Hi All - New to the forum. I tow a 24' aluminum enclosed car hauler that weighs total 6,800 lbs, call it 7K, twice a year at the most, and so far have done it with my 2017 Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4x4 SV with tow package. I made a trip 1,000 miles each way from FL to Detroit once, there and back, made it OK, but on the 2nd try with the Titan at only 42K miles my transmission broke half-way there in Knoxville and cost me $8,400 for a refurb'd replacement. So, with the Titan 'feeling' maybe a little under-sized, and my confidence in it all but shot, I'm looking to replace it. I'll only ever tow the 7K trailer once or twice a year, and other than that I barely even 'need' a truck, although I prefer having one for trips to Home Depot, towing a utility trailer for mulch or whatever, etc. Def don't mind having a truck as my daily. So I like having a truck, but besides the occasional 7K tow, nothing else I do requires a 250. So my question is, is there a 150 spec that can reliably, safely tow my 7K block of a trailer 1,000 miles one-way on the interstate, and last 5-10 years doing so, or do I need a 250? And if a 150 will do, please suggest the specs I'd need. I def prefer the V8, but do I need the 3.73 rear axle? I've been reading up on the 150s / 250s for a bit and know some of the details / specs, but def don't know everything so feel like I need some opinions / guidance. Thanks a lot for any help.

 

What is your trailer GVWR? 7K? If the trailer weighs 6.8K and then you add a 4k or 5k car on top of that, I'd go F250. If your trailer GVWR is 7K, the trailer probably weighs 3K allowing you 4K for the load. If that's the case, a F150 with max tow will do you well. I pulled 7K (total) around with a F150 (max tow) for 8 years and no issue.

 

Great, thank you. The aluminum trailer's stated weight is 2,750 and the car is 3,485 = 6,235 and I added a spare tire, a manual winch (as a backup in case I have trouble driving in), full length runs of E-track tie down rails, and a 2nd layer of 7/16" wafer board to re-level the floor up to the E-track height. I don't know the weight of the extras, but don't think it would bring the total over 7K. The trailer's stated GVWR is 9,990 / Stated payload capacity 7,240.

 

You do not need anything more than a 1/2 ton truck that is configured properly.

https://www.ford.com/towing/

 

If you go F150 (they are easier to live with), then get the "max tow". The "max tow" package is different than the "tow" package. It will handle 7k without issue. The "max tow" package has a better hitch, a better rear axle, and larger trans cooler (or at least it did when I bought my last F150). Ford likes to change things a lot year to year so some research is required.

Any F250 will handle 7k daily without concern. I pull 7-10K a few times a year with a F250. It's not my daily driver so a cheaper gas F250 was perfect for my needs. If I did drive it daily, I would have gone F150.

 

Just about any F150 can haul 7400 pounds with ease. Since this is NOT an RV, you would be at the recommended 10% for TW, which is even better meaning it can haul even more than your trailer. Maxed out you are only looking at most 750 pounds of tongue weight. The F150 is well suited for that. An F250 with the 7.3 would do the job and you can bling it out (go Platinum) with plenty of room to spare.

 

Ha! Bling it out ... we test drove a barely-used '24 350 Lariat today ... the wife was in heaven. I said, Well gimme some money!

Thanks all ... scouring nearby dealer sites now for a 150 that suits me.

Edit: Not finding one so far with a V8 and Max Tow. Is that a rare combo?

 

Having said that, drive some 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons. The costs aren't that much different but the ride and handling is.

 

Interesting - I didn't know Ford had towing weight ranges, and of course didn't know I was right at the top of the 4K-7K middle range. Reading it now, thanks.

 

There are deals to be had on f-150s, The Detroit region has the most f-150s sitting on dealers lots then all the regions in the states.

 

Just a thought, but if you barely need a truck, you could rent a 250 for your trips if you wanted the extra confidence. I understand that's probably not the goal, but I just thought I'd throw it out there, just in case.

 

Yes, most F150 owners prefer the big ecoboost for towing. Better gas mileage when not towing more power than V8 when towing. Turbos do better in the mountains.

 

I came from a F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost towing a similar load to you (6000lb camper) and while there is no comparison in the overall capability between my old truck and new 7.3 F250 the F150 was a great hauler with the 3.5 Ecoboost however is was extremely thirsty when towing. I was getting 9-10 mpg and it needed premium when towing while the 7.3 is perfectly happy with regular and getting the same fuel mileage when I'm towing. Unloaded the F150 was getting 17ish and the F250 gets me ~13. I needed a new truck anyway and have no regrets going with the larger F250 but I would have also been fine with another F150.

 

What is the tounge weight on the trailer loaded? Then look at your payload sticker on a F150. Subtract tounge weight from payload number. Keeping in mind the remaining weight is for passenger weight, gear, everything in pick up bed, etc.

i bought a F150 on a whim and my tounge weight on my Airstream was close to 900lbs with a 1300ish payload I was not even factoring in my 70lb Reese WD hitch. That means I only had an extra 400lbs of payload left. I’m 200lbs dog is 80lbs wife is 130lbs and I was going to max payload. This didn’t include hunting gear, camping gear, firewood…etc. I always have to drive a f250.

it’s all about PAYLOAD, not towing capacity.

Being safe while towing is paramount!

 

I did a search and max tow is option 53C