tow feel with the bigger truck, and better brakes to stop it. Just safer all around in my opinion.

Obviously that comes with a sacrifice in mileage, as I believe the 150 gets better mileage? It looks like my real world unladen mileage will be between 14-15 mpg with the 6.2 gas engine. Only on my second tank of gas now, so that is still part prediction. I also drive it like an old man (which I am), and not a hot rod kid that has to burn rubber at every traffic light.

I wouldn't go diesel either, just don't think you'll have the payload needs to warrant it, but to each their own. I went gas for the same reason. My gross weight on my car trailer is 8k, and we'll probably end up with a travel trailer in the 10k range, but will be seasonal vacation travel only, so not worth it to me.

Also, there's parking considerations, if you plan to park it in a garage, will the 250 clear the door? I think my 4x4 sits just shy of 8 ft high. Mine would sit outside either way, at least for now. Still looking to move out of town in the next year or 2, and get a shop big enough to park it inside.

I personally decided years ago not to buy any more half ton trucks. I've only owned 3 in my life, and broke all 3 of them by using them like trucks. One of those I broke repeatedly, and that was the last GM product I ever bought (25 years ago).

 

Honestly, the Ecoboost would be just fine for that load. I'd probably go with the Super Duty though. That gives you the option of going with a bigger trailer if needed or wanted. Forget about the 250 and go straight to the 350 though. No point in buying a neutered "heavy duty" pickup.

 

My vote would be for a 250 SD. Not that the ecoboost couldn't, but a heavier truck will tow better.

As far as motor is concerned, from your description I would recommend a gas engine over a diesel engine. There are benifits to both and drawbacks to both. It'll also depend on your budget.

It's kinda like a trophy wife that is high maintanance and a real looker (diesel) vs a thicker girl that cooks and cleans real good (gasser). haha. Both can do the same job.

 

I drove the diesel and I was sorry I did. Very smooth and powerful. And I hate getting bad gas mileage. It makes me want not want to use it outside of commuting.

 

You drove the diesel? What made you decide to go gas?

 

A couple of reasons, first my application isn't really that heavy duty, kind of like yours, an 8k trailer is the most I will currently deal with. My travel trailer wants will put that weight in at a max of 10k give or take a k. Most of the ground up here is pretty flat or low rolling hills. I won't be pulling that many grades anyway. Also, it's cold up here in winter. I just don't need the diesel bad enough to deal with the higher maint of a diesel, let alone a diesel in -40 degree weather.

I have a buddy with a new 6.7 truck, and it sure is nice, pulls like a freight train (he bought the 350 crew cab) but he's a rancher and needs to pull 15-20k loads on a regular basis. I'm not, and I don't. Plus the idea of also having to add urea to his truck to keep it running just completely turns me off too. I'm constantly asking him if he needs me to top him off when I have to take a leak. I would have the nagging worry in the back of my mind that I'd run out in the middle of nowhere on some vacation and have to pee in the tank to make it down the road...

 

f250 crew cab 6.2 gas and 4:30s you will be very happy.

 

Just be mindful with your selection of an F250, mine only has a payload of 2275 as it has a GVWR of 9600 not the 10k some of them have. It is a loaded Lariat FX4.

 

The diesel definately gets better mileage than gas. Have you drove a comparable year gasser? Gearing makes a huge difference. To the point where some guys will do a gear swap at $2k+. Diesels are all the rage these days and understandebly so. There's a price to pay for that power/torque. Look over htese videos and see if it helps.

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

 

On that day these trucks performed awesome. 16k trailer and 4 full grown men in the cab and all the trucks pulled the load gladly up the hill. All within a couple MPH. I think I used 3 gallons of gas getting it done though.

 

Just got done test driving 2012 gas 3.73 and then the diesel immediately after. Love the diesel. Thanks for the vids

 

I'm on the ford website and I'm trying trying to build a lariat that has a payload as low as ours and I ant get lower than 2600+