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urnmor · 10-15-2012, 06:21 AM

After researching and shopping for the last two month I am now at the decision point on a new vehicle.

I am looking at both vehicles and wondering which would be a better purchase.
Because of the discounts the F 250 diesel cost is not significantly more expensive then a special order F150 Lariet with ecobooster, max tow and HD. They are within 2000 of each which way should I go?

Thanks

Bill M. · 10-15-2012, 07:28 AM

I tow a 25' with a 2500 diesel and love it. I would get the diesel. But I do not mind driving a truck.

perryg114 · 10-15-2012, 07:29 AM

If you are going to tow a lot in the mountains the Diesel will probably be the way to go. Maintenance will be higher on the Diesel and the higher price of fuel for the Diesel offsets and fuel saving you will get. It takes a lot of towing to justify the long term expense in terms of fuel savings with a diesel. The Ecoboost may actually get as good miliage as the Diesel. The Diesel won't slow down on hills and won't require reving the engine to get power out of it. A gas engine is made to rev and doing so won't hurt it. Both trucks are nice but how are you planning to use them? I see the F-150 as a daily driver that gets 20MPG that you can tow the trailer with on the weekends. I see the F-250 as more of a full time Tow Vehicle. The F-250 will last longer if all you do is tow 100k miles a year. If you tow 10k miles a year the F-150 is fine. That is my opinion.

Perry

vswingfield · 10-15-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

What engine is in the F250?

Perry

Quote:

Originally Posted by urnmor

...
Because of the discounts the F 250 diesel ...

Diesel.

perryg114 · 10-15-2012, 07:41 AM

Yeah I caught that bit of info later and edited my post.

Perry

Goin camping · 10-15-2012, 07:51 AM

I'd get the diesel.

I'd like the bigger brakes and suspension and while you pay .50 cents +/- per gallon you'll get another 5mpg ( at least I did.)

I have no experience with the eco boost so I don't know what it is like to tow with one. With my F250 I never once had the sensation of the trailer pushing or driving the truck.

If the truck will also be your daily driver I gotta admit the eco boost looks really good.

mojo · 10-15-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

If you are going to tow a lot in the mountains the Diesel will probably be the way to go. Maintenance will be higher on the Diesel and the higher price of fuel for the Diesel offsets and fuel saving you will get. It takes a lot of towing to justify the long term expense in terms of fuel savings with a diesel. The Ecoboost may actually get as good miliage as the Diesel. The Diesel won't slow down on hills and won't require reving the engine to get power out of it. A gas engine is made to rev and doing so won't hurt it. Both trucks are nice but how are you planning to use them? I see the F-150 as a daily driver that gets 20MPG that you can tow the trailer with on the weekends. I see the F-250 as more of a full time Tow Vehicle. The F-250 will last longer if all you do is tow 100k miles a year. If you tow 10k miles a year the F-150 is fine. That is my opinion.

I agree with the above EXCEPT that since both engines are turbo driven, both will do well in the mountains with your 25er. However, if you travel with more than two adults and tend to carry a LOT of gear, then you may be better off with the 250 based upon the GCVW. If not then the Ecoboost is a pleasure to drive and tow with.

sahope8 · 10-15-2012, 08:13 AM

My Purchase was a USED 2000 Ford F250 diesel, 7.3, in 2005. at the time we were towing a 30' across country. We later had a 34' and the fuel mileage dropped about 2mpg. Overall mileage towing ranged from 13 to 17mpg with some tankfuls as high as 19mpg. Mods: computer chip, larger intake and exhaust, all synthetic fluids. I have done as high as 25mpg hwy, NOT towing, but I like the truck and will keep it as my only vehicle, though not towing cross country anymore. (73 yrs old)

reinergirl · 10-15-2012, 09:41 AM

The Ecoboost has a known engine problem involving water condensation from the intercooler getting into the engine causing violent shuddering and loss of power. There is plenty of info out there on the Ford forum and elsewhere. Last I heard, Ford didn't have a solution. I was considering this truck as my next vehicle, now not so much....

vswingfield · 10-15-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

Yeah I caught that bit of info later and edited my post.

Perry

Yes, and you did a great job of summing up the pluses and minuses.

rodsterinfl · 10-15-2012, 10:16 AM

The Ford issue I have been checking on myself. Basically it is all about driving in the rain for the most part. What happens is in a downpour, if the driver accelerates more aggressively the turbo sucks in some water, which, quickly turns to vapor but nonetheless causes sputtering and the check engine light to come on. They are testing a type of wind deflector to counteract the direct water issue and will be adding it to ecoboosts for customers.

I agree with the first post response. It depends on what you are going to do with the tow vehicle other times. My plan is to have one vehicle eventually. If that is your case then I would go with the ecoboost gas engine. I have a diesel car and like it; however, the diesel fuel is more expensive and a 250 is not a good a ride as the 150 for everyday and, it costs more. Either one will pull your AS. The only other difference is how much payload capacity you will need. The 2012 F-150 Supercrew 145" ecoboost 4x4 HDP payload is 2310lbs. minus your 835lb (or so) tongue weight and that leaves around 1470 lbs for stuff minus hitch weight. Also, look at the tow mileage info thread. It looks like most Airsteram owners on here who have gassers are getting around 12mpg while most diesel owners are getting about 14mpg. Of course there are some stating they have gotten 14 with their gas and 16 with their diesel but overall that is what it looks like. Also remember that diesel fuel costs 12-15% more than gas so in $$$ terms, consider that it must get 1.5 to 2 mpg better to break even just on fuel costs. There are other factors between diesel and gas but consider your other than towing needs.

Wayward · 10-15-2012, 10:18 AM

After towing a 25' with a 6.2L F250 with the new 6 speed for a couple of years now, I think it remains an often overlooked TV.

I do not miss our 3/4 ton diesel. The 6.2 motor combined with superb engine/tranny controller provides ample power and torque. Mountain towing is a pleasure with well placed upshifts, downshifts and torque converter lockup. Our XLT model was $27K.

SteveH · 10-15-2012, 11:32 AM

Just my opinion, but for $2K difference, I wouldn't even consider the EB 150.

I tow with a Diesel, and would not go back to gas.

urnmor · 10-15-2012, 01:19 PM

Thanks for the great responses. One point regarding fuel and price. Ford states to use premium fuel when towing with the ecobooster. Around here the price of diesel and premium run pretty mcuh the same with diesel currently being a little less expensive. So I have made fuel a wash in the equation because once I use premium I doubt that I would go back to regular.

TouringDan · 10-15-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayward

After towing a 25' with a 6.2L F250 with the new 6 speed for a couple of years now, I think it remains an often overlooked TV.

I do not miss our 3/4 ton diesel. The 6.2 motor combined with superb engine/tranny controller provides ample power and torque. Mountain towing is a pleasure with well placed upshifts, downshifts and torque converter lockup. Our XLT model was $27K.

Wayward

I completely agree. While I love my Tundra 5.7L double cab, the first TV that I would consider if I had to replace it now would be an F250 with the 6.2L gasser and 6 speed tranny.

Dan

perryg114 · 10-15-2012, 05:27 PM

There is nothing wrong with a gasser unless you tow at really high altitudes a lot. The Ecoboost is going to work well at high altitudes as well.

Perry

nilesrob · 10-15-2012, 07:17 PM

I would tend to agree that for a difference of $2K, in my mind there is not much to consider, notwithstanding the good info posted earlier regarding non-towing use.

One of the things that I really like about the diesel is that I have equipped my truck with an auxiliary fuel tank, giving me a capacity of 80 gallons. This is so great on any kind of long hauls, not having to worry about fueling up all the time, and quite frankly provides an ability to more carefully shop for price. We still stop every few hours to stretch or eat, but more often than not it is at a rest area or the side of the road.

And I have really enjoyed the F250 - love the ride. Having said all this, I just spoke to someone last night with the F150 Ecoboost (towing a 25) and he thought it was a fabulous machine and great towing.

I am currently at about 107K miles on my 2008 F250 and expect to keep it towing for many more years - certainly at a minimum don't expect to even think about another vehicle until at least 200K and probably much higher. Plus, we load up when we go camping, with a generator, sometimes firewood, kayaks, and as a result don't have to think too much about load limits. To me, one less thing to worry about.

mefly2 · 10-15-2012, 07:37 PM

When we voted with our checkbook, the F150 seemed to be a bit under-torqued pulling up mountain passes; so, we opted for a 2500 diesel. Seems to have better load rated tires, brakes, and, of course, the diesel compression brake. Both are good choices. Fuel mileage is slightly better with the diesel, but the diesel price per gallon is higher ... maintenance items are muuuuch higher.

Sav'h Steve · 10-15-2012, 08:37 PM

I've got the F250 with 7.3 diesel which tows like a dream.

But I've got to admit, that when I go the the store, grocery shop, whatever, I take the smaller Expedition.

Now I bought the CrewCab to have more interior space which is nice, but we don't really use it for extra people. Still, I like the extra *dry* space. (The Lear pickup cap doesn't keep it totally dry.)

Many people have commented about parking the longish vehicle. And this is not the looong bed....

So no doubt the extra $2 big ones seems chunk change for more vehicle.

In my mind it all boils down to the % use one does towing. (Don't we all wish it were a higher %

)

How do you feel?

Nightwatch · 10-15-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

When we voted with our checkbook, the F150 seemed to be a bit under-torqued pulling up mountain passes; so, we opted for a 2500 diesel. Seems to have better load rated tires, brakes, and, of course, the diesel compression brake. Both are good choices. Fuel mileage is slightly better with the diesel, but the diesel price per gallon is higher ... maintenance items are muuuuch higher.

Interesting. I have a 2012 EB and I can't believe how much torque it has. Over 6k towing all in the rockies, over many passes above 10'000 feet and not once have I thought "I need more torque". I haven't even had to depress the gas much beyond my typical cruising speed, except in the steepest sections.

I'm pulling a 23D international. Last trip I went to a scale with my whole rig with all the gear and I was at about 13k lbs GCW, so could easily be towing a larger rig. Just my 2 cents.