F150 or F250

Kevin O. wrote:

brulaz wrote:

Lantley wrote:

...
I agree you can use a properly equipped F-150. The deciding factor is what is your priority not $$$. in the end a max tow, max payload F-150 is in the same price range as a gas F-250.
...
The cost difference will be minimal between the F150 and F250.

That has not been my experience up here. For similarly equipped trucks, there always seems to be an $5000-10K premium for the F250. But you can always get a stripped F250 ...

And the F250 is bigger, rides rougher and more gas hungry. That just doesn't work for a lot of people, especially if it's the "daily driver" as well.

The HD Payload option is a nice compromise between a stock F150 and F250.

X2

My experience is that the price is a close a HD max tow max payload F-150 is a rare bird. you will not find many or any just sitting on the lot. If you really want one you need to order it. Well equipped F-250's are a dime a dozen. F-250's will come with incentives and rebates. In the end the prices are close.
Yes it is bigger and rides harsher, that is why it is more capable payload wise.
In the end it comes back to priorities not price. If you want a soft DD that tows OK but with some limitation. F -150 is fine. If you want a truck capable of towing without limitation F-250 is better.

The OP ended up with the wrong truck but I don't believe it was due to money. There is a line where a softer suspension grocery getter is simply not as capable as a full suspension rougher riding fully capable tow vehicle.
The end user must decide what side of the line they care to be on. How heavy of a trailer they desire,how much cargo they plan to bring, how much cargo in the truck, how many passengers, and finally how relaxed they plan to be while towing.
Many want to tow the largest trailer they can find with the smallest truck they can find. My logic boils down to larger trailer requires large truck. Too many think money is the deciding factor. For me knowledge and experience are bigger factors. Understanding the parameters is key to finding the correct truck. In the end you can compromise your daily drive or compromise your towing performance again all about priorities.
All of those are personal decisions and different for everyone. RV'ing in not an inexpensive game no matter how you slice it. Choosing the right TV is more about priorities than money. There is a combo for every budget. I drive a big truck everyday without issue I understand that is not for everyone. But the price difference between my truck and a loaded max payload, max tow F-150 is not that great.
What happens all too often is that we play the upgrade game due to lack of understanding and spend even more money vs. getting the correct truck 1st. The OP is now caught in that cycle.

brulaz wrote:

Lantley wrote:

...
I agree you can use a properly equipped F-150. The deciding factor is what is your priority not $$$. in the end a max tow, max payload F-150 is in the same price range as a gas F-250.
...
The cost difference will be minimal between the F150 and F250.

That has not been my experience up here. For similarly equipped trucks, there always seems to be an $5000-10K premium for the F250. But you can always get a stripped F250 ...

And the F250 is bigger, rides rougher and more gas hungry. That just doesn't work for a lot of people, especially if it's the "daily driver" as well.

The HD Payload option is a nice compromise between a stock F150 and F250.

X2

Lantley wrote:

...
I agree you can use a properly equipped F-150. The deciding factor is what is your priority not $$$. in the end a max tow, max payload F-150 is in the same price range as a gas F-250.
...
The cost difference will be minimal between the F150 and F250.

That has not been my experience up here. For similarly equipped trucks, there always seems to be an $5000-10K premium for the F250. But you can always get a stripped F250 ...

And the F250 is bigger, rides rougher and more gas hungry. That just doesn't work for a lot of people, especially if it's the "daily driver" as well.

The HD Payload option is a nice compromise between a stock F150 and F250.

Kevin O. wrote:

Ahowell wrote:
I've come to the conclusion that we can't tow it. I felt like I had done proper research and the fact that the owner of my local dealership told me it would tow AND still can tow is a disappointment. I don't want to trade and deal with him as I feel he is BSing us. Can't try to sell it out right knowing the tranny is fried or something isn't right. I wouldn't do that to someone. Thinking about driving to another Ford dealership and trading for a 250. I guess that's my only option. My husband LOVED, LOVED, that dang truck!!! He is from Italy and that's his first truck.. He has been so proud of that thing. But hey it is what it is. Thank you all for your input, advice, and information!! Look forward to better days, and happier forum posts! My husband was laughing the other day saying, "look at me I went from driving a fiat in Italy to owning a big truck and towing a camper. Nobody would believe this back home!" You are awesome. Thanks for you time :)

You can get the job done with a properly equipped F150. No need to spend extra $$ on a Superduty with a diesel or a gas guzzling 6.2L V8.

My trailer has the same dry weight as yours. Fully loaded with a family of 4 it weighs between 7500-7800lbs depending on the length of our trip. My truck is a 2011 F150 with Max tow pkg and 1700lbs of payload. I will admit that i don't load a ton in the bed of our truck when packing for a trip. But I am under all the trucks ratings. The only one I'm close to is the trucks GVWR(7700lbs). With the trailer attached the truck weighed in at 7540lbs.

I suggest looking at a truck with the max tow pkg and if you want a little more piece of mind just get the HD payload pkg along with Max tow.
I wish you the best of luck!

Kevin

I agree you can use a properly equipped F-150. The deciding factor is what is your priority not $$$. in the end a max tow, max payload F-150 is in the same price range as a gas F-250.
One must decide if they want a TV that is capable of towing their trailer and have ample payload capacity to also carry passengers and gear in the truck.
It's more a matter of personally doing your own research and homework and not relying on salesman and others to make the decision for you.
In the end it's up to the buyer to decide their priorities and pick the proper TV. The cost difference will be minimal between the F150 and F250.

Ahowell wrote:
I've come to the conclusion that we can't tow it. I felt like I had done proper research and the fact that the owner of my local dealership told me it would tow AND still can tow is a disappointment. I don't want to trade and deal with him as I feel he is BSing us. Can't try to sell it out right knowing the tranny is fried or something isn't right. I wouldn't do that to someone. Thinking about driving to another Ford dealership and trading for a 250. I guess that's my only option. My husband LOVED, LOVED, that dang truck!!! He is from Italy and that's his first truck.. He has been so proud of that thing. But hey it is what it is. Thank you all for your input, advice, and information!! Look forward to better days, and happier forum posts! My husband was laughing the other day saying, "look at me I went from driving a fiat in Italy to owning a big truck and towing a camper. Nobody would believe this back home!" You are awesome. Thanks for you time :)

You can get the job done with a properly equipped F150. No need to spend extra $$ on a Superduty with a diesel or a gas guzzling 6.2L V8.

My trailer has the same dry weight as yours. Fully loaded with a family of 4 it weighs between 7500-7800lbs depending on the length of our trip. My truck is a 2011 F150 with Max tow pkg and 1700lbs of payload. I will admit that i don't load a ton in the bed of our truck when packing for a trip. But I am under all the trucks ratings. The only one I'm close to is the trucks GVWR(7700lbs). With the trailer attached the truck weighed in at 7540lbs.

I suggest looking at a truck with the max tow pkg and if you want a little more piece of mind just get the HD payload pkg along with Max tow.
I wish you the best of luck!

Kevin

Gdetrailer wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:
I have owned Fords all my life and I have NEVER, EVER seen ANY weight, towing or cargo weights listed in the manual.

Manuals ARE GENERICALLY WRITTEN for A LOT of the production models and hence do not contain any of the FINAL weights of said vehicle.

Michelle.S IS dead on correct, in fact it IS Federal requirements for the motor vehicle manufacturers to PLACE a sticker on the vehicle in a place which can be easily accessed.

Ford has ALWAYS placed theirs on the drivers side door post since perhaps the 1960's..

This sticker contains the manufacturer date, the VIN number, option codes including axle ratio and paint colors along with axle weight rating, unladen weight and recently within the last 10 yrs the CARGO WEIGHT MUST BE INCLUDED.

You will not find GCWR or tow rating on any label on the vehicle.
The legally required numbers, some on the Certification label and some on the Tire and loading info label are GVWR, RAWR, FAWR, tire pressures and payload rating.
Tow ratings are specific to powertrain combinations, primarily engine and axle ratios.
I am no Ford expert, but the tow ratings (and GCWR) are listed in GM Owner manuals for all engine/axle combinations within a given model.
Perhaps you need to take a look in your manual to see if there is a section on towing?

Umm.. MY 2013 F250 DOES INDEED HAVE GCWR ON THE DOOR STICKER.

Mine has 3414 lbs for the GCWR.

GM does their OWN THING, they USED to place the sticker in the GLOVE COMPARTMENT where no one could read or even remember it was there :S ..

My Ford Owners manual CONTAINS NO RATINGS INFORMATION WHAT SO EVER.

Ford does not write an individual manual for EACH truck when it is built, instead the manual covers ALL possible build variations from XL to Platinum, Reg cab to crew cab, F250 AND F350 (F150 has their own manual).

By the way that is absolutely STUPID of GM to put this important information into a manual. Manuals (or loose papers)over time tend to get lost or destroyed and once that manual is gone so is your important information. :M :E :S

Glad I don't buy GMs.. :B

I hate to tell you Gdetrailer but the 3414 IS NOT GCWR (gross combined weight rating)!!! The 3414 is your payload (cargo)rating.

GCWR is the total weight rating your truck and trailer should weight. The manual does give the GCWR for a variety of axle options. Check page 255.


S

sh410 wrote:
GVCWR is the total weight of the TV and trailer that the TV is rated for.

Payload: "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should not exceed XXXX lbs." per the sticker on the door post. The wording does not seem to be a rating.

GCWR is Gross Cargo Weight Rating. I have not seen this but it seems to be the payload described above.

GCVWR not to be confused with GCWR

CORRECT!

GCWR IS your vehicle "payload" and on the NEWER Fords, it IS CLEARLY printed on the driver side sticker in extremely bold font and it is at the bottom of the sticker all by its self.

Even if it is not on the sticker it CAN be calculated by taking the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and subtracting the UNLADEN (empty or curb) weight which is on the same drivers side door sticker.

There IS NO EXCUSE to being over any of those ratings (including being too cheap to buy a better suited heavier vehicle)..

Interestingly enough if you take a F150, add in all the REQUIRED options (including the HD payload package)to get the HD payload the F150 will be about the same price as a loaded F250 (which doesn't require additional options to get a higher payload)..

The comfort level pulling that travel trailer with a F250 (or equivalent heavier duty truck) will be night and day. Makes the entire experience go from dreading the trip to looking forward to it.

Good luck with your decision!

GVCWR is the total weight of the TV and trailer that the TV is rated for.

Payload: "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should not exceed XXXX lbs." per the sticker on the door post. The wording does not seem to be a rating.

GCWR is Gross Cargo Weight Rating. I have not seen this but it seems to be the payload described above.

GCVWR not to be confused with GCWR

Kalabin wrote:

uscgcolletti wrote:
Trade it in for a 2nd hand truck. Either a more stout 1/2 ton or get a 3/4.
The only issue I see with the 3/4 is when your not towing.... you're lugging around a 3/4 tom for no reason.
Something else to keep in mind

This is the reason for trading in my 3/4-ton for the F150. I'm a young working guy that commutes 90% of the time in my truck. For the 6-10 times a year I may pull a travel trailer the new F150 will do fine.

With 500 miles on the clock I am averaging just shy of 17mpg in mixed driving, I was doing 11.8 to 12.5 over 2 years with 3/4-ton. Just depends on where you are in life and if you really "need" the 3/4-ton or not.

I commute 100 miles per day, my older 2003 F250 4x2 with 5.4 gives me 16.1 MPG (mixed interstate and city driving). Thats about 31 gallons per week at $3.75/gallon $116 per week.

My 2012 F250 super cab 4x2 with 6.2 and 3.73 axle gives me 15.1 MPG with the same drive. That is 33 gallons and at $3.75/gal $124 per week..

A total difference of $8 in gas for the week..

Using you 17 MPG I would use 29 gallons for the week and at $3.75/gal that is $110 for the week.

To put that into perspective 17MPG will only save you a grand total of $14 per week. For the year that is $728 which isn't all that much..

My understanding is 4x4 will get about 1 MPG less from many of the forums I have looked at.

I did own a heavy half years ago, in 1997 Ford built two different F250s, one was built on the modern F150 frame and body and the other was on the older SD frame and body.. I bought the light duty version..

It did not hold up well at all on the roads I was driving.. Was hard on brakes (48K miles and the brakes were shot), had to replace the entire front steering parts at 60K and at 140K the ABS died and the entire front end needed rebuilt AGAIN.

My 2003 F250 now has just under 200K miles and didn't need brakes changed until 120K miles, had ball joints replaced at 140K and no other front suspension parts..

Towing was night and day difference going from the heavy half to the 3/4 ton and that was when I was towing a 20Ft TT. I would even dream on towing my current 26ft TT with that old heavy half..

Yep it can be a bit more costly but really in the end I don't mind the slightly less mileage as a trade off to better and longer lasting (and not to mention sturdier) 3/4 ton..