GFL

I absolutely LOVE my 16 F150 Platinum 3.5 Ecoboost/FX4/Max Tow/3.55. I've only had it 6 months, and have 4700 miles on it. However, lately I've been shopping travel trailers, and was pretty fixed that I was going to go with a Jayco 32' (dry weight around 8K lbs). Then I started looking at these "1/2 ton towable Fifth wheel' rigs...and have come to the conclusion that they are primarily marketing, and at best you are really pushing the limits of a half ton truck with them - really should be a 250+ if you want to go fifth wheel.

Which leads me to where I am now. With the 17 Super Duty (man they're beautiful) out now that replicate everything I love about my F150, plus all of the significantly increased towing and payload capacity - do I dare try to see what kind of deal they would work with me on a trade to maybe a Lariat 6.7 250/350 SD comparably equipped (Platinum SD's are getting out of my comfort zone$)... or am I just asking to get my ***** handed to me on a trade even with 4700 miles? Is my logic flawed on trying to get more truck now, instead of waiting? Is the 150 enough, and are there a lot of tradeoffs going from a 3.5 Ecoboost 150 to a Powerstroke 6.7 250/350, and a much larger truck? (I driveway park at home, but imagine this is a parking lot handful).

Also - since its so early in the 17 build cycle - are there even any deals to be had? I bought mine as a late summer 16 build and got 0% Ford Financing (had to forego the rebates) - does any of this exist on the Super Duty's yet? I did a flyby at my local dealer (who I'm not a fan of), and still see a LOT of 16 SD's on the lot, which tells me they probably aren't really motivated to deal on 17's at this point. Any thoughts are appreciated....sorry for the rambling brain dump.

whitescrew77

No you are not crazy at all. I had an F150 with a 29ft travel trailer bunkhouse. Pulled it, but it did so much better with a gasser f250. Then wife wanted a 5th wheel toyhauler, gasser didn't pull that for crap. Went in a got a diesel f250 while trading in the gasser. I thought I was in for pain in the wallet, but the dealer got me within $1000 of what I owed on the gasser. After owning gasser for 5 months and 11,000 miles, I thought that was pretty good deal to get out of it almost scott free. Plus the diesel will pull anything almost. Yes there are deals on the 2016 last of the steal bodies out there, but you better act fast. I am in St. Louis area and they are going quick, but can still be had. Find the truck you want in stock and go talk to the dealer, if it isn't the right deal, walk away.

ThatNewWifeSmell

If you look around, you may find Platinums are close to the same price as well optioned Lariats. I know you can option a Lariat to be more expensive. I don't think Ford ever does 0% on SD. You can probably get 3-5% from them though and refinance with the bank of your choosing. Parking lots aren't bad once you get in the habit of always parking away from the idiots. I park as far away as I can get usually. There's tons of space out there! Parking garages will mostly be off limits though, at least they are around here.

5.0GN tow

Try shopping the 16s loaded out you will like them as well as your 16 150. They are really motivated on the 16 SD right now. I drove both before I bought my 16 F350 DRW diesel, and really could not see the extra money for a 17.

GFL

Thanks...yeah, would really only do it if I could get into a 17 SD...I'm spoiled now that I've had the newer cabin & technology in my 150. I really don't think I'm going to like the numbers though, and may stay put for now. Put feelers out to a couple of dealers though...

GFL

You're right...the Platinums are right there with the Lariats that I threw my favorite options on. Just barely south of 70K...ouch...

Ricktwuhk

Your Platinum is not able to tow that trailer, even dry. Loaded, impossible. Read your Payload sticker.

GFL

??? Ok, now, just when I thought I understood this, I'm confused again then. I thought that under conventional towing (non fifth wheel/gooseneck), I could tow up to 12,200 (based on 3.5l EB, 4x4, short bed, Max Tow package). See here.

Are you saying that it should be that 12,200 MINUS the GVWR on the sticker (7000lbs max w cargo)? Thats not how Ford positions it in the above. I know 2 other guys who are either towing this identical trailer, or a very similar bunkhouse with a Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 respectively with zero issues - and they camp a lot (not to say they are within proper ratings...)

5.0GN tow

You probably only have 1500 to 1700lb payload rating. You wont be able to handle the hitch weight of a trailer that big. I am sure your buddies are probably way over to especially the Ram. Both those trucks usually have lower payloads than the F150. 12200 would be with 7 to 10 percent hitch weight, not 13 to 15 of a travel trailer. Not saying it wont pull it, it will, you will be way over loaded.

The higher end 16 SD had a lot of the same tech as the 16 150s, cabin was different, but both trucks 17 and 16 are solid front axle set ups and identical transmissions, with only minor engine differences. I drove several of both years back to back, and the deals on 16s were just too good to pass on, mine was 13k off sticker.

Mayberry

I had almost an identical dilemma about a month ago, only I had already bought the travel trailer, was within spec on towing in every regard: total weight, payload, rear axle rating, hitch weight....everything. Still pulled horribly in the mountains and scared me one too many times. I loved by '16 F150. Absolutely loved it. I also hesitated to step "back" in technology to the '16 Super Duty. I knew if I went F250, I would only consider the diesel. I looked at the '17 F250's, and they were nice, but they are 3-4" taller (higher does not equal better towing experience) and the dealers are not willing to deal on them at all. They want the '16's off their lots, though. I test drove a '16 and my fears of missing the creature comforts went away immediately. Sure, I loved my full pano moonroof. Would love to have it back. But that's all I miss. The 250 diesel has so much more power, it isn't even a comparison. This truck is SO much fun to drive! And the torque/power is just ridiculous. It pulls my trailer like it isn't even there. As an added bonus, I had constant problems out of the Sync 3. The new truck has the older Sync system. Not as pretty, but it has yet to freeze, restart or fail on me. It works. I have absolutely no regrets about my decision. I also got a nicely equipped 2016 F250 diesel Lariat for $20k off sticker. In addition, they gave me $5000 more than I owed on my trade in, and it was only 10 months old with 9,000 miles. Sure, you'd be better off financially staying in your current truck and paying it off. But, with a complete body and transmission change, you would probably never get a better deal than right now on a prior model year. I still like my '16 better than the '17's. It felt more solid, heavier duty, and I really didn't like the added stock height of the new F250's. Just my preference, but it worked out financially in my favor. I say drive a '16 and see how you feel. Don't discount them so quickly.