150 or 250 - Page 2

mikenkyle05 · 08-13-2020, 07:42 PM

We have the same truck but 3.73 axle. I replaced timing chains, cam phasers and oil pump last summer and it runs better than when it was new. 160,000 miles and it has no problem towing our Salem 28RLSS to Florida and back to central Illinois. 1500 miles and we have been making the trip once a year since 2012. Just saying. Good luck with your new truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdmoore76

We just bought our first trailer, a Rockwood 2509s. I currently tow with a 2010 F-150. (5.4L, 3.31 axle) The truck has 100k and I am looking to replace it with either a, F-150 3.5 Ecoboost with a Max Tow Package or an F-250 6.2L Gas)

We use the trailer about once a month in the seasonal months and currently limit our trips to < 3 hours due to my truck's age and mileage. With a new truck, we'd like to push that range further.

I drive about 5000 miles to and from work a year and the truck will be my principal vehicle.

I like the 250's a lot. The problems are finding one that meets my needs (i.e. selection is very limited) and the cost.

The 150's are easier to find, even with the Max Tow Package.

As far as I can tell, the 250 has a rough payload of 2584 and the 150 has 2050. The 250 has a rough towing capacity of 12,500 and the 150 has 12,700.

Thoughts?

Hersbird · 08-13-2020, 07:50 PM

F150 is 100% better day to day which is where you will have 80-90% of your use. As long as it has enough payload then go with a F150.

EdJunior · 08-13-2020, 08:34 PM

I'm going to be on the "you can never have too much" side when it comes to a tow vehicle. Or maybe the "get the right tool for the job" side. Not only will you be much better off on the payload and towing numbers with the F-250, but you will have some room to grow.

I will also add that I have had 4 F-250's since I got into camping. The first three were daily drivers, and my current truck would have been also, if it would have fit in the garage at work. At least it would be driven to work more often. But it is a big truck (tall). The point is, for me, the F-250 is fine as a daily driver. My wife likes it too, as she is much more comfortable in it.

It will still ultimately come down to your choice, or maybe your wife's. Out of curiosity, what are the details you are looking for in the F-250 that are making it a difficult choice?

Good luck, and keep us posted.

str8t six · 08-13-2020, 08:52 PM

since you keep your trucks for a long time, I would go for the F250 so that way you will be able to get a bigger camper if needed.

Im sure the 250 will handle the weight the camper better and provide a more relaxing tow on those long drives that you plan on doing.

The Evil Twin · 08-13-2020, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IchLiebeBier

Probably depends on location. in NoVA no dealer would negotiate the price at the time. I spoke with 5 dealers. One dealer actually told me, "This is the most popular truck on the road. I don't have to sell it to you. Someone else will buy it." I said good luck and left. But I'm sure he's right. Tons of F-150s on the road.

But I love my Ram. Exhaust brake alone is worth it (of course, the Cummins helps, too)

Interesting. I bought my SD at Ted Britt Ford in Fairfax. They were salivating to make a deal on my loaded diesel CCLB. Bumper to bumper warranty to 120k miles and Rhino Liner thrown in after we settled on a price. $9k less than the original "best price" they threw at me when I called to make sure they still had it in stock. It probably helped that it was the last day of the year.

chriscowles · 08-13-2020, 10:21 PM

In a different topic I posted results of my having weighed my F150 and Mini-Lite 2507S. The objective data may be useful in helping you make a decision. In summary, the combination was under all weight limit specifications, but close. I'm comfortable driving it with those conditions.

I added Roadmaster Active Suspension springs on the rear to improve handling when empty as much as when towing. I'm going to add Bilstein shocks on all wheels. Neither of those upgrades increase weight or capacity limits but they do/will improve the ride.

To avoid redundancy I don't want to copy and paste the whole thing, but you can find it here if you're interested:
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2369929

Edit: the post referred to my having a ProPride hitch, which I do, but the weights in that message were with a BlueOx SwayPro. It states that in the body of the message.

Mdmoore76 · 08-14-2020, 06:49 AM

Thanks for all the replies!

The issues I have with the 250 is the fuel costs and the ability to get my hands on one used in the area. In searching I was able to find only 2 within 150 miles of me. A similar 150 search is about 20-30. If I decide to buy new, it shouldn't be an issue, I have a great relationship with a dealer who gives me the A plan price.

The 250 will certainly give me the flexibility to move into a larger rv in the future.

Truthfully, I have the 5.4 now. I'd see a little savings going to the 3.5 and a not a huge increase going to a 6.2.

Right now, I'm running out of payload. I have 1535 and I'm at my limit. It's awesome asking my wife how much she weighs. I have an 11, 9 and 2 year old that are growing. We also take our two dogs with us. So yes, the payload is currently maxed out.

The truck tows the trailer very well. I have an Equalizer hitch and I barely notice the trailer while towing, unless I'm going uphill. I towed by myself and without the extra 500 lbs of people, it was much better. It's remarkable how much payload influences performance.

katkt · 08-14-2020, 07:50 AM

Border line on load. Kids are growing. You may want something nicer(bigger, heavier)in the future. I'd recommend shopping for a nice 250. Maybe even look for good used. Just beware of what you're looking for in the 250's, because you could end up right where the max tow is, as far as payload.

Having said that...

I've got a 2010 F150SC4x4 5.4 with the regular trailer tow package(not the max tow in 2010). 6spd, 3.50 LSD, 32 gal tank and factory tranny cooler. It's what I had at the time. It was nearly new, with less than 45k miles. When we went trailer shopping. I bought a trailer, based on what the truck could tow according to specs. ;^D
It's not as big as what my wife wanted at the time. She's quite content now, and doesn't see the need for bigger. She was really getting the shivers for a 30. We bought a 26. The 30 was well into 250 territory.

I've stepped up to a 10 ply tire on the truck. I'm running RAS helper springs on the back. I added a 5 star tune for the tranny. Without these things, it was a really nice grocery getter or soccer bus.
Trailer is at #7000. Tongue weight is #950. Husky WDH. I've got some room to grow with the GCWR, but I'm maxed out on the payload.
I've been to Yellowstone and back(up through Wyoming and the Tetons into Montana, and back through Salt Lake to I70 and homeward), as well as to NM three or four times now. The mileage is about 8 to 9mpg on the flats( I try and keep the rpms around 2500 or less. Never use the cruise). The truck handles the grades well, but when you're pulling a hill at 4000 to 4500rpms, the mileage probably goes closer to 5 or 6(or worse). I'm not the slowest thing climbing the hills.
I don't have any plans to upsize trailer wise. It's just my wife and myself. We don't pack everything under the sun with us, when we travel. With all the changes in trannies since 2010, and the Max Tow package, I'd go looking for a 150 with the max tow.
If I went shopping today. I'd skip the 4x4(is it even available on the Max tow?)this time. I'd more than likely add a set of the RAS springs on the back, and decent tires(not sure what's on the Max Tow).

EdJunior · 08-14-2020, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdmoore76

Thanks for all the replies!

The issues I have with the 250 is the fuel costs and the ability to get my hands on one used in the area. In searching I was able to find only 2 within 150 miles of me. A similar 150 search is about 20-30. If I decide to buy new, it shouldn't be an issue, I have a great relationship with a dealer who gives me the A plan price.

The 250 will certainly give me the flexibility to move into a larger rv in the future.

Truthfully, I have the 5.4 now. I'd see a little savings going to the 3.5 and a not a huge increase going to a 6.2.

Right now, I'm running out of payload. I have 1535 and I'm at my limit. It's awesome asking my wife how much she weighs. I have an 11, 9 and 2 year old that are growing. We also take our two dogs with us. So yes, the payload is currently maxed out.

The truck tows the trailer very well. I have an Equalizer hitch and I barely notice the trailer while towing, unless I'm going uphill. I towed by myself and without the extra 500 lbs of people, it was much better. It's remarkable how much payload influences performance.

Well, based on this new information, there shouldn't be any more thinking. You are up in the F-250 area now. With all your "stuff", and more to come, it's time for the big boy. Back to my original statement...Get the right tool for the job. Get the F-250.

5picker · 08-14-2020, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdJunior

Well, based on this new information, there shouldn't be any more thinking. You are up in the F-250 area now. With all your "stuff", and more to come, it's time for the big boy. Back to my original statement...Get the right tool for the job. Get the F-250.

Agreed... if towing with/without 500 lbs. makes a huge difference in your towing performance, then you need something different. (but I'm confused... in one sentence you say you don't notice it back there and the next sentence you say dropping 500 lbs remarkably influences performance)

What is going to happen if you need to fill the fresh tank AND take the family?

Mdmoore76 · 08-14-2020, 01:53 PM

Sorry to confuse. I meant that I notice very little sway and handling is very nice. Uphill climbs aren't as nice as when the family isn't in the car. Could be the 3.31 rear that isn't helping the cause.

With all the opinions so far, I'm leaning toward a 250.

5picker · 08-14-2020, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdmoore76

Sorry to confuse. I meant that I notice very little sway and handling is very nice. Uphill climbs aren't as nice as when the family isn't in the car. Could be the 3.31 rear that isn't helping the cause.

With all the opinions so far, I'm leaning toward a 250.

No... that sure isn't helping the cause.

I'd not want much higher (in actuality a lower number) than a 3.73 for towing.
A 4.10 is optimum. A 4.30 is a little too aggressive. The new 10 speed transmission does allow for a slightly taller gear. (lower number) I believe it comes with the 3.55 or possibly the 3.31

Fly_DMy · 08-22-2020, 07:39 PM

F250 7.3L power stroke diesel (if you can find one) best Ford truck Ive ever owned, tows our 35' TT like a dream.

Ryan-OH · 08-22-2020, 08:09 PM

I'd seriously consider the F-250. I had the F-150 with the 3,5 Ecoboost, 120,000 miles. Plenty of power but every time a big rig would pass me or I tried to pass one I'd get plenty of swaying. Made several hitch adjustments with no real improvement.

I upgraded to a 2020 F-250 6.2, 3:73 gears, door sticker has 10,000 GVWR and the manual shows a combined weight of 19,500 lbs. Just the extra curb weight stopped all the sway issues. Overall a more comfortable ride while towing.

Plus you'll have plenty of extra truck to upgrade TTs if you want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdmoore76

We just bought our first trailer, a Rockwood 2509s. I currently tow with a 2010 F-150. (5.4L, 3.31 axle) The truck has 100k and I am looking to replace it with either a, F-150 3.5 Ecoboost with a Max Tow Package or an F-250 6.2L Gas)

As far as I can tell, the 250 has a rough payload of 2584 and the 150 has 2050. The 250 has a rough towing capacity of 12,500 and the 150 has 12,700.

Thoughts?

Brother Les · 08-22-2020, 08:26 PM

You will need an F-250.

Rides like a Hay wagon? I can get 70,000 miles out of my Cooper tires. 'Max air cold is 80psi'. At this psi, the ride is stiff while under no load with the Super Duty overload leaf springs. When not towing I reduce the air pressure to 70psi. 'Rides' like a big SUV and is fine. When towing, go up to 80psi. I have 205,000 on the clock. The 7.3 era F-250s (1999-2003) are pre EPA regulations and owner friendly to work on.