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Kampfirekid's avatar
Kampfirekid
Explorer
Oct 16, 2013

Okay. Serious Thoughts On EcoBoost Towing 9.5K

Im really trying hard to buy an economy car to allow me to keep my 2010 F250 6.4L Harley Edition Super Duty. Its not coming together well. Its several hundred dollars each month more than I spend now on my truck and fuel alone. It seems the savings in fuel alone by driving an economy car will pay for the truck payment alone, but there still is no savings. I put miles on too fast to pay my truck off before it hits 150k, and at 65k niw, Id like to get a car now while miles are low. Frankly, I dont want this truck after 100k as a daily driver. For pleasure and towing, okay, ill keep it past 150k.

So, I only tow about 4-5,000 miles a year, if that. All through the Midwest, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Usually less than 500 miles round trip. Our trailer is a 2011 Jayco Jay Flight 32BHDS. It weighs about 9,200 loaded. The tongue weight at 1,180. I am wondering if the Ecoboost Supercrew with the Heavy Duty Payload Package (yielding close to 2,200 lbs of payload) will foot the bill for the 12 trips a year under 500 miles. The expected payload already exceeds my 1,950 on my Harley F250 diesel. Will the lighter-duty F150 be that much more unstable and unbearable for my needs?

I was hoping my limited edition Harley could move to the pole barn for restricted use and a car run daily until it falls apart, 150k miles... whichever comes first. Frankly, it looks like a dream. The EcoBoost F150 could makea better daily driver being more comfortable, and netting better fuel economy at a reduced cost per gallon Granted, it wont get 30mpg, but it will beat the diesel, still tow, and fuel and maintence is cheaper.

All thoughts are appreciated.
Tow Vehicles

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  • Kampfirekid's avatar
    Kampfirekid
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    Thanks for the replies. Although some make sense, some are less realistic.

    I'm not losing anything on my truck if I trade. It is an unlikely scenario, but true. The book value currently matches what I paid for the truck, and the dealer I trade with already offered to meet that price. I bought my truck used, and from that same dealer. He knows what I paid, and he made the original deal. If I buy a new truck, it will be at least invoice less incentives.

    I agree the second vehicle thing does not save money, but I pour $500 a month in the diesel tank, which well covers a car payment and a portion on the cars fuel and insurance. Althought I'd be at about a $200 loss a month, it's a lot more expensive to buy a new truck every several years than a much cheaper car. My current rig is a limited 568 of 584 Harley's made the last year. Not a Tucker, but limited and in its condition is something I would not mind keeping for towing only if I could justify a car.

    I realize the car will cost a bit more, but replacing a $20k car every 4 years beats replacing a $60k truck in the same duration. I know diesels hold value, but I at least double the average yearly mileage, and at over 100k in the time I should be at 50k is a major hit... Thousands, not hundreds. And frankly, the maintenance on a 100k+ diesel will far exceed a 4 cylinder car.
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    I have a 2011 chevy 3500 duramax. I drive it when I need it. Otherwise I am in my 2006 honda civic. I am surprised so many here think that is not practical. I don't have payments on either which of course makes a difference. But I prefer the honda for running around town for many reasons 30 to 33 mpg in town and way easier to get around in tight spots. City driving in any of the big diesels is a PITA in my opinion. As little as you tow I say keep the truck and get a small car. JMHO
  • Vanished's avatar
    Vanished
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    gmcsmoke wrote:
    so you want to buy another vehicle....to save money....good luck with that.


    All depends on how many miles he drives a day... I used to have a 120 mile/day commute for 7 yrs and yes my econoboxes SAVED me money. You have to consider the depreciation delta on the tow vehicle, extra insurances/tags, etc but it can work out... Just sayin'...

    In the OP's case - sounds like a F150 could do the job... But going from a 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton isn't always fun - been there, done that... Several times.. :)
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Oct 16, 2013
    Why not just by a decent fuel efficient used car? They are plentiful and you can shop until you find exactly what you want! They are everywhere for $3-5k even less if you look hard!
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Oct 16, 2013
    As others have mentioned I see no saving by buying another new vehicle.1st issue you will take a hit unloading your current truck.
    Second the Ecoboost is no economy car fuel mileage will not be a whole lot better than your current truck.
    Lastly your Super Duty will deliver a far superior tow vs. the ecoboost. 9500 loaded is pushing the limits of the ecoboost.

    Your 9500 loaded trailer puts you in large truck territory pure and simple. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can tow a 9500 lb trailer with a smaller truck. What you gain in daily driving comfort you lose in towing performance when dealing with a 9500 lb trailer.
    Yes much like the Tundra the Ecoboost engine is very capable however the rest of the truck is not quite as capable.
    If you want to preserve your Super Duty get a econobox beater car for the commute.
    Lastly you should not be afraid of your 6.4 past a 100K. If you don't think it will be reliable past 100K than you have a lemon. A modern diesel engine should reliably last 200K. My current daily driver Duramax has 158K and is still going strong. I drive it as a work truck during the week and it tows my fiver on the weekends.
  • EcoBullet's avatar
    EcoBullet
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    Kampfirekid wrote:

    All thoughts are appreciated.


    What kind of fuel economy does your F250 get? If you trade it for an Ecoboost, you'll be taking a big hit on depreciation and taxes. It is pretty hard to make up for thousands in loss with a few bucks in fuel savings. Same thing with keeping an extra vehicle to get better mileage. By the time you pay for the vehicle, taxes, tags, insurance, etc. it usually won't come out.

    Do you have to drive so many miles? Seems to me like you are overextended and it is time to cut back somewhere, even if it means staying home once in awhile. Maybe next time you buy vehicles or trailers, you could buy something more economical. There are certainly trailers out there that are comfortable for a family of 4-6 that weigh much less than 9,200 lbs. If you got one in the 6-7K range, it would be very easily pulled by an Ecoboost.
  • gmcsmoke's avatar
    gmcsmoke
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    so you want to buy another vehicle....to save money....good luck with that.
  • Javi1's avatar
    Javi1
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    IMO what you're thinking is the definition of a nightmare
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    Sounds like a good match for me. If you were doing a bunch of mountain towing, maybe not. But for the use you describe, it sounds perfect.

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