f150 vs f250

Stormrider151 · 09-30-2012, 05:59 PM

Hi Folks,
OK, I'm sure this subject has been visited many times but I could really use some input. I'm about to buy a new truck but I'm having A little trouble deciding between an f150 with a 6.2 and the max tow package or an f250 with a 6.2 gas or 6.7 diesel. I have a 23ss but may move to a larger trailer in the future (not a 5th wheel) but somewhere in the area around a 32 ft. Average dry weight is around 7500lbs. I like the 150 with 11000 lb towing capacity but I want to be sure I have plenty of truck. The 250 is much more expensive but for safety sake I am considering the 250. I'm something of a towing novice and want to be sure before making this big of an investment. Thanks for your input and patience.

MtnGuy · 09-30-2012, 06:09 PM

The GVWR of the F150 is going to be the problem with a 32' trailer. The tongue will/should be heavy, and that is gonna cut into what else you can carry in the truck. Depending on the tongue weight, a couple of passengers and some camping gear in the back might send you over the weight limit.

With my 2006 F150, with a 700 lb. tongue weight, me, the missus, the dog, and some gear in the back, I am withing 100 lbs. of my GVWR. I am OK now with a 28.5 footer, but if I get anything bigger, I am gonna have to get a 3/4 ton truck.......and would think about a 1 ton since there isn't that much price difference.

crasher · 09-30-2012, 06:14 PM

Don't buy a truck now for a trailer you may buy in 7 to 10 years. You can always get a bigger truck if you get a much larger trailer or move up to a 5ver.

if the weight range you are talking about is your immediate plan, then a F150 with the turbo v6 or either V8 (5.0 or 6.2) would be fine. Make sure the tongue weight of said trailer is within the limits for the f150 with a wd setup (probably 1000lbs or less). Also, I'd make sure the F150 is at least a crew cab so you have the necessary wheelbase.

Good luck.

jmswms · 09-30-2012, 06:32 PM

Go with a F250. Started with a f150 which we were told would easily pull our 27ft (learned a lot since then) and wasn't enough truck. Better to have more power than not enough

wyo700 · 09-30-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Don't buy a truck now for a trailer you may buy in 7 to 10 years. You can always get a bigger truck if you get a much larger trailer or move up to a 5ver.

Good luck.

I like this kinda makes my decision easier.

rlocicero · 09-30-2012, 06:58 PM

I have an 829FKSS Flagstaff ( 31.5 ft long) and tow it with a 2011 F150 super crew 5.0l w/ 3.73 gears. It tows better than my 2008 F150 5.4l, 3.73 did. This is not just short trips. We've been thru the Canadian Maritimes and around the Great Lakes for a total of 9500 miles with no issues. The 2011 actually pulls better than the 2008. The F150 rides better than the F250 and gets better mileage..

chiro · 09-30-2012, 07:08 PM

I have had a f150 and towed a 32 ft tt. I bought a f 250 6.7 diesel to tow with. I would never go back to a gas burner to tow with! I love the diesel. I upgraded to the Sandpiper 365 saq. It weights 14 k and I get better gas mileage with a heavier trailer.

Twisty · 09-30-2012, 08:12 PM

"if the weight range you are talking about is your immediate plan, then a F150 with the turbo v6 or either V8 (5.0 or 6.2) would be fine."
True Dat!
Why buy a dump truck when all you need is a wheelbarrow?

Dave_Monica · 09-30-2012, 08:25 PM

I'd look seriously at a F150 with max tow (11300#) and max payload (8200# GVWR) options. You'll have a payload very close to the F250 and have a better daily driver.

Dave

joncraft · 09-30-2012, 08:40 PM

Go big and be safe, yes the f150 will pull it but it is way to hard on them, smaller brakes, not enough power, not enough frame. I have a dodge 2500 "cummins" i pass guy all the times with tt hooked up they just don't have what it takes to get the job done i would buy a 3/4 ton

Stormrider151 · 09-30-2012, 08:54 PM

You ALL make valid points and I appreciate each of them. It seems as though each has a different reason as to preference and they are all good. The "why buy a dump truck when all you need is a wheelbarrow" was great. while the 250 seems the "safer" bet. The cost may be prohibitive. I haven't talked numbers with a dealer yet. I did some looking after reading your responses and was surprised that the capacity gains were as small as they are with the 6.2 gas burner. Diesel is a whole different animal. Thanks to each of you, I now have some thinking to do:-)

Stormrider151 · 10-18-2012, 09:45 PM

So after much research and talking to owners I got an F150 FX4 with the max tow and the ecoboost engine. Taking a chance for sure. But the truck is a towing animal. I never would have believed it. But what everyone said appears to be true. I did take the extended warranty for safety sake. So far all is well.

Twisty · 10-18-2012, 10:54 PM

Did you get the Max Payload also?

SimchaSabre · 10-18-2012, 11:26 PM

I once saw a Freightliner Conversion RV Hauler hooked to a 32 ft Fifth wheel. Just above the running boards was written in large "biblical" looking font:

It's better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have!

Stormrider151 · 10-19-2012, 09:38 AM

Yep, if it had max on it I got it. Going by the ratings it should be able to tow two 23ss trailers at the same time. Or get close to it. I talked to one guy that tows his 5th wheel with one. I don't know that I would try that but it was interesting to hear him talk. So far I'm very happy with the truck. But as with anything time will tell.

Dave_Monica · 10-19-2012, 10:41 AM

Easy enough to tell if it's got the max payload package. If it does the plate will show a GVWR of 8200 lbs...if it has max tow but doesn't have max payload the GVWR will show a GVWR of 7750 lbs.

With a GVWR of 8200 lbs, you'll have a true payload of close to 2000 lbs as the numbers I've seen indicate a truck weight of around 6200 lbs with full fuel and a couple of people.

Dave

Stormrider151 · 10-19-2012, 11:20 AM

I checked and apparently it does not have max payload. Until now I didn't know about max payload. I guess my friend "tiny" will just have to stay home. Less groceries to take along. If you look hard enough you can usually fine a silver lining. :-)

weiman1983 · 10-19-2012, 12:20 PM

I have pretty much the same truck and tow a 318 Lacrosse and the truck does great. It is a big trailer but for the amount I tow, a 250 is just too much truck.

Good luck with the new truck

Cajun Po-Boy · 10-19-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimchaSabre

I once saw a Freightliner Conversion RV Hauler hooked to a 32 ft Fifth wheel. Just above the running boards was written in large "biblical" looking font:

It's better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have!

X2!

Tarpon chaser 2 · 06-16-2013, 07:19 PM

At one time I had a tow unit. Before you make a decision try a 5th wheel unit on the highway with 18 wheelers passing.

Then you will know what to buy.

Go for the f250. My f250 with the complete tow package and the 6.2 gas and 6 speed transmission does the job. I pull a 30 foot Crusader.

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