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Wanna EB · 10-11-2016, 08:52 AM

Has anyone had experience with both the F150 with heavy duty payload package and an F250. The payload stickers are probably similar, but I am wondering what the towing experience is like.

ghaynes755 · 10-11-2016, 08:59 AM

Towing what?

dkb2go · 10-11-2016, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

Towing what?

I'll add over what type of ground: mostly flat or through steep mountain grades?

IanPoulin · 10-11-2016, 10:06 AM

I've experienced both, towing my Serenity 28W. A Ford F150 3.5L ecoboost (2013 year model) with HD payload/max tow; and a 2016 F250 diesel (2016 year model.)

Overall, gas milage tends to be converse to each other. My ecoboost, non-towing could average between 19-22mpg (granny driving, speed-limit, right lane,) where my diesel averages between 18-20mpg. Towing, on the mountains/flats, my ecoboost averaged 9.5/11.5mpg, and my current diesel averages 11.5/14.0mpg.

Towing experiences:

flats -- no difference. The shape of the airstream behind me, with identical (well the same) hitch gear, the trailer didn't seem like it was even there.

uphill (max grade towed 8%) -- the ecoboost was a jackrabbit at all times. I've never reached a limit on the diesel, but it's a slow power takeoff compared to the ecoboost which on a grade could power into the passing lane with suprising strength.

downhill (max grade towed 8% @ 45mph) -- the diesel wins it for me here. the ecoboost would shift down to 1st in tow mode, and I would still need to apply the brakes to keep the vehicles under speed control. With the diesel and the (so-called) "engine braking" mode, I go down the _exact_ routes, the vehicle is humming along in 4th holding speed all the way down.

Really, I think you'll do fine with either - especially now that the F150 has a diesel in the lineup. With the 2017 model year, the body and interior for both will be identical, so go with your engine capabilities, brake specs, and towing figures and enjoy whichever you go with!

Ian

Taroni · 10-11-2016, 11:55 AM

I traded my 2014 King Ranch Eco-boost for a 2015 F-250 Lariat. I am happy that I did. The Eco-boost did just fine, but just decided to trade up.

Tom Taroni

silverlabs · 10-11-2016, 12:34 PM

I'll agree with the summary from IanPoulin above. I wanted to add a couple of extra comments. I pulled a 25FC and a 28FC with an F150 3.5 EcoBoost over the last several years for over 30,000 miles of traveling. Most of this was done out West and in Canada. The F150 really handled things well overall, but I did feel that there were some limits in the downhill aspect. Tow/Haul did well and it downshifted fine but I still needed to use brakes a little more than wanted to as not quite the compression in the engine with out RPM's being way up to slow vehicle down.

I ordered a 2017 F250 6.7 Diesel and just got it in a few weeks ago. First off, very surprised how well this truck rides and drives. Much nicer and smoother than the prior year models I have driven. We just got back from Balloon Fiesta in NM and was very happy with how it pulled. Averaged 14.3 mpg pulling at 68 mph. Very happy with that. Pulling up grades and handling down grades was very nice. One added thing I noticed that was different between the F150 and F250 was on two lane roads when 18 wheelers flew by going the other direction, never felt anything where in the F150 you would feel the wind and shake from the air movement. This was also the same with some of the strong wind gust that hit us broadside while we were driving as well.

The F150 is very capable to pull most any Airstream, but for me the benefit in moving to the F250 was just the heavier components on the F250 to handle about anything that comes up. With the miles we drive per year towing, I am looking forward to pulling with this truck. I know on this latest trip from DFW area to Albuqurque and back, I was way more relaxed and at ease than many of my other trips.

Chuck

MarkFinATX · 10-11-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanPoulin

I've experienced both, towing my Serenity 28W. A Ford F150 3.5L ecoboost (2013 year model) with HD payload/max tow; and a 2016 F250 diesel (2016 year model.)

Overall, gas milage tends to be converse to each other. My ecoboost, non-towing could average between 19-22mpg (granny driving, speed-limit, right lane,) where my diesel averages between 18-20mpg. Towing, on the mountains/flats, my ecoboost averaged 9.5/11.5mpg, and my current diesel averages 11.5/14.0mpg.

Towing experiences:

flats -- no difference. The shape of the airstream behind me, with identical (well the same) hitch gear, the trailer didn't seem like it was even there.

uphill (max grade towed 8%) -- the ecoboost was a jackrabbit at all times. I've never reached a limit on the diesel, but it's a slow power takeoff compared to the ecoboost which on a grade could power into the passing lane with suprising strength.

downhill (max grade towed 8% @ 45mph) -- the diesel wins it for me here. the ecoboost would shift down to 1st in tow mode, and I would still need to apply the brakes to keep the vehicles under speed control. With the diesel and the (so-called) "engine braking" mode, I go down the _exact_ routes, the vehicle is humming along in 4th holding speed all the way down.

Really, I think you'll do fine with either - especially now that the F150 has a diesel in the lineup. With the 2017 model year, the body and interior for both will be identical, so go with your engine capabilities, brake specs, and towing figures and enjoy whichever you go with!

Ian

Where do see the F-150 diesel? I see the new 3.5L V6 EcoBoost® High Output Engine, but it's still a gasser.

AudioMike · 10-11-2016, 09:59 PM

There have been a lot of rumors regarding an F-150 Diesel. Looks like 2017 may be the year. Do a search and you will see a lot of evidence to that possibility. Here is one http://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/28/f...l-spied-video/

MarkFinATX · 10-11-2016, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioMike

There have been a lot of rumors regarding an F-150 Diesel. Looks like 2017 may be the year. Do a search and you will see a lot of evidence to that possibility. Here is one http://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/28/f...l-spied-video/

Hey AudioMike-

Thanks for the link. Checked it out and although interesting Ford currently offers 5, yes, FIVE different engines for the 1/2 ton. Maybe they'll drop the original 3.5L EcoBoost now that the new High Output/10 Speed automatic is here.

Not sure why I got the 5.0L V-8, but Ford is rumored to be discontinuing it. I might just keep it and get the F-250 6.7L Diesel. So many decisions...

rbs · 10-12-2016, 06:40 AM

we loved our 2011 F150, but it didn't have the heavy duty payload pkg and we were close to the rear axle rating, although we never experience any issues pulling, the truck did just a wonderful job with our 25' classic. we looked at ordering a new 150 with the payload pkg, but couldn't get the options we wanted and delivery time, this was 2015, could not be promised, so we went with the 250. we really like the 250, but the 150 was also great. if you can get the heavy duty payload pkg equipped the way you want, ecoboost motor is exceptional, it will do a great job for you, as a puller and driver

Wanna EB · 10-12-2016, 06:58 AM

These are very helpful responses and I really appreciate the feedback. I tow a 25EB and have used a 2011 Ecoboost. Like others, I have was very impressed with the power and a little concerned about the engine braking. We will be traveling in varied terrains.

I am moving on based on being overweight and the fact that the F150 (w/out heavy duty payload) had more of a "tail wagging dog" effect that I would like. Not problematic necessarily, just more than I want.

For a short time, I owned a 2016 Denali Duramax and really liked the feel of the 3/4 ton suspension when towing.

Ian, how would you compare the suspension feel of the f150 heavy duty payload to the f250?

Thanks again.

IanPoulin · 10-13-2016, 06:35 AM

Replying via phone so will be brief ...

Suspension change from F150 HD cargo/max tow to my F250 was a delightful surprise.

Caveat - my f250 also has a suspension upgrade to the snow plow prep package (I took this upgrade solely for future resale). I also took the wheel well liner upgrade package. (My f250 was a factory order to my travel/tow specs)

The result of the two together is (in my experience) a smoother rolling vehicle, and a much quieter ride overall. Lows of the iPod synch which were drowned out in the f150 by road noise can now be heard with fidelity. While shock bumps can be felt when towing, the ride is simply superior overall when counting all factors.

Ian

2011 Airstream International Serenity 28' - 30a/taupe
2016 F250 King Ranch, crew cab, short bed, 4x4, woof, woof

IanPoulin · 10-13-2016, 06:38 AM

Btw - FYI - the cost diff between identically configured f250 and f350 models is about fifty bucks at MSRP...

Wanna EB · 10-14-2016, 07:21 AM

Very helpful thanks very much

carl2591 · 10-14-2016, 05:19 PM

he ask what, not where.. we all tow on mostly flat ground and steep mountains grades..

For me it a f-250 Super duty with 7.3L diesel pickup. the 150 are ok for up to like a 27ft and in the east will be ok. if you head west ti will get up the hills if you are not worried about being the first up to the top.

250 gives more payload vs 150 and stronger brakes, axles etc

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkb2go

I'll add over what type of ground: mostly flat or through steep mountain grades?