Hello all. A new job and new toys has me considering switching up. Should I get an ecoboost w/ 3.73's and max tow or an F250 v8? Diesel isn't an option as I can't afford it.

15k miles per year standard driving, no towing. This is my daily driver.

2-3k per year towing 5th wheel 8k pound camper in the high country of colorado. Probably closer to 2k miles.

I'm having trouble making a decision. I guess the super duty platform would be more stable but I'd hunt gears around all over the place in the mountains, I'm almost certain of that. I'd also be shelling out a lot more money for the SD.

Thoughts/opinions/experiences?

 

eco.

i've owned an eco 3.73.
Drove a 6.2 SD with 4.10s and it was a DOOOOOOOOG.
Now I own a 6.7psd SD.

don't even think about the 6.2 gasser SD. jmho

 

The f250 would be able to tow more on paper due to its more heavy duty frame and what not but I can only imagine the mpg would crappy for the f250 gasser compared to the ecoboost. I know the v10s had ***** and aren't they similar on power? Power wise I think you should be fine either way. Good luck!

 

The fact your in the high country go with the EcoBoost it will out perform the gasser with out question at altitude!!

The loss of hp at altitude for a turbo motor is less then that of a NA motor. An article I read said that NA motors lose 3% per 1000ft and turbo motors only lose 1% per 1000ft

So at 6000 feet its a huge difference!

 

This^ even if his numbers are remotely true. Eco all the way.

 

We towed near 9,000 pounds of TT 14,000 miles in 100 days last year with our EB. Towed like a champ, even at altitude. You won't hunt gears as much as you think with the EB. Except for the steepest grades, it would climb with the TT behind, at only about 2,900 rpm in 4th gear. Those who have owned both have said many times here that the EB tows much like a diesel for its use of gears and rpm.
When you are not towing, the EB is amazing in that it will stay in 6th gear no matter what grade you are climbing. I've never had an engine that pulls in 6th like this one at highway speeds.

 

Ecoboost, but for the sake of argument be sure to get the heavy tow/payload packages for that 5th wheel.


Ian

 

EB for sure. HD payload and max tow will be a must for that fiver.

Properly specd out, a HD payload and max tow equipped truck can actually have more payload than a f250.

It's all about the payload you plan on carrying. You will need 2000+ payload capacity for that camper.

 

I own a 2011 Eco FX4 crew, family business owns 2012 SD lariat extended cab. Both trucks have the 3.73.

Both are great trucks, for 2k towing I would go with the Eco. Although the SD is a great truck and the 6.2 def rocks. If it didnt get 13mpg everywhere I would be all over a raptor. Eco driving in similar conditions in MA is 17.