Should I Upgrade to F250?

[GTS225]

My 5.7 will turn 4000+ RPM all day every day for a million miles with no complaints. Gas engines need to rev to make their power, especially when they're naturally aspirated.

That may be, but as I said, I'm on the conservative side. I figure, when I'm 800 miles from home, I REALLY don't want the towing vehicle to crap out on me for my own mistakes.

As an industrial maintenance tech, (retired), I learned one very important fact.........if man can build it, it WILL break, and most likely when you're trying to use it. That's why I don't get onto carnival rides.

Just sayin'.....Roger

 

[bw-xplor]

Slowing down on a grade is ok. Maybe increase your speed a little approaching grades. Did I read that correctly 60mph up the grade? If that’s your speed seems good. We all slow on the grades, even a diesel. As I was once told. “You don’t need to be first to the top.”

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.

 

[bw-xplor]

As to your question, for daily driving, you'll probably prefer a GM 2500 with IFS to the Super Duty's death wobble.

Haha... that is also being considered. I had bad luck with a GMC few years back and has left me with a bad taste for GM trucks. But... I'm open to trying again because of the IFS.

 

[Joe Hogan]

You might want to research the Ford EcoBoost engine some. It is my understanding that these engine have had issues.
But I am a big proponent of Turbos for torque.

Ford Recalls 90,000 SUVs and Trucks Over EcoBoost Engine Failures

2.7 and 3.0L EcoBoost V6 issues mean a big Ford recall and possible engine replacement.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Rosy]

You might want to research the Ford EcoBoost engine some. It is my understanding that these engine have had issues.
But I am a big proponent of Turbos for torque.

Ford Recalls 90,000 SUVs and Trucks Over EcoBoost Engine Failures

2.7 and 3.0L EcoBoost V6 issues mean a big Ford recall and possible engine replacement.

www.yahoo.com

If the headline is correct and that recall only covers the 2.7 and 3.0, I wouldn't be concerned. The 3.5 is the one you'd want for towing anyway.

 

[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!