F150 or F350 For Towing?
10-12-2018, 03:15 AM
#1
F150 or F350 For Towing?
Going to buy myself a trailer soon to tow light duty pickup trucks long distances and I was wondering if I should just stick to my F150 or upgrade to a heavy duty truck. I’ve never towed a heavy load before so this is all new to me. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Spiky (10-12-2018)
10-12-2018, 09:33 AM
#4
Senior Member
Wait...What?
10-12-2018, 09:56 AM
#5
Going to buy myself a trailer soon to tow light duty pickup trucks long distances and I was wondering if I should just stick to my F150 or upgrade to a heavy duty truck. I’ve never towed a heavy load before so this is all new to me. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
What are your truck's specs? Does it already have a hitch, 7 pin harness, Trailer brake controller?
You can run out of payload quick on these trucks, check the yellow sticker on your door - take the loaded trailer weight x 15% and you will get your tongue weight, which will you will need to subtract from the trucks payload.
Ex. My payload is 1201 pounds. Take a 8,000 pound loaded trailer x .15 = 1200 so I would have hit my payload capacity (before my towing capacity) AND without even putting anything else in the truck itself (empty bed, not other passengers, etc)
The F350 would be better in every aspect for towing, but you will need to investigate if it's really needed.
10-12-2018, 10:33 AM
#6
King Hater
Really?
10-12-2018, 11:10 AM
#7
Senior Member
5000lb truck plus probably at least a 2000lb trailer....if it is often, definitely the f350 6.2l gas engine.
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10-12-2018, 12:38 PM
#8
You can fairly easily find an F-150 rated to haul that much, but if you're doing it regularly, you're looking for a Super Duty. That "doing it regularly" is the key: light duty trucks can do it, but they're not really designed to do it regularly.
Personally, I'd be looking at a PSD if I were hauling light duty trucks regularly; hauling heavy is where the diesels shine.
Personally, I'd be looking at a PSD if I were hauling light duty trucks regularly; hauling heavy is where the diesels shine.
10-12-2018, 03:13 PM
#9
I’d be doing this once or twice a month. I want to stay absolutely safe so I think a F350 with a 6.2L will suffice. I want to avoid the diesel route for the added maintenance and reliability concerns with all of the emissions crap on them.
10-12-2018, 04:06 PM
#10
SoFlo5.0_4x4
Even an F250 with a 6.2L might be good, with a 12,500lbs tow capacity. Figure out whats the most weight you would likely haul and try to find something with a towing capacity safely above that. You can find ex-fleet trucks at a real good price. I saw some around here, problem was most had a real basic interior (like crank windows and such). I've seen 2012 F250 4x4 CrewCab with a 6.2L for about $18k around here. Might even be able to find one with a gooseneck or 5th wheel already installed. Lots of companies buy them just for towing stuff around.
Last edited by SD_F1504x4; 10-12-2018 at 04:10 PM.