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If you're going to tow often, and regularly, then the F250 gasser may have be a good option if your trailer isn't to heavy. I would never go the diesel route. A 3/4 ton truck especially with the diesel has expensive preventive maintenance and usage, DEF, compared to a gasser. Unless you're retired and living out of your 5er, I wouldn't want a diesel.
Now if you need the extra payload, a Heavy Duty Payload package F150 can be had as it's payload is only about 500 lbs less than a F250 6.2L gasser or about the same as a F250 Diesel. You get additional 100 lbs of hitch weight rating on your hitch receiver if you go with the Max Tow package but that requires the 3.5L Ecoboost. Other wise you still have 1,100 lbs hitch weight rating with the standard tow package. You'll get plenty of towing torque staying with the lighter F150 with either engine.
With the F250 gasser, I believe they bumped up the hitch receiver rating on the 2017s to 1400 lbs from the 2016's 1250 lbs, so you can tow a heavier loaded trailer. Most travel trailers have around 13% so with a standard F150 tow package your loaded trailer weight would be around 8,450 lbs. With the F250's 1400 lbs hitch weight rating, it would be 10,750 lbs. IMO, if you're going over 10,000 lbs loaded, which is about 8500 lbs dry, you'll be wanting to go with a 5th wheel trailer and not a travel trailer.
With any F150 you get, you'll want LT tires and if possible E rated which give your more plys than the C rated Ford gives as an option on a normal payload package truck. The LT tires with more plys, give a much stiffer sidewall that fights the wallowing or back and forth movement you get from a CAR tire (P-Series) that Ford puts on our TRUCKS. You get that wallowing with a side winds pushing on a Travel Trailer (Sail) so the LT makes a much more comfortable and safer tow experience. I still have the P-Series on my truck as it's not real bad wallowing but there none the less. When I buy new tires, they will be LT and it may be sooner than later as these Fortitudes suck in the snow. I'm looking at getting Goodyear Adventurer LT 10 ply (E-Rated) tires.
Honestly, if you go with a diesel engine, you should go to a F350 otherwise your payload goes down into the F150 region.
To give some perspective, my F150 is 5110 lbs and has a payload of 1890 lbs. The 2016 F250 I test drove and considered buying was 7167 lbs and had a payload of 2833 lbs. Add 500 lbs to the F250 weight for a Diesel engine option, and the 10,000 lbs GVWR stays the same.
I'm assuming a new 2017 Aluminum F250 weighs near what the previous 2016 Steel F250 did since Ford said they tried to keep the weight the same. A F250 6.2 weight to power ratio would be like having 274 Hp and 307 lbs of torque in my F150. A F250 6.7L diesel weight to power ratio would be like having 300 Hp and 623 lbs of torque in my F150.
I have a 2016 SCAB 302A 2.7 Sport and a 2015 F350 Platinum Diesel CC longbed.
I went a couple of months without driving the SD, only driving the F150 and other vehicles. When I finally took the SD out for a spin I was shocked at how much more truck it was. Not especially easy to drive in city traffic or the mall. But, man, on the road it can't be beat sitting up in those manly seats. LOL I've had three SD's. I no longer care to use it as a daily driver but it sure is purdy.
Oh, BTW, I have a 2007 Mountaineer(Explorer) AWD that I bought new. Keeping it for a winter vehicle. Just put a brake controller in it. Couldn't believe its tow rating is 200 lbs higher than my F150. 7200vs7000. Did some towing with the Mountaineer and it really was smooth though it has the bobble from the short wheel base.
My recommendation? If you want a daily driver that covers all the bases I would go with the SD diesel. Especially if you don't have to drive in the City or struggle with parking. Buy once, cry once.
I’ve got a ‘17 F150 Scab with a 2.7L, my old man has a ‘16 F350 Reg Cab 8’ box with a 6.2L. My little F150 is a sports car compared to his F350 but damn is that F350 an absolute beast of a truck. We live in Denver and have done plenty of high altitude driving including pulling a trailer. It’s not an issue but that gasser is not a diesel by any stretch of the imagination.
Personally, I don’t feel like any 1/2t should be regularly pulling over 5k or so. It took towing with that F350 for me to completely understand that. That damn truck is intended for it and it’s obvious once behind the wheel.
Oh, BTW, I have a 2007 Mountaineer(Explorer) AWD that I bought new. Keeping it for a winter vehicle. Just put a brake controller in it. Couldn't believe its tow rating is 200 lbs higher than my F150. 7200vs7000. Did some towing with the Mountaineer and it really was smooth though it has the bobble from the short wheel base.
My previous 2008 4WD Explorer Sport Trac had a 7000 lbs tow rating fitted with the 4.6L 3V, 6 speed auto, 3.55 axle and Tow Package.
really should be 3.5 eco v 6.2. If you want it to feel like a truck, then skip the mustang engine. Since you already have the f150 in the household, go super duty. The 6.2 is a great engine.
My previous 2008 4WD Explorer Sport Trac had a 7000 lbs tow rating fitted with the 4.6L 3V, 6 speed auto, 3.55 axle and Tow Package.
I used to tow this with a 97 Explorer V8 AWD.
I don't have a picture on mine handy at the moment, it is white and in much better condition, like new almost, or will be when I polish the roof caps and repaint the wheels. even though it is stored in the barn, the black roof caps faded, and the wheels have some rust spots.
03-26-2018, 08:16 PM
Buy once, cry once.
