f150 or f250

I would not have a problem using the F-150 but I would be getting the truck with a 4.10 rear end and not 3.55 gears. Ford plays games to get higher EPA highway numbers but this works against the utility of the trucks for towing. Going up steep grades or accelerating onto a highway I would want the lower gears.

2011 skyline nomad joey 232 weight sticker on door of trailer has weight at 4550 skyline weight leaving factory

Fwiw, my Jayco JayFlight weighed nearly spot on to the 5,500 lb "yellow sticker" weight when empty but with a battery and full propane tanks. The dry weight published on Jaycos website is something like 4850 lbs, but don't think it includes any of the standard options or features.

So if you're estimating weight off the yellow sticker on the trailer it should be fairly close, but the website figures probably will be way low.

i said nothing about empty .
in oregon we can weigh for free .
i weigh my cars , trucks, boats .
none of them is within 500 # of the light weight .
the sticker is meaningless for unloaded weight in actual practice .
go to a scale .
get weighed .
until then you do not know .

Lowsuv wrote:
F250
I doubt that a 27 foot trailer is as light as you suggest when you actually weigh it yourself on the scales .
"I need to tow a 27ft travel trailer empty weight 4100 with gvwr at 6200. "
Until you weigh it you do not know.
But a representative sample of 27 footers would suggest that you will be 5600 # plus , more like 6200# .
i am 900# tongue , 5400# axles , actual for a 21T komfort .
Heavy tongue weight eliminates sway .
With an F 150 the tongue weight plus gear you will be at the max gvw of the pickup .

I doubt seriously the trailer advertised at 4100 will weigh anywhere close to 6200 empty. If it did, you would not be able to carry anything in it. Still, it is a good idea to check the yellow sticker in the door of the truck for payload, then estimate the weight of your cargo, people, toolboxes, etc. and add about 500-600 lbs for tongue weight and see if it is OK.

F250
I doubt that a 27 foot trailer is as light as you suggest when you actually weigh it yourself on the scales .
"I need to tow a 27ft travel trailer empty weight 4100 with gvwr at 6200. "
Until you weigh it you do not know.
But a representative sample of 27 footers would suggest that you will be 5600 # plus , more like 6200# .
i am 900# tongue , 5400# axles , actual for a 21T komfort .
Heavy tongue weight eliminates sway .
With an F 150 the tongue weight plus gear you will be at the max gvw of the pickup .

For that size TT I would opt for the F150. I went with the F250 as ours is a 5th wheel and I needed the weight carrying capacity. I also use my F250 for a daily route work vehicle. It steers like a river barge and rides like a log wagon on our bumpy city streets. I don't mind too much but it's nice to ride in co-workers' half tons on occasion.

grich wrote:

Are the newer 5.0's that much better than the older (2001) 5.4?

Yes. That generation 5.4L was fairly weak at only 260HP. The new 5.0L achieves 360HP.

The F150 will pull that trailer just fine, especially with the 6-speed transmission. Just don't be afraid to let the engine rev (the 5.0L hits peak power output at 5500 RPM).

But I'd say the answer of which one to buy depends on the price difference.

-- Rob

I have a 2012 F150 5L 3.73 gears 1500lbs payload, and tow a 5700lbs loaded trailer. The 5L and 6speed transmission tow that through the mountains here in BC no sweat, I can overtake anytime I want and have never felt the need for more power. With a proper WDH set up it should handle well too, but you have to take the time yourself to get it set up right or the softer F150 suspension will have you bouncing down the road.

That all being said, I do lust after a F250 with the 6.2L for towing. I don't need the extra power; but the firmer suspension, LT tires and longer wheelbase would result in a very confident ride. That all comes at a sacrifice as a daily driver though.

F150....

Ride is Horrible!!!!!!!

We love to give the "get a bigger hammer" advice on this forum. However, the 99% of the time that you are NOT driving the F250 is going to be a hassle after a while. Some folks are fine with that and make concessions, etc.

Me in your shoes, F150 with the 5.0 hands down.

Thanks!