If you just want a V8 that is ok but the 3.5 eco boost is the most powerful and was the only engine available in the HDPP which was the most capable F150. I towed a 32' TT with a 3.5 EB in a XLT long bed and power was never an issue.

 

As mentioned above, payload is the issue, be careful of looking at the "max tow" advertised ratings as you will run out of available GVWR/Payload long before you get close to those numbers. I have 8 trucks and 9 trailers; two half tons, one 3/4 ton, three 1 ton SRW's and two duallies.....trailers are 1,500 lbs to 15,000 lbs. One of my trailers is a 24' enclosed car trailer that we use to transport a scissor lift and sometimes, the odd vehicle. Normally I'd recommend a 3/4 ton or better for the car hauler but given the stated "once or twice a year" I could see going with the F150 but IMO, it will be maxed out with this trailer. If it's really only once or twice a year, I think I'd consider borrowing or renting a truck and then it sounds like you could get by with virtually any truck. You may get away with a low 10% tongue weight but most people don't use a WD hitch with a car trailer which puts more strain on the truck.

Ditto on the comments about getting the Max Tow option and I'd also go with a 6.5' box for the longer wheelbase.....go as light as you can on the option package and the 3.5 EB is a good choice IMO as is the 5.0 V8

2 cents,
Dave

 

GET THE F 250!!!!

 

Had a 21 f150 max tow with the 3.5 eco boost, great truck. Like to tow the wife's car to our summer place and back on an auto transport trailer. First two trips no problems, third tirp U-Haul refused to rent me the trailer. Went to my local U-Haul dealer and was told to crawl under the hitch and read the data plate, Max tongue weight 500 lbs!

 

Give that a look at. 2018 F150 Platinum RWD with the Max Tow and 3.5 EB. I was getting 23 MPG on the last trip to trade it in for the F450. Towed my 6400 pound (7050 GVWR) RV all over the place. You WILL get 9 MPG +/- regardless WHAT you drive or which engine it has. that seems to be the target on the vast majority of trucks. However, drive the EB right, and it can easily exceed 20 MPG. You wont get that with the V8. Heck even the 2.7EB can tow just fine and gets 27 MPG in its sleep.

IOW don't fixate on the V8, its not the engine you think it is, the 3.5 EB is the top engine in the F150.

 

Will a 150 work ok if properly equipped- yes. But a 250 will completely erase any concern you have about stopping or trailering in general. Obviously the 250 7.3 will use more gas (I average 14 with a 70/30 mix of highway/city driving with my 250-7.3).

 

Just letting you all know I've been reading all the replies and really appreciate it I've been scouring dealer sites around me (Gainesville FL) to find just the right 150, just not finding it yet (see specs below), so also checking their 250s while I'm there. The '24 350 Lariat we test drove yesterday really impressed me, and we have the funds for it, but it's too tall for my garage and I just don't think I really "neeeeeed" a 250, even tho I kinda want it! Torn ...

My 150 search is for a white or silver Lariat with Max Tow with 373 axle and sprayed-in bed liner. I'd really like the large mirrors ("MIRROR MAN TEL/FLD W/PWR GLASS $275.00") like the ones on the 250 which I think are just a standalone option on the 150 ie not included with the Max Tow, but not positive. Wife also wants heated seats and I'd prefer remote start, and prefer heated steering wheel.

I think some or all of those Needs and Wants could be solved by a highly optioned 250 which are pretty available, but again it's too big for my garage (not entirely a deal breaker) and I'd be driving a 250 as a daily driver which is "OK" but overindulgent.

I've also tried using Ford's site to search 150 inventory, but it never finds a 100% match and the ones it puts at the top are really not all that close. Would help if the search allowed for prioritizing the options.

Any more ideas or thoughts, including better ways to search for 150's, would be greatly appreciated. I've been scouring so much the past few days, I'm ready!

 

The max tow and 3:73 will help but not necessary in my opinion. The biggest reason I see for needing a 250 is the stability and durability. I had a 2017 F150 CC SB with 3.5 ecoboost and 3:55 rear axle and it has more than enough power to pull a 7k 28’ travel trailer. Given your towing frequency I think you would be happy with 3:55 rear axle.

Many dealers will let you take a truck home overnight if they no you’re dead serious. You can always test drive a truck overnight and see how it pulls your trailer before you buy it.

 

Get the F150. No sense in buying a truck with a lot more negative aspects (F250) for towing a lightweight trailer twice a year. The F150 will be a much more comfortable, easier driving, and cheaper option for the other 99% of the time.

If I didn't have a 14k trailer, I'd probably be in a Ranger...

 

The choice is clear!

 

An F150 3.5 EB uses 3.55 gears. Thats all it needs, puts the engine in its sweet spot for everything. You need 3.73 for the 5.0 though or it will hunt gears like a mad man.

Go to cars.com and search in your area code

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/b...-2cf1529fd898/

I see 24 different ones in white Lariat trim in the 34433 zip code.

 

Reach out to Vickie at Nick Nicholas Ford in Inverness. Best experience buying a vehicle hands down.

I have an 8X16 garage door and the 250 clears no problem. A 7X16 may not due to how low the garage door hangs down.

 

I have had a max tow 3.5 and a couple 5.0s now; and a 2.7 but we’ll leave that out of this discussion although it would do your load with 3.73s.

3.5 wins if you are getting into higher elevation mountains, just because of the Turbos.

But I personally think the 5.0 is the way to go if you can avoid much time higher elevations.

That is just my seat of the pants advice. I never liked how the Turbo needed to get into boost and drink down gas.

5.0/3.73 gets the same 9.75 axle as the max tow too but you need 4x4. I am not sure about the 5.0/3.55 2wd, but the ‘Super’ 8.8 is fine.

You will need a W/D hitch.

Do yourself a huge favor and put some Bilstein 4600 rear shocks on it, way better handling feel while loaded. Or 5100s. And put a little extra psi in the rear tires when loaded.

Any lariat will have heated seats. I wouldn’t go above a basic optioned Lariat to save payload.

 

OK I'll contact her. My garage door is the standard 7' high, and my little ol' non-lifted 4x4 Titan only clears it by less than an inch. Search shows the F250 height range is around 4" higher than the Titan's height range ... but really i need to measure the height precisely instead of using ranges, and will do ASAP. My door is adjusted to be allllll the way up, ie the door frame is actually the low point, not the door itself.
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F150 crew long bed with max tow and 3.5 EB would be perfectly fine. Loved mine. I moved up to SuperDuty, it’s a day and night difference in handling while towing. Using it as my daily driver, I do miss my F150. If I’m making twice as much, I would be buying both F150 and a Superduty. 😉