So I am relatively new to the forum.
I have had several F-150's in my life and have always been a Ford guy.
I currently have a 2016 F-150 XLT Super Crew that I really love, We purchased a camper a few years ago and are taking a trip out West (from NY) next summer.
The F-150 suits our needs but the trailer is close to maxing out its weight limits.
I am strongly considering an F-250 but I've never driven one. None of the dealerships around have any 2021's to test drive. I'm nervous about buying one blind without actually sitting in it and driving it.

I don't mind the truck being physically bigger. I'm just wondering comfort wise if it will still be what I'm used to with my F-150. This will be a truck I drive every day.
Anyone have any personal experiences with driving both vehicles and can make some simple comparisons between the two?

Thanks so much in advance. I have learned a lot on this forum the last few months.

 

The 2021 superduty rides amazingly well given its size. My wife and I have back problems and we love it! I have a 21 350 Supercab long box.

 

While the ride and cab noise is considerably better than the previous generation of Super Duty I think you'll find it more truck like than a 150. With that being said, I'm still very happy with the ride quality for a heavy duty pickup.
It's a shame that there's nothing around for you to drive and compare because it's certainly such a subjective thing. Bottom line is that only you can make that call. What I think is OK you might think of as harsh.

 

The superduty will not ride as nice as the f150, that is a fact. A lot of people will get a gel or foam pillow to sit on to help with the shock of the long rides. Some will get aftermarket coil-over springs or other suspension upgrades (which is a big improvement).

Bottom line. find one to drive before you buy it. That's a ton of money to regret.

 

What’s your trailer weigh?

The new F-150’s are pretty impressive and equipped properly, can competently tow a surprising amount of weight.
I’ve driven several 2021 F-150’s and have been throughly happy with the ride, comfort, ergonomics and power. Personally, I’d be very happy with a new F-150.

That said, I’ve also driven several late model and new Super Duty’s and similarly, I find them just as impressive. The 2022 has added some of the improvements to ergonomics and they are very comfortable to drive.

A new F-150 (properly equipped) could tow my new tractor safely and is really all I need in a truck at this time. However, as I began to build and price the F-150 with the options and features I wanted, it made less and less sense to buy the light duty truck and more and more sense to buy a Super Duty. That’s what I did. My 2022 F-250 is set to arrive next month.

The new F-250 will easily tow my tractor and give me more than enough towing capacity in the future if I decide to buy an even bigger tractor or get a mini-ex or skid steer.

My 2 cents..

Mike

 

#1, find any 2017+ F250 to drive, only some slight body/trim/powertrain changes from 2017 to present.
#2, the super duty isn't any larger than your F150, same exact cab, but a number of interior differences, maybe longer wheelbase though and taller suspension.
#3, huge difference in ride and handling in the F250, not near as soft and light as the F150.

So, go find one to drive, some dealer somewhere has something that will do for a test drive.
If you find a F350 instead of a 250, just consider the much stiffer suspension when you drive it.

 

The current trailer we have is around 7,000 pounds. I know the newer F-150's with the 3.5 Ecoboost can tow upwards of 11,000 pounds. The problem is payload however. With a Super Crew, the most payload you can get is around 1800 or so and with four people in the cab and a truck full of camping gear, that disappears quickly. Not crazy about taking a maxed-out F-150 west into the Rockies.

 

An F150, properly equipped, can have tow ratings over 13K, and a much higher payload too.
PROPERLY EQUIPPED is the key though, ecoboost and 3.55 or 3.73 gears, towing package, etc.

But, an F250 is a strange beast for tow/cargo ratings, it too has to be properly equipped, especially if it is a diesel.
The added powertrain weight cuts that available OFFICIAL cargo capacity, a F150 could be optioned out where it has more than the F250.

 

You can get a much higher payload rating on the F150 if you don't go above the XLT. For whatever reason they don't allow the HDPP in Lariat and higher trucks anymore.

 

I would say that a super duty wont feel the same as a 1/2 ton. ( its subjective to each ) I will say that todays super duties are better than a few generations ago ( leaf spring vs coil ) I say my F350 CCLB drives like a Cadillac even though I never owned one.

I would suggest getting a F350 rather than a F250. This will give you more towing and pay load. This will ensure you have more pay load than your current needs and allow for future needs.
Consider a crew cab / long bed for the 48 gallon fuel tank. I would suggest a gas engine. cheaper to drive and maintain.

If you were close to me, I would let you drive my truck and get a feel for the super duty
Good Luck

 

Any combo of options in an F250 would pull that fine.


Personally I would set up my W/D hitch on the F150 and go scale it before making a big investment.


If you are ready for a new truck then by all means get the 250. Preferably with the diesel. You dont need any special gearing or spring options with that load.


The F250 is fine for daily driving. I prefer the F150 but you may be better off with the 250.

 

If you are even remotely considering upgrading to a heavier trailer, consider an F350 SRW instead of an F250. Like an F150, an F250 can be constrained on cargo carrying capacity.

 

I posted in the thread you put in the F150 section, but here's a few more thoughts.
- Don't buy an F250 Diesel. It will have awful payload ratings. If you want the Diesel, get the F350.
-When loaded, everything about the F250/F350 is better
-When empty, the F150 is better, although the difference is smaller than many people realize.

 

A 2WD F-250 will give you the most comfortable ride and probably feel close to what you now have. Just so you know, the 2WD Super Duty uses Ford's Twin I Beam axles with coil springs. This is an independent front axle and is not prone to the steering oscillation (death wobble) you can sometimes get with a live axle as is used in the 4WD Super Duty. I came out of an F150 3.5Eco Lariat Crew Cab short box with the trailer tow package and 3.55 locker. A magnificent workhorse of a truck. Smooth and powerful. Truck like, but seemed more like a big sedan except when you hit some hard bumps, but I heard the siren call of the Super Duty diesel and here I am. I never test drove a Super Duty. Once I picked mine up, my first impression behind the wheel is that this was a lot different. It felt like a truck. The ride is harder, but not outrageously so. The Super Duty "felt" bigger, even though it was only slightly so with a longer box. It sits a little higher and you sense that. It weighs a lot more than an F150. My old F150 with that 3.5 Eco was way faster than my diesel truck. You can do the math and see the power to weight ratios will favor the F150. But that's okay. You probably have a good idea what you want by now. Don't doubt your own intellect in picking the options and configurations that make you happy. It's hard to make a bad choice. Just some situations are better than others when it comes to what's right for you.

 

Ah someone suggested above dont get a 250 diesel. Yeah dont if you plan to 5th wheel.

Otherwise this will be the numbers, around 2100 payload in a completely loaded to the gills CCSB 4x4 and upwards of 2400-2500 in a lightly optioned Lariat CCSB 4x4. A 2wd will definitely be close to 3,000.

Not saying its bad advice but a 350 pushes you into a class 3 and comes with 80psi in the rear tires and an extra leaf spring/overload springs to achieve all that. The rear axle is also heavier in the diesel 350. There is also some caveats such as optioning the right tires to get the GAWR up to an appropriate number; and since you are paying the extra cost might as well go longbed to get the hydro assist brakes.

Anyway, the 250 is comfortable at max GVWR 10,000. Some people exceed that but that is another conversation.