F150 EB owners who have moved to F250/F350?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by GoWhereTowed

Been looking at this for some time. Here are some thoughts, might agree or not. I own a 2013, F-150, Eco Boost, Platinum screw, tow package. Looking at 25 foot AS. On mine, before the aluminum body, with 800 pounds of tongue weight, a Hensley or ProPride hitch, full tank of fuel, two people, I have maxed out my TV capacity. It will handle the trailer with no problem but I am thinking there are several people who are overloading their TV. May or may not lead to future problems. I have decided, if I do not get an Interstate, to get the 2017 F 250. That way, I will not have to worry about each and every thing I want to carry in the TV, will have way more capacity for towing any trailer in the AS line and not have to worry about the potential overload. Thats why they make more than one model.

Originally Posted by silverlabs

Well said.

I towed my 25FC with a 2011 F150 EB Platinum Screw and it pulled very well in many types of terrain. It had an 1100 payload and by time you get full tanks of gas, spouse, dogs, hitched up and the other misc items you take on a lengthy trip the payload is about out if not over payload limit. When I went to the 2015 F150EB Platinum Screw I gained some payload, up to 1530 something. Went to 28FC with ProPride hitch and still in same situation with payload. Scale verified. With the way we travel for months at a time and through various mountain areas, I made the decision to upgrade the TV to a 2017 F250 Platinum with the 6.7 PSD to gain not only the stronger brakes as well as exhaust brakes, but the gained payload flexibility to carry more if needed. Now just waiting on the 2017 to get here in late Aug or Sept.

Chuck

Hi, I know it was your choice, but if you didn't have to get the most fancy schmancy truck made, you would have the proper payload to do the job. My XLT has a payload of 1,745 lbs.

[Moflash]

Some people choose not to drive a base model.Especially when traveling.For most people comfort and convenience play a big part in tow vehicle selection.

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[J. Morgan]

My basic 4x4 1/2 ton has a GVWR of 6,200 lbs and weighs 4,760 empty, leaving a "payload" of 1,640 lbs.

My trailer and hitch weigh 7,880 lbs, about 1,000 lbs. or a bit more on the tongue.

Last trip out I had tools and things in the bed of the truck that weighed 1,160 lbs.

Total loaded gross combination weight of 13,800 pounds.

I tightened down my 1,000 pound Hensley WD bars a little more than usual and the combination handled like it was on rails, a pleasure to drive.

A properly outfitted 1/2 ton can make a superb tow vehicle.


Superat stultitia.

[Wanna EB]

If I am real honest with myself, I have to acknowledge that the 2500 diesel is a boost to my manhood. And, while expensive, it is probably one of the more economical manhood boosts available.
I can articulate rationale reasons as well, but that's not really the whole story.
I am OK buying myself a bit of manhood.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Wanna EB

If I am real honest with myself, I have to acknowledge that the 2500 diesel is a boost to my manhood. And, while expensive, it is probably one of the more economical manhood boosts available.
I can articulate rationale reasons as well, but that's not really the whole story.
I am OK buying myself a bit of manhood.

Never felt the need myself, but I think your rationale makes sense to a lot of people.

[J. Morgan]

I think a person should buy what they like for whatever reasons they feel matter to them.

I have owned and driven a few one ton pickup trucks and I own some now that I use in my business.

My point is, is that a well set up half ton can make a superb tow vehicle for any Airstream made except for maybe the slide out models.


Superat stultitia.

[steverino]

Originally Posted by pappy19

You can save $8-9,000 with the 6.2 gas engine and still have the advantage of the F250 carriage. With the standard 3.73 rear end and 6 speed tranny, it is a very nice rig. Much less maintenance costs as well over a diesel. Try one out before you go with a diesel, been there done that and I will never go back to a diesel.

I'm debating right now what will eventually replace my 2010 F250 diesel... Will it be another diesel, or will the 6.2 do? I really appreciate the diesel's power climbing the hills of the western US, almost as much as its braking power going down the same hills. Towing a 27FB. What's behind yours?


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[Moflash]

A 1/2 ton trucks do a good job as long as you don't exceed their designed limits.A 3/4 ton does a good job as long as do not exceed their designed limits same with a one ton.
A 1/2 ton is not the answer for all applications even though they can pull it doesn't make it the right choice for all applications.That is why they make 3/4 and 1 ton.You reach a point with heavier tongue weight Airstream's that a 3/4 ton is a more comfortable choice.I started with a new F150 properly set up pulling my 28ft International and soon found that it was at its limits and we were not comfortable towing with it.
Switched to a new F350 and their will be no going back.I have experienced both and have found the people on this forum who bash the heavier trucks with bs have their own agendas and or have never pulled with a 2012 or newer 3/4 or 1 ton. There is a big difference in comfort and stability.The resale value if ordered properly and taken care of provides for a much better towing experience at the same or less cost of overall ownership if you enjoy trading every 3-4 years.

I have been in the automobile business for over 40 years and have ordered hundreds of trucks so if I can make an error in tow vehicles as I did so can you.


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[FCStreamer]

There is no doubt a bigger truck can pull more. I don't think that's the issue. Some of us don't want a big truck as a daily driver. Or we live in a place where we can't park one. So we pull what we can with a smaller truck.

I don't understand the bias one way or the other.

[Moflash]

There is no bias on my part.Just making a comment,and trying to help.
Its not about pulling more as they can all pull even the largest Airstream.

There is very little difference in using a 1/2 ,3/4 or 1 ton as daily drivers in either ride quality and or maneuverability.


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[dkottum]

"I don't understand the bias one way or the other."

See post #104.

Other than that, the difference is not much.

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by Moflash

There is no bias on my part.
Just making a comment.There is very little difference in using a 1/2 ,3/4 or 1 ton as daily drivers in either ride quality and or maneuverability.

Well, I've test driven the larger trucks, and they indeed ride nice, but parking them in normal parking places can be a problem. And they won't fit in my condo parking lot. So there is a trade off in moving up to a 250/350 and going to a crowded mall. Especially when I can safely tow a 30 footer with a smaller vehicle.

No, I can't tow that monster 5th wheeler. But a 30' Flying Cloud is just fine.

[Moflash]

doug
Not all of us have big truck envy.
I know I don't.So post #104 is a irrelevant reference to this post.

I go to crowded malls, and elsewhere and my truck is a 2015 Supercrew with a 8ft box and a 172 inch wheelbase.But I can see that it is not for everyone and understand your concern and decision.I also have a Mini Cooper S that I drive from time to time.Lol


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[kscherzi]

Originally Posted by Moflash

I started with a new F150 properly set up pulling my 28ft International and soon found that it was at its limits and we were not comfortable towing with it.

I see this position asserted a lot, usually without backup. No offense but can you quantify what is meant by not comfortable? Was there lots of sway, or did the combination not stop safely? I assume you did not feel safe or were placed into unsafe situations. A F150 is a pretty heavy vehicle to start with. What exactly seemed not right? Conversely, what did the F250 solve? I appreciate your thoughts.

I ask because I'm serious about replacing my nearly 14 year old tow vehicle (Expedition) this fall and have been eyeing the 2017 F150 for my 27FB. The 2017 250 is also being upgraded too and is attractive in its own right but I have doubts to it applicability to needs of a daily driver for my purposes.

[J. Morgan]

My TV is my daily driver. When I was younger I would drive a half ton this year and a dually the next, but not anymore. One truck at a time will do for now, and for that a half ton works fine for me.

If I would have wanted to have to have a half ton, I might have bought a giant 5th wheel trailer.

Is it because I am afraid of a big combination? Nah, I used to move furniture, I could put a 53' trailer in some spots that seemed impossible, and I have backed a semi more than two miles down a curvy road. Frankly for me, a monster pickup is not what I need or even want today.

Can a person want a big tow vehicle? OF COURSE!

Does a person NEED a big tow vehicle with a 500 HP diesel to tow an Airstream?

Of course not!


Superat stultitia.

[switz]

We had cut off the 1,200 pound rated factory receiver off of the 2012 Ram 2500HD Cummins (when the conversion to a Kelderman Level ride four airbag suspension system was installed) as I had read about the weld failures on a few of these factory installations and new I would have a 1,175 pound tongue weight initially with our existing 2013 25FB International Serenity that would be at the maximum rating of that factory hitch. We installed a Curt 15049 receiver rated 2,550 pounds of tongue weight and a 17,000 pound trailer. I am confident that rating will exceed any Airstream numbers for the foreseeable future.

After configuring our 2014 Classic with four Lifeline 6ct 6Vdc 300 amp-hour battles and the custom stainless steel enclosure, out tongue weight was about 1,375 pounds. That rating easily exceeds the ½ ton world load hitch ratings and when the bed is full of two generators, tools, propane and gasoline and lawn chairs, grill etc., the total load capacity is just not there in a ½ ton rated vehicle.

We are pleased with our Ram in Big Horn trim level as it is the perfect match for our application. It is NOT the daily driver, but I have been in malls and other tight spots when on a road trip and the trailer is detached and it all works out fine. I tend to park away from the entrance doors as the walk is good for me.

We now have the best extremes of the Airstream world for us between the Ram and the 31' Classic and the Mercedes ML320 CDI towing the 2015 23D International Serenity.

YMMV

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by kscherzi

I see this position asserted a lot, usually without backup. No offense but can you quantify what is meant by not comfortable? Was there lots of sway, or did the combination not stop safely? I assume you did not feel safe or were placed into unsafe situations. A F150 is a pretty heavy vehicle to start with. What exactly seemed not right? Conversely, what did the F250 solve? I appreciate your thoughts.

I ask because I'm serious about replacing my nearly 14 year old tow vehicle (Expedition) this fall and have been eyeing the 2017 F150 for my 27FB. The 2017 250 is also being upgraded too and is attractive in its own right but I have doubts to it applicability to needs of a daily driver for my purposes.

I respect the F250 decisions for TV and understand. For me, I want gas and bigger fuel tank, which would mean I have to get the 8' bed in the F250. I also have concerns about daily driver and parking; the 1/2 T TV's are desirable. Our F150 EB short bed, Platinum is good size and daily driver and TV, with some concerns on limitations of engine heating and breaking; just not sure . Looked again yesterday at the GMC and Chevy 6.2 TV's w/8speed. Some models can order with 36G tank and they do have larger HD breaks with HD Tow and 20"+ wheels. Will wait however, to see the 2017 F150 lineup w/ 10 speed trany and new engine options before final decision. Still have 1 year and 20K miles on extended warranty. Interesting post seeing how many of us are going through this...reminds me of that song: "should I stay or should I go" (1/2T vs 3/4T)

[DPRoberts]

Originally Posted by kscherzi

I see this position asserted a lot, usually without backup. No offense but can you quantify what is meant by not comfortable? Was there lots of sway, or did the combination not stop safely? I assume you did not feel safe or were placed into unsafe situations. A F150 is a pretty heavy vehicle to start with. What exactly seemed not right? Conversely, what did the F250 solve? I appreciate your thoughts.

This post really resonated with me. As someone who knows nothing about trucks or towing (we're years away from getting an Airstream, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can), I'm spending a lot of time reading about different people's experiences using a wide variety of trucks to tow an even wider variety of trailers. Please understand that I'm not aiming this at anyone or any specific posts in this thread, it's just my feeling over reading many, many threads on this forum. My least favorite phrase on here, by far, is "no problems." As in "I've towed thousands of miles all over the country with Truck X with no problems."

The problem with the phrase "no problems" is that everyone sees problems differently. For one person, going up a mountain at only 45 mph is to be expected when towing a trailer, for someone else it's a problem. For some people, every minor inconvenience is a problem; for others, they didn't get in an accident, so there were no problems.

A great example (not from this thread, I'm not trying to call anyone out) is someone I read about recently who had "no problems" towing with his half ton that had a payload of 1600 lbs. He then pointed out that he carried two passengers, had a tongue weight over 1000 lbs, and carried another 1000 lbs of equipment in the bed. If you add up that weight, he was about a thousand pounds over his payload capacity. To many people, that in itself would be a big problem. But to him, he didn't experience any negative effects when traveling, so it was "no problem."

So, the problem with "no problems" is that it's just an opinion - it basically just means "I never felt uncomfortable." But everyone is different, and we all have different comfort levels. So, posting about your experiences having "no problems" is essentially meaningless to everyone but you. This is why I basically must ignore all the posts where people have "no problems", but I really appreciate the specific feedback people with weights, grades, temperatures, trim levels, speeds, mileage, etc. Those sorts of details really help clueless noobs like me navigate this often confusing subject.

[dkottum]

DPRoberts, after you get some time setting up weight distribution hitches and sitting in the drivers seat towing your Airstream you will know what your rig can do "without problems".

A quick search of the internet will provide a handful of numbers. That will be feel far less significant than real experience after you get some. Pay attention to those who actually tow these things with a variety of vehicles and you can learn something.

There are qualities in tow vehicles and trailers and hitches that lend to a much better towing experience; some are much better than others and these qualities not expressed in the numbers.

[SCOTTinNJ]

One thing that helped my 1/2 ton feel more planted was swapping the stock P rated tires for LT tires.