2016 F-250 with a 6.2

mkirsch wrote:
My advice would be completely different if you were planning to full-time in your trailer, and/or upsize. In that case I would recommend at least an F350 SRW, if not a dually. Since you are downsizing here are my thoughts:

Even with 4x4 and crew cab, the empty rear axle weight doesn't go up all that much from the regular cab 4x2. Both trucks have essentially the same frame and suspension in the rear. Nearly all the 5th wheel pin weight goes on the rear axle.

It's always bothered me how truck manufacturers have traditionally used the same GVWR for a truck model regardless of the engine, cab, and bed configurations. The curb weight can vary by hundreds if not thousands of pounds. Yet, they all sit at the same ride height empty, and react the same to the same amount of weight being put in them.

In other words, I would not worry about how many potato chips to bring along.

Well GVWR has nothing to do with power, it is about the frame, axles, springs, brakes and tires ability to carry the LOAD!

GCVWR, and tow rating, are all about engine size and power and drive line and gear ratio.

GVWR is a fixed number for a model of truck, payload varies sometimes greatly depending on how basic or loaded the truck is.

My advice would be completely different if you were planning to full-time in your trailer, and/or upsize. In that case I would recommend at least an F350 SRW, if not a dually. Since you are downsizing here are my thoughts:

Even with 4x4 and crew cab, the empty rear axle weight doesn't go up all that much from the regular cab 4x2. Both trucks have essentially the same frame and suspension in the rear. Nearly all the 5th wheel pin weight goes on the rear axle.

It's always bothered me how truck manufacturers have traditionally used the same GVWR for a truck model regardless of the engine, cab, and bed configurations. The curb weight can vary by hundreds if not thousands of pounds. Yet, they all sit at the same ride height empty, and react the same to the same amount of weight being put in them.

In other words, I would not worry about how many potato chips to bring along.

my 2012, 6.2L, scaled at 17,000 pounds = truck, motorcycle in bed, Travel trailer, lots of stuff. "3.73" gears... Ohio to MB South Carolina last week...

lock out 6th... 9.1 mpg average for 800 miles.. and 9 traffic jams coming down.
40's temp with lots of rain..

and my truck has 140,000 miles..

Agreed, gear as low as you can. I've had 2 6.2 Fords and while it will tug your big trailer alright, they're pretty anemic with a heavy trailer and redline 2nd gear on hills to keep highway speeds.

Get the 6.2, 4:30 gear, and camper package for the overload springs and you will have an awesome towing vehicle. The 6.2 is a beast of a gas engine, I love mine in my Raptor.

It will be no prob for that 6.2 . My fiver is in the same weight range and it handles it fine . We took it from Ontario to Arizona up to Oregon and on up to B.C all through the Western mountains and back through Colorado on the return trip It was a beatifull trip only thing I had to do with the truck was fill with gas and a couple of oil changes on route. Got cut off on the grapevine a few times but other than that it was uneventful. It will rev but its designed for that so let er go.

Cant' speak for 5th wheel experience, but plan on moving up to a 5vr in Spring. Presently pull a 26' TT and its no challenge for the 6.2. This is a great engine and a lot of good things said about it on the forums. With the camper pkg you get the overload springs. Mileage towing is as good as my former F150.

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm going to keep the 6.0 and put tool boxes and racks on it strictly for a work truck. It has all the favorite 6.0 mods and upgrades but still isn't worth shite for a trade.

Heck yeah. I tow a 10K fifth wheel with a 2012 F 250. We live as flat landers but about twice a year we tow thru the Smokies to the daughter's place just south of Myrtle Beach.

In those long 6% grades i usually stay around 4000 R's and just let her eat.

It will out pull the ole power stroke that was its predicessor, but that is apples and oranges.

I would think to not be afraid to use the 5th gear a lot if not all the time. i have the 4.30 diffy which would put the R's in 6th at about the same spot as yours in 5th.

Have an '11. Pulls our 10K 5th wheel great. As good as our previous '08 V10.