I have a 2009 F150 FX4 w/ the 5.4V8 at 91000 miles. It is getting on in age and actually has some bad visible rust on roof due to beach living and rain leak at cargo light opening (Guys check those cargo light gaskets).

I was thinking before the rust gets even worse, of getting a newer truck to replace it. It would not be a daily driver, only to camp sometimes or haul dirt bike, mountain bike and the biggest challenge - tow 24ft toyhauler with a UTV inside. I think the trailer weighs 8000+lbs with water, fuel station, and Can Am UTV inside. I have to climb mountains going to and from the local deserts and the truck seems to do ok power wise but can get a little uncomfortable bouncing or swaying at times on the curvy 2 lane mountain roads. The brakes do ok but don't inspire confidence either. On the straight roads it does decent but I don't go too fast as it seems to get a little loosey goosey. Trailer has weight distribution hitch, trailer sway bar, and truck has air bags.

The big question is - would a modern F150 4x4 be noticeably better at towing than my 2009? Or should I consider going to 3/4 ton truck? I really like the F150 for ease of driving and comfort and parking it in San Diego is already a challenge. Open to all ideas. Thanks!

 

A 2015+ with the 3.5 Ecoboost would pull that toyhauler much better than your old 5.4. It's almost like a diesel engine with the low rpm torque it puts out.

That being said, towing ~ 10,000 lb will always be better with an F250/F350. Those trucks are designed with suspension and a drivetrain that works much better handling that much weight versus the F150's soft suspension. That's why I have two trucks - a one ton AND the F150.

 

For that weight and those roads (been there, drove that) F250 is the answer. Look for a CPO with the 6.2 gas. Serving suggestion.

 

I third the notion of an F-250 with the 6.2L. 10K is a lot to tow regularly with a 1/2 ton truck.

 

I think the total is around 8,000lbs with the UTV inside. I think factory tow ratings are a little higher than real world usage, sure it can do it but doesn't seem to do it well. I will say the power isn't the issue, its more of the loose feel (only at times like a dip coupled with a turn) and lack of strong brakes. Was hoping the newer F150 might be better than might but it's prob just a little better only

 

You can get an F150 with a towing rating over 8000. BUT try to find that beast used. You are talking "newer", not new. So with the F250 you are at a bit over half your capacity. With the F150 you are 75 to 100%, and little or no capacity to carry much of a load in the truck itself.

 

Why the gas motor? I just figured diesel was the best way to go? Although it seems like gas would be less complicated of a motor to maintain down the road and at the pump gas costs a little less than diesel so it likely offsets the mpg savings on diesel

 

In an F-150, the 3.5L EcoBoost will outperform the 3.0L diesel. The diesel will get much better MPG. Personally, if your towing requirements aren't at the high end and you do a lot of miles per year, the diesel might be the better choice. But if your towing requirements are at the higher end, and you don't do high miles/year, the EcoBoost would be the way to go.

The F-250 is a whole different thing.

 

Even with the F-250, Unless you just HAVE to have a diesel because that's what you really want, the gas engine is financially the wisest way to go given the 10K in question to be towed, a gas F-250 will handle that no problem, the 6.7L Powerstroke would be serious overkill for just 10K.

 

IMO: I wouldn't buy a light or medium diesel at this point. The diesel emissions are "too new", too costly, too unreliable, and double the opportunity for "operator error" with respect to DEF down the wrong hole vs. just gasoline. Gas is sorted out, dead-nuts reliable in almost all cases, cheaper at the start and cheaper to maintain. Hardly anyone puts diesel in a gas and if you do it's a fairly easy fix. Hardley anyone puts DEF in the gas tank as the gas operator doesn't know what DEF is. This is mostly in reference to fleet operations, but we have had people here who fubar'd their own trucks.

OP is looking at a used truck, he's not a long ranger when it comes to towing, and IMO the F250 with a 6.2 gas fits the bill. And if he doesn't like it, they do well in the resale department.

I can't wait for the exciting conclusion to find out which way this goes.

 

My two cents. I have a 2016 F150 FX4 3.5 ecoboost max tow and tow a 7,800 pound trailer all over the Eastern Sierra. Yes its has an 11,200 tow capacity but its payload you will fall short on with a 1/2 ton. My XLT has 1,789 lb payload so with 900 pound tongue weight and the two of us no issues. But you need to get E load tires and the best possible weight distribution hitch. I tow with a Propride 3p WDH and will never tow without one again. I also added a rear stabilizer bar and upgraded shocks. We only tow 3-4,000 miles a year and have had zero issues. When I replace this truck I will be close to retirement and will go to a 250/350 diesel. The 150 diesel is worthless as a tow vehicle. Good luck an yes the newer models will do far better than your 2009.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I think the UTV inside kind of makes the trailer do some weird stuff. I have towed the trailer 2 times without the UTV and it definitely seemed better.

Maybe I can rent a truck to try towing the trailer which is in Glamis now and needs to come home as the summer temps will kill it.

 

If the trailer does weird stuff with the UTV you need to put more weight on the front of the trailer.
TJ

 

I had a 2009 F150 and now have a 2019. The newer trucks have more power and better brakes, but are lighter and may handle worse with your trailer than the 09. I would recommend a super duty especially since it will not be your daily driver.

 

You mentioned it won't be a daily driver. The 5.0 V8 is more than sufficient, not once have I ever said, "Shoot, I can't do that, I have no power."

The Ecoboost costs $1,000 more and the diesel costs quite a bit more. I'm in Orange County and I had the F-150 screw with long bed. Wasn't that bed even as a daily driver. I still regret replacing it.