1/2 vs. 3/4 ton
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pineville PA
1/2 vs. 3/4 ton
Having read through ChetChromer's thread about F-150 vs. 250, I'm looking for some thoughts on my situation.
I currently have an 88 F150 4x4 5.0 w/AOD,150 K mi. Truck has been very good to me, but it's starting to age and there are numerous little things that don't work. So I'm looking for a new (or pretty young) truck this year.
My hauling/towing duties are nowhere near that of Chet's. Mostly, I'd be towing a 5,000# boat/trailer, a utility trailer with a tractor that would be about 4500# tops. There have been times where I had to make other arrangements to tow something larger such as a skidsteer.
I'm leaning towards the SD instead of the F-150 for a few reasons. First, a little more capacity for the "bigger than usual" loads. Second, if I get new, I can get a 6 spd with the 5.4L. Third, the SD just plain looks better to me.
Thanks for any feedback.
I currently have an 88 F150 4x4 5.0 w/AOD,150 K mi. Truck has been very good to me, but it's starting to age and there are numerous little things that don't work. So I'm looking for a new (or pretty young) truck this year.
My hauling/towing duties are nowhere near that of Chet's. Mostly, I'd be towing a 5,000# boat/trailer, a utility trailer with a tractor that would be about 4500# tops. There have been times where I had to make other arrangements to tow something larger such as a skidsteer.
I'm leaning towards the SD instead of the F-150 for a few reasons. First, a little more capacity for the "bigger than usual" loads. Second, if I get new, I can get a 6 spd with the 5.4L. Third, the SD just plain looks better to me.
Thanks for any feedback.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
From: Campbell River, BC Canada
1/2 vs. 3/4 ton
It sounds like you have answered your own question.
Another option you do have is the F150 7700, this truck has a 7700# payload and comes only with the 5.4L. The only problem I forsee with this is that they only come in automatic and it sounds like you want a standard.
Good Luck and enjoy whichever truck you pick.
Another option you do have is the F150 7700, this truck has a 7700# payload and comes only with the 5.4L. The only problem I forsee with this is that they only come in automatic and it sounds like you want a standard.
Good Luck and enjoy whichever truck you pick.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
1/2 vs. 3/4 ton
If you're going to be towing that kind of weight regularly, get the SD. Equiping the 150 to the level of the SD makes the cost almost equal. If you are going to be working a truck, you might as well have the extra capacity for when you need it. I only got the 150 because I only haul motorcycles, wood chips, garbage, etc. Light stuff, no towing. and I wanted to save every penny. slightly prefer the IFS handling of the 150. but I am still kind of thinking, why didn't I get a superduty? mmmmm, 6-speed!
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: South Western Pennsylvania
1/2 vs. 3/4 ton
I have a 2000 F150 4x4 with the 7700 payload package.
It only comes with the 4sp auto, 5.4 v8, and 3.73 or 4.10 rears. The maximum payload is within a few pounds of the F250 SD with the same engine/trans. Tow capacity is listed at 8400# regardless of the towing method.
I haven't had any complaints except fuel economy. This truck has done everything I asked of it except match the fuel economy of my beater Festiva (35mpg
).
My driving is country backroads and interstate highways. I get on average about 14mpg empty and if I load to the legal limit I drop to about 8 or 9mpg.
My next truck is going to be an F350 SD srw with the new 6.0 and TorqueShift trans. I'm going this route mainly because I anticipate my hauling needs to exceed the limits of the current truck, plus I want a SuperCab and I want the better fuel economy of the oil burner.
Bob
ps. For the record, my 2000 F150 is the base line Work Series. If I had gone with a F250 SD in the same trim level (what trim?
) the pricing would have been the same MSRP although the F150 had a rebate and the F250 didn't.
It only comes with the 4sp auto, 5.4 v8, and 3.73 or 4.10 rears. The maximum payload is within a few pounds of the F250 SD with the same engine/trans. Tow capacity is listed at 8400# regardless of the towing method.
I haven't had any complaints except fuel economy. This truck has done everything I asked of it except match the fuel economy of my beater Festiva (35mpg
). My driving is country backroads and interstate highways. I get on average about 14mpg empty and if I load to the legal limit I drop to about 8 or 9mpg.
My next truck is going to be an F350 SD srw with the new 6.0 and TorqueShift trans. I'm going this route mainly because I anticipate my hauling needs to exceed the limits of the current truck, plus I want a SuperCab and I want the better fuel economy of the oil burner.
Bob
ps. For the record, my 2000 F150 is the base line Work Series. If I had gone with a F250 SD in the same trim level (what trim?
) the pricing would have been the same MSRP although the F150 had a rebate and the F250 didn't.
