jbutton1462

Hello all,
I'm new to this forum and having been doing a ton of research and am now looking to this forum for help. I currently own a 13 F150 Crew Cab 4x4 with the 5.0 and 3.55 gears. Looking at travel trailers and considering upgrading to a more capable towing truck. Average weight of travel trailers I am looking at is approx 6000lbs. There would be 2 adults and 3 kids (one more on the way) while towing and would have gear and firewood in the bed.

I have been going back and forth on whether to get an ecoboost or upgrade to an F250 with the 6.2. My concern with the ecoboost is payload and the towing experience with a 1/2 ton (I am new to towing). Also I have read a lot about carbon buildup due to direct injection of the ecoboost. Don't know if that is a widespread issue or not. My concern with the F250 gasser is the fuel mileage as this will also be a vehicle I commute in. Any advice or personal experiences with towing with either of these vehicles would be greatly appreciated.

PerryB

Unfortunately there isn't a good answer, but I think the best answer is the 250. You'll blow right past the past the payload of a 150.

marshallr

For me, F250 gas engine. I'm not into the higher end trim packages. I could buy an F250 with all the options I can use for less money than a typical F150 with EB. And have a more rugged truck that will hold a higher percentage of it's value down the road.

Fuel mileage for everyday driving will be 2-3 mpg worse, but I'd bet you get better fuel mileage while towing. With the money you save pick up a 10 year old Honda or Toyota that gets 40 mpg for commuting when you don't need the truck.

untraceable

Split the difference and get a F150 157" Screw HPDD Max Tow

mass-hole

This. HD Payload Package Crew Cab trucks often have 2400-2500 lbs of payload. You get the power and economy of the F150 Ecoboost with the payload of an F250 Diesel. I would take the Ecoboost over the 6.2 for towing every time.

This carbon build up thing needs to die. I dont know that I have run across anyone who has had an actual issue with it and needed to get the heads worked on. Its something the Ram and Chevy owners like to bring up even though Chevy is running DI now too. If you are looking new and planning on buying a 2018 then this isnt even an issue anymore since the 2.7, 5.0, and 3.5 all use direct and port injection, which will clean the valves.

Not only that but basically ALL diesels since like 2005 have been direct injection(common rail diesels) and they have the added horror of soot coming through the EGR, combining with the PCV oils, creating a nice thick tar on the inside of the intake manifold and heads. How many people do you hear complaining about the diesels who have a far worse issue?

BlackBoost

I've been using my 2.7L Ecoboost to tow my 5000 lb camper with no issues at all, and I've got 76k on the clock so far. For the 6k trailer (assuming dry weight) go for the 3.5L Ecoboost. You won't have any problems. The bonus with the Ecoboost is that the 99% of the time you're not towing, you'll get WAY better mileage than an F-250.

PerryB

That's probably the best answer. I didn't realize they still made HDPP.

acdii

Whats the payload of your current truck? If it is more than 1600#, you should be able to use it for now, find the trailer you like, and if the truck doesn't work out, upgrade it then. I only had 1470# payload on my last truck and towed a 7700# GVWR trailer that weighed in at 6300# wet. It also had a topper and had a few hundred pounds of gear in the bed.

For towing power, the EB will surpass the 6.2 at higher altitudes, but like the go juice to do so.

atwowheelguy

The F150 may run out of payload and/or rear axle RAWR.

Take a look at what happened with my 6820 lb. trailer, 1000 lbs. tongue wt., towed by a 1607 lb. payload EB. Only 357 lbs. in the truck, including the spray in bed liner and a tonneau cover. Rear axle is within 170 lbs. of the weight limit. Engine has plenty of power, but payload is an issue. GCW is only at 83% of GCWR, but rear axle is at 96% of capacity. This toy hauler camper left the plant at 5025 lbs. The 1795 lb. cargo weight includes 500 lbs. of dirt bikes.

Keep the tongue weight and family and cargo weight down, and the F150 will be fine. With a family of 6, a big trailer and cargo and water to support the family will likely overload the chassis of a standard payload F150.

mass-hole

HD Payload: 4800 lb RAWR.