Even a basic F-250 with the 6.2 is a far more competent tow vehicle than the 'heaviest duty" F-150. Put the 7.3 Godzilla engine in there (or for more power than anyone would ever need), the 6.7 PowerStroke and you simply can't go wrong. I was going with a F-250 with the 7.3, had an appointment to go test drive it and got a call from the dealership/salesman that the one I'd been discussing had been sold, but they had another due "in a few days, equipped just the same". I believe in Fate and portents and all that so..I took it as a sign, and bought my current truck the next day. But I don't NEED a F-250, I pull a 7,000 pound boat a few times a year, and only from a storage unit to the lake...a distance of a few miles.
The load you describe however is not just about the WEIGHT, but about the wind resistance and other factors that the F-250 will simply be superior at mitigating or eliminating. Look at it this way, along with all the other good advice from other posters: Go to any campground and see what the tow vehicles are in front of similar campers as you have. Mostly 3/4 and 1 ton trucks...heck most are dual rear wheel, too.
There's a reason for that.

 

Yup. I would say 90% of the people here are using HD's even for smaller trailers. Of the half tons its usually Ecoboosts with a few GM 6.2L and maybe a Tundra or two here and there.

I will say that the Ecoboost, especially a 3.5L, is a bit of a wild card just because it does have a tremendous amount of power and torque, and it retains that power and torque in pretty much any conditions(elevation and heat). . . . . until it over heats. People are not towing with Hemi's, GM 5.3L or Tundras because they probably suck to tow with when its 100F outside and you are trying to pull a 7% grade.

 

ftfy!

 

So...about the overheating issue...

MY GCWR is 12,300, and the TT has pretty big frontal area...Jacked up for the short off road distance I need to go.
I tow from CA to Nevada and cover a few good grades in about 90 F max. In reading this forums, I will, at times, lockout al the way down to 8, meaning I hit 7, as advised.
Towing on the grades (like Tehachapi) I go about 60 mph (effortlessly it seems).

I have not had any over heating issues.

So my question, stupid as it may be, would I have over heating issues in Utah with 100F, high wind days?
FYI, my old '01 F250 V10 couldn't even go 50mph up some of the grades.

 

Everyone ive talked to around here has had issues. In fact, since I made that post a few hours ago, I ran into another guy on the other forum towing CA to UT that had issues with his 2017 max tow. He did a mishimoto radiator, intercooler and oil cooler and says its much better.

Its a combo of the elevation, heat and winds I guess. I was in Wyoming one time where it was 98F, 30+ mph headwinds and I was around 7000’ and I literally could not go faster than 55 mph without the truck getting too hot. And that was on the flats. In the spring, fall, and winter my truck does totally fine and pulls like a locomotive.

 

I am looking for a F250 but don't have a ton to spend which means the new 7.3 Godzilla is out and looking at the specs of the 6.2 it's really not that impressive. On a dyno those are barely showing over 230HP and about 300lbs torque that's a joke, I'm pretty sure my 2.7 beats that all day plus my MPGs would be way better.

 

Yes, your 2.7 would probably out tow a 6.2L, especially here at these elevations. You should be running close to stock HP and Torque where as the 6.2L has lost 15-20% due to altitude.

My mother in law has a E-450 Class C motorhome with the 7.3L in it. It is derated compared to the Superduty version and only makes like 350hp/464 tq and only has the 6 speed trans instead of the 10 speed. But i can tell you is does pull very well. I drove it around the flaming gorge area and then drove it back to Kamas on I-80 and it has no problems. The engine braking is fantastic too. I never had to use the brakes coming down the steep grades from the Flaming Gorge into Manila

 

Wait, you just spent this whole thread stating why my F150 would NOT be able to tow a toy hauler and now you're saying it's actually better than an F250 with the 6.2

 

i never said your engine didnt have enough power, I'm saying your 2.7L will probably pull stronger than a 6.2L here because it makes more power due to the turbos. That doesn't mean the F150 is a better truck for the job.

Difference is the 6.2L wont get hot since its got a radiator 2x the size and a giant mechanical cooling fan. You could bury your foot in the throttle and it will just keep on going. But I would absolutely wait for a 7.3L if you can. Or even take a look at the GM 6.6L gas engine. I have heard really good things about the 6.6L and that its really efficient towing. I spoke with a guy in Park City a few months back that said he was getting north of 11 mpg pulling his toy hauler with one.

 

If you have a 30mph headwind and are going 55mph, you're burning more gas than if you were driving 85mph with no wind. You ever pull your trailer at 85mph? On a 98ºF day? A truck not overheating in those conditions would lead me to stop trusting the gauges.