F150 vs F250

[D44]

Originally Posted by matthewk

That's basically a F-250 with a small hood

Yep - I can still reach the windshield wipers to change them - if i climb up on the tires . . .

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by matthewk

That's basically a F-250 with a small hood

2017+ the hood is exactly the same size as a 150. Everything forward of the box is pretty much the same aluminum body panels with some codpieces added to make it look tougher. You could swap in F150 bits and make them look the same... the fake fender vent and different lights and grille are just cosmetic.

[davidrrand]

My ‘15 F-150 5.0v8 Supercab Lariat V8 has done well towing my FC25 on 2 month 6-8k trips from GA to CO, WY, MT, ID, UT, NM in 2016, 17 and 19, mostly exploring mountains. Each trip the overall mileage was just under 12. Above 8k elevation, the naturally aspirated V8 is a bit slow and the downhills with 3.31 gearing means high revving 2nd and even occasional 1st fear to avoid excessive braking but it has worked. Payload is pretty good compared to Supercrews at 2031 but I carry a lot of tools, generators and stuff so am pretty maxed. My BrotherNlaw has a Similar truck and AS but his has the Ecoboost that performs much better at altitude with its turbos. His is Crew with less payload, smaller bed but has the 10 speed I think he has been pleased.
For more capacity and power, I am considering the F250 or 350 with 7.3 gas, 3.73 or 4.10 gearing in a Lariat with Crew cab. Probably 6.75 but maybe 8 ft bed. I’ve had an older gen F350 but these newer ones have a much better ride quality, though not as nimble or economical compared to F150s. I get unloaded on the hwy 20-21 mpg and 18 around my home in the Appalachians so that will go away with heavier truck but hoping closer to a wash towing. So the 150 works with a 25 depending on how much junk you want to haul around and where.
If you want more power, capacity go SuperD.
PS- I don’t like the shifter on the column and lack of Auto 4wd in the SuperDutys. What’s up with that?

[Bcc75]

Again, thanks to all for your input. I have never in my life been part of a forum but this is really an awesome resource.
I may wind up just keeping my 06' F250 for towing for now. It's has the 6.0 powerstroke which was a problem for Ford but I have had it "bulletproofed" and it only has 142k original miles. Its not my every day drive vehicle so again, may just hang on to it for a while. Only thing is, new ones aren't getting cheaper!

[kscherzi]

One negative I've found with my F150 3.5 ecoboost is its propensity to overheat on long grades when towing, specifically at altitude. The truck tows like a mule but its frustrating to watch the coolant temps climb to the high 140's then get the power reduction message on the dash. Google overheating while towing with the ecoboost, its a known problem.

I had it checked by Ford service and they couldn't find any issue. The owners manual even says the truck can overheat on grades and the computer will then reduce power to protect the engine. I'll be towing uphill at 55 mph then suddenly the engine will slow and 35 is all it'll manage.

[brokeboater]

Originally Posted by kscherzi

I'll be towing uphill at 55 mph then suddenly the engine will slow and 35 is all it'll manage.

I find it a bit hard to belived that presents such a problem to some folks (not pointing at you). If everything else with the truck is adequate but on occasion you have to plan to take long grades in a couple of stages I just don't see it as an issue worth worrying about. I did a fair amount of traveling with a max load on my one ton. Every once in awhile I'd have to pull over to let the transmission cool or the brakes. No doubt I could have continued on in those situation without damage but I tend to err on the side of taking care of my equipment. I never saw it as an issue. Maybe I've read too many history books about the trials and tribulation of the wagons heading west.

[matthewk]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

2017+ the hood is exactly the same size as a 150. Everything forward of the box is pretty much the same aluminum body panels with some codpieces added to make it look tougher. You could swap in F150 bits and make them look the same... the fake fender vent and different lights and grille are just cosmetic.

The 250/350 hood is taller at the front than the f-150.. Likely to make it look tougher and clear the diesel.

[kscherzi]

I'm just putting it out there, apparently Ford installed a cooling system that can't keep up with its high powered turbo engine in the F150.
They compensated for this decision by stating in the owners manual that the truck will overheat in certain situations. Maybe its an issue with my model year and they have since corrected it. I bought this truck to replace a 2003 5.4 Expedition (same platform as the F150) that never overheated pulling the same trailer over the same grades.

I used to have a 1966 MGB that overheated going downhill, but many english autos of that era had the same issues. That car was designed in the 1950's. One would expect a modern vehicle, built nearly 60 years later with advanced computers would be capable of pulling nearly half its advertised weight capacity uphill for a few minutes at the speed limit without overheating to the point of shutting off the turbo's.

So much for my rant. By and large the truck is fine. If I turn the A/C off, slow to 50 or 45 mph on the long grades, it'll make it without shutting off the turbo's, but barely.

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by Bcc75

Thanks to all for your input. We are not fulltimers. Mid Forties with 1 in College so it will be while before we can retire & hit the road for extended trips. For now just weekend trips or week long vacations. However I do don't want to be limited to what I can pack for the weeklong trips so from everything I see, the F250 may be the way to go.
Also- does anyone know of any clubs or units in the Southeast US that has activities geared more towards weekenders?

If you’re a WBCCI member the Southeast Camping Unit might interest you. This year has been kind of weird but we usually have some weekend type rallies. You can get contact info in the Blue Beret. Or PM me and I’ll get it to you.

Another option is Top of Georgia unit. They have a nice campground open to all WBCCI members in the mountains just north of a Helen, GA. Not sure but I think most of their activities are located at that one site.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by kscherzi

I'm just putting it out there, apparently Ford installed a cooling system that can't keep up with its high powered turbo engine in the F150.
They compensated for this decision by stating in the owners manual that the truck will overheat in certain situations. Maybe its an issue with my model year and they have since corrected it. I bought this truck to replace a 2003 5.4 Expedition (same platform as the F150) that never overheated pulling the same trailer over the same grades.

I used to have a 1966 MGB that overheated going downhill, but many english autos of that era had the same issues. That car was designed in the 1950's. One would expect a modern vehicle, built nearly 60 years later with advanced computers would be capable of pulling nearly half its advertised weight capacity uphill for a few minutes at the speed limit without overheating to the point of shutting off the turbo's.

So much for my rant. By and large the truck is fine. If I turn the A/C off, slow to 50 or 45 mph on the long grades, it'll make it without shutting off the turbo's, but barely.

Not a rant at all. Overheating and loss of power while towing grades like you have described would definitely be an issue for me as well.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by matthewk

The 250/350 hood is taller at the front than the f-150.. Likely to make it look tougher and clear the diesel.

So they codpieced the hood too? I knew they went to the expense of a distinct quarter panel to set the fake vent into... so the cab is all they left alone. "Let's make these 2 lines use the same body to save money, then change a ton of things to spend more money." No wonder my F stock is where it is.

[Pbn2au]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

And by the way if you want a better experience with an F150 put the roadmaster suspension system on your pickup. It REALLY makes a difference on the F150. The cost is about $650 installed. You will not regret it. Eliminates lots of squat, and firms up the back end quite a bit without taking away the ride comfort.

Sorry if this has been discussed already, but do you have more details on the Roadmaster setup? Their website has a lot of systems and I'm curious what you sent with. Thanks!

[nryn]

Went through the same process. I started two threads that may be helpful:

Help spec a new F-150

Help spec a new F-250

As others say, it comes down to payload. For me, it was a family of 4, bikes, modest amount of gear, and a 27’ Globetrotter.

[1StreamDream]

Take this at face value, but I am moving up fron an F-150 to an F-250 (gas). Can't emphasize the weight situation enough. I have a (new to me) 2015 25' RBT Flying cloud, love the floor plan, love the trailer overall. We tow with an F-150 (5.0L v8) and I have plenty of power, although I don't care for the frequent downshifts to stay in the power band when necessary, and the F-150 gets pushed around more than I expected. We’ve been through mountain regions I-90 from Montanna to Minneapolis). What I don't have is margin on my payload or rear axle. On my trip home after purchase, we stopped at a CAT scale to get weights. The trailer was essentially empty, certainly NOT packed for an extended trip. I was 40lbs over on my rear axle (rated at 3800 lbs). That doesn't sound like much, and some on the forum might say this is no concern, but I want margin, and that overload is only going up once I pack for a real trip (tools, supplies, food, etc). I have already made the choice to upgrade to an F-250, not for power, for stability and margin (heavier truck). I have a 2021 on order. To each his own, but above all else, use your gut feel of your towing experience, and actual weights from a certified CAT scale, for your trailer, to guide your decisions, not just public opinion. My actual weights were the final confirmation that F-250 was right for me (yes, I have a correctly configured WD hitch; Equal-I-zer brand).

Best of luck in your decision process

[Dennis C]

If I had the need for a new tow vehicle, I’d almost certainly purchase a 3/4 ton truck with a turbo Diesel engine to tow an Airstream. I live in the mountains, and I need a 4x4 truck. That said, my wife and I like smaller trailers that can easily get into more remote or smaller campgrounds. For us, a 23 FB is plenty of trailer. Our 1/2 ton truck with a gas engine can handle that just fine. I think it really comes down to your preferences, how you’ll use the trailer, etc. Personally, I’d rather have a little more truck than necessary as opposed to pushing the limits of my tow vehicle.

[matthewk]

If you're leaning for a F250 WITH a Diesel, consider a f-350. Very small differences between the two, but a 250 with a Diesel doesn't have much more payload than a F-150. This video really breaks it down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK3neNe3mTo&t=427s

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Bcc75

...... Due to costs of purchase and maintenance on F250 Diesels, ........I love the 250's but in the long run is it worth the extra costs?

Hi

A F-250 does not *have* to be a diesel. Take that out of the equation and all the "high upkeep cost" stuff goes away.

Once you load up a F-150 with all the max tow this and that, it's not a $30K truck anymore.

Get the one you love !!

Bob

[cesaro]

I tow a 27' AS Intl with a Ford f150 ECO 6 with no problem. I just finished a three week tour of Colorado. The f150 towed well.J Cesaro

[Phil&Sher]

We've towed a 25FB for the past nine years from Florida to the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina with a 5.6L V-8 Nissan Armada, Hensley/ProPride - no problems. FWIW, the V-8 would still be my choice over a turbo V-6.

[Sandy Creek]

F250 for sure. I had a 25RB International Signature and an F150. It pulled fine but was not as stable, in my opinion, even with weight distribution and stabilizing bars. I ended up buying an F250 gasoline and added a few leaf springs in the rear. Pulled fine, no stabilizer bars or weight distribution, even through a tropical storm in 60mph wind gusts and torrential rains. (Pushed the evacuation time a bit much.) The extra weight of the tow vehicle helps in many ways. Stopping, downhills, high winds, etc.
Anyway, divorced and downsized to a 16' Sport and went back to an F150. I could easily pull it with something smaller but prefer heavier tow vehicle per object towed.
Good luck.