Looking for opinions. At what amount of use does one think that they should go to a heavier truck. I have a 2015 F150 with the 5.0 V8. I have about 50,000 miles on the truck. They have where it shows the amount of miles that you have had a trailer hooked to the truck. Right now I'm at 10,000 miles alone dragging the trailer. The biggest amount of that has been to pulls. Trailer weighs about 2800 lbs. and usually with weights and tractor I have about 6300 lbs. on top of the trailer weight. When I bough the last truck I came close to buying an F250.My last truck had about the same use and I had the differential carrier bearings getting noisy with 106,000 miles on my 2009 F150. My thinking is to bite the bullet and go to an F250. Hate to give up the gas mileage of my F150 when not dragging the trailer. What's your thoughts. Thanks for the input.
- Thread starter Gary H.
- Start date
miner09
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pattonville Texas
I have the 250 and it's worth the difference. The 250 will handle trailer so much better. Once you buy it you will never so back to 150 if you continue to pull trailers.
Meangreen
Member
I have an F250 to pull my tractors. I wanted to go with a F150 and it would pull my trailer & tractor with no problems, but as my dad said it's not so much about getting the load down the road as it is getting it stopped. I enjoyed my first F250 with the V10 and just traded it off last week (after having it 10 years) for a newer F250 with a V10. Yeah they are thirsty, but it pulls great for what I do. Was looking at diesels, but decided in the end that the maintenance and repair bills just weren't worth it to me, plus my truck isn't a daily driver.
I have for the last 5 years pulled my 4200 lb. deckover with a 8,000 lb. tractor with GMC 4x4 half ton truck and this last winter I had to have trans replaced and rear end rebuilt and it only has 76000 miles on it. I found an older F450 in nice shape to pull trailer. If I was you go for the F250 or maybe a F350.
Butch(OH)
Well-known Member
Just something to consider, sometimes it makes sense to own two trucks. I drive a 100 mile commute to work and do not like driving a car so I drive a pick up. I also have a 15 year old diesel 1 ton to pull the trailers. The 1 ton doesn't see very many miles each year so wear and tear costs are minimal but you have plates, insurance etc to consider. In my case it was a good decision to split up the chores instead of the all in one approach.
Bruce from Can.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Woodville, Ontario, Canada
Only thing that I can see that you give up is fuel economy and ride. Heavy trucks empty, ride like a flat rack hay wagon. If you can live with that, and can afford the fuel, go for it
Mike Groom
Well-known Member
I went to a 2500 in 02,I'm on my third one now,it's like night and day difference pulling a trailer,I opted for the diesel which made it all the better concerning fuel mileage was actually better pulling a trailer and empty than my previous gas engines,plus the power was no comparison,I don't know what you mean by maintenance costs being more,other than fuel filters every so often and higher oil capacity during a change the fuel price is a wash because of the better mileage.And the oil changes are at longer intervals than the gas engines.Just the suspension upgrade is very noticeable when towing plus the larger brakes on the truck which on my last truck where still good at 100,000 miles when I traded it.Just weigh all the options,the diesel is more to purchase,but trade in is a lot more also.Gas or diesel a 250 or 2500 is the way to go in my opinion,if you know someone with a 3/4 ton see if they will let you try theirs for a short haul and buy them breakfast.It may be money well spent.
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
Oh no, you can't recommend an F250. You'll get accused of being "YTDOT."
To that end I highly recommend you DOWNsize. Get a Ranger when they come out. Heck you don't even need a pickup. Go for the Escape. Maybe a 10-speed bicycle... Use rubber bands to tie down the tractor... It'll be fine.
Seriously though, if you are only pulling about 7000lbs occasionally, I would stick with the F150. Splurge on the Ecoboost and you'll have the power. Don't worry about brakes; an F150 stops quicker than an F250. The newer trucks are stouter than the old ones. While a current F150 is still no 3/4 ton truck, it's more capable than previous generations.
To that end I highly recommend you DOWNsize. Get a Ranger when they come out. Heck you don't even need a pickup. Go for the Escape. Maybe a 10-speed bicycle... Use rubber bands to tie down the tractor... It'll be fine.
Seriously though, if you are only pulling about 7000lbs occasionally, I would stick with the F150. Splurge on the Ecoboost and you'll have the power. Don't worry about brakes; an F150 stops quicker than an F250. The newer trucks are stouter than the old ones. While a current F150 is still no 3/4 ton truck, it's more capable than previous generations.
Ken Macfarlane
Well-known Member
You?re well under 10k, I say stick to the F150 but make sure you get the upspec rear axle / tow rating.
I don?t think people realize how expensive an F250/F350 is now or how well an F150 tows now vs the 80?s and 90?s.
Towed my father in law?s 31 ft triple slide bunkhouse camper with his F150 crew cab / max tow package. Brakes and power much better than my old Superduty. The big low profile rubber sways less than old 16? tires too. It certainly isn?t a 1 ton dually but nothing like the old days.
I don?t think people realize how expensive an F250/F350 is now or how well an F150 tows now vs the 80?s and 90?s.
Towed my father in law?s 31 ft triple slide bunkhouse camper with his F150 crew cab / max tow package. Brakes and power much better than my old Superduty. The big low profile rubber sways less than old 16? tires too. It certainly isn?t a 1 ton dually but nothing like the old days.
Given the use I'd definitely stick with the F150 and the 5.0 engine (or the 3.5 ecoboost). If you get a new one you might option out with the Maximum tow package - or even better get it with the maximum payload package. The 3.73 gearing is a big step up over the 3.55 gearing that comes in most F150s.
As said below their really isn't a comparison between the F150 and F250 - the F250 with the 6.2 gas or 6.7 diesel are superior to any F150 in towing - but with the smaller loads you are pulling and the price of a comparatively optioned pickup coupled with the reduced fuel mileage the F150 is easily 12-15K less up front and then cheaper in fuel when running empty. When towing the F150 MIGHT have a small mileage advantage.
As said below their really isn't a comparison between the F150 and F250 - the F250 with the 6.2 gas or 6.7 diesel are superior to any F150 in towing - but with the smaller loads you are pulling and the price of a comparatively optioned pickup coupled with the reduced fuel mileage the F150 is easily 12-15K less up front and then cheaper in fuel when running empty. When towing the F150 MIGHT have a small mileage advantage.
RedMF40
Well-known Member
If it's your daily driver, might make sense to stay with what you have. I sold my F150 with 5L engine and bought a used F250 with V-10 and towing package to knock out my "to-do" list around my place. World of difference. Hauling heavy stuff is effortless, and it doesn't complain like the little F150 would. But it's strictly occasional-use and I seldom let it venture more than 20 miles from my place. Wouldn't want to be feeding that thing gas every day.
Hobo,NC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Sanford, NC
A F250 will solve about all your doubts/questions... I don't consider anything under a 250 a real truck. I was having a conversation with a guy that pulls a 6K boat with a 2011 150 he wanted my recommendation for shocks the boat was bottoming out his rear suspension... I told him to bolt a f250 to the shocks he had...
carvel minne farmer
Well-known Member
good morning gary, if you do that much towing as everyone has recommended go with at least a 250, 350 would be better. 2 things the bigger truck will give you is better braking, and a lot more weight. you want the dog wagging the tail not the tail wagging the dog :lol:
I went from a 2006 F-350 diesel to a 2012 F-150 Ecoboost with the max tow package. The factory tow rating is 11,300# and peak torque is at around 2,000 rpm. Pulling a 28? fifth wheel the only difference I noticed is less noise and smoke. I?m sure if towing 16,000 # it would be a different story. For anything up to the factory rating i?d rather have the F-150.
Ken Macfarlane
Well-known Member
Must have the lightest springs/axle. The payload rating
ranges from 1700 to nearly 3300 lb. The light ones ride nice if
you never load it.
ranges from 1700 to nearly 3300 lb. The light ones ride nice if
you never load it.
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
Like tractors its impossible to get an all around truck that does everything,which is why I have a F550 for towing and hauling and a small GMC to drive around and farm use.To me it doesn't make sense to put average drive around miles on a heavy duty truck.
I have a 1/2 ton for everyday driving, a 3/4 ton for my heavy pulling. I also have a 350 dually v 10, it drives so bad with only 42000 miles on it, it is going to Merrial Wheel and Axle in Des Moines to get fixed. Have you checked with your accountant. Mine told me a 1/2 ton was not deductible as a farm truck on your federal taxes.
His accountant is wrong. A half ton is 100% deductible for business use - it just isn't eligible for section 170 or bonus depreciation. It takes longer to depreciate a new half ton. Up to $11,560 the first year, $5700 the second year, $3350 the third year and $2075 every year after that until fully depreciated.
redih55
Member
- Location
- Carpenter, WY
I have a RAM 3500 dually for my trailer towing needs and a Ford Ranger for my GOFER truck.
Seems like you're on the edge of towing crossover, especially with 20% being towing. What do you anticipate in the future? Seems like things keep getting bigger.
You mentioned fuel economy, what about safety? I am thinking you're not in a good place with the 1/2 ton.
Could you find a gently used 3/4 ton? Then decide if it is worth it to get an everyday driver. Do the math. The second vehicle rarely pencils out.
Just my thoughts Gary as I read this thread.
Paul
You mentioned fuel economy, what about safety? I am thinking you're not in a good place with the 1/2 ton.
Could you find a gently used 3/4 ton? Then decide if it is worth it to get an everyday driver. Do the math. The second vehicle rarely pencils out.
Just my thoughts Gary as I read this thread.
Paul
I went from a small Toyota (what would be the Tacoma today) to a '97 F150 to a '97 F350. The Toy was better in all respects, including towing, than the 150 for my use. The F350 is a long box crew cab and rides nicely. Mileage stinks, but hey, it's a 1 ton truck. My gofer car is a $500.00 '05 Escape. I'm not brand loyal, those just happened to be what was available. I also ran a '95 1/2 tom Suburban in that period. We want to get another 'Burb (for when we need to fit 6 or 8 people, which is quite often) but I'm leaning heavily towards a 3/4 ton when we do. It's real easy to over load a 1/2 ton. Plus, the 3/4 has heavier drive train/suspension components and seem to last longer.
For hauling tractors or loads over the size of your common boat or travel trailer on a regular basis, I'd definitely go at least 3/4 ton. My dad hauled stone in our '70 F100 with so much in the box he had to hit the brakes to make a 90 degree turn. We did it and we didn't die, but that doesn't mean it was the best practice.
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