opinions on F150 v. F250

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Bhrava

I would hope an engine with nearly TWICE the displacement of the 3.5 EB could keep up with it. Going up the IKE, maintaining 65 MPH, in 4th gear with 3.15 rear gearing and the 6 speed, and I was passing 5.0 like they were sitting still. I have passed 5.0 trucks pulling equal weight trailers up hills in south west WI where they are pretty hilly and they can't keep up. I'm doing 62 MPH and they are falling behind.

So yeah, the 3.5 EB CAN walk away from the 5.slow, done it several times myself. It had no issues maintaining 60 MPH up a 7% grade with 6400 pounds of windsail behind it, and not even having to press the pedal to the floor to do it.

Based on your numbers, the engine was turning 2350 RPM in 4th gear (1.14 ratio) to maintain 65mph up IKE. So, that engine was hardly working?

It's interesting because these guys in the link below did a similar test on IKE with the same truck only their's had 3.73 gearing and it was screaming to keep at about the same speed....with a lot better gearing.

https://tfltruck.com/2013/11/ike-gauntlet-2-0/

Your EB must have the extra special power option....

[Mike134]

6000RPMs would be "screaming" My 3.5 loafs along uphill at 3000.

If you like the sound of an engine idling stay parked in the driveway.

[Wildcat Buckeye]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

The above posts hit the nail on the head.

My thoughts:

That F150's payload is likely the XL 2wd, standard cab, 8' bed payload....Not a crewcab 4wd.

As far as the trailer weight, your estimate of a 900 tongue weight is probably a bit high but that is good. This will allow some buffer. Realistically, the WDH hitch and your tongue weight will add up to about 900 together.

F150 vs F250.
Trailer size: Both the F150 and F250 will easily manage that length & weight trailer. For me, 30' and 7500 lbs of trailer felt like a bit much on the F150. Towing shorter length trailers that weighed less was no problem for our F150. (Our F250 upgrade was for needed payload from a growing family and mechanical reasons/complexities between the 2 engines).

Engines: Having had both the 3.5 Eco and 6.2 engines, they are both awesome in their own way. The Ecoboost is great engine, tows well, and when the truck is empty, yields fair MPG. It's downfall is that its a more complex engine and when something goes wrong, it's complex ($$$$) to repair.

The 6.2 is no slouch for towing but is a different experience. It's very tried and true and has a great track record for longevity in the Super Duties. The perceived downfall is that it needs to rev high to make the needed power to tow...It's designed to do that and doesn't have turbos. It's a much more simple and basic engine that still creates very good power.

Having said the above, both engines were able to keep the truck and trailer at safe, highway speeds at all times.

Towing differences: Where the 2 trucks differ are really what you don't see. The F250 is a heavier, more robust truck. While the F150 was always safe and within spec for towing the trailer in my signature, the F250 does it with more confidence.

Bottom Line: The trailer you are proposing to purchase can easily and safely be towed by both an F150 and F250. If you can get you payload (people + gear in the truck + hitch weight) under about 1700, you'll be fine with an F150. If you need more than that, go with a F250.

I have a 2013 F150 ecoboost in Arizona.Just finished trip to Ouray Colorado pulling 6000# trailer up many mountains with no issues.
During oil service a small leak was found on timing chain cover gasket.Since it is under warrenty I had it addressed.To replace gasket,
turbos and many other items must be removed.Many parts,bolts,hardware and gaskets are one time use.All told to replace timing chain gasket was just over $4000.Awsome truck but this scares me going forward.
It pulled many mountain passes and never went over 3000RPM.Engine held well on downhills as well.I am happy with performance.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Wildcat Buckeye

I have a 2013 F150 ecoboost in Arizona.Just finished trip to Ouray Colorado pulling 6000# trailer up many mountains with no issues.
During oil service a small leak was found on timing chain cover gasket.Since it is under warrenty I had it addressed.To replace gasket,
turbos and many other items must be removed.Many parts,bolts,hardware and gaskets are one time use.All told to replace timing chain gasket was just over $4000.Awsome truck but this scares me going forward.

Sorry to hear that. I know the pain.

In the excitement of purchasing my '11, my parents purchased a '13 EB about 6 months later to pull their 5500lbs trailer. My dad is the primary driver and is the type of guy to have to speed up around corners where signs recommend slowing down. Haha.

Anyways, recently at 61k miles, their truck has had some major issues. The transmission needed to be partially rebuilt including a new motherboard....the tranny was slipping a lot and throwing codes anytime they towed. 2 separate oil leaks also occurred, one was the vacuum pump and the other was a hose connected to the passenger side turbo. They also had to replace the transfer case. Again, my dad doesn't abuse his truck and maintains it really well. As the mechanic said, "its just bad luck."

Losing trust in their vehicle, last week my parents purchased a '21 Tundra SR5 Crewmax. While the 5.7L V8 and 6 speed tranny are "old technology", its a very tried and true set up. For $42k, its a VERY nice truck and comparable to a well equipped Ford XLT package. The one thing that impressed me with the Tundra lineup is that they all come with the same tow package....brake controller, class iv hitch, 4/7 wiring. It's not like the big 3 where you have to add a package to use the truck as truck.....Toyota expects that.

My uncle also has a '13 that he purchased new to replace his '88 F250 where he was the original owner. He's another person to maintain his vehicles well. Early in his ownership, he lost all brakes in a parking lot. Thank goodness it wasn't on the road. Under warranty, Ford said it was an isolated incident and fixed it. A few years later, Ford recalled the master cylinder due to the same issue. Before 100k, he also lost a turbo that was a costly and required repair.

The 3.5 Ecoboost isn't a bad engine for towing. Its really amazing they can get that power out of such a small package. I always thought mine was like towing with a small diesel. But, as with any diesels, when they need repair, its big, complicated and you're gonna pay a mint for it.

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

Based on your numbers, the engine was turning 2350 RPM in 4th gear (1.14 ratio) to maintain 65mph up IKE. So, that engine was hardly working?

It's interesting because these guys in the link below did a similar test on IKE with the same truck only their's had 3.73 gearing and it was screaming to keep at about the same speed....with a lot better gearing.

https://tfltruck.com/2013/11/ike-gauntlet-2-0/

Your EB must have the extra special power option....

Peak torque, 420 lb/ft, starts around 2500 RPM, stays there until 5,000 before dropping off, and I never exceeded 4K then towing at any point except when accelerating to speed on the ramps. Nothing special, that's just where the engine produces the power, much like a diesel, only difference is it has spark plugs.