2016 towing limits
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 40
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2016 towing limits
Have a 2016 screw, 4x4, 5.0, auto, 3.55 e-lock, xlt with the 302a pkg, trying to decide if i want to keep it or upgrade to a f250 crew, 4x4 with the 7.3 and tremor pkg. My 16 is stock with 52k showing and has been a great truck, but I've never been happy with it towing with what I consider light loads of 3.5/4k, transmission shifts to much. In the next 6 months I will start pulling around 7k pounds about 4 times a year. Should I A) keep the 16 and install a 5 star tunes or B) just go ahead and upgrade to the f250? I pull the 3.5k about 3-5 times a month, mostly hilly terrain and the 7k will be the same terrain but for 500 miles rd trip vs 150 rd trip.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 40
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Unfortunately, I've been thinking about upgrading since the first time I towed with the truck, lol...I drove a 6.4, then 6.7 ford f350 service trucks for 10+ years, weighing around 12k with my tools and supplies, driving the same roads I tow on with the f150...the diesels would run 70mph, and never drop out of 6th, my f150 pulling the 3.5k will be screaming in 3rd lol.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 16
From: Arizona/Texas
Manual mode fixes most of the issues when towing. I locked out an overdrive almost everytime I towed, unless cruising on flat ground with a tailwind. I always used manual mode when pulling a grade. It's better to downshift at the bottom of a grade, than to wait for the transmission to do it automatically. Remember, the truck can't see the hill coming. Nor does it know your at the crest of a hill and maybe need to stay at a lower gear.
I worked the transmission in my 2014 Super Duty the same way.
I worked the transmission in my 2014 Super Duty the same way.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
The 5.0 needs RPM to make torque. If you don't like it hunting, lock out the upper gears. The 18+ trucks have a 10 speed which will shift even more.
7k is doable, you will need to have a correctly setup WD hitch for it and keep an eye on your payload. No question though the F250 won't even feel it back there, especially with the new Gas 7.3.
7k is doable, you will need to have a correctly setup WD hitch for it and keep an eye on your payload. No question though the F250 won't even feel it back there, especially with the new Gas 7.3.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 12
From: Warsaw
I traded my '17 5.0 for a '20 diesel for the same reason. Torque is about the same, 400 vs 440 but the 5.0 peaks at 4,000 rpm and the 3.0 at 1,750 rpm. Not near as much shifting and a mileage bonus. I agree with
Robbgt that 7,000# is OK for a properly equipped F150. I think that Ford over rates the towing capacity of some F150's and over 8,000# is Super Duty territory.
Robbgt that 7,000# is OK for a properly equipped F150. I think that Ford over rates the towing capacity of some F150's and over 8,000# is Super Duty territory.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,153
Likes: 1,659
This is exactly why I didn't switch to a half ton when I got rid of my F350s. The PowerWagon can't pull a big 5'er, but there isn't a travel trailer I can't hook onto and pull around, even with my softer suspension.
If you've got it in your mind to upgrade, now is the time...if you can find one.
If you've got it in your mind to upgrade, now is the time...if you can find one.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
The biggest reason most people switch are to get heavier suspension, or the diesel. Going to a gas F250 isn't going to help the "hunting" very much at all, and in fact with a 10-speed, robbgt is right, it'll shift even more.
If you truck handles the weight okay in terms of suspension and stopping, myself personally, I would NOT suggest an upgrade unless you are going to 7.3L gas or the F350 Diesel. Learning to let the 5.0L V8 sing at higher RPM is probably the best thing, it was built to rev brother.
If you truck handles the weight okay in terms of suspension and stopping, myself personally, I would NOT suggest an upgrade unless you are going to 7.3L gas or the F350 Diesel. Learning to let the 5.0L V8 sing at higher RPM is probably the best thing, it was built to rev brother.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2014
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This is exactly why I didn't switch to a half ton when I got rid of my F350s. The PowerWagon can't pull a big 5'er, but there isn't a travel trailer I can't hook onto and pull around, even with my softer suspension.
If you've got it in your mind to upgrade, now is the time...if you can find one.
If you've got it in your mind to upgrade, now is the time...if you can find one.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
The biggest reason most people switch are to get heavier suspension, or the diesel. Going to a gas F250 isn't going to help the "hunting" very much at all, and in fact with a 10-speed, robbgt is right, it'll shift even more.
If you truck handles the weight okay in terms of suspension and stopping, myself personally, I would NOT suggest an upgrade unless you are going to 7.3L gas or the F350 Diesel. Learning to let the 5.0L V8 sing at higher RPM is probably the best thing, it was built to rev brother.
If you truck handles the weight okay in terms of suspension and stopping, myself personally, I would NOT suggest an upgrade unless you are going to 7.3L gas or the F350 Diesel. Learning to let the 5.0L V8 sing at higher RPM is probably the best thing, it was built to rev brother.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 183
Likes: 57
From: Middle of Nevada
That being said, if you do decided to upgrade to a Superduty my suggestion would be don't even mess with an F250. Go straight to an F350. The price difference is negligible but the towing/hauling specs are better and the unloaded ride is the same. I've never met a guy who regretted getting the F350 over the F250 - but I know several who regretted getting the F250 instead of the F350.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
+1. The EcoBoost deals with the RPM issue without sweat. Pulling 7K lbs with it is well within its capability, and it will do it at low RPM. It's almost like having a diesel, but it uses gas.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,153
Likes: 1,659
There are several f250 xlt with the 7.3 and tremor pkg in my area...just trying to decide if it's worth pulling the trigger...the f150 is a secondary vehicle(drive a company provided f350 dually 6.2[awful] during the week)...how do you like the power wagon? Local dealership has a used 20 model with 20k for 52k.
But the Wagon isn't for everyone - it is purpose built for offroading (not Baja like the Raptor or the new Rebel TRX). It is well-mannered on-road, and with drive-controlled lockers and an electronic controlled front swaybar disconnect, it'll go farther off-road than most other stock trucks. But because it has the softer suspension for flex, you lose some tow/haul rating.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2014
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I personally love mine, it's a 2017 so I've still got the 6-speed trans behind the 6.4 (which is a BEAST of an engine). Starting in '19 they got the 8-speed, which I've been told offers a vast improvement in mileage over the 6-speed. That one should also have the synthetic rope instead of steel for the winch, which is a nice upgrade that I'll have to do in a couple years when my line wears out.
But the Wagon isn't for everyone - it is purpose built for offroading (not Baja like the Raptor or the new Rebel TRX). It is well-mannered on-road, and with drive-controlled lockers and an electronic controlled front swaybar disconnect, it'll go farther off-road than most other stock trucks. But because it has the softer suspension for flex, you lose some tow/haul rating.
But the Wagon isn't for everyone - it is purpose built for offroading (not Baja like the Raptor or the new Rebel TRX). It is well-mannered on-road, and with drive-controlled lockers and an electronic controlled front swaybar disconnect, it'll go farther off-road than most other stock trucks. But because it has the softer suspension for flex, you lose some tow/haul rating.
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