Looking to upgrade my TV: F150 vs F250? Trying to plan ahead

[Big Vic]

I think you can get close to the payload of a 250 if you get a 150 with ecoboost and max tow package. The advantage would be better daily driving mileage and handling if you do not tow a lot or tow heavy. Otherwise, especially if a heavy trailer or 5th wheel may be in your future, I would get a 350. My 6.2 F-250 CC 2WD has a payload of about 3300 lbs and easily handles my 7000 trailer with tongue weight of about 900 lbs.

Keep in mind that a diesel is going to cost $8K more, requires more maintenance and you have to deal with DEF and periodic regenerations (read the diesel forum!). A diesel will also reduce your payload significantly. I looked at a diesel F250 4WD CC that only had a yellow sticker payload of 1300 lbs! If you go the diesel route, I would get a 350. I would also consider a diesel if you are towing more than 10K or you tow a lot.

[kholmes]

I will try that again. Glad we upgraded the truck to a f350. NO REGRETS!!!

[bob caldwell]

No fiver......Hard to install hitch THRU golf cart!

[D. J. Schuler]

Too bad your Car/Truck salesperson didn't read his sales info.
If your EcoBoost had the HD Tow and Heavy Payload options you'd be good for about 2,300 passengers/cargo and around 11,000 TT with 1,100 tongue/weight distribution hitch. Even with just the HD Tow you'd be in better shape.
My 2011 F150 Super Cab EcoBoost LB has the 8,200# package, HD Tow, HD Payload and LT E tires. The sticker on the door post 2,393 passengers/cargo. The Owners Manual TT 11,200 with weight distribution hitch max on ball 1,120. I wanted to find out what it was made of - one ton of pellets (many times) is a breeze. The 10,000 5er pin weight is 1,750 - good to go with pounds to spare is the best decision I've made.

[D. J. Schuler]

Just checked my figures in the Owners Manual, they're OK. The Super Crew 2WD 6.2L Harley and Lariat with out Max Tow 7,500. SC 2WD EcoBoost with Max Tow 11,300.

[rr retired]

f 150 work truck 8ft bed 11,300 towing 2680 payload with max tow heavy duty springs and 7 lug axle. cheaper than a 250 and will pull almost as much. my motorcycle goes in bed, tail gate up and still under my max be almost 800 pounds. and that little half of an engine with the turbos has mucho power

[pkurek]

I agree with mr shuler, your platinum doesn't have the max tow. If it did you would have 3.73 gears and bigger payload and tow capacity. A new 2015 f150 with max tow has a tow capacity of over 12,000.

[DickiedooFlagman]

An electric golf cart weighs about 500# PLUS 6 batteries of about 80# each. Don't forget to add the weight of fuel. Most places will have a golf cart concession that will deliver a cart to you for your use. Daily rentals are expensive. Long term less per day.

I am from the camp that believes you can almost never have too much truck. Growing kids? Kids that weigh 50# or less now will be 150# or more EACH in a few short years. Big kids means larger campers. And maybe 'toys' for each of the kids too.

The 350/3500 would be my recommendation.

[thebrakeman]

I think Ford is marketing themselves out of the 3/4-ton market. F150 optioned right can handle close to the F250 capability. If I needed to tow something that a F150 with max tow couldn't handle, I'd be getting an F350 anyway, to protect for the pin weight of an unknown/potential 5th wheel.

Another option you might consider is a pull-behind toy hauler. With the cart's weight behind the rear trailer axles, and not in the truck-bed, TW becomes manageable, and should be more than fine with the F150.

[CampinDad]

Originally Posted by DickiedooFlagman

An electric golf cart weighs about 500# PLUS 6 batteries of about 80# each. Don't forget to add the weight of fuel. Most places will have a golf cart concession that will deliver a cart to you for your use. Daily rentals are expensive. Long term less per day.

I am from the camp that believes you can almost never have too much truck. Growing kids? Kids that weigh 50# or less now will be 150# or more EACH in a few short years. Big kids means larger campers. And maybe 'toys' for each of the kids too.

The 350/3500 would be my recommendation.

These were the exact thoughts that I had over the weekend - growing kids and the toys that go with them.

We live at the beach, so we've been wanting a golf cart for a while and we camp at Fort Wilderness fairly often and they have recently disallowed outside rental delivery. I've been reading around and it sounds like there is a good chance of fitting a GC in a 6.5' bed with the tailgate removed.

Definitely looking towards a 250/350 now.

Any advice on the 6.2L gas or 6.7L diesel? I'm leery of the diesel only because I need to educate myself further.

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by CampinDad

These were the exact thoughts that I had over the weekend - growing kids and the toys that go with them.

We live at the beach, so we've been wanting a golf cart for a while and we camp at Fort Wilderness fairly often and they have recently disallowed outside rental delivery. I've been reading around and it sounds like there is a good chance of fitting a GC in a 6.5' bed with the tailgate removed.

Definitely looking towards a 250/350 now.

Any advice on the 6.2L gas or 6.7L diesel? I'm leery of the diesel only because I need to educate myself further.

The 6.2 will do that application just fine. Im towing 12000lbs with my 6.2 . If you are looking to avoid the up front and maintenace costs, the 6.2 would suit you fine.

[CampinDad]

I'm not coming across many 6.2's in the area. Of course the sales guy is reminding me that the 6.7 will have better resale down the line.

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by CampinDad

I'm not coming across many 6.2's in the area. Of course the sales guy is reminding me that the 6.7 will have better resale down the line.

Yep that is a consideration. I had to find my 6.2. Not many dealers carried them. I went with it vs a diesel because of the upfront costs and only towing once a month or so. If i was fulltiming are traveling cross country, I would have gone diesel. And lets face it, a diesel engine will last a long time, but everything else will wear the same as a gas. Ive never wore out an engine!

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Please, if you are going to up to a 250 or 2500 add a few bucks more and make it a 350 or 3500 and be way ahead of the game.

Wise I had.

How lung is the cart gonna be (8 foot) bed?
You could go 2 wheel drive to cut some weight unless you need the 4X.

X2 Ford Idaho!

Originally Posted by CampinDad

No need for the 4x and would prefer to not have it. I'm not sure i'd ever need the power of the 350...

You say that now

Seriously, you may indeed never need a 1T TV however consider this:

• Almost every RVer you will talk to had gone the 'upgrade route' (larger and larger RVs or from TT -> 5er. So, you would statistically be in a very small group that did not upgrade past the capability of their TV
• If you ever get the chance to tow a 5er you will NEVER want to tow a TT again! Really. No Sway, no vortex, no...nothing. Other than an occasional creak from the hitch I honestly don't know our 5er is behind us
• How many folks are going to be in your TV with you? Cargo? Furkids? Other "Stuff." That will impact your payload - add to that a 1,000-ish Lb Golf Cart?
• Besides, why would you want to put a golf cart in the bed of your truck? That's what a toyhauler is for
• Because of the above, you probably should start shopping for a 1T

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by CampinDad

These were the exact thoughts that I had over the weekend - growing kids and the toys that go with them.

We live at the beach, so we've been wanting a golf cart for a while and we camp at Fort Wilderness fairly often and they have recently disallowed outside rental delivery. I've been reading around and it sounds like there is a good chance of fitting a GC in a 6.5' bed with the tailgate removed.

Definitely looking towards a 250/350 now.

Any advice on the 6.2L gas or 6.7L diesel? I'm leery of the diesel only because I need to educate myself further.

This "Depends" and will spark as much emotion as asking WHAT should I get: Ford, Dodge or GMC?

I have been doing extensive research into the 1T Truck Gasser vs Diesel debate over the past several months. Here is my opinion based on that - there will be other opinions so YMMV

• If you plan to own the truck forever, get a Diesel; cost break even is at @ 108K miles (a Diesel is "just getting warmed up" at this mileage!)
• If you can see yourself getting a toy hauler, you will need the torque; get a diesel.
• Will your RV trips be out west where you have to contend with "real" mountains - not the wannabe mountains we have East of the Mississippi; get a Diesel
• If you see yourself going on extended RV trips a Diesel may be more economical than a gasser
• Assuming the trends mentioned in my previous post are true for you, you will ultimately end up with a 16K+ 5th wheel; Get a Diesel

Like you, I *think* I can get by without the 4x4


So at this point in MY process it is DRW vs SRW with the better stability a DRW gives in high winds and rough roads tipping my decision to a DRW.


Not trying to hijack the post, but for those of you out there with a 1T are you SRW or DRW?

[mcnabbwr]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

So at this point in MY process it is DRW vs SRW with the better stability a DRW gives in high winds and rough roads tipping my decision to a DRW.

Not trying to hijack the post, but for those of you out there with a 1T are you SRW or DRW?

After much research we decided on the SRW crew cab with 6 1/2 foot box, due to the DW need to possibly drive the truck. She didn't believe she could handle a DRW truck with 8 foot box.

[CampinDad]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

This "Depends" and will spark as much emotion as asking WHAT should I get: Ford, Dodge or GMC?

I have been doing extensive research into the 1T Truck Gasser vs Diesel debate over the past several months. Here is my opinion based on that - there will be other opinions so YMMV

• If you plan to own the truck forever, get a Diesel; cost break even is at @ 108K miles (a Diesel is "just getting warmed up" at this mileage!)
  This is one point that has me leaning diesel. I'm not one to trade out vehicles every few years especially if I get the truck I want now. I'd prefer to run it well after paying it off.
• If you can see yourself getting a toy hauler, you will need the torque; get a diesel.
  I'm not sure if a toy hauler is in our future, but a large TT or 5er certainly is. Its just a matter of how far in the future.
• Will your RV trips be out west where you have to contend with "real" mountains - not the wannabe mountains we have East of the Mississippi; get a Diesel
  We're in Myrtle Beach and will two young (4 & 7) kids, won't be making any long distance trips west any time soon. The majority of our hauling has been along the coastline so far.
• If you see yourself going on extended RV trips a Diesel may be more economical than a gasser
  See above. I'd love to "RV" full time at some point in my life, but I probably have 30 years remaining behind a desk first.
• Assuming the trends mentioned in my previous post are true for you, you will ultimately end up with a 16K+ 5th wheel; Get a Diesel

Like you, I *think* I can get by without the 4x4


So at this point in MY process it is DRW vs SRW with the better stability a DRW gives in high winds and rough roads tipping my decision to a DRW.


Not trying to hijack the post, but for those of you out there with a 1T are you SRW or DRW?

Overall, right now I'm leaning 350 diesel. Worst case I have too much truck (is there such a thing?), best case I won't have the "I don't have enough truck" excuse.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by CampinDad

Overall, right now I'm leaning 350 diesel. Worst case I have too much truck (is there such a thing?), best case I won't have the "I don't have enough truck" excuse.

AND according to some of the weight police that cruise the FRF, you should be "OK" to tow a 12' covered utility trailer

-- as long as you add a lift kit and extra springs

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by mcnabbwr

After much research we decided on the SRW crew cab with 6 1/2 foot box, due to the DW need to possibly drive the truck. She didn't believe she could handle a DRW truck with 8 foot box.

We currently have a long bed F150 King Ranch with 20" tires -- so it is not a "Compact" by any stretch of the imagination

We have test drove a RAM 3500 Laramie CrewCab dually with a 8' bed - the nice folks at our Dodge dealer let us take it out for a ~4 spin. We both drove the truck in the city, highway, and I intentionally took us down some residential streets "just to see"

Nary a problem - and having a backup camera in the tailgate makes THAT chore a snap!

Ya know, once you have a Truck Mentality (which we have acquired in the 2 years we have owned the EcoBeast) There is nothing to it!

You already KNOW you are parking at the grocery store in the far side lot, and you know you are parking in the back 40 in the mall. You also know you are going to pull through a parking slot and take up the front AND back slot (another reason you park out in the boondocks)

YMMV, but I wanted to share our test drive experience and "Truck Mentality" with you.

[CampinDad]

So I've been looking around and came across what I thought was the truck for me:

2015 6.7L F250 Lariat, fairly well equipped with a pretty good starting price.

However, I noticed that it has the 3.55 electronic locking axle instead of the 3.73

What kind of affect will this have?