Will agree with you for towing. My 3.5eco HDPP is getting between 18-19MPG city with winter fuel. Get low 20's on the highway. Don't think the 7.3gasser will get that.

 

I just filled up my 6.2/4.30 Super Duty. It got 13.5 mpg for 481 miles of mixed use driving.

I live in the mountains. I would expect the OP being in Florida could expect a little better mileage.

 

Yes, the length improves the tow, and it also open you up to the heavy duty payload package, which you will want if you are going for a well optioned truck.

For a 7500 GVWR trailer, you are typically looking at a range of 1000-1200lb on the tongue. You need to find a truck that you can subtract that much and whatever/whomever you plan to have in the truck from the payload, while retaining whatever amount of weight leeway you prefer.

7500lb can be a very nice tow with a half ton, you just need to have one with the right ratings.

 

For me it was the "fun" factor that lured me from the F250 platform to the F150. I max out the F150 out when towing (which bums me out as I could take more stuff). But Hell, I sure like the ride when not towing. If I was rich I would own both, but I am also old now, so in reality I don't take as much stuff. But when I was dirt biking no way could I get away with the F150 for my 2 weeks of dry camping in the desert with dirt bike gear and tools. (btw old is maybe the wrong term...basically destroyed my back so I don't dirt ride anymore ) I did some after market adds to the F150 to help towing, they work great...but do not raise my gvwr.

 

I once had a 31' travel trailer that perhaps weighed slightly more than your travel trailer, and I towed it with a F250 diesel with a regular weight distributing hitch and the friction sway bar. It did tow much better with the 3/4 ton. But your terrain in Florida is not very demanding, and you'd be okay with a Max Tow F150 of any length.

I still have my F250 and it's setup for a fifth wheel, including TruCool tranny cooler and AirRide 5000 airbags on the rear. My question is whether your camper is your forever camper or will you do like me and upgrade to a larger unit? We see so many RVers trade up and have to also trade vehicles which is tough on the pocketbook.

If you go with the F150, I do suggest you invest in a premium weight distributing hitch like a Blue Ox or Hensley. They greatly minimize getting blown around on the interstate every time a heavy truck passes you.

I recently towed a 4500 pound boat with my new F150 with the 2.7 engine and stock suspension. The engine towed it well, but I thought the rear shocks felt very weak--when going over railroad tracks or hitting bridges. The F150 a far superior truck for day to day driving, but I retain the F250 to tow with and haul all my "stuff" between my two houses.

 

Are you familiar with the phenomenon known as diminishing returns?

 

It'll get a little over 1/2 of that. It's a pig.

 

I got 14.5 actual MPG on my last fill up, driving locally, and was happy to see the uptick in mileage.

 

Thanks for all the good input. Drove a 7.3 - 250 4x4 last night. Definitely a stiffer heavier ride but still nice. First sales rep flipped me over to their truck guy. Def the most experienced sales rep I have met. Has his CDL for years, drives a F150 now, tows regularly, etc. He agreed that the extended bed helps and a properly equipped 150 should be good but suggested I drive a 6.5 foot bed 150 to compare with the 250 ride. They are bringing one from another lot tomorrow.

To answer a few of you, yes mostly flatlands for the next 3 years. Live in So Fl, camp mostly FL and GA. No time for long trips. Expect to retire in 3 yrs and plan to do an extended cross country. Is it the forever TT? To early to tell. We have had small motorhomes in the past so camping is not new to us, but the TT is. A 250 would be smarter if we upsize in 3 years for the big trip, but the 150 wins as a DD for the next 3 years.

It is just myself, the DW and a 20lb dog - no kids (all grown) - so not overly worried about cargo weight on 4 day trips. We are good at packing light from our past class B camper experience, and we camp in warm climates so no heavy clothes or gear. The XLT with 3.55, max tow, etc has 2245 payload. Added up our weight, gear, some tools, wdh, etc. and all comes to about 650 to 700 lbs. I was only calculating 750lbs tongue weight, but even with 1125 tongue weight (15% of TT GVWR) I should be good. I am also going to have a buffer in the TT so I can throw stuff like chairs in there if needed.

The 250 felt good. Felt like I was in a truck. I liked it. Priced both out - nominal difference so price is not the deciding factor. DW liked the 150 ride and of course that massive screen on the 21s. Leaning towards a properly equipped 150 (with a good WDH) but without extra options that add weight (like 4x4 or the problematic Moonroof). It will be a great DD for the next 3 years. Then see what the future brings when I retire.
Thanks

 

Since you are looking to buy new and the F150 is literally a new model just out right now vs a several year old super duty, I'd have a real hard time passing on the shiny new thing F150. And get all the driving and accident avoidance aids you can get, driving is dangerous and we are all fallible