2002silverex

I bought a 2010 f150 4.6 3v brand new in March 2010. Absolutely love the truck and want to get another ford.

We've recently decided we want to try the camping thing. Looked at campers this past weekend. Were thinking 35' ish and the two we are considering are around 7500 pounds.

I wasn't even considering a half ton truck and was pretty much sold on the idea that I needed to upgrade to an f-250 until I talked to a friend of mine this morning who has a new ecoboost and said he tows 10,000 pounds quite often without any problem.

Id obviously rather get a loaded f150 ecoboost rather than a stripped down f250 (run around the same price)...but I want to make sure the truck is more than capable towing my camper every weekend. We will rarely travel more than 50-100 miles from home. Not like we will be going across the country...just around the state each weekend.

Is the ecoboost enough truck if I get the right axle and put in a brake controller? Maybe even add a leaf to the rear (if thats possible??)

THanks in advance for the help!

flixden

If you want "more than capable", then your answer is F-250.
With the F-150, you'll be payload limited. You would need the HD payload package at a minimum most likely to stay within the limits, if that's important to you. And even then, you may be pushing the GVWR and axle ratings with a trailer of that size, depending on how many people will be in the truck, how much gear you pack and what configuration (screw, single cab / 4x2, 4x4) of truck you get.

superccs

Wouldn't it be entirely more economical and practical to just rent a motorhome for the 1 week of the year that you actually go camping? Seems a bit excessive to make a 10-15 year automobile purchase choice based on an intended bit of camping...

Personally I think it is better to push the limits of your vehicle rarely compared to trolling around in something that has a ton of wasted potential.

magblue10

Get the max tow and the HD package and you will be just fine w the EB. Your talking 7500 dry I asume so maybe 1000 more for gear in the trailer and you won't exceed your payload

2002silverex

I never said I was going to camp one week a year. I said I was going to pull it every weekend....? Also who keeps there trucks 10-15 years?Everyone else, thank you for your replies.

flixden

Yeah, I would not want to rent a camper either. We use ours probably 10 weekends or so every year, plus one longer 1-2 week trip every year. But I don't think superccs meant it in any bad way, it was just an idea I'm sure.
You know, you are right on the edge with what you want to tow. How much else and how many people will be in the truck?
If you go the F-150 route, make sure you get both HD payload & max tow as magblue has said.

ilmo

I have.

flixden

Yeah, same here.

2002silverex

I will have me, my wife and my daughter in the truck...and my 80 pound golden retreiver. As far as gear? idk... the normal, whatever that is.

I guess my question was is the f150 with hd and payload more than enough to tow a 35' camper. Which it appears it isnt. Will it tow it, yes it probably will...but as much as I will be towing it appears the f250 is the only way to go.

Thanks for your help.

FFLola9

With a tow package and a 3:55 rear gear and the 5.0L motor, you will have a tow capacity of 9500#.

As to the Eco-Boost motor, Ford has extensively tested it and claim that it is almost indestructable hours on end at high RPM and boost. HOWEVER...the package is a few (read lot) of bucks more and I am not a big fan of hair dryers for daily drivers.

If you do an order truck you can add the EBC , not many are so equipped. You can use a Prodigy 2(Tekonsha) aftermarket EBC and it will set you back about $135.

Heres another HOWEVER tho..... 35 foot trailer is HUGE. go with the 250. A trailer that big is usually way higher than the truck cab and the profile is BIG.