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I have been looking and trying to decide what to do for my next vehicle for quite a while. After going back and forth on a superduty, car or F-150, I finally pulled the trigger on a new F-150. It's a 3.5 Eco, 145" SuperCrew with Max tow. Interesting when lining it up to me 2003 F-250, 7.3, how close they are in size and stance. The hood of the '18 sites a little lower, but other than that (and the wheel base difference of course) the new '18 sites as big and tall as the the F-250. The new one has more front to rear rake, where the '03 sits closer to 'flat' when looking at the bed.
I'm hoping it's a stable enough tow rig platform to be able to replace the 7.3 for towing my Jeep. About 6500# combined with the Jeep and trailer. The ole 7.3 has treated me well, but I need something a bit more convenient at a daily driver. So far, I'm happy with the Eco for daily driving. haven't hooked it to the trailer yet.
Any opinions how much my 7.3 is worth? I'm planning on putting it up for sale if the 150 does a good job on the trailer. it's a 2003, Lariat, 4x4, 7.3 with 136K on the clock. New oil pan and repaired small rust spots in the bed wheel wells. It's been a great truck, just time to update and thin down the fleet.
I have been looking and trying to decide what to do for my next vehicle for quite a while. After going back and forth on a superduty, car or F-150, I finally pulled the trigger on a new F-150. It's a 3.5 Eco, 145" SuperCrew with Max tow. Interesting when lining it up to me 2003 F-250, 7.3, how close they are in size and stance. The hood of the '18 sites a little lower, but other than that (and the wheel base difference of course) the new '18 sites as big and tall as the the F-250. The new one has more front to rear rake, where the '03 sits closer to 'flat' when looking at the bed.
I'm hoping it's a stable enough tow rig platform to be able to replace the 7.3 for towing my Jeep. About 6500# combined with the Jeep and trailer. The ole 7.3 has treated me well, but I need something a bit more convenient at a daily driver. So far, I'm happy with the Eco for daily driving. haven't hooked it to the trailer yet.
Any opinions how much my 7.3 is worth? I'm planning on putting it up for sale if the 150 does a good job on the trailer. it's a 2003, Lariat, 4x4, 7.3 with 136K on the clock. New oil pan and repaired small rust spots in the bed wheel wells. It's been a great truck, just time to update and thin down the fleet.
Nice trucks IMO the new F-150 shouldn't have any problem towing the Jeep and trailer!!!My brother towed his 2001 Mustang Cobra back from Michigan almost 2 years ago with his 2014 F-150 Super Crew 4X4 with the 3.5 Eco Boost and it pulled great passing people up hills on the turnpike!!
I'm interested for your very honest opinion on the difference once you hook that load. I came from a 250SD, SC, 8', with the 7.3, to a new '12 150, 5.0 SCab, 6.5 bed, trailer tow. Not that the power wasn't there, it was enough, but handling absolutely sucked. I hooked my 20' equipment trailer, about 2800# or so empty, and before I Even pulled out I felt I screwed up. I couldn't believe the sag I got out of that trailer being hooked empty. I knew before I bought the smaller truck there would be a difference, since I didn't need to tow heavy anymore, I figured the 150 would work, it does, just not as good.
Since, I've wound up with a '17 150, same as the '12, except 3.5 Ego, and 10 speed. Mytowing is limited even further nowadays to a 14' enclosed tandem, 7700# gross. Haven't hooked it yet with the '17, but expect it to be about the same. IMO, these tow/load figures all the manufacturers tout for these 1/2 tons is inflated.
My feeling is that a lot of people who are towing 8000# with their 3.5TT maxtow rigs just have never towed with a decent superduty and think they have a tow beast. There is no comparison to my 3.5TT HDPP maxtow and my F350 6.2na. Can't really know 8000# is behind the F350 most of the time after you get used to towing with it all the time. Anxious to get the 6.2 blown.
My feeling is that a lot of people who are towing 8000# with their 3.5TT maxtow rigs just have never towed with a decent superduty and think they have a tow beast. There is no comparison to my 3.5TT HDPP maxtow and my F350 6.2na. Can't really know 8000# is behind the F350 most of the time after you get used to towing with it all the time. Anxious to get the 6.2 blown.
Hitch the 18 up to the trailer and use it at least once before selling the Superduty. I'm of the opinion that the Superduty is going to handle the weight better, but I also think the F150 will be acceptable. Make your decision after you actually use it though.
My feeling is that a lot of people who are towing 8000# with their 3.5TT maxtow rigs just have never towed with a decent superduty and think they have a tow beast. There is no comparison to my 3.5TT HDPP maxtow and my F350 6.2na. Can't really know 8000# is behind the F350 most of the time after you get used to towing with it all the time. Anxious to get the 6.2 blown.
There is also no comparison between a modern F350 and a 2003 F250.
I find my 2018 F150 HDPP tows as well as my 1999.5 F250 7.3PSD did at weights up to 9,500 pounds. I've never gone more than that with the F150 and probably never will. But at that weight with an equipment trailer and tractor I really can't feel any difference. However, I'm guessing that you'll notice a difference with that 145"WB and lighter suspension. BTW - beautiful trucks! love the color
Last edited by Gladehound; 06-01-2018 at 10:12 PM.
I have seen a few 7.3 go for a pretty good price. There was one I saw recently that had 60K miles and listed for nearly 30K. It was spotless and pampered though, but still a good clean used 7.3 still gets a decent price. Since you replaced the pan, that is a plus. My 99.5 was close to needing a new pan when I got rid of it(one of the reasons I got rid of it).
I have towed my horse trailer with the Dually and it didnt even know it was there, and I have also towed a 24' enclosed trailer with it, and again, didn't know it was there. With the F150, you will find the eco has loads of power and will pull it easily enough, but you will know you have a trailer back there.
Hitch the 18 up to the trailer and use it at least once before selling the Superduty. I'm of the opinion that the Superduty is going to handle the weight better, but I also think the F150 will be acceptable. Make your decision after you actually use it though.
That's the reason I didn't trade in the SuperDuty. I will keep it is necessary.. Right now, the superduty sits about 95% of the time and I have a Jeep Wrangler as my daily driver. It's not that I can't daily drive the '03 Superduty, I did it for ~7 years, it's just not as convenient; however the main reason is I hate letting it sit outside AND it doesn't fit in my garage, so keep it at a storage building about 3 mi away. hence why I got the 145" F-150.. I'm hoping the F-150 tows good enough for my needs, that I can use it to replace the Superduty and the daily driver Jeep. I'll already say, I'm REALLY liking it as a daily driver and it's much nicer and more useful than the Jeep. Plus I get better fuel mileage.
(Note: I have a Jeep problem, the daily driver is NT the one that gets towed around. The one I tow is set up for serious offroading...It's got a 302/4R70W out of an explorer in it, F-250 Dana 60 front and E-350 Dana 60 rear...had a few friends call it a 'Feep' since it's go so many for parts).
I'll report back, will probably be a few more weeks. Wont' hook the trailer to it until 1000 miles and I don't rack up that many miles per week.
05-28-2018, 09:47 PM
2003 F-250 7.3 to 2018 F-150 3.5 MaxTow.
