F150 vs F250

[TMTEX]

I currently have a 2020 F150 3.5 EB Tow package truck pulling a max load of 7500lb Camper ( Jayco 27RL). It pulls it fine. I am in TX and its flat.

I was camping with the wifes friends and they guys were telling me if I have a 250, I wont even no the camper is back there.

Is that true ?

[cadman_ks]

Originally Posted by TMTEX

I currently have a 2020 F150 3.5 EB Tow package truck pulling a max load of 7500lb Camper ( Jayco 27RL). It pulls it fine. I am in TX and its flat.

I was camping with the wifes friends and they guys were telling me if I have a 250, I wont even no the camper is back there.

Is that true ?

I'm sure that you're going to get all kinds of responses.

At the end of the day, I'm guessing that your F150 weighs somewhere around 5500 lbs. An F250 crewcab 4WD is going to be approaching 8000 lbs. That F250 will make a huge difference in things like cross winds, and in any situation where the trailer wants to "drive" the truck. The F250 is going to have a higher towing capacity, because it's going to have lower gears, better transmission, etc. Because of that, it's just generally going to tow "better" than an F150.

I'm a diesel guy, and we're not even going to go there, but there would be a HUGE jump in performance from the gas version to the diesel version if you wanted to take it one step further. That's not about the weight at that point, it's about the power, and the way that it puts that power to the ground...

[cadman_ks]

Did you see this post:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ml#post1035652

A lot of good information in there about why 3/4 or 1 ton is "better" than a 1/2 ton...

[TMTEX]

Sorry, I see another post on the same subject

[travelingjw]

I am a Chevy owner and when we purchased our TT we had a Chevy 1500 van. It met the safety specs but I just didn't have the confidence that it was a good fit. We purchased a 2500 van, more weight, more power, and more stability in wind. Have never regretted it. A number of friends with 150's and more than a few question the power/stability vs. a 250. If you can afford it, no question.

[GHen]

And don’t forget, way bigger brakes and larger fuel tank for increased range.

[Midnightmoon]

Visit a CAT scale to do a proper weigh in procedure before you do anything else. Proper hitch adjustment goes a long way to towing stability. Post your numbers up here once you have them and we can help you through the process.

[Marcm157]

I towed an 8,000 pound trailer with the same F150 and as you said it pulled it fine but it was not a comfortable tow experience. The truck was simply too light and had too shot of a wheel base to be fully capable. I upgraded to an F250 and the difference was night and day. I completely disagree with the statement "You won't even know it's there" You definitely know you are pulling some weight but the truck handles that weight in a much more stable way.

I have heard other people mention the you won't even know it's there comment many times and it's those folks I tend to avoid taking advice from....

[Dave W]

In about 2009/10 we were RVing with a 27 foot, 7K travel trailer using a pretty hefty in regards to towing package F150. It towed OK, not great. In anticipation to upgrading to a 12K or more 5th wheel, opted to jump into the realm of a Super Duty and an F350. That F350 was a 6.8 V10 gasser vs the 5.4 V8. The wallow over bridge approaches and winding roads - gone. Need for a WDH - gone (though I still used it most of the time). Stopping power - OMG, it stopped in much less distance. Up hills - no more slowing down. Even gas mileage was better with the F350.



With all of that said, I then went to the diesel F250 with the camper AND 5er options. Life got even better since we now had a 12K+ 5er. And yes, that F250 has an even heavier suspension then the F350 though the sticker says it is rated at 10K GVWR, max for a 3/4T truck. That truck weighs in at 8360 per CAT scale, no for load and about a half tank of fuel .

[01tundra]

The whole "can't even feel it back there" makes me laugh.

I was pulling a 3,500 lb Hummingbird with a 2017 GMC 2500HD Duramax and could "feel" that it was back there...........

Now that being said, a heavier tow vehicle and longer wheelbase will substantially reduce the amount that you get pushed around on the interstate for sure. You should notice a fairly big difference in stability going with a heavier platform.

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

The whole "can't even feel it back there" makes me laugh.

I was pulling a 3,500 lb Hummingbird with a 2017 GMC 2500HD Duramax and could "feel" that it was back there...........

Now that being said, a heavier tow vehicle and longer wheelbase will substantially reduce the amount that you get pushed around on the interstate for sure. You should notice a fairly big difference in stability going with a heavier platform.

I’ve felt every trailer I’ve ever pulled. From 1/2 ton the 1 ton. Even a little uhaul enclosed trailer behind my 1 ton.

I had a 28’ 6000lb ish tt I pulled with a Tundra. Wasn’t fun. Granted it was an 07’ in 2015 but it only had 25k on it. Got a 3/4 gas and it was much better. My engine wasn’t what the half ton engine was but everything under and behind it made for a better towing experience. Then, I went up from there. Cost me a bunch of money swapping trucks till I ended up with a 1 ton. 4 all together. If someone thinks they’ll be into this rv thing for any amount of time an HD truck from the get go is wise move…if they have dollars to do it. I didn’t in the beginning.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

I’ve felt every trailer I’ve ever pulled. From 1/2 ton the 1 ton. Even a little uhaul enclosed trailer behind my 1 ton.

I had a 28’ 6000lb ish tt I pulled with a Tundra. Wasn’t fun. Granted it was an 07’ in 2015 but it only had 25k on it. Got a 3/4 gas and it was much better. My engine wasn’t what the half ton engine was but everything under and behind it made for a better towing experience. Then, I went up from there. Cost me a bunch of money swapping trucks till I ended up with a 1 ton. 4 all together. If someone thinks they’ll be into this rv thing for any amount of time an HD truck from the get go is wise move…if they have dollars to do it. I didn’t in the beginning.

^^ I agree with this statement^^

[TaftCoach]

Trying to be original. Consider total miles driven and types of miles driven. Half tons are designed with an expectation they were double as the family vehicle. Typically have tires, suspensions, short boxes, and comfort features that when you're driving around town it's like a full size car from the 1960s.

Superdutys are built to work and work hard. You'll work a little harder too.

So if you want to give up some comfort for non towing miles to gain comfort for towing miles, there's your choice.

I'm towing about 8,000 to 10,000 of my roughly 25,000 a year average.

I stayed 1/2 ton but upgraded the axel, fuel tank, box, engine, etc. If I had a DD and that was going to be all towing I'd have a superduty in the driveway.

[one2camp]

Started out with a 5000lbs TT and an F150 and it pulled it fine, but the transmission was constantly shifting which I didn't like. Moved up to an F250 Diesel which I'm much happier with and just have to set the cruise and go. Have since moved up to a 10000lbs 5th wheel which the F250 still pulls with no problem.
I too have felt every trailer I ever pulled, and also laugh every time someone says they don't even feel their trailer behind them.

[TWP723]

You could tow your trailer with a F350 and trust me, you'll feel it. You better feel it. You want to feel the trailer. It gives you a better perspective and understanding of how weight affects your towing. On the other side of the spectrum, you don't wanna be uncomfortably weighted. Being "heavy" is a white-knuckle ride for everyone aboard. Put it this way, if you got a F250 or 350...you wouldn't regret it. But make no mistake, you'll feel it. Regardless of tow vehicle.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by TMTEX

I was camping with the wifes friends and they guys were telling me if I have a 250, I wont even no the camper is back there.

Is that true ?

Lol, no it isn't true but I imagine he was being a little facetious. You'll still feel it but it will be a much better towing experience. The problem is finding one. If you order, be aware it can be a 6 to 8 month wait with current circumstances.

[HAL9001]

First of all, you have to carefully match the tow vehicle to the trailer. Everyone should know that. This is a whole separate discussion and I'll assume you've thoroughly researched this. Once you crunch the numbers, you'll then know your choice of tow vehicles. If the specs properly match, then don't let anyone tell you your tow vehicle is inadequate. While there are notable differences, there is no night and day difference between any of them, that is an exaggeration, and you will always know you're pulling a heavy trailer.

Let's say that after you run the numbers you find that an F150, F250, or F350 (or RAM 1500, 2500, or 3500 etc.) all meet the specs. This is what you appear to be saying in your case.

Now you need to decide which one to buy. This greatly depends on your specific needs.

The F150 should cost the least, have the most comfortable ride when not towing, get the best fuel mileage, and be a better daily driver. The downsides are that it's not going to be the most comfortable/stable experience when towing (although still quite adequate within its towing specs), you cannot move much up in weight for future TTs, and you can not move up to a fifth wheel.

The F250/F350 will tow significantly greater loads if you ever decide to buy a bigger TT, they can tow a fifth wheel if you decide you want one, and they'll be a significantly more comfortable/stable tow vehicle for heavy towing. The downsides are higher purchase costs, less adequate daily driving, and higher fuel costs.

So, if you have another vehicle as a daily driver (or are willing to deal with a heavy-duty pickup as one), and towing/hauling is your primary focus for this truck, and you have enough money for the purchase costs and less fuel economy of a heavy-duty pickup, then get an F250/F350.

If lower purchase/fuel costs and wanting a daily driver which you only need to use for towing a few times a year is your focus, and you foresee no future plans for a bigger towable RV, then go with the F150.

It's really that simple.

I also highly suggest you look a the RAMs. I was a Ford man my whole life but I decided this time to have a look at the RAM. I own one now and it's incredible.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by HAL9001

First of all, you have to carefully match the tow vehicle to the trailer. Everyone should know that. This is a whole separate discussion and I'll assume you've thoroughly researched this. Once you crunch the numbers, you'll then know your choice of tow vehicles. If the specs properly match, then don't let anyone tell you your tow vehicle is inadequate. While there are notable differences, there is no night and day difference between any of them, that is an exaggeration, and you will always know you're pulling a heavy trailer.

Let's say that after you run the numbers you find that an F150, F250, or F350 (or RAM 1500, 2500, or 3500 etc.) all meet the specs. This is what you appear to be saying in your case.

Now you need to decide which one to buy. This greatly depends on your specific needs.

The F150 should cost the least, have the most comfortable ride when not towing, get the best fuel mileage, and be a better daily driver. The downsides are that it's not going to be the most comfortable/stable experience when towing (although still quite adequate within its towing specs), you cannot move much up in weight for future TTs, and you can not move up to a fifth wheel.

The F250/F350 will tow significantly greater loads if you ever decide to buy a bigger TT, they can tow a fifth wheel if you decide you want one, and they'll be a significantly more comfortable/stable tow vehicle for heavy towing. The downsides are higher purchase costs, less adequate daily driving, and higher fuel costs.

So, if you have another vehicle as a daily driver (or are willing to deal with a heavy-duty pickup as one), and towing/hauling is your primary focus for this truck, and you have enough money for the purchase costs and less fuel economy of a heavy-duty pickup, then get an F250/F350.

If lower purchase/fuel costs and wanting a daily driver which you only need to use for towing a few times a year is your focus, and you foresee no future plans for a bigger towable RV, then go with the F150.

It's really that simple.

This is an absolutely excellent post. Thank you for your contribution!!

[msubobcatsrock]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

I towed an 8,000 pound trailer with the same F150 and as you said it pulled it fine but it was not a comfortable tow experience. The truck was simply too light and had too shot of a wheel base to be fully capable. I upgraded to an F250 and the difference was night and day. I completely disagree with the statement "You won't even know it's there" You definitely know you are pulling some weight but the truck handles that weight in a much more stable way.

I have heard other people mention the you won't even know it's there comment many times and it's those folks I tend to avoid taking advice from....

Yes, that you won't even know it's back there is overused. I have the same response.

[Aggiedad]

I also tow with a F-250 Super Duty diesel cc 4x4 and would never go back to a1/2 ton, but that’s just me. I like the additional torque and towing stability.