First time poster. Long time Ford owner. So this might be long winded. I have a roofing company and haul a 5000lb box trailer for our tools. I also have a 31' foot travel trailer that's 7200 dry but have four females in my family that like to fill it. Only camp 3-4 times a year here in Michigan and usually less than three hours from home. Work trailer is hauled 1-2 times a week usually less than 1/2 hour drive switching jobsites. So currently I have a 2012 250 with the 6.7 diesel. Truck has given me some headaches with radiator and emissions issues. Truck is now deleted and running good. It does however smell a lot worse without all the emissions stuff and my ladies don't like to drive in it anymore. So these new 17's have caught my eye. I am thinking 6.2 this time. I had a 2003 250 with a 5.4 and though it screamed while I made it work it never let me down and wasn't bad on mileage. 15-16 highway 11-12 city. But my 2008 250 5.4 rarely saw any driving over 11mpg no matter what I did. That is why I upgraded to the diesel which gets 19-20 highway and 15-16 city. I also wonder if I need a super duty any more with the f150 tow ratings where they are? So I am thoroughly confused where I should go from here. I feel like I am really going to miss the diesel performance but like the simple reliability of a gasser like I had in 03. What do you guys think?

 

The torque curve of the Ecoboosts are very diesel-like. That's one of the big draws for me; it mimics the great hauling/driving experiences I had with my Duramax. Granted, it will be a step down from an SD both in towing capacity and feel.

I used to have a trailer of similar size and was approaching 9,000lbs with a full load (water, propane, gear, four bikes, etc). I pulled it with my SD and wouldn't hesitate to pull it with my truck now (abet, I'd have gotten the longer wheelbase). Since you're an experienced "tower", I'd say you'll be just fine. Especially since the heavy hauling is not very frequent.

I think we have a few folks that tow that same weight with the 5.0 engine, so either will work. If you like the diesel pull experience, then the better bet is probably the 3.5 EB.

 

My recommendation is go to the dealer and drive a few trucks. Keep an open mind as the 2017 superduty is all new and very refined as compared to yours. The cabs on the F-150 and SD are now the same size with the same gizmos and same safety equipment.

As mentioned, the Ecoboost gets you diesel like attributes with gasoline costs and maintenance plus it comes with a 10 speed transmission starting in the 2017 model year.