F150 With HD Payload Vs F250 6.2l

[t2daniel]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Your eco-boost engine will be working much harder than the diesel.. this will cause it to fail sooner...

No Ecoboost in my F250 its a 6.2l V8!

Here is an update:

We just got back from a 1000 mile trip to Mammoth Cave, KY and back. My WD setup was not right so I went to the dealer and they made some adjustments for me on my way out (a quick 2 hour wait to raise the hitch ball). Unfortunately, the setup was still not right and even cars passing me were causing me to sway. It was not a pleasent drive. I did get a "hooked up" CAT scale measurement on the way down just to see where I was at:

Front Axle 4100 lbs
Rear Axle 4900 lbs
Trailer axles 7040 lbs

Total 16040 lbs

I checked my wheel well measurements in the drive way after I got home and raised my L-Brackets on the the equilizer 1 set of holes.. Will see how that tows tomorrow. I called Equillizer and they recommended changing the L-Brackets instead of adding washers as it is a little easier than removing the head and having to re-tourque the 3/4" shank bolts to 320 ft-lbs.

Overall I'm glad I upgraded. With the weight measurments I figure I was at least 500lbs over on my F150 and was really not max loaded. I've got 1000lbs of GVWR left on the truck and want to put an "over the Tonneau" bike rack which will add some weight. Plus no firewood in the bed on this trip as I did not want to transport any buggys from MI to KY.

Averaged 9.3 MPG for the whole trip.. There a lots of big hills in KY and with how hard the F250 worked, I'm glad I've got a 6.2l instead of a 4.6l.

[t2daniel]

Here is the weigh slip with my Axle weigts and GAWRs.



Truck GVWR is 10,000 lbs
Trailer GVWR is 8,500 lbs

We got off late and with a 2 hr dealer wait, and an 8 hour drive ahead of us, I did not have time to take the 3 weighs to get the full picture of the setup. Next trip I will with the adjustments I made to the L Brackets.

Here is a picture of the truck and trailer:

[milw156]

That's a Jayco brochure shot if I've ever seen one. Excellent!

After moving to a 3500 Duramax from the F150 Ecoboost, I found that with the weight distribution engaged, the trailer sways more. I know it's sacrilegious,but at the advice of a friend who tows race car trailers every weekend, I started towing without the weight distribution. The trailer is about 1.5" nose down and I load the trailer nose and mid heavy. The payload rating on my truck is a little over 3800 lbs so no concern there.

2 long tows so far and I feel more comfortable with this setup - hardly any sway even with side winds and semis passing.

Just my .02 cents.

Hope you find a good solution. Makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by t2daniel

snip...... Next trip I will with the adjustments I made to the L Brackets......snip

Thanks for the follow-up on your trip with your new TV...., and I'm confident that once you get the Equal-i-zer dialed-in from your future CAT scale visit you will have a great towing experience.

Bob

[Seann45]

You need to know your tongue weight.. 15% of the RV weight on the tongue will cure most sway... of course there could be other factors but for most it is too light of a tongue.

[t2daniel]

Originally Posted by milw156

That's a Jayco brochure shot if I've ever seen one. Excellent!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by milw156

After moving to a 3500 Duramax from the F150 Ecoboost, I found that with the weight distribution engaged, the trailer sways more. I know it's sacrilegious,but at the advice of a friend who tows race car trailers every weekend, I started towing without the weight distribution. The trailer is about 1.5" nose down and I load the trailer nose and mid heavy. The payload rating on my truck is a little over 3800 lbs so no concern there.

Milw156,

Just be careful, your payload may not be an issue, but check the rating of your reciever without a WD hitch. With mine the tonuge weight rating drops from 1250 lbs to 600 lbs without a WD hitch. With a 3500 you might have a really heavy duty reciever that can handle the extra toung weight. I know the 350's can handle 850 lbs without a WD hitch and up to 1850 with one.

Thanks

[msturtz]

I got a Hensley hitch. No more sway period!

[Bassdogs]

Speaking from experience, most of us face the bigger TV issue at one time or another in our camping lives. Get a new bigger TT and you enter that twilight zone of close on tow capacity and payload. The 1500 will get it done, but you're pushing the limits. HD would be nice but I only tow a few times each season and worried about milage, and then there are the extra costs up front. 6l gasser or D? Now we're throwing in the ecoboost comparison [thanks to a very effective marketing campaign by Ford].

I said I would be fine with my 1500 w/ tow package and didn't need the duramax but now a year later and I'm a proud owner of a 2010 2500HD Durimax and have a smile from ear to ear. Have to admit it really feels good to hook up the 2500 HD and know I can head out in total confidence. Mileage is same as just about any other TV under tow [10-12] and as much as 21mpg on the interstate w/o tow. Buying used [mine had 61k miles] put the cost back in line with a newer 1500 and the duramax will outlast 2 or 3 of the gassers.

Do what you feel comfortable with and can afford. Thought I would never say this, but no one ever complains about having too much tow capacity.