F150 EB owners who have moved to F250/F350?

[Wanna EB]

Thanks. I have some, but not a lot of opportunity for load distribution in the bed. I may try some more lift, but my recollection of my earlier trials yielded some real harshness in the rear suspension with higher lift.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by mojo

Amen. I've been pulling with a 2011 EB now going on 5 years. And I love it, except going down 7% plus grades. Even in 2nd gear, it requires some heavy brake time. I do about 15K a year towing and it is a comfortable truck.

But I miss my Touareg V10 diesel which was a beast at towing and downshifting. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore!

So will be checking out the 3/4 ton 2017 diesel selections (can't believe I'm saying that!) when they come available. All I can say is what I have driven in the past has been luggish, loud and exhaustive. Hopefully the 2017's will be getting a little more civilized. But do want an exhaust brake!

Antilock disc brakes on that trailer? That's where to start.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by rostam

"If the truck's axles/tires are all overloaded, that's another story curable with taking out some stuff or a heavier truck suspension."

The OP said he is 600# over the GVWR. How in the world is the OP going to shed 600# off the truck weight by "taking out stuff"?

Yeah. The world's going to end by being a little over.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by dbcolimon

I have an Equalizer E2 WD hitch

Get a better hitch would be my next step. And set it up on the scale. I doubt that was done, or it certainly wasn't done well. An F150 can deal with any Airstream. If you aren't full-timing there isnt much point to a heavier truck just to go on a few vacation trips.

A one ton isn't more stable than a half ton. Lack of feedback thru the vehicle is taken by most around here to be, "no news is good news".

The Drive Axle contact patch is what is at stake. A one ton places more stress there than a half ton.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Get a better hitch would be my next step. And set it up on the scale. I doubt that was done, or it certainly wasn't done well. An F150 can deal with any Airstream. If you aren't full-timing there isnt much point to a heavier truck just to go on a few vacation trips.

A one ton isn't more stable than a half ton. Lack of feedback thru the vehicle is taken by most around here to be, "no news is good news".

The Drive Axle contact patch is what is at stake. A one ton places more stress there than a half ton.

My previous F-150 had such a low payload rating that I'm sure most larger Airstreams would put it over the limit...

We did it with a 16' Bambi (Scale verified)! True we carry way, way to much stuff with us but that's the way we like to travel.

Yes there are F-150's that can carry more load than the 1120 ours was rated for but not easily found in the configuration/trim we wanted...not on the dealer lots we visited.

I like our new 2500. I'd never go back now...

Bruce

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Get a better hitch would be my next step. And set it up on the scale. I doubt that was done, or it certainly wasn't done well. An F150 can deal with any Airstream. If you aren't full-timing there isnt much point to a heavier truck just to go on a few vacation trips.

A one ton isn't more stable than a half ton. Lack of feedback thru the vehicle is taken by most around here to be, "no news is good news".

The Drive Axle contact patch is what is at stake. A one ton places more stress there than a half ton.

Where you people come up with these statements?? Drive axle contact patch stress?Huh?
I have towed my trailer with a new F150 and a new F350.Guess what the F350 is much more stable with a larger Airstream.Still has great feedback to the driver and stops faster with the trailer attached.
You can install airbags,leaf spring helpers and lift the rear of the truck with a WD hitch but it still will not take the place of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton.
Don't be foolish


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Ridgerunner3]

I towed several years with a 1500 before I decided to try a 2500. Mine is a 2500 gas engine.

For those thinking about the benefit of a 2500, go to the dealer and test drive a 1500 and then test drive a 2500 with a gas engine. The difference test driving without a trailer was dramatic to me. Towing mpg, in my case, is better with the 2500 gas engine than the 1500. Running empty on the highway, the mpg for my 2500 gas engine is about 14.5 mpg. My truck is a 2015 Chevy 2500HD crew cab 6.0 engine 4X4 with a 4.10 differential.

I only use my truck for towing or heavy hauling. MPG is too low for me to consider it for use as a daily driver.

[dkottum]

When we test drove the 2500 we were convinced to buy a new 1500. The only time it felt more stable or better ride than the 1500 was standing still. That said, if we needed more load capacity, climbing hills with using the transmission, or descending some hills on dry roadways without using the brakes the bigger diesel would be the cat's meow.

Our 1500 gets 15-17 mpg towing and 28-30 mpg solo on the highway.

[aftermath]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Get a better hitch would be my next step.

Yeah, and the world is going to end if you don't tow with a HA.

[Loden]

Those who have said that a 1/2 ton truck is just as stable and capable as a 3/4 ton, given a relatively heavy trailer, are puzzling to me. I have pulled with both and while the non-towing experience in the 3/4 ton is a put-off, there is such a world of difference between the experience of towing 3.5 tons of trailer and gear using a 3/4 ton diesel and a half ton pickup equipped with a gas engine that it is like daylight and dark. The difference is between "can do it under good conditions" and "built to do it with room to spare under all conditions." We pull today with a 2015 Chevy Sierra Duramax 4x4 short-bed. We have been in situations where it made a difference, a big difference. Yes, the 1/2 ton probably would do the job if one drives cautiously and relatively slowly and never gets off the hard-stand. If you want to operate at highway speeds and not be concerned when camping off the hardstand, get a tow vehicle designed to do that. If you plan a load (including tongue weight) at or greater than the payload limit for the 1/2 ton, get a larger truck.

Our Sierra gets about 22mpg on the highway without a tow and 10-12 towing. Given the cost of diesel, that ain't half bad.

[PaulnGina]

What Loden said.


PaulnGina
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke

"I don't mean to sound degrading but with a face like that you got nothing to laugh about"

[gypsydad]

Here we go again; another great opinion thread on which truck; I love it! We now have 80K on our 2012' Platinum, EB 4X4 Supercab short bed, with HD tow package, pulling our 25' FC. For all the reasons owners state, the F150 is a "great ride" for both pulling and without pulling. Two areas keep me looking for next TV, however, are breaking down long grades, and engine heating up going up long grades in hot weather. I think I have the trailer breaks now "tuned" to help going down, but wish I had more compression break assistance. The overheating I am not sure what to do, cept slow down to 40 on those long pulls and watch the temp gauge carefully.
I did like driving the new 8spd. 6.2L Chevy recently a lot; great power numbers, big tank, and ride was great also; heard their could be issues down the road with engine towing? That is what I am also concerned about with the F150 EB; blown engine.

I also liked some features in new Nissan Cummings 2/3T; cept, small additive tank, only 6 speed trany, and small gas tank. I just don't want to move to 3/4 T; hard enough to park a 1/2 ton in most parking spaces these days... Appreciate the information from the "experts" here on the Forum to help us see errors of our ways...

[dkottum]

gypsydad, we have learned a lot from the big/small tow vehicle threads when posters are kind and helpful.

I can see benefits to all sizes of tow vehicles so each Airstreamer has to sort out which information is useful to his particular situation. We have no use for heavy loads in our truck so, with a modern pivot point projection hitch, solid tires at full pressure when towing, and quality shock absorbers in good condition the half-ton suits us perfectly. We can manage the 3% of use on steep grades by using our transmission as needed up and down, and let the engine get enough rpm to deliver needed power up and compression braking down. As for stability on the roadway, our 3P hitch allows total comfort in any condition; two fingers on the wheel will do it, maybe there's a tow vehicle allowing one finger steering control. And it's a decent daily driver.

IF we carried heavy loads, a much heavier trailer, and/or lived where much of towing was up and down steep grades we would be looking at a heavy duty pickup. The diesel pulling power is admirable and exhaust brake probably needed with these loads and conditions.

The engine heating issue you bring up is something we have not had with out gas non-turbo half-tons. Perhaps the turbo adds to it, we have one now in our new truck and it's does run warmer. It's new to us, summer will be a better test.

[rostam]

My neighbor was having serious stability issues towing a 7000# trailer with an F150. Everything (hitch, brake controller, tires, etc) seemed to be setup correctly. I suggested he get himself a PPP hitch (you can tell I've been around in this forum for way too long), as it might solve the problem, and would be cheaper than a TV upgrade. He traded in his F150 for an F250 Diesel. Towing the same trailer using the same hitch, all the stability issues have disappeared. He is very happy and enjoys the relaxed towing experience.

Now, I'm not saying anyone towing over 6k or 7k should get a HD truck (many people successfully tow heavy loads with 1/2 tons). But to suggest an HD truck, towing a heavy load, is less stable is just absurd.

[dkottum]

Too bad your neighbor didn't take your hitch advice, he could have saved a lot of money and been at least as happy.

[rostam]

I'm sure his setup is more stable than a 1/2 to with PPP. You get what you pay for as far as cost is concerned.

[gypsydad]

I also liked some features in new Nissan Cummings 2/3T; cept, small additive tank, only 6 speed trany, and small gas tank. I just don't want to move to 3/4 T; hard enough to park a 1/2 ton in most parking spaces these days... Appreciate the information from the "experts" here on the Forum to help us see errors of our ways...[/QUOTE]

Sorry; Nissan's new Cummings is a 5/8T; not 2/3T; but I digress.... any one have an update on the Ford 10 speed trany? Which models will carry in 2017?

[dkottum]

"any one have an update on the Ford 10 speed trany? Which models will carry in 2017?"

That will be interesting for those of us towing Airstreams. I was surprised how nice going from 6-spd to 8-spd was; smooth shifting and engine speed transition. Great for engine compression braking.

[Wanna EB]

I have really appreciated the discussion. On balance it seems like almost all 3/4 ton owners are happy. And, there are also a number of 1/2 ton owners who are happy although several are thinking about a 3/4 ton. Given that I am over my GVWR and a new truck is in the budget, I think I am going to order a new Chevy 2500 Duramax. I really don't care about MPG because when I am spending money on TV fuel, that means I am out having fun....more fuel, more fun.

[switz]

When we had to move to a more capable tow vehicle because the axle ratings were exceeded on the 2007 Mercedes ML320 towing a fully loaded 2013 25FB International Serenity, we only considered a Ram 2500HD Cummins as I knew the engine was reliable. Ford and GM have had their issues engine wise and a straight six is always a smoother running engine than any V8.

And I knew a ¾ ton would be also able to tow a bigger trailer with no compromises.

At the time, I was vey unimpressed with the body design of both Ford and GM products.

YMMV