Which Truck for towing?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Which Truck for towing?
Looking to purchase in about 6 months. Going to be Towing a 4K trailer. Want to be able to upgrade to around a 8 to 9k trailer in the future. Considering a 5L 8 cylinder. Which F-150 would actually tow above 13k? Having a hard time finding anything on the market. By the way looking for 2019 to 2021.
Convince me that I don't need a F250.
Thanks!
Convince me that I don't need a F250.
Thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 913
Likes: 1,848
From: SE PA
Sorry but with your upgrade to 8 to 9k the F150 will not be a pleasant choice at highway speeds. Last year I upgraded to a F250 for my 7K TT and it is much more pleasant to tow at highway speeds. It is like it isn't there v.s. white knuckles at speed with lots of semi truck traffic. Yes the manufacturer says 13k but it probably is for a flatbed, not a 13k TT with lots of frontal and side area to be pushed around.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 662
From: Sioux Falls Area
At 13k, f250 or f350.
at 8-9k a properly equipped f150 would be fine for me. Just get a good hitch and spend the time setting it up properly and you should be fine. Just shop for the max tow package.
Unless you are thinking 5th wheel. Then get the 250/350. You’ll be over payload on a half ton with a 5er unless it is a ultralight.
at 8-9k a properly equipped f150 would be fine for me. Just get a good hitch and spend the time setting it up properly and you should be fine. Just shop for the max tow package.
Unless you are thinking 5th wheel. Then get the 250/350. You’ll be over payload on a half ton with a 5er unless it is a ultralight.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 74
From: Canada
Used to have a 6000 lb 27 foot trailer and my 5.0 F-150 was fine as we towed that thing everywhere including mountains with no problems. Upgraded to an 8500 lb 29 foot trailer and the F-150 just didn't cut it anymore. That trailer is the reason I now have an F-350.
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 662
From: Sioux Falls Area
Just gotta spend the time on the setup
7,000lbs and 35ft behind an expedition and it tows great. But I didn’t phone it in on anything.
If you don’t want to spend the time to get it set up right then you will need a bigger truck. Just the way it is.
7,000lbs and 35ft behind an expedition and it tows great. But I didn’t phone it in on anything.
If you don’t want to spend the time to get it set up right then you will need a bigger truck. Just the way it is.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 767
Likes: 132
From: Lynden, WA
There are no F150's I would use to tow 13k or above, therefore I can not tell you that F250's are not required. At 13k I would be using an F350 7.3 gas minimum and give heavy consideration to the 6.7 diesel. Whether pull behind or fifth wheel would determine a SRW or dually.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
There are no F150's I would use to tow 13k or above, therefore I can not tell you that F250's are not required. At 13k I would be using an F350 7.3 gas minimum and give heavy consideration to the 6.7 diesel. Whether pull behind or fifth wheel would determine a SRW or dually.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 712
If it were me I would do it right the first time and go F250 or larger. An F150 will handle 4k just fine, it can handle 8-9k fine too but even with that it'll be much more enjoyable of a tow with a SD truck. 13k should be out of the question with an F150, you'll run out of payload way before you reach 13k anyway.
If you're looking half ton only though my vote is for the 5.0.
If you're looking half ton only though my vote is for the 5.0.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,051
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Ive been towing our 13K TT for the past 11 years and 75K + miles with a 2V V-10 4R100 station wagon, and it handles the work pretty well.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 498
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe
Looking to purchase in about 6 months. Going to be Towing a 4K trailer. Want to be able to upgrade to around a 8 to 9k trailer in the future. Considering a 5L 8 cylinder. Which F-150 would actually tow above 13k? Having a hard time finding anything on the market. By the way looking for 2019 to 2021.
Convince me that I don't need a F250.
Thanks!
Convince me that I don't need a F250.
Thanks!
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 292
Likes: 25
I'd recommend you watching BTBRV on youtube for his towing insights and what should or not be towed with a half ton truck. With a half ton, you will most likely exceed the payload capacity first before you exceed towing capacity even with a 8-9k pound trailer. I have a 26' boat that i towed with my F150, it was within payload and towing capacities (barely) and it was not a pleasant experience. I would get to my destination tired from the strain of towing. I added a 3/4 ton diesel truck and it is finally nice to be able to pass a vehicle and not have to turn on my flashers going up a hill.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,739
Likes: 1,497
Looking to purchase in about 6 months. Going to be Towing a 4K trailer. Want to be able to upgrade to around a 8 to 9k trailer in the future. Considering a 5L 8 cylinder. Which F-150 would actually tow above 13k? Having a hard time finding anything on the market. By the way looking for 2019 to 2021.
Convince me that I don't need a F250.
Thanks!
Convince me that I don't need a F250.
Thanks!