Truck purchase question
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2021
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Truck purchase question
I am looking to purchase a 2021 F150 or F250 to haul a 31' travel trailer that weighs about 6500 lbs. with a 775 lb hitch weight. I have been told the F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost with 400 HP and 500 ft/lb torque will do it all day long and even up mountains no issue?????? I want a truck that will last for years to come with hauling this travel trailer so will it be ample and easily do this without undue wear and tear on the engine and transmission or should I look to the F250 HD series with either the 6.2 or 7.3? The difference in price of those two engines is roughly $2k so the 7.3 would be the ticket on that end I believe.
But like I said, the F150 3.5 would be a savings of $10k but if people are having issues with them doing the job on such things like pulling Travel Trailers then I want to look to something else.
Thank you.
But like I said, the F150 3.5 would be a savings of $10k but if people are having issues with them doing the job on such things like pulling Travel Trailers then I want to look to something else.
Thank you.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 667
Likes: 156
I am looking to purchase a 2021 F150 or F250 to haul a 31' travel trailer that weighs about 6500 lbs. with a 775 lb hitch weight. I have been told the F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost with 400 HP and 500 ft/lb torque will do it all day long and even up mountains no issue?????? I want a truck that will last for years to come with hauling this travel trailer so will it be ample and easily do this without undue wear and tear on the engine and transmission or should I look to the F250 HD series with either the 6.2 or 7.3? The difference in price of those two engines is roughly $2k so the 7.3 would be the ticket on that end I believe.
But like I said, the F150 3.5 would be a savings of $10k but if people are having issues with them doing the job on such things like pulling Travel Trailers then I want to look to something else.
Thank you.
But like I said, the F150 3.5 would be a savings of $10k but if people are having issues with them doing the job on such things like pulling Travel Trailers then I want to look to something else.
Thank you.
I have a 30ft 7600 lb trailer and like to haul with full fresh water tank and bed full of gear, this requires a 3/4 ton.
Its always wise to make sure the tow vehicle can handle the GVWR of trailer and 12 - 15% of that as tounge weight.
Hope you find a truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,471
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From: Calgary Canada
I agree that payload will be the issue you need to pay attention to, not powertrain.
I would double check that 6500 and 775 lbs. Most RV brochures and dealers talk about dry weights, not fully loaded weights. If you use the GVW rating of the trailer, and then 15% of that for tongue weight, you are usually closer to real-world scenarios. I know that my family and firewood I put about 900 lbs of "stuff" into the truck, plus the tongue weight. Easy to be over the rating on an F150 unless you special order the quite-rate HDPP truck.
I've had a good mix of half and 3/4 ton trucks, and if I was mostly towing, I would buy the 3/4 ton truck for sure. Current use is 95% unloaded driving, so I am comfortable with the compromise of the half ton.
I would double check that 6500 and 775 lbs. Most RV brochures and dealers talk about dry weights, not fully loaded weights. If you use the GVW rating of the trailer, and then 15% of that for tongue weight, you are usually closer to real-world scenarios. I know that my family and firewood I put about 900 lbs of "stuff" into the truck, plus the tongue weight. Easy to be over the rating on an F150 unless you special order the quite-rate HDPP truck.
I've had a good mix of half and 3/4 ton trucks, and if I was mostly towing, I would buy the 3/4 ton truck for sure. Current use is 95% unloaded driving, so I am comfortable with the compromise of the half ton.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 89
From: TN
How much towing that camper will you do? Will the truck be used as a daily driver when not towing? I had a 31' camper and tow with a 250 and it wiggles some in wind and passing semi's, but handles the camper well. I do not drive my truck as a daily and do not want to as it rides stiff and loves to drink! If you are just towing on occasion and use the truck as a daily, the F150 would do well with a proper WDH. But as previously pointed out, what are going to be your GCWR's and where will the 150 measure up within those? Rule of thumb is have more truck than you need. Besides, you never know when you may decide to go with a bigger camper. I did. Went from a 31' to a 37'.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2021
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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.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 972
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From: Adirondacks
If price is a big criteria, maybe shop around more and wait for the big sales deals and end of month specials. For the 2019 Black Friday sale I found an almost identical F150 and F250, both configured how I prefer, both same color, the F250 had a few extras over the F150, both had just about the same MSRP, and both had the same discount.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2021
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If price is a big criteria, maybe shop around more and wait for the big sales deals and end of month specials. For the 2019 Black Friday sale I found an almost identical F150 and F250, both configured how I prefer, both same color, the F250 had a few extras over the F150, both had just about the same MSRP, and both had the same discount.
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Lead Driver
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From: Calgary Canada
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Northwest
"Towing" is only part of the equation.
Stopping is the other major factor..
Sway is the third factor. The F250 has more braking power, more weight and more rigid suspension...
Of course the cost of the two should be compared.
Just a few thoughts.
Hobo
Stopping is the other major factor..
Sway is the third factor. The F250 has more braking power, more weight and more rigid suspension...
Of course the cost of the two should be compared.
Just a few thoughts.
Hobo
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 417
I have a decent F150 for towing. I would highly recommend you go the F250 route. I feel my F150 would pull your trailer around, I feel the length would play havoc at times with it for sure. I would do a F250 longer bed, you will be happy you did so. Having said that, how much do you plan to tow? The trailer you want is what weight loaded? and that published tongue weight will be a lot more after it's loaded, batteries, propane, a WDH, etc. Personally, I feel any trailer over 24-26 feet box should not be pulled by a F150. I just don't feel they are planted well enough. And like you, I hope my truck last 10 years and 200k miles well maintained.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: South Central Indiana
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Calgary Canada
When the duty is split, you end up making compromises one way or the other.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2017
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From: S. Indiana