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Been there, fussed over that: F150 was preferable but the Platimum and King Ranch had 1400# payloads. Not enough when I honestly added up the tongue weight and “stuff” and people. Try telling your DW she should lose weight so we can stay under. A gasser 250 payload should be around 2500# or more depending on trim. An oil-burner 250 with any kind of trim will be around 2200# payload.
Great, thanks again for all the replies. Another thing I'm wondering: How reasonable is it to tow long distance at max payload?
I haven't seen anything yet about duty cycle.
Before all my recent research and replies received here, I "assumed" my Titan's 9K lb tow rating was plenty for my 7K lb loaded trailer. Embarrassed now, I never gave payload a thought.
Towing at max capacity, or even somewhat overloaded, around town is one thing, but from FL to Michigan at interstate speeds is another ... not that y'all don't already know that.
Well not "duty cycle" per se but a Super Duty is designed to tow and haul more; for eg. the 3.5 EB is just as powerful as the 7.3 (400hp/500ft lbs vs 430hp/485 ft lbs) but the 7.3 is less likely to overheat and IMO is very likely to last longer. Same goes for trannies, rear ends, etc.
Great, thanks again for all the replies. Another thing I'm wondering: How reasonable is it to tow long distance at max payload?
I haven't seen anything yet about duty cycle.
Before all my recent research and replies received here, I "assumed" my Titan's 9K lb tow rating was plenty for my 7K lb loaded trailer. Embarrassed now, I never gave payload a thought.
Towing at max capacity, or even somewhat overloaded, around town is one thing, but from FL to Michigan at interstate speeds is another ... not that y'all don't already know that.
I did it for 4 years with my camper and when I traded in the F150 at 70k miles for my current F250 I felt like the F150 was kinda beat. It did great but was beginning to show signs of both transmission problems and the cam phasers. If you're on the fence and getting a new truck anyway just get the F250.
Another thing which isn't mentioned as often is when towing at close to the max of a 1/2 ton truck you will be exhausted at the end of the day. I haven't gone more than a few hours with the F250 but its a far more relaxed experience towing than the F150.
A couple of years ago I replaced my 2003 F250 to tow my 20' enclosed car trailer. Since the F150 tow ratings were pretty much the same as the 2003 F250, I figured all I needed was the F150.
That was sort of true. The 3.5 pulled okay, although it gets 8 mpg towing the trailer. But, crosswinds or passing trucks throw the F150 all over the road. It is stressful and challenging to drive it. I found if I load the car way forward, which I suppose gets the center of mass closer to alignment to the center of pressure of a cross wind, it was kind of stable, but I had far too much tongue weight. The enclosed trailer is just too big of a sail behind the relatively light F150. I did upgrade the tires on the F150 to E load rating, used an Anderson anti-sway equalizer hitch and airbags. Still, nothing like the proper truck.
Last week I sold the F150 and purchased a 2024 F250. Wish I had done that the first time.
F150 with 20' car trailer.
Last edited by alfonse99; Jan 21, 2025 at 06:41 PM.
Well not "duty cycle" per se but a Super Duty is designed to tow and haul more; for eg. the 3.5 EB is just as powerful as the 7.3 (400hp/500ft lbs vs 430hp/485 ft lbs) but the 7.3 is less likely to overheat and IMO is very likely to last longer. Same goes for trannies, rear ends, etc.
Dave
Great points imho. The F150's drive train is almost always in question when considering towing. The only reasonable conclusion is the F150 is very capable of being a tow beast. Very rarely and even then lightly is the truck itself considered. The 1/2 ton truck just isn't built for the task. The F150 and Superduties are just built different.
A couple of years ago I replaced my 2003 F250 to tow my 20' enclosed car trailer. Since the F150 tow ratings were pretty much the same as the 2003 F250, I figured all I needed was the F150.
That was sort of true. The 3.5 pulled okay, although it gets 8 mpg towing the trailer. But, crosswinds or passing trucks throw the F150 all over the road. It is stressful and challenging to drive it.
Last week I sold the F150 and purchased a 2024 F250. Wish I had done that the first time..
.
Yep been there. Theres a sale barn I take cattle to thats on top of a mountain. Well a mountain for Alabama that is. Its 10 miles of ever changing grades, curvy narrow lanes. When I use to pull it with my F150s it was the longest 10 miles in Alabama.
Found a white 250 Lariat with nearly everything I want and not much I don't I decided a minimum 2K lb payload capacity should be sufficient, and this one is 3,577 lbs The cons for me are 1) it's 2 hours away so I'll have to see how well remote negotiations work out including my trade, and 2) I'm wanting a '24 but it's a '25 which I'm sure means the price will be higher, which kinda stinks; I tend to keep my vehicles 10+ years, so getting a '24 vs '25 makes no difference to me, especially when it's the same vehicle, so I'd rather have the '24 for less $. Communicating with the dealer now ...
Been there, fussed over that: F150 was preferable but the Platimum and King Ranch had 1400# payloads. Not enough when I honestly added up the tongue weight and “stuff” and people. Try telling your DW she should lose weight so we can stay under. A gasser 250 payload should be around 2500# or more depending on trim. An oil-burner 250 with any kind of trim will be around 2200# payload.
My 24 250 PSD is 2996. I was surprised it was that much to be honest due to the trim level. I really only needed about 2000 max for what I do but with a TT in our near future having headroom is a little nice. Cost difference wasn't that much between 250 and 350 though.
Brandon Ford has good inventory and decent prices but they dont like to negotiate too much if any expending on the truck. Hope you can work out a deal you like!
My 24 250 PSD is 2996. I was surprised it was that much to be honest due to the trim level. I really only needed about 2000 max for what I do but with a TT in our near future having headroom is a little nice. Cost difference wasn't that much between 250 and 350 though.
You have an increased GVWR option.
A 10,000 base gvwr would be around what was mentioned in a diesel, which is still plenty.
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I decided a minimum 2K lb payload capacity should be sufficient, and this one is 3,577 lbs 
