Help spec a new F-250

[CRH]

I can't haul my motorcycles in the back of a Lexus while towing an Airstream....I can't do with many F150's, either.

[Moflash]

Pay the extra $600 for the F350.You will be glad you did.They ride the same.

[Andrew T]

Have you considered an Expedition. It is a much more capable and safer tow vehicle than a F250, far more space for the family, much better ride and a better day to day vehicle.

[pappy19]

I agree.

[Moflash]

For hauling motorcycles???
Right

[Daquenzer]

My truck is bigger than you truck...yada yada yada. This thread has digressed

[pteck]

Originally Posted by pappy19

You have even less credibility driving a Lexus instead of a true tow vehicle like a truck. Until you do drive a tow truck, please keep your responses to SUV's, not real tow trucks.

Originally Posted by CRH

I can't haul my motorcycles in the back of a Lexus while towing an Airstream....I can't do with many F150's, either.

Originally Posted by Moflash

Pay the extra $600 for the F350.You will be glad you did.They ride the same.

Yes, I don't have aspirations of driving a "tow truck" either. You guys are projecting your own needs and requirements on the OP.

The OP purchased a Globetrotter, e.g 27FB. He does longer vacation trips. Doesn't haul motorcycles. Doesn't need to haul the house. Same weight and model of trailer that I tow with my sissy Lexus.

I'm not dismissing peoples needs for a heavy duty F250/F350. But not everyone needs such a beast.

Wally's dream is still alive. Airstreams can be enjoyed without too much sacrifice

[Fair_Enough]

Originally Posted by Narayan

@Daquenzer--I'm going to try like hell to find an F-150 that will do the job. It seems like that will require the HD Payload option, which as of 2019 they no longer offer in the Lariat trim (which is the trim we want). So I'll either need to find a 2017/2018 somewhere (used/CPO or sitting new on a lot or...settle for a 250.

I did, however, place my order for the AS today! So I've got time to make a 150 happen--I've looked and a gas 250 is not hard to find.

You'll find one. Find a Ford dealer with an actual truck guy and pick his brain. Another thing is to look at the official Ford trailering guide. The 2018 has been there but the new 2019 doesn't include F-150 yet.
WW

[pappy19]

I don't agree about the Expedition, but do agree about spending $600 more for an F350. Plus the only real difference is the upgraded HD rear end. The springs are the same.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by pteck

Yes, I don't have aspirations of driving a "tow truck" either. You guys are projecting your own needs and requirements on the OP.

The OP purchased a Globetrotter, e.g 27FB. He does longer vacation trips. Doesn't haul motorcycles. Doesn't need to haul the house. Same weight and model of trailer that I tow with my sissy Lexus.

I'm not dismissing peoples needs for a heavy duty F250/F350. But not everyone needs such a beast.

Wally's dream is still alive. Airstreams can be enjoyed without too much sacrifice
Attachment 321512

You minimalist tow vehicle people are a special breed and should have your own thread with your supporting info. I won't hijack your threads if you stay off pickup real tow truck threads. You lose on the truck threads, no matter how good your soft leather seats feel, as you go off the road with no brakes.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by pappy19

You minimalist tow vehicle people are a special breed and should have your own thread with your supporting info. I won't hijack your threads if you stay off pickup real tow truck threads. You lose on the truck threads, no matter how good your soft leather seats feel, as you go off the road with no brakes.

Just came down a 3 mile twisting 6% grade in my 2017 F250 gas. 2nd gear at points with the engine at 5,000 rpm and the truck holding between 50 and 60 mph.

Glad I had the big 6.2 V8 and not a smaller V6.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by Narayan

@Daquenzer--I'm going to try like hell to find an F-150 that will do the job. It seems like that will require the HD Payload option, which as of 2019 they no longer offer in the Lariat trim (which is the trim we want).

For HD payload dont you need the longer bed? So in that case isnt the F150 HD the same length as the standard bed F250? IF I am right, your concern about length becomes moot.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

Just came down a 3 mile twisting 6% grade in my 2017 F250 gas. 2nd gear at points with the engine at 5,000 rpm and the truck holding between 50 and 60 mph.

Glad I had the big 6.2 V8 and not a smaller V6.

I have the 2008 F250 6.8 V10, but the new 6 2 V8 has more HP and higher torque than mine, plus the newer tranny is better. Lots of hype on the diesels but don't discount the 6.2 gasser, it's a good one.

[HeadWest]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Pay the extra $600 for the F350.You will be glad you did.They ride the same.

Currently, with the diesel, an F350 is $45 more then an F250 with Max Tow package (gives you the same rear axle as the F350) and about 1000 pounds more payload. Max Tow is not available on a gas F250 and the price spread is I believe a tick over a $1000 difference.

And yes, they ride the same empty if ordered with the same front springs.

[nryn]

If I was interested in a diesel, I'd go with the 350--makes total sense.

I'm not interested in diesel.

[nryn]

Yes, you are correct. HD payload requires the 6.5" bed on the crewcab, and that won't fit in my garage either. The 250 is larger in other ways, though--for example I don't think it would clear (vertically) any of the parking garages in my town. I know for sure it wouldn't fit in at least two of them (I checked).

A 250 will be easy to find or order, so I've got time to look for a 150.

[pappy19]

Except you forgot to mention the $8,000 more for a diesel, not to mention the difference in the maintenance between diesel and gas. Oh, and the problem with urea and cold weather, additional additives needed, and need to plug into electric power. Gasoline engines don't need these additional costs, and most oil changes are less than $40 with some specials at $20. Call any Ford dealer and ask what an oil and filter change costs for a diesel engine vs a gas 6.2, you will be surprised.

[nryn]

I have, in fact, considered the Expedition and it's also on the list of vehicles I'm considering. My issue with the Expedition is that getting bikes on and off it will be a pain (I would rather not do roof racks) and I already have an SUV (which won't pull the trailer I just ordered). But it's on the list. Didn't start a thread for it because it's a lot easier to spec...

Thanks!

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Narayan

Yes, you are correct. HD payload requires the 6.5" bed on the crewcab, and that won't fit in my garage either. The 250 is larger in other ways, though--for example I don't think it would clear (vertically) any of the parking garages in my town. I know for sure it wouldn't fit in at least two of them (I checked).

A 250 will be easy to find or order, so I've got time to look for a 150.

I ordered the shortest F250 made with a gas engine, a Supercab with a short bed, and it fits most garages, but you should be able to order a similar F150 with the same configuration.

[mikeinca]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Pay the extra $600 for the F350.You will be glad you did.They ride the same.

Originally Posted by pappy19

I don't agree about the Expedition, but do agree about spending $600 more for an F350. Plus the only real difference is the upgraded HD rear end. The springs are the same.

I don't mean to be a nit picker but, just to be clear, the rear springs on the current F250 and F350 are not the same. The F250 with Max tow is a 3 leaf pad plus an auxiliary spring while the F350 is a 4+1.

Also, per Ford specs, the deflection rate of the 3 stage spring pads on both trucks is 8% stiffer on the 350 than the 250 for the first stage, identical on the 2nd stage, and 6% stiffer for the third stage.

Since the first stage of the spring pack relates to unloaded ride performance, and the F350 rate is stiffer, simple physics says that it will ride more harshly. Whether one can detect this difference by seat-of-the-pants feel, or whether ride quality outweighs the payload advantages is a whole other subjective issue. But by the objective numbers, the ride can't really be the "same".