Buying a tow vehicle question

i am happy with my 6.2 Ford "screamer" It has the 4.30 diffy and here is kinda the way it goes with the 10K fifth wheel.

Flat land with the cruise set on 65. 2100 r's

Normal easy grades that require getting down to 5th. 2600 r's

long 6% grades, i like to adjust the gears and keep the r's at around 3600. Sure i may top out at 45 mph, but that is what the truck lane is for. i just do not see the need for speed when doing a long grade.

So if that is "screaming", I can deal with that.

All modern V8's are meant to "scream" I guess, or at least need RPM's to develop their power so if you're going to tow in anything but flat land, it might pop down into 2nd or 3rd at times depending on the incline and your speed. It's something to consider if you're really bothered by a revving engine. However, if it's that bad, maybe consider an Ecodiesel RAM or possibly EcoBoost Ford. Both reach peak power and torque at a much lower RPM so you might not get the screaming engine issue. The Ecodiesel will give you great mileage towing or not. It just won't win any drag races at 240 HP. I see lots of them around here towing or not so people must be happy with them.

lily123456 wrote:
When shopping for a tow vehicle, the most important thing to know is its overall towing capacity.

#1 most important-payload capacity
THEN #2-towing capacity

lily123456 wrote:
When shopping for a tow vehicle, the most important thing to know is its overall towing capacity.

No, actually, the most important thing to know is it's payload.

Generally speaking, one exceeds payload before reaching or exceeding overall towing capacity.

Mike

When shopping for a tow vehicle, the most important thing to know is its overall towing capacity.

I’m also baffled as to why you’d not just keep the superior truck you already own?!

Dlow240 wrote:
Thanks to all who has responded. Last year I bought a 2015 f250 4wd to tow a 5500 dry weight tt. 3.73 axle. 6.2 gas burner. Haven’t pulled it anywhere much since I bought them both. Lived in the camper while waiting to get in a new house. Pulling it home on the interstate in hills and trying to keep speed about 65, the rpms were very high and I was concerned. Also, dropped to 7 mpg as long as I was in hills but mpg isn’t a major factor. Performance on the road is more important. Downsizing for traveling and want to make the right choice.

So you're spending more $ trading "down" to travel more? Ok well umm idk.
You'll get similar mileage with a similar size trailer in your scenario.
ALL the 1/2 tons will do what you want easily, but the F250 you have now will be the superior tow vehicle if you're planning on packing on the miles with the trailer.

That said, I don't view the 6.2/3.73 as a stellar towing powertrain combo. Have had 2 of them, both company rigs and tow pigs. Size, suspension and brakes, yes they're better than a 1/2 but power, mileage, etc...I feel the 5.0 F150 (I had a 2012, maybe it was an 11) and my current 16 Silverado 5.3 towed with the same authority from a power standpoint.
Basically depends if you're dead set on spending money to "upgrade" or downgrade, not sure which it really is in your scenario.

I'd keep the 250 even though I like the 5.0/5.3 as much or better.
Now if it's primarily DD use and still packing on some miles traveling, I'd consider dropping back to a 1/2 ton, but that's personal preference, 1/2s are peppier and a small but easier to maneuver around.

Dlow240 wrote:
Thanks to all who has responded. Last year I bought a 2015 f250 4wd to tow a 5500 dry weight tt. 3.73 axle. 6.2 gas burner. Haven’t pulled it anywhere much since I bought them both. Lived in the camper while waiting to get in a new house. Pulling it home on the interstate in hills and trying to keep speed about 65, the rpms were very high and I was concerned. Also, dropped to 7 mpg as long as I was in hills but mpg isn’t a major factor. Performance on the road is more important. Downsizing for traveling and want to make the right choice.

Well there is zero wrong with your current setup and you’re about 50% into the trucks ability. But whatever makes you feel better

Dlow240 wrote:
Thanks to all who has responded. Last year I bought a 2015 f250 4wd to tow a 5500 dry weight tt. 3.73 axle. 6.2 gas burner. Haven’t pulled it anywhere much since I bought them both. Lived in the camper while waiting to get in a new house. Pulling it home on the interstate in hills and trying to keep speed about 65, the rpms were very high and I was concerned. Also, dropped to 7 mpg as long as I was in hills but mpg isn’t a major factor. Performance on the road is more important. Downsizing for traveling and want to make the right choice.

Your not going to be happy going smaller and having the same issues. the problem isn't weight or length, it has to do with frontal area. you are pulling a sail down the road and that will create more load on the engine.

You say the rpms were very high? what is high? for me 5k rpms is high! 3k rpms is normal for a gasser to turn. mine personally will only hit 3200 on hills which is normal.

If you want easy towing and not high rpms get a PuP as that will shadow the truck. going from a 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton isn't going to help you!

troubledwaters wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
...Fords Eco seem to be real popular, but with prices for well equipped ones approaching 60K they might be out of your price range...

That's bogus. I got a Price sheet on a "Well Equipped" F150 Super Crew, XLT, 3.5L Ecoboost, 10 spd transmission, HDPP, and more - the MSRP is $48,500 and that includes over $6,000 worth of options.

I got my 2018 HDPP, 3.5 EB, 301 package, SCrew, 4x4, 6.5 bed, remote start, spray in bed liner, flow through console, factory tow mirrors, Sync 3, for $45,000 plus tax and title.