F150 or 2017 F250 or 2018 F150 Diesel?

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

IMHO, your rig seems well balanced as is and with the 25' AS you most likely aren't experiencing any " tail wagging the dog " issues so I for one would stick with it. Especially since you have such a low miles on it.
However if you have a hankering for a new toy I second the motion for the F-250 Diesel. There is never and overkill when it comes to pickups and toys :-).

One item you might consider is your shocks.
I towed a 30' AS with an F-150 Eco for three years and it was a challenge. One thing that eventually improved things significantly was when I swapped out the factory shocks with Bilsteins all the way around. Someone else noted that as well.

[rvmeister]

I am newer to this forum as my wife and I were comtemplating either a 25FB or 23CB (23D). After running this Ford weight calculator PDF tool I could not get 25FB to work with a 2.7L F-150 Ecoboost with Tow Package due to payload limitations (1573lbs). We are going with the 23CB since I can safely factor in everything (payload, hitch weight, trailer weight and cargo, etc,etc). We like the 23CB anyway the best.

The calculator can be found here posted by a Ford dealer. SUPER HELPFUL TOOL. You can download it too and then print/save your results.

http://www.diehlford.com/images/pdf/...s-in-Stock.pdf

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by rvmeister

I am newer to this forum as my wife and I were comtemplating either a 25FB or 23CB (23D). After running this Ford weight calculator PDF tool I could not get 25FB to work with a 2.7L F-150 Ecoboost with Tow Package due to payload limitations (1573lbs). We are going with the 23CB since I can safely factor in everything (payload, hitch weight, trailer weight and cargo, etc,etc). We like the 23CB anyway the best.

The calculator can be found here posted by a Ford dealer. SUPER HELPFUL TOOL. You can download it too and then print/save your results.

http://www.diehlford.com/images/pdf/...s-in-Stock.pdf

The calculator is a good start, but you really need to "see" what the sticker says on "your" door jam to get accurate numbers. Options affect payload. The 2.7 may work, but you may want to revisit the 3.5 to insure you have enough power/payload in case you decide to move up to a larger AS. My 2012 F150 EB Platinum only had 1039 payload when I got it. I had believed the sales guy back then, who spouted the Ford numbers from the Ford website...wrong! The cost of a new TV is a big investment...

[rvmeister]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

The calculator is a good start, but you really need to "see" what the sticker says on "your" door jam to get accurate numbers. Options affect payload. The 2.7 may work, but you may want to revisit the 3.5 to insure you have enough power/payload in case you decide to move up to a larger AS. My 2012 F150 EB Platinum only had 1039 payload when I got it. I had believed the sales guy back then, who spouted the Ford numbers from the Ford website...wrong! The cost of a new TV is a big investment...

Agree Gypsydad and if you read the calculator tool it tells you to look at your stickers -it's not generic. It's to help you calculate your capacity limits for your specific truck. My bet is there are alot of people exceeding their Ford payload limits with the 25-30 ft AS's and don't even know it. I think they see they have plenty of haul and hitch capacity and don't know about payload. Yes agree the dealers are either clueless or they breeze by payload cause they know it could kill their sale....

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by rvmeister

Agree Gypsydad and if you read the calculator tool it tells you to look at your stickers -it's not generic. It's to help you calculate your capacity limits for your specific truck. My bet is there are alot of people exceeding their Ford payload limits with the 25-30 ft AS's and don't even know it. I think they see they have plenty of haul and hitch capacity and don't know about payload. Yes agree the dealers are either clueless or they breeze by payload cause they know it could kill their sale....

Agree, it is clueless from what I observed while looking at all the new brands prior to getting my F250. I had 3 sales guys including sales manager, argue with me on payload at a Toyota dealership about payload. I finally asked them to "show me" a truck with over 1500# payload on their lot; we looked at 5 loaded trucks and nothing over 1300#! Learning experience for sure.. I also liked the 6.2 GM with 8 speed, but again, could not find payload without special order. In the end, I am glad we went with the F250; it fits our needs, and the ride in the new model is pretty nice compared with earlier models.

[m.hony]

Most Tundras have 1,455# payload. Some less equipped models may have more payload.
Some smaller cabs may have more payload.
Some with more options may have less payload.

[Kosm1o]

Agree

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Summary: I believe (from my experience) the F150 EB and a 25' is a great match up. Great TV and many owners are happy with this combination, as we were. (easier to park and great daily driver also)

The new F250 for our needs was a great choice. We love the retractable running boards on ours; it is easier to get into vs the fixed running boards. The 7 cameras, lane change assistance, and all the new creature features are nice...we are happy

Thanks for your write up; it's great to hear the positive feedback on your new F250. We just ordered a 2018 30' Classic and I'm acquiring a 2017 F250 Platinum to tow it. I don't think our F150 EB Lariat is quite up to the task, especially given it's 1638# payload, although it's a great truck in every other respect. BTW, we have the retractable running boards on the F150 and they're coming on the 250; we love 'em too!

[Daquenzer]

I have a 28' International Serenity, and I bought the 2017 Ecoboost with tow/haul. It pulls the 28' just fine. It has plenty of horsepower and the torque is improved over the past engines. Also the 10 speed transmission is great. Although in tow/haul usually doesn't get into 9th gear. But much of it was getting the Blue Ox situated correctly. I make sure to use seven links on the chain. It's level. And no sway. But I don't drive faster than 60 or 65. If I were pulling all the time I'd probably go with a 250. But since I use my truck for work I needed something with better gas mileage. When I can get 22.5 mpg with daily driving on the 3.5 Ecoboost and still pull the AS then not bad.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Most Tundras have 1,455# payload. Some less equipped models may have more payload.
Some smaller cabs may have more payload.
Some with more options may have less payload.

Not from what I saw on the lot...many had 1200+ which surprised the sales guys and manager at dealer I went to in Austin. Not unusual to find a sales guy who does not know where to find this "actual" data in the door jam...then there are sometimes those who do no agree with the sticker and will argue that Toyota says it's...what ever...because again, they don't really know the sticker is the bible.

[Ray Eklund]

2014 Tundra Crew Max, 5.7L 4x4 Leer topper - Equalizer Hitch with 1,000# bars- 2 1/2" shank into 2 1/2" hitch receiver of Tundra- 25 foot International:

Great for towing/pulling. With five washers on the ball adjustment, I could not get the rear of the Tundra UP. Rode with the leaf springs nearly flat, if not flat. You could feel the hard ride upon the axle of the Tundra on dips or rough off the pavement roads. A 23 foot and smaller being towed by a similar Tundra, probably an EXCELLENT MATCH for towing and a daily driver. Pulling a 25 foot or longer Airstream... be very careful in my opinion. You may save money on the cost of the vehicle, but give up the boat or something else.

Purchased a 2016 F350 Diesel, 4x4, Double Cab, King's Ranch, Leer Topper, same Equalizer used with the Tundra. For $300 sticker for the added leaf spring to go from F250 to F350. The Diesel... the 2017's were coming out with the aluminum bed and a great bargaining position... and this F350 had all I could haver ever wanted or needed in a truck. You will not even notice a 25 foot trailer is being towed!

The SHANK for the Tundra is 2 1/2" and the sleeve on the hitch are the same. The Sleeve on the 3/4 and 1 ton Fords are 3" sleeves. You will have excess SLOP with the 2 1/2" shank using the slide in to fit it into the 3" sleeve. Take your Equalizer Hitch and buy the 3" shank. Perfect. I use a 3 inch+ shim to fit between the new shank into the 3" sleeve for a snug and no slop up and down movement at all.

I noticed your hitch and chain have a big arch in the setting. My Tundra with the 23 foot Safari did not have that and rode level. You are probably noticing a hard ride with your setup.

The F350 tows with the same 5 washer ball setting (heard the 2017's and later have a much higher distance from the road than the pre-aluminum bed 2016's are earlier). Absolutely perfect for my 2016 F350. No sway. No bottoming out of leaf springs onto axle. Other than the Diesel is more oil change and maintenance costly... life is short when one is 67... and the resale market for a used Diesel is competitive.

Diesel engine braking... something to consider if you spend a lot of time in the mountains.

A F250/350 gasser... would also be fine without the extra cost of a Diesel and its quirks. The lower mileage per gallon is offset by the cost of the Diesel for YEARS and YEARS.

Sure, save money on a half ton tow vehicle, but then drop the 4x4, smaller cab and go cheap. But you will regret it every day. IF one can manage the cost of the 3/4 or 1 ton tow vehicle Dodge or Ford... it made me, again, One Happy Camper.

[wponder]

Thanks for all the input from everyone. Mastering the BlueOX with help from Airmiles was a key component. We are going to put it to the biggest max test this week. Based on last weigh in we are at 12040lb. I still need to add somethings such as a generator, solar and a few other items. I have accounted for their weight. However, this week we are headed out and will need to take our Maravia raft with us including the frame, drybox etc. It's going to be distributed across the truck bed. I am working now to make sure we do not exceed the rear GAWR. We might need to move some of our gear into the AS to distribute things.

If we can make this work and everything is sold we will stick with the 150. Everything looks good on paper we just need to get the weight in the right places which could be a challenge.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

The SHANK for the Tundra is 2 1/2" and the sleeve on the hitch are the same. The Sleeve on the 3/4 and 1 ton Fords are 3" sleeves. You will have excess SLOP with the 2 1/2" shank using the slide in to fit it into the 3" sleeve. Take your Equalizer Hitch and buy the 3" shank. Perfect. I use a 3 inch+ shim to fit between the new shank into the 3" sleeve for a snug and no slop up and down movement at all..

I recently checked with Equalizer about the availability of a 3" shank since my AS dealer recommends and installs Equalizer hitches and I've got a 2017 F250 diesel incoming. FWIW, they informed me that their hitches only come with a choice of 2" or 2 1/2" shanks.

[sheriff1]

First I've ever heard of 3"

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

Thanks for your write up; it's great to hear the positive feedback on your new F250. We just ordered a 2018 30' Classic and I'm acquiring a 2017 F250 Platinum to tow it. I don't think our F150 EB Lariat is quite up to the task, especially given it's 1638# payload, although it's a great truck in every other respect. BTW, we have the retractable running boards on the F150 and they're coming on the 250; we love 'em too!

Diesel or gas, if gas then maybe okay, if diesel make sure you've seen comparable models door sticker, I looked at an XLT diesel and sticker was 2055lbs, a platinum has was more heavy options and you may not get much more than you had before. I bumped up to F350 for $800 more and 3600lbs

[turk123]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

I recently checked with Equalizer about the availability of a 3" shank since my AS dealer recommends and installs Equalizer hitches and I've got a 2017 F250 diesel incoming. FWIW, they informed me that their hitches only come with a choice of 2" or 2 1/2" shanks.

I called Equalizer and they recommended the 7" shank, but said to wait for the 250 to come in to measure.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by sheriff1

First I've ever heard of 3"

There was a post on a F150 / F250 Thread that had not heard of a 3 Inch receiver, nor a 3 Inch Shank on an Equalizer Hitch.

Find my Thread about Equalizer Slop. This has my first encounter with the 3" shank and the F350 3" receiver.

My 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel has a THREE INCH receiver with a slide in that reduces it to a 2 1/2" to fit the smaller Shanks. This evolved into a Thread I did about Equalizer SLOP because of the '2 1/2" adapter shim' being loose in the receiver. Very loose and not what you would want hammering itself to a pulp while towing.

I purchased a 3" Shank from Equalizer and swapped my 2 1/2" Shank out. It fit snug, but the up and down had some slop. I cut a 12" piece of thin steel, about 3" wide, put a bend on the front of this shim, so I could push it into the receiver, when inserted the shank.

Swaps out easily and it is also shown on the Equalizer website, how to do it.

This was a post, also by mikeinca.

[mikeinca]

Ray, I e-mailed Equalizer about the possibility of getting a 3" shank for an F250 receiver and they told me they only offered 2" and 2 1/2". But you say you got a 3" from them? I hope you're right and the person who wrote me is wrong. Before I call them and speak to someone directly might you have a part number or other reference I could use?

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

Ray, I e-mailed Equalizer about the possibility of getting a 3" shank for an F250 receiver and they told me they only offered 2" and 2 1/2". But you say you got a 3" from them? I hope you're right and the person who wrote me is wrong. Before I call them and speak to someone directly might you have a part number or other reference I could use?

******

I am sorry. I measured and the Tundra was a 2" and the F350 a 2 1/2".

I was thinking the Tundra was 2 1/2" and I added 1/2" for the Ford.

The adapter shim reducing the receiver from 2 1/2" to a 2" shank still is sloppy, and just replacing the shank, or getting a hitch already set up to fit whatever your receiver takes.

Talk about a 'stupid moment'. I turned around the F350 from going to a Breakfast Buffet at a Casino... hoping I could correct his in time. Now... for fresh doughnuts.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by mikeinca

Ray, I e-mailed Equalizer about the possibility of getting a 3" shank for an F250 receiver and they told me they only offered 2" and 2 1/2". But you say you got a 3" from them? I hope you're right and the person who wrote me is wrong. Before I call them and speak to someone directly might you have a part number or other reference I could use?

I had my 2" Sleeve welded to the hitch. It is in there solid and eliminated all movement of the shank. Should I ever need to remove it all I need to do is grind the welds off.