Should I Upgrade to F250?

[Aimnhi]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum and fairly new to pulling a travel trailer.

I have a 2018 F150 5.0 V8 with 3.31 gears. My travel trailer is 6000# dry so I would guess maybe 6500# when pulling. Technically this falls well within the capabilities of my truck and the truck does fine in perfect conditions on a flat road. But when you add in wind, hills, overpasses, bridges, or needing to pass my truck feels underpowered. If I need to accelerate to go up a hill, I have to floor it, and it will hit over 5k RPM until the top of the hill still only making it to 60 MPH. I feel like the truck is struggling and I'm going to end up wearing it out stressing it this much.

We are part time RVers only going 5 - 8 times per year. I know the F250 will resolve my issue but just not sure I want to move to a larger truck for my daily driver. I was hoping to get some opinions on the F250 as a daily driver. I'm also curious to know if the 3.5 EcoBoost with 3.73 gears would solve my issue.

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Ford has historically always oversold their tow ratings. Literally max is max. I had a Triton F-150 that didn’t pull my 7000lb trailer as much as got manhandled by the trailer. Scary. Went to Tundra and literally night and day difference. The built-in to frame receiver, built in sway control and huge brakes make it a breeze. Toyota tow ratings are based upon competent, comfortably tow capacity vs ‘well, it pulled it!’
Sure, it’s not a 250/super duty BUT at least it’s not a 250/ super duty! For infrequent towing, I wouldn’t want to suffer the overall literal and figurative pain in the a55 and extra cost that a super duty is.

 

[Rosy]

Ford has historically always oversold their tow ratings. Literally max is max. I had a Triton F-150 that didn’t pull my 7000lb trailer as much as got manhandled by the trailer. Scary. Went to Tundra and literally night and day difference. The built-in to frame receiver, built in sway control and huge brakes make it a breeze. Toyota tow ratings are based upon competent, comfortably tow capacity vs ‘well, it pulled it!’
Sure, it’s not a 250/super duty BUT at least it’s not a 250/ super duty! For infrequent towing, I wouldn’t want to suffer the overall literal and figurative pain in the a55 and extra cost that a super duty is.

Definitely true for the 2007-2021 Tundra. Probably true for the 2022+ as well but I'd be too worried about my engine eating its main bearings while I'm towing my trailer up a mountain.

 

[Rich W.]

So from another perspective, I just went through the “build and price” thing on the Ford website and for the same cost of a V6 F150 base Lariat with no options, you can get a well appointed fairly high optioned F250 Super Duty Lariat with the gas 7.3 which is far more capable and has a much higher GCVW. Both were $65k. Perhaps this is because there is more demand for the F150 - it seems doubtful that it costs more to produce the lighter duty truck.

 

[rvkev]

just slow down!

I am with you MR. PEM

 

[Kevin D Pem]

My trailer is a little lighter than yours empty but probably similar when loaded up. I don't ever want for power with my halfton but I'm concerned that I'll be over payload when my kids are bigger, if I'm not already.

Something you might consider!

Payload is a little misunderstood. Payload is assumed to be hitch weight added. Although this is true when using a standard coupler, the dynamics change when an equalizer type hitch is used!

If you question this weigh under both conditions and see for yourself. If you want an analogy, consider a tag axel, or a 10, vs. 14 wheel tractor. With equalizer, you have linked all axles! Into a uniform load bearing structure. This however shifts weight back onto the trailer axles lowering trailer weight carrying capacity!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Yeah, was trying to keep some speed so I would not be a speed bump for 18 wheelers. Speed limit on this hwy was 75 and if I took my foot off the gas, I would quickly be at 45/50 MPH. But I agree, I'm certainly not trying to speed while pulling my trailer. Just concerned that I'm having to work my truck so hard on hills and overpasses. I'm new to pulling a travel trailer so maybe this is the norm?? I've pulled plenty of mid-sized boats, but they don't have as much wind drag as the trailer. Thank you for your feedback.

An increase in truck capacity 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton also increases weight. Although this weight is accounted for in truck capacity, it is still extra weight the driveline must overcome. Because the concern is engine overworking, consider two things.

Turbos put higher stresses on the engine components! They can build an engine to handle the added stress, but the end result is higher bearing load!

back to pushing to the top!!! At sunrise point(to of the rim north of Phoenix), per season. There will be a couple vehicles that burn to the ground due to pushing to save the convenience of those behind them.

Personally I would rather they make their trip safely, and be inconvenienced while the negotiate the grade, than wait hours behind the impending road block caused by a considerate driver!!!!

Just my 10.00 worth.

PS. Your advantage point, will only become a reality if your next truck has a diesel! Just slow down and save a bundle. That is unless you're looking for an excuse.