2016 Ford F150 vs F250

[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

[55AS]

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

[mefly2]

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

I would echo Loden's thoughts ... we progressed from a Ford F150 to a Ram 2500 CTD and have now found near perfection with the Chev 2500 HD diesel.

[m.hony]

Although I love the GM Duramax/Allison, I'm just not ready to give up my Tundra-


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[IanPoulin]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

The principal advantage of the F-250 over the F-150 is the superb diesel engine available on the F-250. If you are not interested in the diesel on the F-250 then I would get the F-150 with the 3.5 liter Ecoboost. The F-150 3.5 liter Ecoboost is a wonderful tow vehicle for a 25 & 27 foot Airstream. Don't get the 5 liter, you will be disappointed in it's performance while towing and also around town when not towing.

Bob is completely on target here.

I currently tow my 28W currently with my F150 3.5L V6 ecoboost and have loved it from day one. The torque it contains at nearly any rev level powering up mountain pass hills in the appalachians have been amazing. Average gas milage not towing has been about 20mpg and towing about 11.5 in the mountains and 14.5 on the flats. A recent trip from DC to Chicago and return via West Virginia averaged 13.0 for the entire out and return trip.

The one "issue" have with the F150 3.5L ecoboost has been the lack of engine compression to assist with downhill control - even in tow/haul mode where the engine downshifts to second gear, I still need to apply firm and repeated braking on steeper or lengthier than average hill descents.

I am picking up it's replacement in the next week or two - a factory order 2016 F250 diesel 4x4 KR. I chose to order this year mostly as the new body style for the super duty in 2017 leaves me out fit wise (I stand 7' tall) where the current series fits fine. So for me, it was a "buy it now or face the Tundra as your only future option." so I bought now.

In my opinion, you'll do fantastic with an F150 or F250 either, 3.5Lv6 ecoboost or diesel. Find what you enjoy driving, and see ya on the road!

Ian

[m.hony]

Ian,
Please explain your avatar.
Do you sing in a barber shop quartet?

[IanPoulin]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Ian,
Please explain your avatar.
Do you sing in a barber shop quartet?

Unnamed quartet; don't compete. But I also sing with the Alexandria Va Harmonizers competition chorus. Im always up to pickup/tagging into the night. I'll teach parts.

Ian




2011 Airstream International Serenity 28' - 30a/taupe
2013 Ford F150 v6-ecoboost with max tow and HD payload packages

[LyleRussell]

I have a 2015 F150 with maxtow and ecoboost. I have been to Maine and Florida with my rig over the past year. The engine is excellent, I pass folks going up hills hauling a 9000# 27' foot classic AS. I have never seen an accident with the aluminum body but I did notice that my insurance went down. Yes down. I even double checked with my insurance company to make sure they weren't making a mistake. The only caveat I have with mine is that cargo capacity is only 1850 pounds. I highly recommend my Ford.

[LyleRussell]

I also run the cheapest possible regular for towing and daily driving. Mileage for me is 10-11 towing and 22 on empty long trips. 18 city driving.

[fran&frank]

These have been great replies to my original post. I currently have a Tundra and have reluctantly decided to give it up because of its limited payload once we by our Airstream. So from these posts and others on the forum I've decide to more seriously consider the 3.5L Ecoboost option in a F150 and to test drive a F250 to see how we'd like it for our driving when not towing. Since I'm not in a hurry, I think I'll wait and see what the new Titan XD with the 5 L Cummins looks like this spring, and if it maybe hits a sweet spot between a 1/2 ton gas engine and 3/4 ton diesel.

[m.hony]

I still got Tundra love in my heart- not planning to trade- ever- but...
If you are considering a Ford, please wait and see what the totally redesigned 2107 E250 and F350 will be.
I tow my 30' Classic with a Tundra- always have- always will-
If I ever get another truck (this one has 51,000 miles) it will be another silver Tundra- but with black interior next time-

[snakyjake]

Originally Posted by gr.austin

The second concern is the aluminum body. Search for pictures of the F150 after an accident.

That won't tell you much. Somethings are meant to crunch (absorb), some things aren't. Look at Consumer Reports, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), or similar for the crash and safety testing.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by frthompson

These have been great replies to my original post. I currently have a Tundra and have reluctantly decided to give it up because of its limited payload once we by our Airstream. So from these posts and others on the forum I've decide to more seriously consider the 3.5L Ecoboost option in a F150 and to test drive a F250 to see how we'd like it for our driving when not towing. Since I'm not in a hurry, I think I'll wait and see what the new Titan XD with the 5 L Cummins looks like this spring, and if it maybe hits a sweet spot between a 1/2 ton gas engine and 3/4 ton diesel.

I loved the idea of the Nissan, but it is such a pig that from what I'm reading real life payloads are no better than what you can get from a wisely chosen - and not necessarily stripped down - 1/2 ton. To me it's a bit of a dissapointment thus far.

[Zybane]

I say definitely wait for the new aluminum Ford Super Duties coming out this fall. Lighter trucks, all the technology of the new F150 but with a Super Duty package. Even has a trailer backup camera.

The new Powerstroke diesel is rumored to have 500 HP and 1000 fl/lb TQ. Could you image the ease at which an Airstream would be towed by that puppy! We are talking 15+ MPG with the Airstream in tow on the highway.

[KWN306]

I have a buddy with a 2015 SD F250 diesel with 4:10 gears and empty he gets 13 - 14 mpg, pulling his 27' AS he gets 10 - 11 mpg. He has had it back to Ford 3 times because of bad fuel consumption and they tell him it is all the emission controls on the newer diesel motors that are killing the fuel mileage. He is not a happy camper after spending $62K on a truck.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by Zybane

I say definitely wait for the new aluminum Ford Super Duties coming out this fall. Lighter trucks, all the technology of the new F150 but with a Super Duty package. Even has a trailer backup camera.

The new Powerstroke diesel is rumored to have 500 HP and 1000 fl/lb TQ. Could you image the ease at which an Airstream would be towed by that puppy! We are talking 15+ MPG with the Airstream in tow on the highway.

I am a little curious... Why do more horsepower and torque mean better fuel mileage? I am guessing but this sounds a little optimistic...
Am I missing something here?
BB

[crispyboy]

Bruce b - its more of a horsepower/torque war between the big 3. The manufacturer has reached a point of diminishing returns when it comes to fuel mileage.
The engine and drivetrain is managed so much by the trucks computer - you only get the big hp/torque numbers under certain circumstances - this allows the manufacturer to put a warranty on the vehicle and keeps below average drivers from wrapping the truck around a tree...

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Bruce B

I am a little curious... Why do more horsepower and torque mean better fuel mileage? I am guessing but this sounds a little optimistic...
Am I missing something here?
BB

More low end torque allows for higher rear end ratios and better advantage of using 8 - 9 - 10 speed transmissions. It is counter-intuitive, but my 6.2L, 420 HP, 460ft-lb of torque gets substantially better mileage than the prior generation 4.3 liter 6 speed, let alone the old 5.3L 6 speed.

It just lopes along at 1400 rpm and stays in 4 cyl mode or a high gear....thanks to a lot of low end torque. Comparable results with 9000# of AS on behind.

Mileage is consistently 21.6 solo at 65 mph and 12.5 towing at 63 mph.

[gypsydad]

Diesel vs gas; F150 is rumored to be coming out with the 8-10 speed automatic...paired with the Echoboost; should have improved gas mileage; already plenty of torque there and no diesel issues in cold weather. Just saying...

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

More low end torque allows for higher rear end ratios and better advantage of using 8 - 9 - 10 speed transmissions. It is counter-intuitive, but my 6.2L, 420 HP, 460ft-lb of torque gets substantially better mileage than the prior generation 4.3 liter 6 speed, let alone the old 5.3L 6 speed.

It just lopes along at 1400 rpm and stays in 4 cyl mode or a high gear....thanks to a lot of low end torque. Comparable results with 9000# of AS on behind.

Mileage is consistently 21.6 solo at 65 mph and 12.5 towing at 63 mph.

Your 21.6 is something I'll never see in my 5.4 F-150 but it seems that most people post similar numbers to what you are seeing towing the various size Airstreams.
We've just driven from New England to Florida towing our Bambi and we saw an average of 12.8 (hand calculated) mpg's...

Most people I've personally asked, who tow with the current generation 250/2500 diesels claim about the same numbers towing...

I will be interested in seeing how it all works out but I remain skeptical... Of course I have been known to be wrong a few times...
BB