Hey guys/gals, new here. Start off by sayin hello, ok now onto business...I have a 2012 Salem 27RKSS. I believe its roughly 30 ft from nose to tail and (ive never weighed it) but in the 7-7500lb neighboorhood loaded (we travel light).My current rig is a 97 F250 HD with a 7.5L (460CID) V8, backed by a 4 speed E4OD automatic, 2wd with a 4.10 rear. 103,000 miles. Im currently looking at 2011-2015ish F150s to stay within what i want to spend (18k or less). From my understanding people tow big trailers with these things all the time, so i think im good there as long as i option it properly.But heres the kicker, im torn between the 5.0L V8 and the 3.5L EB V6. I know the EB will tow better (athough i doubt as good as my 460), but i question its long term durabilty.The 5.0 is what my gut points me to, but im also notriously leary of new tech.I only tow the thing 3 or 4 times a year, max, otherwise itll be a stand in daily driver, or tow a couple quads or a junk car or stufff like that. Ive asked on ford forums but i want good, unbiased opinions.ANY input on reliabilty/towing performance is apperciated.

Welcome to the forum!Well, honest opinion from someone who has been towing lots of trailers for lots of decades, as good as the F150 is, for a trailer of that size and weight, it is simply not enough truck.Minimum F250 with a decent size engine is what I would go with. Consider more than just getting the thing moving. 3.6 is way too small, even though they do amazing things with power from a small engine. Even the 5.0 is going to struggle on hills and such.Also consider the suspension etc of the F150. Great ride, but springs and other components are softer than an F250, and therefore more prone to sway. Sure you can doll it up with extra goodies to help tow better, but at the end of the day you really are better off with a minimum F250 with either a diesel or bigger V8 gas. You want lots of torque to pull in comfort.

I have a 2017 F150 w/max tow package 3.5 eco boost 3:55 gears. I tow a 30' SportTrek GVRW 8300. Trailer pulls great no issues there. Gas MPG is 20-22 without the trailer 9-10 when pulling. Either way you go I would recommend the max tow package for the truck.Good luck.

The 3.5 has more horsepower and torque than your 460, the rear end ratio is not as low in the 3.5, but it will have a better transmission. I bet you will find that an f150 with the heavy payload/towing package will tow much better than your 460. I’m a fan of old trucks and big blocks, but these new trucks are just amazing. All that being said, if you get a new truck, would you come back and let us know what you think of it compared to your 97?

If you choose to go the 3.5EB route I would look at the 2nd gen engine starting in 2017. As for towing performance power wise the Eco Boost is hands down a stronger engine and for the '17 model you also get the 10 speed transmission.

BobsYourUncle wrote:Minimum F250 with a decent size engine is what I would go with. Consider more than just getting the thing moving. 3.6 is way too small, even though they do amazing things with power from a small engine. Even the 5.0 is going to struggle on hills and such.Also consider the suspension etc of the F150. Great ride, but springs and other components are softer than an F250, and therefore more prone to sway. Sure you can doll it up with extra goodies to help tow better, but at the end of the day you really are better off with a minimum F250 with either a diesel or bigger V8 gas. You want lots of torque to pull in comfort.This may have some truth as far as the handling goes, but there are many accounts of people towing trailers of this size and weight with an F150 with no issues. On the subject of whether the 3.5 Ecoboost or 5.0 V8 will have enough power, no concerns at all. Both engines will outperform the old 460 in any situation.

Considering a newer tow rig.... | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

danrclem
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019
patperry2766 wrote:
Whatever you do, try to find one with the max trailer tow package. They are few and far between, but worth it for a trailer your size. They are generally distinguished by the larger mirrors similar to the 3/4 & 1T ones.

I think the max package would be almost necessary for the trailer that the OP has. Everything I've heard or read about the 3.5 says it will pull your trailer but it won't handle as well as an F250.

I used to have a 24' motorhome with a 460 and it wouldn't pull nearly as good as my current F250 with a 6.2 pulling my camper. The 6.2 gas mileage isn't good but it's quite a bit better than the 460.
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019
I go to the Smoky Mountains often, and towing a big trailer with a 1/2 ton truck would not be for me either.
lenr
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2019
Cousin bought a heavy F150 to haul a 30 ft. toy hauler with a 5.0. So, disappointed that he traded for a RAM 2500 with a 6.4 V8. The 3.5 has a much better low end torque curve than the 5.0--that makes a big difference when towing. The 3.5 also likes premium gas when towing. Kind of surprised that no one is pushing an F250 or 350 with the 6.2 engine. My son has an F350 with the 6.2 and tows his 31 ft. trailer just fine. The Ford 6R140 six speed has close ratios in the top 3 gears and is great for towing.
parker_rowe
Explorer
Jul 30, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
" A 6.0L Vortec will amaze you if you are used to a peanut port big block."

Lol. 6.0 Vortecs are great engines and very reliable, but to be amazing compared to a port injected 460, you'd have to remove at least 1 spark plug wire from the big block.
Little less hp and more tq, somewhat comparable actually.

Plus the vortec big block in BenK's truck does not have the terrible TBI peanut port heads anyway.

They won't set the world on fire, but they are decent.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Jul 30, 2019
Maybe everyone missed the first post where the OP talked about his budget.
I’ve missed all those $18k 10 speed Eco boosts for sale out there.....
But nothing says dooshwaffle like telling someone how much nicer something is yet is waaay more expensive than they can afford or are willing to spend.
Heck why not recommend a new Lariat Diesel? I mean go big or go home right?
nickthehunter
Nomad III
Jul 30, 2019
Holdout for a 3.5 with the 10 speed transmission, far better towing platform. Ya, I get it, you test drove one, but you didn't tow with one.
RabidDawg
Explorer
Jul 29, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
RabidDawg wrote:
I went from a 2013 F150 with the 3.5 to a 2017 F350 diesel (towing 28', ~6500-7000 lbs). The F150 EB did a fine job, except on passes with switchbacks or steep declines. Going up a hill with switchbacks just killed the transmission. Going down steep grades, the lack of compression made it hard to keep it slow and not have the brakes heat up.

The F350 tows like a dream. The exhaust brake, the beefed up transmission, bigger brakes, etc., just make towing with this night and day better than the F150. If you can bigger, do it. You won't regret it.

Because this is related to the OP's inquiry, or just wanted to point out that your new diesel out performs an Eco boost?

Just trying to provide a data point from someone who owned a vehicle similar to the one the OP is looking at, and not feeling like it was enough truck.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Jul 29, 2019
DZG460 wrote:
Perhaps id be further ahead then keeping my current rig? It needs some stuff, has a bit of body rust here and there, but its still a good truck.

You mention finances and you have a truck that you drive less than 5,000 miles a year presumably?
At those low miles it could or should be in cherry shape. If it's not, only you know what's wrong with it, what needs done and what you "want" for a truck.

This is not a question about if a newish F150 will tow your trailer fine, but more of a get some reassurance from random people that you should upgrade and justify a car payment.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Jul 29, 2019
RabidDawg wrote:
I went from a 2013 F150 with the 3.5 to a 2017 F350 diesel (towing 28', ~6500-7000 lbs). The F150 EB did a fine job, except on passes with switchbacks or steep declines. Going up a hill with switchbacks just killed the transmission. Going down steep grades, the lack of compression made it hard to keep it slow and not have the brakes heat up.

The F350 tows like a dream. The exhaust brake, the beefed up transmission, bigger brakes, etc., just make towing with this night and day better than the F150. If you can bigger, do it. You won't regret it.

Because this is related to the OP's inquiry, or just wanted to point out that your new diesel out performs an Eco boost?
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Jul 29, 2019
" A 6.0L Vortec will amaze you if you are used to a peanut port big block."

Lol. 6.0 Vortecs are great engines and very reliable, but to be amazing compared to a port injected 460, you'd have to remove at least 1 spark plug wire from the big block.
Little less hp and more tq, somewhat comparable actually.