op wrote:
I have a new travel trailer (Cruiser Enterra 327RLS) that is 32'box, and just under 36' total length. It has a dry weight of 7500lbs and GVWR of ~9500. I am trying to decide between a 2015 F150 3.5l ecoboost with heavy duty payload package (2740 lb payload) or a 2015 F250 either gas or diesel (2700lb or 2300lb, payload).
A F150HD has a small 4800 RAWR, The trucks rear axle when empty may weigh in the 2300-2500 lb range. Now add 2740 lb payload in the bed = 5140 lbs. The trucks rear axle/suspension/wheels are now over loaded.
Fords 2740 lb payload is a GVWR payload which means 2400 lbs will go in the bed over the rear axles and the remaining 340 lbs will go over the trucks front axles.
This is a fallacy of using a GVWR based payload with some of the new high GVWR/low RAWR trucks.
Now I'm not saying the F150HD won't handle your 7500 lb dry and 9500 GVWR trailer. It will work fine for that size trailer.
Now if you need more actual payload then the F250 gas or diesel with those bigger 6100 RAWR/8 lug wheels with a full floating rear axle will give you around 3000 lb of real world payload. Actual numbers depend on the trucks front and rear axle weights
