Forum Discussion

ekirkland's avatar
ekirkland
Explorer
May 02, 2014

Help with truck purchase

My wife and I will be retiring in a few months and want to move up to a travel trailer with a lot more room than our current Casita (pulled by a Toyota 4-Runner). We're looking at purchasing a TT in the 28-30' range; wet weight less than 7500#. We will be pulling it all over the US on several-week-long trips; not full-timing.

To pull it, we are looking at a Ford F-150 Ecoboost w/Max Tow, 3.73 electronic locking axle, 5.5' bed. I was thinking about getting one with HD payload but don't want the 6.5' bed and our dealer was having a hard time finding one. He was able however to find several with just MaxTow.

So, what do you think of the F-150 Ecoboost, MaxTow pulling a 28-30', under 7500# TT? I want to make sure I don't make a mistake. The wife wants a bigger TT but I want to hold it to no more than I have stated.

Thanks for your replies.
Tow Vehicles
  • parkersdad's avatar
    parkersdad
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    Buy a diesel so when you want to go even bigger you will not have to buy another truck. The Ecoboost pulls good but the engine break and 1/2 ton small brakes are not good in the mountains.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    ekirkland wrote:
    I want to make sure I don't make a mistake. The wife wants a bigger TT but I want to hold it to no more than I have stated.



    Look at those two sentences together....I think even the guys here would agree that you'd best make sure you've a meeting of the minds on trailer size before deciding on the truck.
  • tomkaren13's avatar
    tomkaren13
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    We would suggest you go with a 250 rather than a 150. The tow capibility of the 1/2 ton truck is borderline for the weight of the TT you are considering. As soon as you go to the mountains the 250 will make you happier.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    3/4 ton gasser is still $3000 higher for the same equipment. The 6.2L has less torque, especially at 2000-3000rpm where most people want to tow. And it is rides worse unloaded while using about 25% more fuel non towing. Max tow crew cab 4WD Lariats I was test driving had about 1600-1800 pounds of payload depending on options. That seems like plenty for 900-1000 pounds of TW and family for RVing.

    I agree there are far more F250s out there than max tow F-150s.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    Go for an F250. Most RVers end up going through 2 RVs before finally getting the big one....Wife usually wins so eventually you will need an F250. Might as well get it now.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2014
    I'll bet you could find 2500 series truck with a gas motor for the same price or possibly less with more capacity,better resale, and overall a stronger towing platform.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    The main difference between the 2 is PAYLOAD. Make sure you check the payload of the one you want and then figure the tongue weight of the "loaded" trailer, any "stuff" you intend to carry, the weight of you and the DW, the weight of the hitch you plan on using and anything else you may want to carry while hooked up. You will be surprised how quickly payload will disappear as you add stuff to the truck. I have just under 2K payload and sometimes I am close when towing.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    Do it. That's the truck I was looking to get in 2011. I liked it, a lot. I test towed my TT and yanked it around with ease. We went with 3 rows of seats and I miss my pickup bed, but traveling time with kid separation is much better.

    Does the 2WD still have the smaller gas tank over 4WD?

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