2016 Ford F150 vs F250

[Loden]

Whew! You are going to get a lot of arguments on this. I have towed with a Ford 150 and am now towing with a 4WD Sierra Chevy 2500 diesel. Yes, the 150 will pull a 27', and you will have adequate power and torque to do so. Let me emphasize, "adequate." The F150 is a lot easier to park and get around town in. The negative was that when i was towing with the F150, there was absolutely no question that I was TOWING a BIG chunk of mass back there. The engine sounded different (had to run at a much higher rpm) and the handling was significantly different. Frankly, although I did not realize it until later, the process of towing 7,000 pounds of aluminum and contents was unconsciously tiring.

When I got my present diesel 3/4 ton, as I drove it away from the dealer's lot, I knew that I was in need of learning to drive a very different vehicle. I need to make wider turns and parking took some learning. The reverse is true when towing. When I hook up to the AS (using an Equalizer Hitch), within a couple of miles, the whole process becomes very relaxing. The 2500 diesel doesn't sound like it is working any harder then when just driving. The second set of bumps when crossing potholes and railroads is the main notice that something is back there.

To others who have asked, my summary is that if you are going to pull your 27' trailer a few times a year to local areas, then a smaller truck is probably the best idea, but if you are planning to drive across the country and be pulling a lot, then the 3/4 ton with a diesel is the better idea. Both have their plusses and minuses.

One additional comment is that if you look at ten year old 3/4 ton diesel trucks for sale versus 10 year old 1/2 ton gasoline trucks, you will see a huge difference in the price. A ten year old gasser 1/2 ton is probably going to be exported to Mexico while people are standing in line looking for older 3/4 ton diesels.

Oh yeah! One small addendum. The reason I did not buy a Ford this time around was service issues. First, I had a flat and changed it. I threw the flat tire in the bed and rolled up the spare tire cable. I visited the dealer for service and purchased a tire there (the old one had run flat and was smashed). The service attendant told me I would need to also purchase a new spare tire holder and winch. Apparently the user is supposed to let the spare tire holder dangle and bang around because if it is rolled up all the way the locking mechanism will not release and must be replaced. That is a "unit item" so the whole thing has to be removed and a new one installed with attendant labor, and it is not a warranty item. I asked where in the manual that is noted, and he admitted it was not in the manual. I asked if he had them in stock, and he replied, "Yes, we replace them almost daily."

Shortly after running out of warranty, the odometer failed. It just stopped reading anything. To get my inspection I had to have it working. The dealer has the only tools to do that, and I had to purchase a new dashboard to get the odometer replaced. I was out of a vehicle for two weeks as, again, Ford had a lot of them failing, and they were back ordered. Both of those incidents cost me several hundred dollars. Both of them were extremely common failures that the mechanics recognized as a cash cow for the dealer and for Ford. They did not fix those issues for several model years, if at all.

It could be that Chevy has the same or similar issues, but my next truck was not a Ford.

[SCOTTinNJ]

I tow a 30' with the 5.0 and while I would get the 3.5 if I had the choice now (note I've never driven one but have read and watch a lot of videos on them) the 5.0 is no slouch. It gets the job done fine in the east where I am.

I get 19-20 mpg highway unloaded and 11-13 mpg towing the airstream. On regular grade gas.

I haven't done any of the mountains out west, but I've been through the smoky mountains quite a bit. No problems.

I have also driven the 6.2 in the F250 but not towed with it. I swear I watched the gas gauge drop as I motored along. Didn't like that much.

As for the Chevy/GMC, I really like the looks of them but I drove the 5.3 and the throttle response, to me, was poor. I felt like I really had to get into it to move the truck. The 5.0 is much more responsive. I think that's an intent of the Chevy/GMC mapping, but I didn't like it.

[KWN306]

Do you fellows with the Eco Boost engines run the recommended high octane fuel when towing or standard goat piss?

I ask because the 5.0 runs on goat piss and at .30 to .50 cents a gallon difference that can make a huge difference.

[larryglarson]

I have a Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 engine and I like it very much. I have pulled our 30' Classic about 15,000 miles over Mtns. and every thing else and it did a fine job for a lot less money.

[m.hony]

Wait for 2017 250/350...
Extreme restyle coming.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by KWN306

Do you fellows with the Eco Boost engines run the recommended high octane fuel when towing or standard goat piss?

I ask because the 5.0 runs on goat piss and at .30 to .50 cents a gallon difference that can make a huge difference.

I run regular gas in my Eco Boost when not towing and mid grade while towing.
BTW, what is the octane rating of the goat piss, I might want to give that a try.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by larryglarson

I have a Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 engine and I like it very much. I have pulled our 30' Classic about 15,000 miles over Mtns. and every thing else and it did a fine job for a lot less money.

I drove GM pickups exclusively until they turned it into a subsidiary of the UAW and went communist. Will never buy another GM product in my life.
They wiped out a lot small investors whose entire retirement was invested in GM stock. But the union members made out like bandits.

[pappy19]

My wife has a Lincoln LT basically a fancy F 150 with the 5.4. I installed an SCT programmer using 87 octane and a tow/performance mode. I also added the Transgo Tugger shift kit to the tranny. This combo really rocks and made it a real towing machine. The main TV we use for our AS is my 2008 F 250 with the V 10 engine and 5 speed. I think it is the perfect tow vehicle. I wouldn't change a thing.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I run regular gas in my Eco Boost when not towing and mid grade while towing.
BTW, what is the octane rating of the goat piss, I might want to give that a try.

We haven't tried goat piss either, but we also run regular most of the time and 87+ when towing. Try to stay above 85. We also try to find stations without ethanol, but when traveling this is a challenge. We see a noticeable drop in MPG with this stuff. Our 2012 4x4 EB at 70+mph not towing avg. 18+; mpg towing 65-70mph= 9-10mpg.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I drove GM pickups exclusively until they turned it into a subsidiary of the UAW and went communist. Will never buy another GM product in my life.
They wiped out a lot small investors whose entire retirement was invested in GM stock. But the union members made out like bandits.

You never put all your eggs in one basket,you spread it around, happened in Montana with Montana power..

[KWN306]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I run regular gas in my Eco Boost when not towing and mid grade while towing.
BTW, what is the octane rating of the goat piss, I might want to give that a try.

Winter time 87 octane in Virginia, all my vehicles drop 3 mpg when we get the winter time fuel.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

We haven't tried goat piss either, but we also run regular most of the time and 87+ when towing. Try to stay above 85. We also try to find stations without ethanol, but when traveling this is a challenge. We see a noticeable drop in MPG with this stuff. Our 2012 4x4 EB at 70+mph not towing avg. 18+; mpg towing 65-70mph= 9-10mpg.

Ocasionaly way out west I do find ethanol free fuel. The improvement in milage on my Ecoboost is 20%.
I hope the next leadership will find the courage to end this corporate welfare.

[markblain57]

Ford needs a restyle for their Super Dutys, pulling the body off for engine repair is crazy. Google powerstroke problems, scary. I really wish the Ford, Chevy or Ram 1/2 tons were available with a loaded crew-cab long bed (not a work truck though). I simply can't use a short bed for hauling so I'm stuck with a 3/4 ton.
Regards, Mark

[BambiTex]

I run regular 87 octane in the EB, towing or not.