F150 or F250

[Buzzard Bait]

Looking at buying new tow vehicle and debating between the F150 with max tow pkg or F250. I'm not a "truck guy" so trying to gather info .... and opinions. I've driven large SUVs for the last 20 years and really like the ride and comfort. My TT weighs in at 6800 pounds dry weight. Currently pulling with a Navigator with so so results. Short wheel base, some sway and porpoising. Husky Centerline WDH. I would like to tow into the Rockies, so I probably should look into the 250, but I will use the truck for daily commute. Pickups sure are a lot more comfy than they used to be, but I'm not sure how much I'd be giving up in ride and comfort by moving up to the 250.

[B and B]

I have had 6 F 150 of varying types. Towed with a 5.4 l triton and 3.5 L Ecoboost. Now using a F 250 Diesel. I would recommend the exhaust brake and Diesel power if budget allows. I would not look a F 250 gas engine.

[DocGTO]

I daily drive a 3500 dually. No biggie really. I love it. I'd say F250 with the Powerstroke if the budget allows. If you plan to upgrade to a larger unit down the road you have more options. You can even look at the F350 SRW too.

[Buzzard Bait]

So what's the issue with the 250 gas engine?

[pacin]

I happen to like my gas f250.

[tbln930]

My RV dealer recommends with the F150 maximum towing capacities these days to skip the F350 if I went to a large fifth wheel. The issue becomes a payload one.

[FrankG]

Have you looked at the NEW 2017 F-250's, "Wow" have they changed. They are starting to show up at dealers now. So many options and configurations. I read last night that Ford is NOT requiring the use of WD hitches on the F-250's and 350's as the new frames are built to handle the tong weight. I think your biggest question is gas or oil. Good luck and I am in the F-250 camp. My DW is trying to hold me back from trading up.

[shorthorn]

Always go bigger on the truck. I would really consider any potential future trailer upgrade as well. 250s lack payload for most 5th wheels. A SRW 350 would be almost the same driving as a 250, and be future proof

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by Buzzard Bait

So what's the issue with the 250 gas engine?

My thoughts as well. If you are towing over 10k and lots of miles an oil burner is a no brainer but under 10k and only a few tows a year.. A gasser will be just fine especially the 17 6.2 they upped the torque and moved it down in the rpm band. I have seen some articles that state the new 6.2 with the new tranny in the 250's pulls a 10k trailer with ease. My 11 with a tow tune in it can roll along at 60mph and very rarely do I have to go below 4th and most of the time it stays in 5th or 6th.

[SeaDog]

I would recommend the F250 or F350 with the SRW and the diesel engine. The gas engine is less expensive to buy and will pull almost anything however for me I don't like the high RPMs when climbing hills or the low fuel milage.

[Phenom]

Only driven an F250 with the 6.2 empty, so can't comment on pulling with it, but it seemed fairly powerful I really liked it overall. Went a different direction due to actual size of truck and the flat floor in the GM's. I don't know what the standard rear end on those is, but I'd imagine if its a 4.10, you'd be in good shape with the 6.2.

That being said, just make sure it's what you want log term. Whatever the choice is. I picked up a used 3/4 ton gas truck, and after a few trips have recently traded it for a diesel. Wasn't a terrible financial hit, but one that could have been avoided if I'd started off with what I wanted. Not a necessity for my operation, but ultimately a better tool for what I'm doing and whatever may come in the future. In my case anyway.

One final thought. Definitely go with the 250 or any 3/4 ton whatever engine type you may decide.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by FrankG

I read last night that Ford is NOT requiring the use of WD hitches on the F-250's and 350's as the new frames are built to handle the tong weight.

"Handling" the tongue weight does nothing for unloading the front axle, which is one big reason for a WD system.



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[notaz3]

I have an 2008 F250 Diesel and the 2014 F150 EcoBoost with max tow package. Towing our trailer that's about 7,500 pounds full, the 150 is fine on the level roads and can tow up 4 percent grade with little effort; however the same trailer behind the 250 is may cause the transmission to downshift out of high gear.

My 150 gets the daily driving as it's a little shorter (extended cab vs crew) and better millage at 19 MPG vs the 250s 14 MPG (I have a heavy right foot). If I'm towing over about 6,000 pounds I prefer the Diesel's power / engine brake and extra weight, so tail doesn't try to wag the dog, of the 250.

[djeirlessr]

I'm considering to trade in my 2011 Toyota Tundra for a 2500 HD diesel truck. My Tundra tows our 5th wheel pretty good. The camper is almost 9000# dry and I figure I'm at my max. We live in the Richmond, Va area and have traveled as far south as North Fort Myers and as far north as Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada averaging 8.5 to 11 MPG.

DW and I plan to go out west next year and I'm not sure how the truck will handle real mountains. With a diesel I should be fine. We bought our 5th wheel June 2015. Have camped approximately 5.5 months out of the past 14 months.



Duane
2011 Toyota Tundra V8 iForce 5.7 381HP 4.10 gears 6 speed automatic

2016 Crusader 295RST FW

[B and B]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I would recommend the F250 or F350 with the SRW and the diesel engine. The gas engine is less expensive to buy and will pull almost anything however for me I don't like the high RPMs when climbing hills or the low fuel milage.

X2 Op stated Rockies so Diesel is the best choice.

[MT Biker]

I have not been a Ford fan since my 93-F150 (loved that truck, had it for 19 years) hated all the redesigns up until the new aluminum bodies came out and the super duties look fantastic.
Local dealer has a F250 gas extended cab short bed and a F350xlt extended cab diesel long bed, just arrived.
Sticker on the 350 is $52k
Great looking trucks.

[tbln930]

Get the F350 unless the F250 is a 2017.

[itat]

Originally Posted by B and B

X2 Op stated Rockies so Diesel is the best choice.

OP lives in Texas but "would like to tow into the Rockies," so not regularly towing in the mountains. In relatively flat Texas, you don't need a diesel unless, like others have said, you tow big weight or frequently.

I'm getting ready to sign a deal on a 2016 F-250 XLT 4x4 CC with the 6.2L gas engine and the camper package. I stopped at a CAT scale this summer and found that with my 7360# TT and less than a normal load in the truck's bed, I was 600# over GVWR and 200# over on the rear axle. Need to upgrade the TV solely because of the payload shortcomings - the 5.4L pulls fine. We use our TT 8-10 times a year but actual towing is only a couple days per trip and no plans to tow in the mountains. I used to tour on a motorcycle so high revs are not an issue for me. The red line on the 6.2L is at 6000 rpm and I'll never get near that.

[CaptnJohn]

I had a 2015 F150 EB and pulled a 7200# loaded TT. It did the job but gas mileage sucked and it was at max in every way. Upgraded to a 2016 F250 diesel and that thing barely hummed up/down and straight away. I was a happy camper UNTIL my wife decided we had to have a 5er. Pulled it a couple times but was over payload and real axel was getting close. Bit the bullet and bought the F350, now a happy camper again. Just be smart and get the F350 and don't live at the dealership. (wonder if I can claim them as a dependent?)

[tbln930]

I got my advice from the ford towing group that creates the the tow spec sheets. There is a ton of overlap on the f150 and pre 2017 f250s. To the point of hurting f250 sales. So they jacked the f250 2017 up across the models. The tradeoff is cost and mileage even with diesel.