Thanks to all. I am going to look today at upgrading to a 250. I don't think this is a place to be just barely getting by.

I know this is a 150 forum but if any one has any thoughts / tips on 250s that are best for towing I'd appreciate it. It looks like the diesel with Crew Cab with bigger tires is a no brainer to get me int the 20k towing and 3400 payload:

https://media.ford.com/content/dam/f...Tech-Specs.pdf

 

F250 diesel will have 2200-2300lbs payload or less in crew cab 4x4 configuration. King ranch F250 diesel 4x4 crew cabs have under 2klbs payload.
You'll need to see the door sticker on the exact truck you're looking at....but if you want 3000lbs payload, you need to be looking at a F350 SRW or so.

 

New? or Used? If new, then 7.3 Godzilla in the F250 will work, diesel will not. The Diesel in a 250 severely limits the payload, there are F150s that have more payload than an F250 diesel. If you are serious about towing 20K, then F350 is the way to go. Depending on your state, you also have GVWR tags to be concerned with, in IL, plates for the F250 are identical for the F350, so no brainer there, get the F350. Under my laptop right now is the plate renewal for mine, $240. They also require a state inspection, same cost whether it is an F250 or F350, they both require inspections. They both ride the same, are the same size, the only difference is a couple grand. The cost of maintenance on the Diesel is also a consideration. Fuel mileage is better, but you have to add DEF, more frequent oil changes, more expensive oil changes, frequent fuel filter changes, and lord help you if you accidentally get DEF in the fuel tank with the engine running. Do that and kiss $10K goodbye, warranties do not cover damage caused by water or DEF in the fuel system.

If you are going to put a LOT of miles on towing, then the diesel is worth it, but if not, your best bet would be a nicely equipped F250 with the 7.3 gas engine. It may use more fuel than the diesel, but in the long run it will be less expensive with maintenance, and no worries about getting water in the fuel system and destroying it.

 

My opinion for what it's worth.
Diesel = F350 SRW
Gas = F250

An optioned up Screw 4X4 Diesel can go well over 8,000 lb Curb Weight with only a 10,000GVWR (F250).

The diesel generally cost more to maintain and operate (14 vs 18 mpg but Diesel cost more) in addition to the cost of entry but towing is effortless.

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Thanks again for all the help. I have spent way to much time this weekend looking up Curb weight & GCWR for different 250 & 350'sss. At this point I think I am going to just find a used one of wither a 250 / 350 that is well within the payload requirements you all have laid out for the smaller trailer (21G @ 10k lb) .

So working backwards to make sure I have enough payload, the calc is to add 900 family weight + trailer weight on hitch of 1300 (10k trailer x 13%) + say 400 lb of random cargo to get a 2600 payload required. And I can double check the trucks payload on the door sticker and by taking the GVWR and subtracting the curb weight.

If that isn't right please correct me. I appreciate you all helping out a novice with this stuff, seems like I was going to make an unsafe decision earlier, so much appreciate.

 

I am in a similar situation as you. I own the F-150 Eco 3.5 and recently purchased the Momentum 23G. After countless hours of studying figures..(just ask my wife).. It really comes down to 2 things. Weight and Payload. 1) The truck WILL tow the RV! No issues with power. 2) Towing a trailer which weighs almost twice as much as your truck will never be an enjoyable experience! 3) Dont even attempt without a Weight Distribution Hitch! There are two very different numbers on your Hitch frame undercarriage! (captain obvious im sure..) 4) Now for Payload! My truck is only rated at 1300lbs payload. That includes gear in bed, hitch weight, and Tongue weight of trailer. With a tongue weight of static trailer at 1138lbs you can do the easy math and realize you need to leave your family and gear home... 5) BUT.. Momentum apparently puts a lot of trailer weight on the tongue. mine is 15% of total trailer weight. Experts say realistically you need 10% to 15%. So 10% of my 7543lb trailer would be 750lbs roughly which would give me some room for wife and gear! How it will tow at 10% I have yet to see. Just bought this RV... To get to 10% you need to shift weight behind the axles and I will do this with my Golf Cart and experiment til I get the position correct and see how it goes! 6) Had I known all this BEFORE purchasing the RV I probably would have waited until you could actually find an F-250 to purchase to tow this heavy RV. The positive in my case is my wife hated the furniture so we have removed the couches and the lazyboy chairs and replaced with much lighter furniture. Every little bit helps! I will update this post after my first trip in January! But I WILL be purchasing an F-250 when they become available again! Just the safe/smart thing to do!

 

1300lbs is a very low F150 payload, mine is 1800lbs and 1500-1800 seems fairly common. What is the 1138lbs weight from? Tow haulers tend to tongue heavy empty and reasonable loaded.

Is there anything except people that needs to be in the truck vs the garage?

I am a little heavier then you but not a toy hauler and it tows well.

 

I have a very similar truck myself and I tow a Trail Runner 27RKS at 9000lb GVWR. I wouldn’t want much more behind me to be honest. My payload is decent at 1679lbs and everything goes in the trailer.

 

Ugh. My Bad! I have so many numbers written down (and in my head)! My 15' Lariat Eco Boost 3.5 Payload is 1644lbs. Not 1300! The RV Tongue weight is 1138 lbs as it sits. so add Hitch Weight and passengers and I am maxed out. You are absolutely correct about Toy Haulers being tongue heavy stock as they are expecting heavy weight aft of the axles. My goal is certainly to be to load the TH with as much of the cargo as possible to reduce payload of the truck. As well as finding that "Sweet Spot" for the 800lb Golf Cart. Thanks for pointing out my number error. Too bad you cant edit! My biggest concern overall is the truck being considerably lighter than the trailer but its good to hear people are happy towing more weight. But a very tall toy hauler will exhibit much different behavior to a passing semi than a typical trailer tow. Im soon to find out!

 

You shouldn't be worried. look at all the 1 ton trucks that weigh 8500lbs pulling 16,000 trailers.