Matt D.

Hello. I am somewhat new to owning a truck. I got my first truck a few years ago (a 1999 Chevy Silverado 5.3) and my wife and I are considering an upgrade in the next few months.

Since I'm not really a "truck guy", I really don't know what would suit us best - a 1500 or 2500 (gas). I am leaning towards an F150 ext cab 3.5 EB lariat max tow, but I was hoping some folks here might provide a more informed opinion for my usage?

My wife and I have been using our camper (4,400 lb dry) quite a bit. Loaded, it's about 5,500 lbs. The towing experience with our current Chevy hasn't been great. It's only rated for 1,300 lbs payload, and it shows. I had to install airbags to keep rear suspension from bottoming out, and it doesn't have much power. I have to lock out overdrive for a decent towing experience, and that that point I only have 3 gears. We are ready for something better.

We put about 10K a year on our current truck. Towing makes up about 80% of the truck's usage. It seems like payload is our main problem, not tow weight. The tongue weight for our camper when loaded with water is 800 lbs. We normally carry 200-800 lbs of cargo (water, firewood, sometimes a motorcycle in the bed). Yes, I know we go over the payload limits of our current truck... but with the airbags we get by.

Assuming this usage pattern, would a 3.5 EB Lariat with max tow suffice? Or would we be better served with a heavier duty truck?

I like the idea of having a truck with good street manners, so I'm leaning towards the F150. But I'm not sure it's the best choice for us.

chimmike

Most all F150's sans a really low payload limited model (even then I don't think payload is nearly as low as 1300lbs actually, probably around 1500lbs), However, the motorcycle in the bed plus the tongue weight plus the weight of occupants is most likely to pop payload on many F150s except for heavy duty payload package model trucks. If you are serious about bringing the motorcycle around a lot, go f250 gasser.

Ricktwuhk

Putting 800 pounds in the truck (plus the weight of you and your wife and anything else you bring), plus an 800 pound tongue weight, is going to put you into an HDPP truck or a very stripped truck. Or an F250 - but make sure you read the payload sticker because some of them have F-150-like payloads.

icantdrive55

With respect to sufficient power for towing your camper, you can't go wrong with the 3.5EB and the 10spd trans. It'd tow a locomotive with the available torque. As for payload, recognize that if you're leaning toward a loaded luxury-trimmed truck, every option--including the OEM and any add-ons you install--will reduce the available payload. That being said, I have an XL SCab 4x4 with the 6.5 bed and the 101A pkg that has almost 2000# payload. When you're shopping, be sure to check the yellow payload sticker on the driver-side door jam.

StonedFX4

The lower trim models (XL & XLT) will have a higher payload rating/sticker, as you go up in trim levels the added accessories take away payload capacity. Might even consider a small toyhauler TT if the budget would allow it. I drive my XLT as needed, maybe the same miles per year as you but it's my DD if I don't drive the wife's car. It has all the stuff I need or want except for power folding mirrors to do everything I need. Payload is 1750# on mine, tows our TT very well, but we don't have a two wheeler, travel on the light side IMO, and no water in the tanks, etc.

77Ranger460

You are towing 8k a year and hauling heavy loads. You are doing heavy duty work more than not. IMO, you need a heavy duty truck. A gas SD with 4.30 gears would be my choice

Matt D.

Thanks all... we always boondock (i.e. camp off the grid) so we always have to carry water in the camper tank, generator, etc. Trips out west call for carrying extra water in the bed.

My current thinking is that this vehicle would be used only as a truck... we have cars as daily drivers.

I forgot to mention earlier that 4x4 is a must due to some of the areas where we camp. It's my understanding that this reduces payload capacity somewhat.

I don't really want an HD truck but it sounds like it might be better for us.

i2oadi2unnei2

IMHO, a F150 with HDPP and MTTP would be my minimum, that's why I got what I got Now if I was you with lots of awesome free time to camp, I'd get the 250 and I'll be definitely be bringing the entire kitchen!

MetalCutter

I traded my 04 F150 in on a '15 F250 gas. XL, 4x4, std cab, 8' bed. Payload is 3401#. FWIW

Jeff1024

As others have said if you are towing 80% of the time I would look into a F250. You could most likely get by with a lightly optioned XL F150, but you will be counting every pound to stay under payload. Why not just move up to the 250 and know that you have a ton of headroom in your limits? Want to add some firewood this trip? Sure throw it in the back of the F250. Want to tow with water tanks full? No problem with an F250. - with a 1/2 ton those are much more difficult decisions.