Looking at a Highland Ridge, need some help.........

The F250 and the F150 with HD payload package with tow mirrors are almost identical in size. In fact the F150 HD is actually 1" wider. The F250 is 3" longer. But the bed is also about 3" longer so that's where the extra 3" is.
Both are around 77.79" tall depending on trim and 2x4 or 4x4.
I think people get nervous thinking that because an F250-350 can haul more that its gotta a lot be bigger. When in fact 1/2 tons are really close to 3/4 tons in size.

Jim, the 250 is not that much bigger in size, but it is heavier. The 6.2 is a great engine in the 250. The 150 will come up short in RAWR for that FW, and will obviously be over the GVWR.

The 3.5 in a 150 is a great choice for towing, but will not work for that FW.

Jerry

Go duck,
Thanks for all the information, as well as everyone else, more to think about. I really wanted to avoid the F250 because of it's size.......And we really want the 5th wheeler..
Thanks again to all,
Jim

Jim102 wrote:
So, if I got a 2016 F 150 with the V-8 (rated at 12,200 tow) what would I be lacking to have a good TV?

Thanks,
Jim

Your rear axle weight rating. Probably tire rating too.

That fifth wheel will weigh 2200-2400 lbs on the pin, and depending on the hitch setup you use you'll need to add 100-250 lbs for that (including the rail or gooseneck setup you'll need). So excluding any people or cargo you'll be dropping 2300-2650 lbs on the rear axle with the trailer and hitch alone.

Next figure you've got about 2500 lbs on the rear axle empty. That may be light but it's a fair guess. The highest RAWR on the F150, and I'm not actually sure it's being produced at the moment (HD Payload version), is 4800 lbs. 4800 - 2500 leaves you with 2300 lbs for your hitch and pin weight, which you'll be at or over before you put literally anything else in the truck.

Any flavor of 3/4 or 1 ton would work great for that fifth wheel.

goducks10 wrote:
1st off the highest tow rating for the 5.0 V8 is 10,800lbs in a super crew. I assuming you'll be getting a Screw since you are wanting a bunk house trailer.
And to get that you need the Heavy Duty payload package and the Max Tow package.
You will the have 2500lbs of payload if you get the HD payload package. Assuming you'd want something more upscale so lets figure just the XLT.
Keep in mind that's going to give you the 3.73 gears so MPG won't be all that great.
If you build out an XLT F250 and F150 both equipped with all tow stuff needed you find that the F250 is only $2,125.00 more. That includes the 5th wheel prep package. I didn't add anything to either truck that wasn't tow related.
You have to add $2,875 to the F150 for the Max Tow, Heavy Duty payload package and the Integrated Trailer Brake Control.
Both trucks are XLT, 4x4 gassers with 3.73 gears, crew cabs with 6.5" beds.
Now add $230.00+ for a bed rail kit on the F150 and now the difference is only $1,895.00
And if you really want to make if more fair then add $395.00 for the extended range fuel tank on the F150. That's puts both trucks pretty equal on features.
Now you're only $1,500.00 apart.

.......AND the F250 is well worth the extra $1500:)...and no "wondering" if you have "enough truck"to tow with...with the F250, you will..for sure..

1st off the highest tow rating for the 5.0 V8 is 10,800lbs in a super crew. I assuming you'll be getting a Screw since you are wanting a bunk house trailer.
And to get that you need the Heavy Duty payload package and the Max Tow package.
You will the have 2500lbs of payload if you get the HD payload package. Assuming you'd want something more upscale so lets figure just the XLT.
Keep in mind that's going to give you the 3.73 gears so MPG won't be all that great.
If you build out an XLT F250 and F150 both equipped with all tow stuff needed you find that the F250 is only $2,125.00 more. That includes the 5th wheel prep package. I didn't add anything to either truck that wasn't tow related.
You have to add $2,875 to the F150 for the Max Tow, Heavy Duty payload package and the Integrated Trailer Brake Control.
Both trucks are XLT, 4x4 gassers with 3.73 gears, crew cabs with 6.5" beds.
Now add $230.00+ for a bed rail kit on the F150 and now the difference is only $1,895.00
And if you really want to make if more fair then add $395.00 for the extended range fuel tank on the F150. That's puts both trucks pretty equal on features.
Now you're only $1,500.00 apart.

Jim102 wrote:
So, if I got a 2016 F 150 with the V-8 (rated at 12,200 tow) what would I be lacking to have a good TV?

Thanks,
Jim

It may be "rated to tow" that amount of weight, BUT, does the truck have the payload for pin weight?...You need to forget "empty" or "dry" weights...NO ONE goes camping with an empty or dry weight 5er..You NEED to use the 5er's GVW to get a more realistic weight that you very well may be towing..take 20% of the 5er's GVW and you'll get a good idea of how much pin weight you're going to put in the bed of your truck...Add 200# for a hitch...add family, full tank of fuel, just like you're going camping..What's the GCWR of the 150?..If it were me, I wouldn't push the envelope of a 150 and "wonder if you have "enough truck...if you want a 1/2 ton truck, purchase a 5er you know the truck will handle...if you want to go bigger with a 5er...buy a truck size you won't have to "wonder" about..get the F250.

ON EDIT..if not mistaken, GVW of 5er you're looking at is 11K...pin weight could be 2200#..

Jim

Jim102 wrote:
So, if I got a 2016 F 150 with the V-8 (rated at 12,200 tow) what would I be lacking to have a good TV?

Thanks,
Jim

It's not just the size of the engine that is the problem, but the frame, axles, etc of a F150 vs. a F250. It's your decision, but you'll likely regret your choice of a F150 over a F250 when you're towing that 5er. You just don't have enough payload for that size of 5er.

So, if I got a 2016 F 150 with the V-8 (rated at 12,200 tow) what would I be lacking to have a good TV?

Thanks,
Jim

I agree with the others. Get at least a 3/4 ton truck. Our Open Range TT is quite a bit heavier than the one you are getting but I already had a one ton dually when we bought it. We love our Open Range.