Truck purchase question
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 325
Likes: 8
From: Central Ohio
The actual price difference between an F150 and F250 with the 6.2L similarly equipped is about $1,000-ish. The fuel mileage while towing will be about the same. Empty fuel mileage will be higher with a lighter truck (F150).
Towing.....assume you will pull the trailer at GVWR, and use 12-15% of that for tongue weight. Add 75 lbs for your hitch, plus the weight of planned cargo and passengers. I would bet you will be very, very close to the payload limit on an F150. The other consideration is pulling a 31 ft camper with a heavier truck with a longer wheelbase (F250) will make the drive much more relaxing.
Good luck with your shopping!
Towing.....assume you will pull the trailer at GVWR, and use 12-15% of that for tongue weight. Add 75 lbs for your hitch, plus the weight of planned cargo and passengers. I would bet you will be very, very close to the payload limit on an F150. The other consideration is pulling a 31 ft camper with a heavier truck with a longer wheelbase (F250) will make the drive much more relaxing.
Good luck with your shopping!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 228
Likes: 96
From: Southcentral Alaska
I agree to get the most you can for future endeavors. My question to you would be also, why did Ford design and build the 3.5 EcoBoost twin turbo with so much payload and towing if it would not work???? Just asking....LOL
If you spec out the F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost with the 3200 payload option and the over 13000 lb. towing capacity then would that be okay. The travel trailer pulling will be every so often on weekend ventures and such and maybe a few times of year a week or more. The truck will be a daily driver at best.......mainly a weekend driver.
Yes, maybe down the road a 5th wheel then that 7.3 would be the ticket!
I AGREE 100% on buy more than you need. I just wonder if in a pinch the 3.5 twin turbo with the payload and towing mentioned above would work and easily. There has to be someone here who has this truck I would think......LOL. Then again, maybe not.
If you spec out the F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost with the 3200 payload option and the over 13000 lb. towing capacity then would that be okay. The travel trailer pulling will be every so often on weekend ventures and such and maybe a few times of year a week or more. The truck will be a daily driver at best.......mainly a weekend driver.
Yes, maybe down the road a 5th wheel then that 7.3 would be the ticket!
I AGREE 100% on buy more than you need. I just wonder if in a pinch the 3.5 twin turbo with the payload and towing mentioned above would work and easily. There has to be someone here who has this truck I would think......LOL. Then again, maybe not.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 2
I agree to get the most you can for future endeavors. My question to you would be also, why did Ford design and build the 3.5 EcoBoost twin turbo with so much payload and towing if it would not work???? Just asking....LOL
If you spec out the F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost with the 3200 payload option and the over 13000 lb. towing capacity then would that be okay. The travel trailer pulling will be every so often on weekend ventures and such and maybe a few times of year a week or more. The truck will be a daily driver at best.......mainly a weekend driver.
Yes, maybe down the road a 5th wheel then that 7.3 would be the ticket!
I AGREE 100% on buy more than you need. I just wonder if in a pinch the 3.5 twin turbo with the payload and towing mentioned above would work and easily. There has to be someone here who has this truck I would think......LOL. Then again, maybe not.
If you spec out the F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost with the 3200 payload option and the over 13000 lb. towing capacity then would that be okay. The travel trailer pulling will be every so often on weekend ventures and such and maybe a few times of year a week or more. The truck will be a daily driver at best.......mainly a weekend driver.
Yes, maybe down the road a 5th wheel then that 7.3 would be the ticket!
I AGREE 100% on buy more than you need. I just wonder if in a pinch the 3.5 twin turbo with the payload and towing mentioned above would work and easily. There has to be someone here who has this truck I would think......LOL. Then again, maybe not.
OP....If going bigger, why not go with an F350? Small $ increase over the F250, and more payload.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 7
From: Pacific Northwest
I own a 2018 screw max tow, 3.5 eco, 3.55 LS, 10 speed. Regularly pull about 7500 lb load travel trailer. The torque is built down low from about 1700 rpm up to 3500 rpm so it easily handles the load. Do pay attention to your carry capacity when deciding on a half ton truck. My XLT as built has 1785 capacity/people and gear. In most cases the trailer weight you are looking at should be no issues but be mindful that even though mine is rated close to 12,000 lbs towing I would almost undoubtedly exceed my carry capacity were I to get close to that weight.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
I ended up going to a 250 because everything on the 150 was optional and an added cost. Basically every 250 comes with tow mirrors, brake controller and enough payload and towing to handling anything I'd need to drag around. With the 150, I'd need the heavy payload package, max tow and then the mirrors and brake controller were extra. Also, trying to find a used 150 with the payload package wasn't working at all so it became, go buy any used F250 that had the trim level I wanted or order a new 150. The 250 made more sense. My older 150 did fine towing but the 250 is rock solid, there's no comparison. My 250 is not an ideal daily driver but I make due with it. If you can deal with the 250 when unloaded (as a daily driver), then I'd definitely say it's worth it for the more stress free experience when towing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
Agree it can be frustrating finding an F150 that's set up for real towing on the used market. New, you do usually have to special order it, but it can be done. Still life towing with a super duty is more stress free.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
You hit the nail on the head with the special order. When I started looking at the price of a 150, equipped the way I needed it to tow (not even taking into consideration creature comforts), I quickly realized I was looking at about the same price for a 250 gasser with the same interior trim level. Base model, I could buy the 150 cheaper but after adding in all the 'packages' to make it a viable tow vehicle, it made more sense to me to go with the 250. Unloaded fuel economy is pretty poor and the ride is definitely stiffer, but I love the way it tows so I feel like I made the right decision for my needs.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
You hit the nail on the head with the special order. When I started looking at the price of a 150, equipped the way I needed it to tow (not even taking into consideration creature comforts), I quickly realized I was looking at about the same price for a 250 gasser with the same interior trim level. Base model, I could buy the 150 cheaper but after adding in all the 'packages' to make it a viable tow vehicle, it made more sense to me to go with the 250. Unloaded fuel economy is pretty poor and the ride is definitely stiffer, but I love the way it tows so I feel like I made the right decision for my needs.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 13
From: Sheridan, Wyoming
I've got a 28 foot TT and wouldn't even dream of using a half ton truck to pull it, it's way too heavy. I use a 1986 F350 (1 ton) 4x4 with a 429 CJ engine in it to pull with and even that truck starts to squat a bit when it takes the full load. I have to pull in the mountains of Wyoming (usually) and the 450 horsepower I currently have isn't always enough with the 3.55 gears I am using. Get a heavier duty truck, you'll be happier in the long run.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,707
Likes: 12,845
From: Wyoming
I've got a 28 foot TT and wouldn't even dream of using a half ton truck to pull it, it's way too heavy. I use a 1986 F350 (1 ton) 4x4 with a 429 CJ engine in it to pull with and even that truck starts to squat a bit when it takes the full load. I have to pull in the mountains of Wyoming (usually) and the 450 horsepower I currently have isn't always enough with the 3.55 gears I am using. Get a heavier duty truck, you'll be happier in the long run.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 13
From: Sheridan, Wyoming
That and US-16 out of Buffalo. US-14 is the harder pull though. I'm glad I've got a 4 speed, lol
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 13
From: Sheridan, Wyoming
Lets compare it with my 2015 GMC 1500 then. I tried pulling it with that. I had to get a WDH, HAD too to keep the tongue where it should be, or near it. The 5.3 could pull it fine, on a flat stretch, once I started up a hill it slowed down, fast. The tranny cooler I installed couldn't keep up either. Just too much weight being pulled by too little truck. The brakes were barely good enough for coming back down the mountain.
No, I don't recommend using a half ton truck for pulling a TT that size.
Oh, and before you ask, my TT is a 2006 model.
No, I don't recommend using a half ton truck for pulling a TT that size.
Oh, and before you ask, my TT is a 2006 model.